Q: What are all the
stages of a skin care regime and what do the products do? There seems to be so many! Anon2
A: I grew up with the
basic cleanse, tone and moisturise routine and it’s the most effective way to
keep your skin healthy. Three easy steps. Simple.
However, what with skincare becoming so technologically and scientifically
advanced, the market is inundated and it can get very confusing as what to buy. This became evident when I was working for the
Japanese skincare and beauty giant, Shiseido in 2015 as the regime became much more than that (and as they do like to layer, it can become costly too). But reading through this post, you will see that some of the product names are called something else but they do the same thing.
For healthy skin, use the right products
for your skin type and condition, keep it clean, use SPF, get a good sleep and
keep it hydrated, whether you have good genes or not. Also, lifestyle and budget come into it but
there is a something out there for everyone.
My morning and night skincare regime consists of the
following but if you find that this is too much then simply cleanse, tone and moisturise but bring it into the 21st Century and add an SPF into the mix:-
1. Eye make-up remover, 2. Cleanser, 3. Toner, 4. Serum, 5. Eye Cream, 6. Moisturiser
7. Sun Protection (which should include a decent 4-5 star rating and P++ rating).
My bathroom cabinet (products vegan and cruelty-free)
Cleansers (2) unclog pores, remove dirt, make-up, oil, sweat,
dead skin cells and other types of pollutants that have accumulated on the
skin, during the day and night so do this twice a day! Cleansers come in the form of gels, oils,
creams, lotions, milks, micellar waters, mitts and balms. For cleansing your peepers (1), unless it
categorically states that you can use a product on the eyes as well as the rest
of the face, I would use a targeted remover for the eyes else it could result
in infections and puffiness if the make-up isn’t properly removed. Also, due to cosmetic formulations now being ‘long-lasting’,
you do need to cleanse more effectively so double-cleanse if you have time. Also beneficial at this stage, is to give your skin a good massage with the cleanser; it gets the blood flow going, stimulates muscles and lymphatic systems, eliminate toxins and promotes healthy cell renewal.
Toners (3) help rebalance the skin after cleansing, remove
any remaining cleansing residue and prepare the skin for the next product. You could instead use an essence or a softener, which are more concentrated and packed with more ingredients than toners in this step. Personally, using a toner is my favourite part of the routine!
Serums (4) penetrate the skin much quicker than moisturisers due
to their consistency and they contain concentrated active ingredients
too so whatever your skincare concern (eg: hydrating, firming, pigmentation or
acne), these little beauties will deliver and target it.
Ampoules do the same thing as serums but they are even more
concentrated. I use a firming serum
during the day and at night, I apply one that contains glycolic acid (an AHA) so I
don’t have to exfoliate my face with a scrub once a week. If you use an AHA, make sure you use an
SPF the following day, as the top layer of the skin has been gently dissolved allowing UVA and UVB to penetrate.
Eye products (5) can help to de-puff and/or reduce the signs
of ageing. I still firmly believe that
these little beauties work even if beauty editors don’t. If I don’t use one, then I notice a
difference. Tip – apply a size of half a grain of
rice around the orbital bone and not directly under your eyes – the skin
is absorbent and the product will get to where it needs to go at a rate of what it deems fit (too much product
can weigh the thinner skin under the eyes down and result in dark circles).
Moisturisers (6) basically prevent moisture loss and bring
comfort to the skin. These creams, lotions and gels do a lot more than that nowadays as they can firm, lift, exfoliate,
plump and provide sun protection so its down to you what your needs are. Remember, you can go for a basic, cheaper
moisturiser and it will still hydrate and allow the skin to feel comfortable and then you can splurge
a bit on a serum that will target specific concerns. I am currently using a moisturiser that doesn’t contain SPF so I use this product day and night.
SPF (7). You can buy
moisturisers containing a sun protection factor but if you are using one that
doesn’t, then you can layer another product on top to make sure you are
protected, like I do – they come in the form of lightweight lotions and these
make good make-up primers too. Or you
can use a proper facial sun cream.
Thankfully, these products aren’t heavy textures like they once were and
they are great under make-up.
You will notice that I haven’t included exfoliators or masks
for a weekly treat for the skin in this list.
Seeing as I use a glycolic as a daily exfoliator, I haven’t bought a
scrub in a long time and as for using a mask, I have just been downright lazy
in not using one! But it’s good to
slough off those dead skin cells with an exfoliator and then allow your skincare
products to work more efficiently by using a mask. Once you have exfoliated, treat the skin to a
mask that is suitable for your skin type/condition, one that will leave the
skin revitalised, clean and hydrated. They come in the form of gels, creams, peels and sheet masks (ugh, which I don't like, they are too wet and claustrophobic!), to name but a few.
Hope this helps!
For more information on You Little Beauty, blogs and treatments, please visit the website www.youlittlebeauties.co.uk
