My Six Step Skincare Routine

I have withheld myself from writing for post for many months now, desperately waiting for my skin to be perfect, for every imperfection to be locked away. However, I have since realised that it’s okay if my skin naturally breakouts when mother nature arrives or doesn’t glow like the sun. It is impossible for your skin like us to never to have a bad day, as there are going to be moments in life when you are stressed or nights where you forget to take off your makeup, even though we all pretend we have never committed this sin. I have learnt to embrace what I now like to call my quirks that line my face, whether they just be visiting for a short while or for longer. I no longer dread the day I get wrinkles as I will then know that I have truly lived and laughed. My skincare journey has not been easy, especially during lockdown but I feel as though I have now come a long way in learning how to take care of my skin and not beat myself up when it’s not looking its best. I have documented photos of my skin over the last year as shown below as I wanted to track my own improvements and show people that it can get better. The purpose of this post is to share what I have learned about skincare with others who may be struggling too; it is not a step-by-step guide to success, as there isn’t one.

September 2020 October 2020 December 2020

January 2021 February 2021 July 2021

Step 1: Makeup Remover

There is nothing more refreshing after a hard day’s work or a long evening out then getting home and swiping away the mascara which as time has gone on has slowly slide into the crevasses of your cheekbones. My go to product when removing my makeup is The Inkey List’s Oat Cleansing Balm as it is gentle on your skin by melting your makeup off, which trust me is the best feeling. I recommend this product for anyone with sensitive skin and as well as treating your skin with care it also is better for the environment than those harsh makeup wipes, which aren’t biodegradable and therefore creates a lot of waste. One thing to note is that after using a cleansing balm to remove your makeup you must still follow step 2 to fully clean your skin.

https://www.lookfantastic.com/the-inkey-list-oat-cleansing-balm-150ml/12435694.html

Step 2: Cleanser

This is arguably the most important step in any skincare routine, as it gets deep into your pores to remove all of the dirt that has been sitting on top of your skin throughout the day. There are many different cleansers that exist for every skin type, which can make it hard for you to pick the right one for you. One brand that I suggest is great for identifying what your needs may be is CeraVe, as their range carries many cleansers that are great for whatever skin type you are whether it be dry, oily, or even the combination of these two. CeraVe is a great brand for drugstore lovers and their packaging also makes it simple as to which cleanser you may need, for instance I use their hydrating facial cleanser, as they recommend this for those like myself who suffer with dry skin. Whatever cleanser you end up selecting it is important to use it both in the morning and evening to make sure you are properly cleaning your skin and preventing breakouts. My last tip with cleansers is to avoid any who on their ingredient list state that they contain fragrance, alcohol or essential oils, as these can irritate the skin or cause inflammation.

https://www.boots.com/cerave-hydrating-cleanser-236ml-10246701-

Step 3: Face masks

Like anyone who loves a pamper evening, I particularly enjoy a face mask; however, I have learnt to tell the difference between the gimmicks and those that have actual benefits to my skin. One of my favourites is The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, as it is a chemical exfoliant that deeply penetrates the pores to help with acne scars and skin texture. However, be warned this is a very powerful face mask which you must use carefully. I would recommend only using a few drops from the dispenser and leaving it on for no more than ten minutes. It is also important to only use the mask once a week and if the sensation whilst applying it changes from a tingly feeling to a burn remove it immediately and don’t use it again, as it can be too strong for very sensitive skin. Also please bear in mind that this face mask can actually make your skin look worse before it gets better, as its purpose is to bring out what lives under your skin before it then begins to treat this. It can take two to three months for your skin to adjust to any new products you begin using so be patient and kind to your skin. Another favourite face mask of mine I use to address any breakouts that I have is the GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment. This is slightly more expensive than the previously mentioned face mask; although, I have found it to be worth it. Simply, place it on any spot for 15 mins and watch it shrink. You can apply this to any part of your face for the same amount of time; although, I only use it on any active spots as I find it to be a bit strong for my sensitive skin. When it comes to face masks it is important to not overwork your skin, I only use both of those mentioned above once a week and on different nights to make sure I am not irritating my skin unnecessarily.

The Ordinary mask: https://www.beautybay.com/p/the-ordinary/aha-30-bha-2-peeling-solution/

GlamGlow mask: https://www.boots.com/glamglow-super-mud-clearing-treatment-15g-10242011p

Step 4: Serums

Using different serums have really helped to clear my skin, as they are individually crafted to help one or two specific skin concerns. My favourite product is the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, as I notice such a difference when I put it on overnight compared to the morning. It somehow manages to shrink my pores overnight, which I have never found in a skincare product before, as well as leaving me with a clearer complexion, making it my miracle in a bottle. You can probably see a pattern in my favourite brands of skincare by now, as I also think in terms of serums that The Ordinary and The Inkey List are both great affordable options, which can still improve your skin. When it comes to serums, I recommend at first only buying one or two to target your main skin concerns whether it be dryness, oiliness, scars, hyperpigmentation or wrinkles. For example, as my skin has been clearing spot scarring has been my biggest issue, which I combat by using The Ordinary’s Alpha Arbutin serum to help remove the redness left by previous spots. Every night after using a face mask or my cleanser I only use one serum to make sure I don’t overload my skin and then the next night I will use a different one, such as The Ordinary’s Lactic Acid, which helps with my skin’s texture if like me you get those tiny bumps on your forehead which never seem to disappear. By rotating your serums throughout the week it gives your skin all the benefits of these whilst keeping it happy without any inflammation.

Paula's Choice serum: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/paulas-choice-skin-perfecting-2-bha-liquid-exfoliant.html

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin: https://www.lookfantastic.com/the-ordinary-alpha-arbutin-2-ha-concentrated-serum-30ml/11363396.html

The Ordinary Lactic Acid: https://www.lookfantastic.com/the-ordinary-lactic-acid-10-ha-2-superficial-peeling-formulation-30ml/11363400.html

Step 5: Moisturiser

This is another key aspect that needs to be in your skincare routine, as if you miss it can cause dryness and irritation which can leave you with an angry red complexion. When it comes to a moisturiser, I recommend not splashing out on a luxury product, as they all tend to provide the same function, which is soothe and hydrate your skin. My go to for years has been The Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser, which I find is perfect for my skin, as I tend to have dryer skin; however, The Simple also have a twin product that is a light version that is great for those with an oilier complexion. This again is a product you need to apply twice a day to look after and protect your skin.

https://www.boots.com/simple-kind-to-skin-rich-moisturiser-replenishing-125ml-10023880

Step 6: Sun cream!

Other than your cleanser and moisturiser this is a must have product, especially if you are using some of the strong serums and face masks I have mentioned above, as it is crucial in protecting your skin. No matter how good your skincare routine is if you don’t use sun cream it will ruin all your hard work and can cause permanent damage. One thing I have personally always hated about sun cream is the odour it leaves as you smear it all over your face and the fact that it can often cause me to breakout. Since last summer I have been on a search to find a sun cream for my face that avoids both of these issues when I discovered Purito’s Comfy Water SunBlock. This sun cream is amazing as it’s so light and feels like you are just putting on a moisturiser. It also has a SPF50 which is perfect as the weather in the UK begins to occasionally lighten up. I put this on every morning even if its cloudy outside as the sun rays can still cause damage no matter the weather.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PURITO-Comfy-Water-Block-SPF50/dp/B08D38K4H7

Always remember that your skin is beautiful no matter what.