As more of us are embracing slow living and self care in favour of our old hectic lifestyles, similar trends have become more prevalent with our skincare choices. It seems that as women, we’re no longer just looking to simplify our beauty regime because we’re so short of time, but rather we’re thinking more carefully about how what we buy / use impacts both our skin and our planet. So on this note, today we’re exploring what a minimal skincare routine that doesn’t compromise the health of the skin really looks like…
BUT FIRST… WHAT DO EACH OF THE MOST COMMONLY USED SKINCARE PRODUCTS DO?
- Cleanser: Cleansers – which can come in a variety of formulas – are designed to remove impurities and break down makeup. They are an effective way to clean, soothe and balance your skin, deeply penetrating pores to dissolve these ‘bad’ oils and bacteria. Removing these are essential for clear, healthy skin.
- Exfoliator: Exfoliating is great for buffing and brightening the skin, removing the barrier of dead skin cells to reveal new cells beneath and allowing other products to penetrate the skin and get to work. However, exfoliating every day can be damaging – causing loss of hydration, skin inflammation, skin irritation and accelerate the skin ageing process.
- Face Mask: Exactly what most people think of when referring to ‘self care’, face masks certainly serve a purpose in the skincare routine. Designed to target 1-2 skin concerns at a time, these treatments can draw out impurities, give a boost of hydration, make the skin appear more radiant and much more. Other than hydrating ones, we wouldn’t recommend using these too often as they can strip the skin of its natural oils.
- Toner: Toners not only feel super refreshing, their role is to tighten pores after cleansing which reduces the ability of impurities to enter the skin layers.
- Moisturiser: A moisturiser’s job is to treat the skin when it’s dry and prevent it from drying out further, however some dermatologists say that by using moisturisers, we’re actually interfering with our body’s natural hydration which leads to sensitive, dry and dull skin.
- Face Oil: Face oils will hydrate, nourish, protect (from changes in weather/temperatures) and support the regeneration of skin. They provide a source of antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamins, help the skin retain moisture, stimulate cells in the epidermis, repair the skin barrier, increase levels of collagen and elastin, and support a soft and smooth complexion.
- Face Serum: A serum is essentially a lightweight moisturiser but is able to penetrate deeper into the skin, delivering active ingredients. As a result of regular use, the skin becomes firmer, smoother and more hydrated.
- Eye Cream/Oil: As the skin around our eyes is so delicate, eye products are formulated with this in mind, mostly taking care of calming, detoxifying, nourishing and boosting collagen (which helps with elasticity). Some also target other concerns such as dark circles, puffiness, fine lines and dehydration.
- SPF: Sunscreen (SPF) protects the skin from UV damage – supporting a healthy microbiome. Without it the UVA and UVB rays can cause sunburn, skin cancer and lead to premature ageing.
You might also like to read: Do You Need a Face Oil, Face Serum, or Both?
MAKING AN INFORMED DECISION… WHICH SKINCARE PRODUCTS DO YOU REALLY NEED IN YOUR ROUTINE?
- Oil-Based Cleanser. We recommend double cleansing using an oil-based cleanser to maximise the absorption of the oils. This two step process of cleansing, rinsing then cleansing and rinsing again ensures you are properly cleansing and removing excess sebum which can cause breakouts. It’s down to personal choice as to whether you cleanse in the morning but it really is a must to cleanse at night to allow the skin to breathe and rejuvenate. We would suggest you cleanse twice a day, particularly if you live/work in a city or town where pollution levels are higher. You could perhaps use a light product such as micellar water in the morning (this doesn’t affect the skin’s natural balance and is made up of tiny micelle particles which are actually oil molecules) and double cleanse with an oil-based cleanser in the evening.
- Muslin Cloth. Using a muslin cloth which can be washed over and over again minimises the use of single use products such as cotton wool. They also dry very quickly once washed, reducing the chance of any bacteria growing. Once you have cleansed your face, use a warm, wet muslin cloth to remove the oil cleanser. These are more gentle than traditional face cloths and will lift dead skin cells and impurities, exfoliate your skin and stimulate circulation so that the skin appears brighter. If you put your muslin cloth in hot water, wring it out and then place it over your face for about 30 seconds, you will also open up the pores in your skin and deepen the cleanse.
- Face Oil. A nourishing face oil like ours generally reduces the need for a serum. Massage a couple of drops of face oil into your cleansed face and neck every night, including around and under the eyes, always applying on damp skin to trap moisture and to cut out the use of a toner. By using the oil at night you are allowing your skin time to rest, enabling it to repair and protect as you sleep. If you are having a no makeup day, in the morning, again massage a single drop of face oil into your cleansed but still damp face and neck.
- SPF. It doesn’t matter if you are wearing makeup or no makeup, it’s a sunny day or rainy day, you are light skinned or dark skinned, you need to apply SPF to protect your skin. Apply as appropriate throughout the day, removing at night to allow your skin to breathe and reap the benefits of your face oil.
You might also like to read: Should You Cleanse Your Face In The Morning?
WHAT DOES YOUR MINIMAL SKINCARE ROUTINE INCLUDE?
We’d love for you to tell us in a comment below.
