Good Skincare Pt. 1
September is National Skincare Month, so we are introducing a weekly blog about how to take care of your skin without a long, expensive and complicated routine. I am a big fan of Caroline Hirons, who is a skincare expert and also tells it like it is, so here we go:
- Shower. The water you have for your shower in the morning is probably too hot for the skin on your face, which is much more delicate, so try not to put your face into the water. Her advice? “Stand with your back to the water and your chin raised, like the shower has greatly offended you”.
- Cleanse. Use a clean flannel every day, and your choice of non-foaming cleanser (these often contain quite harsh chemicals to create the foam, and we’re all about gentleness here).
- Exfoliate. Not those harsh, scrubby ones, but a chemical one, containing any of these – glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid. These lower your skin’s pH and stimulate the new cells. If you’re new to this kind of product, do go a bit easy to start with; you might only need to do it a couple of times a week, especially if your evening regime includes active ingredients such as retinol.
- Spray hydrate. This encompasses those lovely mists like rosewater, and is the start of the hydration process. Look for something that contains glycerine or hyaluronic acid, as these draw moisture in from the environment and takes it into the lower levels of the skin.
- Eye product. This probably goes in a different place to where you’re used to – think of where the rim of your sunglasses sits, and apply there, around the orbital bone socket. Too high, and it will actually make your skin more puffy, probably not the look you were aiming for.
- Serum. This is usually the product that contains the most concentrated ingredients, so well worth considering – you only need a tiny amount.
- Moisturise. This is like the overcoat for your skin, so decide what your skin type is first, then find something for that. Try to avoid anything that calls itself “mattifying” – the skin is not designed to be matte, but if you are concerned about looking oily, choose one that is oil-free.
- SPF. What, as well as moisturiser? Yes – they are two separate products with different jobs, and we are all far more aware of skin damage these days. You need a broad spectrum product, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Also, use about double the amount you’d think of, and don’t forget to apply it to the back of your neck and your ears if you wear your hair up (and if you have hair loss, apply it there too).