A consistent skincare routine tailored to your personal needs can definitely help to make your skin look better and feel better. It’s about finding products and a routine that works for you… here are some tips on how to upgrade your skincare routine.
Make your skincare routine a ritual
Treat your skincare routine as ‘me time’ and part of your selfcare ritual. Take your time, slow down and be mindful as you go through the motions. Really be present in the moment and enjoy the process… it’ll make it easier to stick to, and you’ll reap the benefits of that selfcare time.
Check in with your skin
Do you have a regular skincare routine that you religiously follow? Sometimes it’s good to take a moment and check in with your skin. See how its doing, what areas you want to work on and what you think has been going well. It’s also worth skipping the skincare for a day or so occasionally to give it a moment to breathe, and just see how your skin reacts… and what it’s craving.
“If you know your skin type is oily, for example, you’d want to avoid comedogenic ingredients that could clog your pores and cause breakouts. If you know your skin type is dry, you can layer richer moisturisers over a hydrating serum containing hyaluronic acid for a healthy hydration boost,” says Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Ben Esdaile at Skin+Me.
Add in a face mask or two
Face masks are great ways to boost your skincare routine. There are so many different types and quite often, the effects are instant so you can really have a look and see what your skin needs at that moment. Skin feeling congested? Try a clay or charcoal mask. A little dull? A vitamin c mask will be your best friend? Feeling dry? Look for something with hyaluronic acid. Give your skin that instant boost that it’s been craving.
You are what you eat (and drink)
Try and focus on whole foods and lots of fruits and veggies to get glowing skin from within. Antioxidant rich foods like leafy greens can help reduce inflammation and vitamin c rich food can also boost the collagen in your skin too. “Our skin works hard to provide a protective barrier for us, but this means it is constantly bombarded with challenges such as water, light, friction and chemicals. Research has found that the natural compounds found in plants – polyphenols – can help to boost the health of skin cells and reduce the effects of ageing. Fresh vegetables, especially if locally-grown and full of colour, are abundant in polyphenols. Choose dark leafy greens such as curly kale and chard and mix them up with coloured produce such as carrot, butternut squash and peppers,” says Caroline Hind mBANT CNHC, Registered Nutritional Therapist for Vitaminology
This is also your reminder to also drink more water! It can help your skin stay supple and operating properly… many of us don’t drink enough. “Research has found that drinking more water helps hydrate the top layer and even lower layers of the skin and can reduce signs of roughness and dryness. Importantly, skin elasticity also increases when individuals hydrate their body properly. There’s no need to take in huge amounts of water – just get into the habit of drinking small glasses of water or herbal tea regularly throughout the day,” says Caroline Hind mBANT CNHC, Registered Nutritional Therapist for Vitaminology.
Facial massage
Facial massage is a great way to reduce puffiness, boost circulation and bring oxygen back to your face. Start with only a few minutes (with a nice facial oil for slip) and you can also use a tool too like a gua sha. It’s also a great mindfulness practice, a moment for you to connect with your skin and relax.
There are many facial massage videos out there: here’s one from International Makeup Artist Nadira V Persaud…
Don’t forget to exfoliate
Regular exfoliation can really help boost your skincare. It’s a brilliant way to refresh the skin, bringing back that glow by removing dead skin cells from the skins surface. It can help your skincare to work better and unclogs pores, evening your skin tone and smoothing the texture. But don’t overdo it! Once or twice a week is usually enough to reveal glowy, radiant skin. “Your skin cells are constantly turning over every month and your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells. The process of exfoliation helps remove these dead cells and can result in brighter-looking skin. Exfoliation can also help some with acne-prone skin by helping to remove debris blocking pores. Exfoliation can be achieved through chemicals or by physical methods such as scrubs, brushes, cloths and masks,” says Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Ben Esdaile at Skin+Me.
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