My Top 5 Skincare Tips
I am really happy with my skin at the moment, if I do say so myself. It’s probably the best it’s ever been and that’s because of some things I have learnt from the amazing Beauty community on Instagram… but also because I’m finally settling into a routine that’s right for my skin.
I am sure I will continue to learn more and my top tips will constantly change, but for right now, here are my top tips to get comfortable in your own skin…
Focus On Cleansing
The biggest mistake I ever made when I was younger was to underestimate just how important the first step in my skincare routine was… cleansing. I just did one cleanse with something that was totally wrong for my skin and stripped all the goodness away. Finally over the past year or so I have started doing a double cleanse in the evening with some amazing products. I have also started to always cleanse in the morning and it’s made such a difference! I truly believe this is why I have seen such a major improvement in my skin. Ensuring I start with an oily first cleanse (I use an oil balm) means I get the majority of the dirt off. When I started out though I thought the majority was enough. Turns out… it’s not! I do two full cleanses, then when I use my toner I am still finding remnants of make-up. One cleanse simply isn’t enough for me to remove all the dirt and nasties from the day. Now my face feels fully clean when I start my hydration steps.
Never use wipes
Yes they are quick but just NOOOO! NEVER USE WIPES. Not only are they incredibly UN environmentally friendly, they’re also just not great for your skin! I got in at 5am the other morning (yes I am crazy… to be clear that’s the first time that’s happened in a very long time, most nights I am in bed by 10!) and I STILL did my full PM skincare routine, double cleanse included. Wipes are full of preservatives (it’s not natural they stay wet) so they are likely to make your skin inflamed. They strip away the good stuff and can dry out your skin and overall they just don’t even do a great job of cleansing. Stop being lazy and buy a flannel people!
Give Your Products Time To Work
I used to try a product for a few days and then decide it wasn’t working and stop. This is silly really. It takes 28 days for skin cells to turn over, so really you should use products for a month before you make a decision on whether they’re right for you. That said, obviously if you’re having a reaction then definitely stop, but otherwise you should really give them a go for longer than a few weeks. You should also introduce one new product at a time. I find this hard as I am clearly an addict and want to try lots of different products all at the same time. I am still a little guilty of this which makes it very difficult to determine which products are doing what. Patience is a virtue.
Remember To Exfoliate
I have very dry skin, which used to flake (it sometimes still does) - never a good look. I also have sensitive skin which makes a physical exfoliation a little irritating and can bring me out in a cool shade of tomato. However, because of this sensitivity, I used to believe that doing any exfoliation just wasn’t for me. I was totally wrong. Using exfoliators (chemical or masks) has been my skin saviour. If ever I am feeling more dry than normal or noticing flaking, I chuck on my Oskia Rennaisance Mask and it’s gone. Gets rid of that dead skin and and I am back to plumped and hydrated in no time.
Bring Out Your Natural Beauty
I have started wearing less and less make-up, which is what I tend to do as we move into summer. It helps starting with great skin but I have also discovered products to enhance the natural (rather then draw it on). So RapidLash and RapidBrow specifically are the products I have been using for a while now. I am on my third month of RapidBrow and it makes such a difference. I don’t feel the need for as much brow pencil anymore and whilst I love bigger brows, I don’t feel naked without my pencil anymore. RapidLash is starting to work (I have been using it for almost 2 weeks) and that means I am not wearing so much mascara. Finding products that enhance the natural may be a little time consuming but in the long run it definitely feels better - and a lot easier!