Less is sometimes more, and I always recommend a streamlined and effective regime where every product and ingredient has a place and purpose. Knowing where all your products fit into your routine can be difficult to distinguish, so below are some suggestions for the ideal daily, weekly and monthly skincare rituals to achieve ongoing results and a most radiant glow.
DAILY
Double cleanse
Double cleansing each evening ensures a thorough clean. I like to start with a gentle oil or milk formulation to remove traces of makeup and SPF, followed by a cleanser containing acids or enzymes to deep-clean the pores.
Hydrate, inside and out
Hydrate the skin topically with an antioxidant serum followed by a moisturiser to nourish and lock in hydration allowing for plump, supple skin. It’s essential to drink plenty of water and aim for at least 8 glasses of water a day, especially if (like me) you love a morning coffee. I like to mix up my water intake by adding slices of lemon, cucumber, collagen powders and teas.
Use SPF without fail
We know that sun damage is the leading cause of premature ageing, so using a broad spectrum SPF of at least 30 every morning is the best way we can protect ourselves from harmful UV rays and prevent fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture, pigmentation and dark spots.
WEEKLY
Exfoliate regularly
As we get older, the rate at which our skin cells renew themselves slows down so it’s important to incorporate regular exfoliation into your routine two to three times a week to speed up this process and gently slough away dead skin cells. I love to use a combination of chemical and physical exfoliation but never use them together.
Masking
Whatever your preference – sheet mask, clay mask, gel or cream – face masks, like serums, are a fantastic way to deliver active ingredients and antioxidants deep into the skin to target specific concerns. I love a face mask, it’s one of the easiest ways to boost your complexion.
For oily skin types try a clay mask to help draw out impurities in the skin and remove excess oil. Combination skins can really benefit from multi-masking: this means applying a clay or enzyme based mask to your oiler areas such as the T-zone and a hydrating cream mask across the cheeks where you might be a little dryer. For dry and sensitive skin types apply a cream mask to nourish and hydrate the skin.
Care for your hair
The scalp rarely gets enough attention in the skincare routine, yet its health and happiness are so inextricably linked to that of the hair. Using a purifying scrub weekly is a great way to remove product build-up and balance hydration levels. Like our face, applying a mask to our hair is key to our weekly routine to restore radiance and shine and nourish the hair fibres.
MONTHLY
In-clinic treatment or DIY facial
Whether at home or in the clinic, facials are a fantastic way to support our skin for optimal skin health. If you’re not able to book a monthly in-clinic facial you can achieve great results by taking the extra time for yourself to do a DIY facial at home. A DIY facial is accessible to everyone, our kitchen is typically full of natural ingredients that can help our skin. Manuka honey to soothe and heal, plain yoghurt acts as a natural exfoliant, and ice cubes or cucumber to depuff, cool and hydrate our delicate eye area. We also have access to so many great at-home devices that can be incorporated into any skincare routine; LED masks and gua sha are a few of my favourite tools.
I like to double cleanse, exfoliate, put on a mask, give myself a facial massage for lymphatic drainage, apply a spritz of hydrating mist, use an antioxidant serum and finish with a thin layer of occlusive balm to lock everything in.
