Everyone wants perfect skin but with our busy lives, our daily skincare routines are often a case of a quick wash with soapy water and slapping on some moisturiser. However, different skin types require different levels of care. Here are the five golden rules of any skincare routine:
Choose gentle skincare products
Although this goes without saying, you should always choose gentle skincare products. While many of us may reach for a standard bar of soap, it can irritate the skin and cause our problem areas to become, well, more problematic. For example, harsh chemicals can dry out skin or even irritate it to the point where it overcompensates and starts producing even more oil.
Look for fewer ingredients
Cleansers, face washes and moisturisers with a long list of ingredients can mean bad news for your skin, as there’s more chemicals that could cause irritation. Generally, the fewer ingredients in a product, the more natural it is. Take the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant wash, for example. Available from Pure Beauty, it contains natural rice extract, enzymes and acids, as well as liquorice, aspergillus and grapefruit extracts. It’s perfect for smoothing and soothing your skin.
Always remove your makeup before bed
We all know we should do it, but how often do we snuggle down in bed to realise we haven’t taken our makeup off? Sleeping with your makeup on can cause problems with your skin, clogging pores and causing those pesky breakouts. No matter how much you want to stay in bed, if you want a flawless complexion, you should always wash away your makeup with a gentle cleanser. Apply a hydrating moisturiser before going to sleep too.
Stay hydrated
Of course, some of how our skin looks is controlled by what we eat and drink. Dehydrated skin can make your complexion look dry and flaky, so make sure you drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Try to keep your coffee consumption to a minimum too, as this can dehydrate you further and make your skin look lacklustre.
Think you can handle the dehydration? Don’t forget that it can make fine lines and wrinkles more prominent!
Pat your skin dry
So you’ve washed your face and completed the first step of your skincare routine. You reach for the towel and rub your face dry — STOP! By doing so, the friction of the rough material is actually damaging your skin. Instead, use a soft, dry cloth and gently pat your skin dry.
How do you keep your skin in top condition? Do you have any tried and tested skincare tip to share?
*This is a collaborative post.
I do some of these things but not all of them. I need to moisturise more regularly because that’s one thing I’m not too good at.
Moisturising does help x
staying hydrated is so super important you’re right. i notice such a big difference in my skin if i dont have my daily water intake.
I need to drink more water..
I’m always guilty of forgetting to take my makeup off, although recently I’ve been taking much better care of my skin 🙂
I always remember to take my makeup off now but that wasn’t the case when I was younger..
Great tip, I really should do more to look after my skin!
Yea same here.
I look after my skin a 100 times better than I used to when the adult youngsters were small. The fact of having 4 youngsters and the internet age hadn’t really taken off then made it harder to have the time to spend browsing with ease, what was what.
I do have a daily skin routine with Elemis and Dermalogica products. I also do a weekly at home face peel. I have facials at my hairdressers about 3 times a year also. 2 of around our holiday time, before and after the hols.
People say my skin is fab, smooth and I don’t look my age, which I don’t. I also do facial yoga everyday, which basically is no recovery or cost skin exercises to keep the years and wrinkles at bay. Google it if you want to know more. It works.
I think it gets easier to do if your organised once the youngsters are older. They still have demands and the role of Mom just changes however you do have more time to focus on making a routine and sticking to it. It doesn’t take that long once your in the habit of.
Wow you take good care of your skin. That is so good. I neglected my skin for so long, just getting around to taking extra care of it now.
Drinking water and staying hydrated is one of the very best things you can do for your skin x
Yea I know. I really need to drink more water.
Some great tips here, one of my downfalls is not drinking enough water, I am terrible for this, although in the hotter weather I do drink a lot more x
Yea I tend to drink more during summer too.
I used to be so bad at removing my makeup but now I do it every single evening thoroughly! x
Yea me too.
Definitely agree that it’s important to stay hydrated! It helps with so many things.
Yea it does.
I knew a lot of these but I never knew the pat dry one. I always rub my face dry but I won’t anymore.
Yea patting is the way forward.
Great post one of the things I need to do more is stay hydrated I’ve never been good at drinking enough water.
Yea I struggle with drinking water too.
I am totally guilty of not having a skincare regime although I have improved in the last few weeks and I have noticed a difference
Ah great x
I don’t drink anywhere near enough water! I really should, I just seem to go a whole day without even thinking about it! Must try harder!!! xx
Same here x
I really need to look after my skin better. Least I can do is stop rubbing it dry. Great tips!
Thanks for reading x
I really try to make sure I drink as much water as possible and moisturise my skin to keep it really hydrated! x
Yea I do too x
I’ve been a naghty girl and have been slacking with my water intake. Thanks for the reminder.
No probs x
I definitely need to drink more water, I’m going to get a more natural moisturiser next time as well x
Ah nice one Jenni x
I always you a light oil free moisturiser at night and exfoliate once a week
Oh great job x
These are some great tips – I have to admit I am awful for rubbing my face dry whoops! x
I know..Many of us are xo
Until last week I had no skin care routine but I’m proud to say that I have finally been taking my make up off every night with a moisturising facial wash!
Great job!
I do agree, skin care is more than wash and moisturise.
You did a fab job.
XO
Thanks hun xo
Some great tips here – I really don’t do enough to look after mine
Thanks for reading Rebecca xo
Staying hydrated is so important for your skin. Really great tips.
Yea it is x
I do most of these! Great tips here. I always feel a lot more fresh if I take make up off before bed {when I wear it!}
Yea I feel fresh too. Love the feeling x
As a bloke, this isn’t normally my field but I have recently been getting dried out, painful hands. Cheers, then, for the handy (scuse the pun) tips!
Lol..No probs.
These are all such great tips! Fewer ingredients is SUCH a good point!
Yea it is. Thanks Jodie.
I agree, gentle products are a must. Drinking lots of water really helps too. A good moisturiser is also top of my list
Yea cool x
Nice Post 🙂 These tips are the most basic but essential skincare tips.
Thank you.
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