Creating Your Personalised Skincare Routine: Unlocking Radiant Skin Secrets
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on creating a personalised skincare routine! We understand that creating a personalised routine can be a little overwhelming, especially when it comes to the different steps, the best ingredients and what’s great for you. In this blog, we will delve into the world of skincare, discussing the functions of the skin, why a consistent skincare routine is essential for healthy, radiant skin and building your own routine. So, let's get a little more information on understanding the skin and its function.
Understanding the Skin
To fully appreciate the significance of a skincare routine, it is crucial to comprehend the skin's functions and structure. Our skin is the body's largest organ, serving as a protective barrier between our internal systems and the outside world. It consists of three primary layers:
Epidermis:
Did you know the epidermis is made up of 5 layers? Keratin (Protein) is present in all 5! The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin and acts as a shield against environmental aggressors. It continually regenerates itself by shedding dead skin cells and producing new ones, ensuring a fresh and youthful complexion. The epidermis is approximately 0.1 – 1mm thick.
Dermis:
Beneath the epidermis lies the dermis, which consists of 2 layers, that contains vital structures like blood vessels, hair follicles, nerves and sweat glands. Collagen, the most predominant protein of the dermis, and elastin fibres reside in the dermis, providing strength, elasticity, and support to the skin. This layer is responsible for the skin's firmness and resilience.
Subcutis:
The subcutis, also known as the hypodermis, is the deepest layer of the skin. It mainly consists of fat cells that act as insulation, keeping our bodies warm and protecting our organs from injury, blood vessels and nerves. The subcutis also contributes to the skin's plumpness and smoothness.
The Importance of a Skincare Routine:
Now that we understand the skin's intricacies, let's explore why a consistent skincare routine is vital:
Maintenance and Prevention: A well-designed skincare routine helps maintain the skin's health and prevent future issues. It acts as a proactive approach to counteract environmental damage, aging, and other common skin concerns.
Targeted Solutions: By customizing your skincare routine, you can address specific concerns and achieve desired results. Whether it's reducing wrinkles, controlling oiliness, or brightening dull skin, a tailored routine allows you to target your unique needs effectively.
Enhancing Skin Function: A consistent skincare routine optimizes the skin's natural functions, such as cell turnover, collagen production, and hydration. By providing the right ingredients and nourishment, you can support these processes and promote a healthier, more radiant complexion.
Building Your Personalized Skincare Routine:
Now that we understand the importance of a skincare routine, let's explore the BASIC, ADVANCED, and INSIDE-OUT routines and their steps to create your personalised regimen.
BASIC (Prep – Treat – Protect)
- Prep: Cleanse – Start and end your day by washing away impurities and oil build up while prepping your skin for the next steps in your routine with a gentle cleanser suitable for your skin type. This could include a foaming facial wash, gel cleanser, cleansing balm, micellar water, or cream cleanser.
- Treatment – Apply a targeted treatment to address your specific skin concerns. This could include a vitamin C serum for brightening, a hyaluronic acid for hydration or salicylic acid for acne-prone skin. For a full list of skin concerns and treatments, click on each skin concern above.
- Protect – This step will include a broad-spectrum SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of SPF 30 or higher during the day and a nourishing moisturiser for your evening routine. A lightweight moisturiser can also be used in your morning routine if needed.
ADVANCED (Prep - Tone - Treat - Eye Care - Protect)
- Prep – Cleanser
- Tone – Balance your skin’s pH levels and prep it for better absorption of the following steps.
- Treatment – Targeted serum, treatment; exfoliant or facemask
- Eye Care – Delicate under-eye skin requires special attention. Use an eye cream or serum to moisturise and combat concerns such as wrinkles and fine lines – or dehydration lines.
- Protect – SPF 30 or higher during the day, moisturiser during the day and/or night.
INSIDE-OUT (Basic or Advanced Routine with complementing supplement)
- Basic Routine – Prep, Treat, Protect
- Advanced Routine – Prep, Tone, Treat, Eye Care, Protect
- Inside-Out Routine – Either A or B with an added supplement
Incorporating supplements into your skincare routine can provide additional support to enhance the health and appearance of your skin from within. By nourishing your body with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, supplements can complement your topical skincare to address your skin’s needs both internally and externally.
Remember, consistency is key when it comes to skincare or supplementing. Stick to your routine and allow time for products to show their effects. Additionally, listen to your skin and adjust your routine if needed, especially when seasons change, or your concerns evolve.
Additional Tips:
Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. Try Toning Mist
Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and antioxidants to support overall skin health.
Good Sleep: Prioritize quality sleep as it plays a vital role in skin repair and rejuvenation.
Protect Your Skin: Avoid excessive sun exposure, wear protective clothing, and reapply sunscreen as needed.
This guide and its subsequent links, including the mention of skincare and supplement products are not to treat, diagnose or replace medical advice given to you from a professional but as complementary products to your routine.
CONSISTENT ROUTINE
For the best results from your acne treatment, you’ll need daily skincare to complement your treatment and to address other skin concerns.
BASIC (Prep, Treat & Protect)
- Cleanse - Start and end your day by washing away impurities and oil build up while prepping your skin for the next steps in your routine with a gentle cleanser suitable for your skin type.
For acne-prone skin it’s best to avoid harsh cleansers that strip the skin of its natural oils and disrupt the moisture barrier (this can lead to increased oil production and potential breakouts).
Instead, opt for gentle cleansers suitable for your skin type including cleansing balms, oil-based cleansers, or cream cleansers, such as the Collagen Cleansing Milk for normal/dry skin or gel-based cleansers and foaming washes, such as the Foaming Facial Wash for normal/oily skin types.
- Treatment – Apply a targeted treatment to address your specific skin concerns. This could include a vitamin C serum for brightening and tackling hyperpigmentation, a hyaluronic acid for hydration or AHAs/BHAs/PHAs for acne-prone skin.
For acne-prone skin it’s best to avoid harsh exfoliants that can disrupt the skin microbiome and further damage the skin’s barrier.
Incorporate chemical or fruit enzyme exfoliant, such as the Microdermabrasion (please note, this product is a chemical, fruit enzyme and physical exfoliant so this product shouldn’t be used on active acne and only be used once a week), or exfoliating toner, such as the Hydrating Toning Mist (featuring fruit enzymes) or serums containing AHAs/BHAs/PHAs into your skincare routine a few times a week, after cleansing and before applying other treatments and moisturisers.
It is crucial to consider that certain acne treatments can potentially lead to skin dryness. Therefore, incorporating a hydrating treatment is essential to restore and maintain optimal skin balance and hydration levels. Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, and vitamin C (all featured in the Collagen Facial Serum, including vitamin C) are just some of the hydrating ingredients used to hydrate the skin.
When using AHAs/BHAs/PHAs, be sure to wear Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or above to help protect your skin.
- Protect –
ADVANCED (Prep, Tone, Treat, Eye Care, & Protect)
INSIDE-OUT (BASIC/ADVANCED + Supplement)