A Holistic Guide to Skincare: Finding a Routine that Works for You.
Achieving a skincare routine that genuinely works for your skin goes beyond just using skincare products. It requires a holistic approach that encompasses various aspects of self-care, nutrition, and mindful skincare practices. However, this can be an incredibly daunting to start, and with all the different names, steps, and trends it can also be very confusing. We’ve got you covered. We’ve done all the necessary and unnecessary digging into the skincare regime world and have complied a least we think will make this weirdly stressful task pretty easy. In this guide, we will show you the key steps that you need to know, or at least consider, to create a well-rounded skincare routine that will effectively and beautifully achieve all your skincare dreams.
Where to start? Try Understanding your Skin Barrier
Imagine your skin's barrier as a brick wall, where the bricks represent skin cells, and the cement symbolises the barrier lipids that trap moisture. Maintaining a delicate balance of these components is vital for healthy skin. When this balance is disrupted, issues such as dehydration, flakiness, sensitivity, and breakouts can occur.
This is where most generic breakdowns of skincare routines start, most often with the question what is your skin type? Is it dry, oily, acne prone, a combination? However, actually knowing what causes each of these reactions, as previously explained, can help you refine what products you chose to purchase or get rid of on your shopping list.
To find out exactly how your skin behaves, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and wait 30 minutes. From this point, it should be clear what your skin type is. It will most likely fall into the following:
Dry: it will feel dehydrated, or flaky, and will have sensitivity to weather, especially during winter.
Oily: there’s usually a special focus on the T-zone area (from your chin to your forehead) and often acne/spot prone and issues with blackheads due to excess sebum (the fancy word for oil)
‘Normal’: This tends to just mean it’s neither oily nor dry in any areas. Lucky you.
Combination: Either normal/dry, normal/oily, but most likely it only effects certain areas of your face. It’s best to look at your T-zone (across your forehead and down to your chin), and see what your skin feels like in those areas. This will indicate combination skin as other areas such as your cheeks etc. might be ‘normal’.
Sensitive: this again can come in combination with other skin types, but often means the skin is particularly reactive to either certain or all products you’re putting on your face. We recommend checking for this as well as for your general skin type as it isn’t specific to one. However, it’s likely you already know if you place some products onto your skin, it becomes, inflamed, puffy, red or itchy (these are the typical signs of sensitive skin)
Now, Set Your Skin Goals
This perhaps sounds a little silly, but knowing what you actually want out of your skincare regime makes the process of choosing products way easier. Now you know your skin type, you can figure out what you need. Are you trying to calm your red and acne prone skin? Achieve a K-Beauty level glass skin type? Or you just want a minimalist routine that will keep your skin in check? We would recommend maybe deciding to focus on two or three elements you want to support and specifically choose your products around them.
Cleanse and Refresh
Morning or night routine, choosing a cleanser is always the best first step. Start by for a cleanser that is free from harsh chemicals and sulphates, as these can disrupt the skin's natural balance (check out our ingredients to avoid post on other things to be wary of in your products). Cleansing could be done in the morning and evening to remove impurities, excess oil, and environmental pollutants. However, for some skin types, especially sensitive or dry skin, washing in the morning can add to the dryness and sensitivity, therefore skipping this step can actually be beneficial. If you skin is starting to feel dry or overly oily, this could be a skin you only need to properly wash your face in the evenings. Whatever is best for you, take this opportunity to indulge in a mindful self-care practice by massaging the cleanser into your skin using circular motions, promoting relaxation and blood circulation.
Exfoliation, Exfoliation, Exfoliation
Regular exfoliation is necessary for everyone’s skin to remove dead skin cells and reveal a fresh, radiant complexion. It’s a really key part of your routine to consider if you suffer with oiliness. However, opt for gentle exfoliation methods to avoid over-exfoliating and damaging your skin barrier, otherwise you could risk even more irritation, potential oiliness, and sensitivity. Consider using a chemical exfoliator with natural ingredients such as AHAs or BHAs, which gently dissolve dead skin cells and unclog pores. Also, its a good idea to limit exfoliation to 1-2 times a week to prevent any sort of inflamed reaction, especially when starting out with a product.
Targeted Treatment with Serums & Toners
Serums and targeted treatments are pretty essential for addressing specific skin concerns and providing hydration. Layering or patchworking toners and serums can effectively address issues such as breakouts, pigmentation, and fine lines. Toners are beneficial in restoring moisture balance and maintaining the skin's natural acidic pH without drying or stripping the skin. There are plenty of different serums out there, of which most overlap in what they help to achieve. For instance, consider incorporating a Vitamin C serum for its brightening and antioxidant properties (best used in the morning), or a hyaluronic acid serum for hydration. These targeted treatments should be applied after toning and before moisturising, providing a boost of nourishment to your skin for whatever it needs.
Moisturise, Protect, and Soothe
Moisturising supports the skin's natural functions of protection and repair. Applying a moisturiser helps maintain hydration levels, especially at night when the skin focuses on healing and rejuvenation. Always make sure to apply it to both your face and your neck, as the skin on your neck is affecting in by ageing, weather, and other elements in the same way as your face.
During the day, protect your skin with a broad-spectrum SPF (which can be included in a moisturiser) to shield it from harmful UV rays. Look for a sunscreen that is resistant to sweat, water, and sand, making it suitable for year-round use. By incorporating sunscreen into your routine, you protect your skin and all the products you’ve just applied, preventing a reduction in their efficacy, and maintaining overall skin health. Although there is debate about the true effectiveness of eye creams, addressing that delicate eye area is definitely important, especially in hydration. Therefore, if you’re investing in an eye cream, consider a product base with hyaluronic acid.
Nourish and care from within
Remember that skincare isn't just about what you apply topically; it's also about what you feed your body. Opting for a nutrient-rich diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. These foods are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support skin health and promote a natural glow, and obviously are great for your general physical health (of which your skin is included). Stay hydrated by drinking an adequate amount of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated and plump. As well as this, quality sleep plays a significant role in skin health as its at this time the skin starts any healing or rejuvenation process. It’s always good to aim for 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to allow your skin to repair and regenerate. Establish a bedtime routine that promotes relaxation, such as turning off electronic devices, dimming the lights, and practicing calming activities like reading or meditating, AND doing your skincare! Quality sleep, combined with a consistent skincare routine, really will contribute to a radiant complexion.
Maybe…Oils?
Embracing the power of facial oils can be beneficial for all types of skin. They can nourish and hydrate your skin if you don’t want to opt for hyaluronic acids and other such moisturisers. They provide essential fatty acids and antioxidants, improving skin elasticity, and actually help balance oil production to boost radiance. Select oils that are suitable for your skin type, such as jojoba oil for combination skin or rosehip oil for dry skin. Apply a few drops of facial oil after moisturising, gently massaging it into your skin for optimal absorption.
A holistic approach to skincare involves more than just applying products to your skin. It encompasses self-care, nutrition, and mindfulness, creating a well-rounded routine that supports overall well-being and promotes radiant skin. By prioritising these different steps and ways to really care for your skin, you can achieve a healthy and glowing complexion that reflects your inner well-being. Remember, skincare is a journey, so be patient but enjoy this process as you cultivate your holistic skincare routine.
