4 Essential Steps To Building A Good Skincare Routine

STEP 1: CLEANSE

An effective cleanser is a core part of any skincare regime. It aids the removal of dirt, oil, and other unwanted debris from the skin surface. Throughout the day the skin on your face is continually covered with bacteria, pollutants, viruses, and dirt. Daily facial washing removes these impurities to freshen the skin. Without washing, you skin is likely to become congested and lead to acne breakouts.

With so many cleansers available, it can be confusing to know which one is best for you. We have all bought products which didn’t suit us and now just sit in the bottom of the drawer.

Everyone has different skin, so it is always a good idea to have a skin consultation, to determine your skin type and invest in products that are well suited to you.

STEP 2: EXFOLIATE

Exfoliating is key if you want to keep your skin glowing. In your 20s your skin cells tend to generate on average every 28days, as we get older this turnover slows down and can result in skin looking dull, discoloured and congested. It can also lead to blemishes as the pores become congested.

Therefore it is vital that you include exfoliation in your skincare regime to remove dead cells, sebum, make up and dirt. Revealing happy, healthy skin!

Generally, I recommend exfoliating 2-3 times a week, but if your skin is on the sensitive side, you may need to stick to just once a week.

STEP 3: TONE

The purpose of a toner is often misunderstood, and many of us aren’t sure if it’s something we should use. Toners can be beneficial to people of all different skin types, and they have been developed to give multiple benefits.

First and foremost they are used to clean and close pores. This acts as a barrier to prevent dirt from entering these freshly cleaned pores – this makes toners especially beneficial to those with acne. It also provides a hydration boost to the skin and also prepares it for the steps that follow e.g. serums or moisturisers.

Face toners should be used immediately after you have cleansed your face, but before you apply any oils, moisturiser, or sun cream.

STEP 4: PROTECT (SPF)

Majority of us wear SPF during the summer months when the sun is shining, but a lot of us are guilty of abandoning it during the winter. SPF is undeniably the best resource we have against anti-ageing and all year round SPF is incredibly important!

There are 3 types of energy that can cause damage to our skin.

1. UVA and UVB: UVA rays are around all year round and can penetrate clouds, fog and windows causing oxidative stress and premature signs of aging. UVB is highest during the summer months and is the culprit for sunburn.
2. Blue (HEV) light:  These rays are emitted from phones and computer screens so imagine how much damage they are doing to our skin!
3. Infrared rays: penetrate the skin deeper than UV and visible light, with about 50% reaching the dermis, the layer where wrinkles are formed.

As mentioned above, there are many different products on the market – our practitioners will go through your skincare routine as part of the consultation and can you give some more tips on how to make your skin glow.

Blog Post by Dr Nikita Desai

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