Why do you need a skincare routine?
In short, because taking care of your skin requires considered attention and dedication. It doesn’t have to be lengthy or complicated, but it needs to be consistent and targeted to your skin.
The key is to build a routine that is good enough so you see results fairly quickly, without irritating your skin and without having to switch products every couple of weeks.
Why you need a personalised skincare routine:
No two people have the same skin. One active ingredient – say, retinol – could have great results on your friend’s skin but irritate yours too much even though you seem to have similar skin types. This is where trial and error comes in, and the advice of a skincare expert can save you time, money and worries! Recommendations can be given based on specific concerns to create the most effective and safest routinewhich importantly considers your skin and lifestyle as a whole.
Why you shouldn’t change your skincare too often:
Skincare is not about getting a quick fix (sorry, I know this is not what you want to hear…). It’s about protecting and improving your skin for the short and long term, but even “short term” can mean a few weeks sometimes.
Leave time for your products to show their efficacy. A skin cycle lasts for 4 weeks – meaning that it takes 4 weeks for the new cells created at the base of the skin to reach the outer layer of the epidermis and shed. You need to get passed that time (and sometimes up to 2 or 3 skin cycles) to see the real potential of your products.
Now, some products can provide instant results; for example, a moisturising mask will leave your skin looking instantly glowy and more hydrated, and an AHA toner can give you a fresher complexion in a few days. However, most skin concerns will be solved through a consistent use of suitable products, for long lasting results.
By switching your skincare too often, you will not be able to tell which products are working or not, and you are at risk of irritating your skin.
Why it’s better to have two different skincare routines for the morning and the evening:
The skin behaves differently during the day and the night, and so has different needs.
- Day time: The morning routine should be all about protecting the skin from environmental damages (like sun, dirt and pollution), and giving it enough hydration to look its best all day long, whether or not you wear makeup. Antioxidant serums, moisturisers and SPF are your best friends here.
- Night time: For your evening routine, the number one priority is to properly cleanse your face to remove makeup, pollution, dead skin cells and SPF. The skin physiology is also different at night: it’s more permeable to active ingredients, it produces less oil, the water loss is increased and it regenerates itself much faster. Think acids, retinol and richer creams to get the most out of your beauty sleep.