Essential Steps for a Basic Skincare Routine
Understanding the Basics: Why Skincare Matters
Skincare is not just about looking good; it's about maintaining the health of your skin, which is the body's largest organ. A proper skincare routine helps to protect your skin from environmental damage, keeps it hydrated, and can prevent or address various skin issues such as acne, dryness, and premature aging.
Consistency in skincare is essential for achieving and maintaining healthy skin. Just as training for a marathon requires dedication and a well-structured plan, a skincare routine demands a similar commitment over time. Great skin is not a result of quick fixes; rather, it evolves through persistent care and attention. During your journey towards radiant skin, in-clinic treatments serve as effective supplements, much like energy gels during a race. These treatments can provide that extra support to enhance your results, but they work best when paired with a reliable daily regimen.
Instead of seeking overnight miracles, focus on the long-term benefits of your skincare routine. Consistent application of products tailored to your skin’s needs, combined with professional treatments, will ultimately lead to more significant and sustainable improvements. In the realm of skincare, patience and regularity are the keys to success!
Morning Routine: Start Your Day with Glowing Skin
You only have to google “skincare routine” and you can quickly find yourself in a skincare hole with a routine that’s 10 pages long. So what we have done here is simplify it to the absolute basics.
1. **Cleanser**: Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any impurities that have accumulated overnight.
2. **Moisturiser**: Hydrate your skin with a light, non-greasy moisturiser to lock in moisture.
3. **Sunscreen**: Never skip sunscreen. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
It’s as simple as that! Of course additional serums/products can be added in before your moisturise step, but this is the bare bones of a morning skincare routine.
Evening Routine: Rejuvenate and Repair
Guess what? In the evening it gets even simpler!
1. **Cleanser**: Use a gentle cleanser to remove makeup, dirt, and pollutants from the day.
2. **Moisturiser**: Apply the same hydrating moisturiser from the morning to help your skin repair itself overnight.
If you did want to introduce an evening treatment, we would recommend a retinol between the cleanse and moisturise step. If you do opt for this, people with sensitive skin should approach with caution and everyone should aim to start with a low strength and introduce this slowly over time.
Skincare for Men: Routines for Male Skin
Often we get asked whether men should do anything differently. The simple answer is - no! Men's skin tends to be slightly thicker and slightly more oily. So follow the above routine, but you can introduce the following subtle changes:
AM/PM - Opt for a cleanser specifically for targeting oily skin.
AM - Consider adding an exfoliation step 2-3 times per week between the cleanse and moisturise step.
That’s it!
Choosing the Right Products: A Spotlight on Obagi and AlumierMD
In our clinic we only like to use medical grade skincare products. That’s why we have partnered with Obagi and AlumierMD. Both Obagi and AlumierMD offer a range of high-quality medical grade skincare products designed to address various skin concerns. For those starting on their skincare journey we have two skincare sets that we would recommend. Get in touch with us if you’d like to purchase either of these!
AlumierMD Essentials Set (Either Oily or Dry)- £155
A trio of hybrid products to get you started on your skincare journey. You either have this set for dry skin or oily skin. We also love the fact that this set comes in a nice travel friendly bag!
HydraBoost or Purifying Gel Cleanser:
Refreshing pH-balanced cleansers that effectively removes dirt, oil and impurities, without drying the skin.
Ultimate Boost Serum:
A hydrating, skin-strengthening serum infused with a clinically proven peptide that unveils a smoother, firmer, and more youthful complexion.
Sheer Hydration Broad Spectrum SPF 30:
An award-winning, mineral-based sunscreen offering powerful broad-spectrum protection and lasting hydration.
Obagi 360 System Set- £165
Another trio of hybrid products to get you started on your skincare journey. One of the key differences in this set is it includes the retinol as a nightime treatment.
Exfoliating Cleanser:
This cleanser helps to clear clogged pores and remove dead skin using biodegradeable beads for a smooth & radiant complexion.
Hydrafactor:
A hybrid moisturiser and SPF to provide a dose of hydration and soothing ingredients, as well as UV protection. Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic, dermatologist tested.
Retinol 0.5:
Cream-based formula for evening treatment that helps to renew your skin and gently releases ingredients to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while promoting skin turnover.
Initially, the price of these sets can seem expensive, but often we find that when our patients come to see us, it turns out that they spend a lot of money over a long period on various high-street products that simply don’t work. Furthermore, we find that these sets typically last 3-4 months, which breaks down to approximately £40 per month. As we mentioned at the beginning, good skin is a consistent and long-term investment. What do you spend £40 per month on?
How We Can Help
If you are considering investing in your skin, then meet Georgina White, an experienced nurse with a passion for skincare based out of The Face Workshop in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. With a 9+ year background in the NHS and level 7 (masters equivalent) training in Aesthetics and cosmetic dermatology, she is dedicated to helping you achieve your skincare goals. We offer a skincare consultation service which costs £50 but not only includes a tailored skincare routine and plan to help your goals, but is fully redeemable against your future skincare purchase or treatment! Just click the link below to book. Let's work together to enhance your skin health.