With so many products out on the market, and on our bathroom shelves, it can be an overwhelming task to form a practical and appropriate skincare routine. 

My advice for beginners is to find a skincare routine that is enjoyable and easy to practise twice daily. Anything too complicated or long will quickly be thrown to the side. Set aside some you time, twice daily, to fall in love with your skin and to practice a bit of self care everyday. Your skin will love you back for it!

Now, to the steps involved. This will obviously change depending on your skin type, age and goals but a basic routine that should be performed TWICE daily would be:

Cleanse + Tone + Serums + Moisturise + Eye Cream 

Still confused? I'll break it down into 5 simple steps below.

1. Cleanse

Cleansing the face, twice daily to remove, oil, dirt and makeup is recommended. Whether you require a refreshing gel-based cleanser or hydrating cream-based cleanser comes down to your skin type and personal preference.

How to cleanse: Apply a small amount to damp skin on the face, massage and rinse away with warm water or a soft facial cloth.

2. Tone

Living in QLD, the high heat and humidity favour the use of toners to remove oils, dirt and bacteria from the skin, brighten the complexion and to generally provide a quick reviving spritz to the skin throughout the day. 

Even more reviving on hot summer days, if you keep your toner in the fridge!

 

Whilst I do suggest the use of a toner twice daily after cleansing to normal, oily and combination skin types, those of you with drier, sensitive skin may not feel this is a necessary step in your daily routine.

Please note: Alcohol, denatured and volatile forms as opposed to fatty alcohols, are frequently included into toners targeting acne and blemish prone skin and whilst the immediate effect may seem beneficial to oily skin complexions, considerable evidence reveals that volatile alcohol damages the skin’s protective surface. This is why none of our products include alcohol. 

How to tone:  Shake toner well before use. Spray a small amount onto a cotton ball and lightly sweep over clean, dry skin after cleansing. Alternatively, hold bottle 10-15 cm from face and spritz 1-2 times.

 3. Serums

Apply your serums next, whether it's a vitamin C serum for skin brightening and hydration or a clarifying skin gel to fight away blemishes. Depending on the strength and active ingredients featured in your serum, this may be a once daily application. 

How to use your serums: This will change depending on the product but a general rule would be to apply to a dry, clean face and neck once daily. 

4. Moisturise

Moisturisers support skin hydration, keep your skin smooth, protected and supple and may include additional active ingredients such as antioxidants, peptides, vitamins and minerals to support skin health. The ingredient list is all important and may favour either lightweight water-based formulations, (suitable for oily skin types), cream formulations (a mix of water and oils to suit most skin types) or richer, nourishing bases suitable for dry skin.

How to moisturise: Apply a small amount to your face, morning and night, after cleansing and toning, whilst avoiding the eye area.  

5. Eye Cream

Given the delicate, thinner and less lubricated skin surrounding our eye area, an eye cream is really an essential addition to your skin care routine, particularly as we age.

How to apply eye cream: Apply a small amount to the eye area twice daily.

So, that is a summary of a simple but effective skincare routine requiring a twice daily application of cleanser, toner, serums, moisturiser and eye cream. 

Do you want more targeted treatments to address specific concerns?

If your needs are centred around blemish and congestion control, skin brightening, skin resilience and tone, ageing skin or a combination of these factors, consider including serums and/or at-home beauty devices to ramp up your routine and results. Beyond that, cosmetic procedures, medications and surgery are available.

Importantly, for the prevention of UV-related skin ageing and to minimise the risk of skin cancer development in later life, a good quality sunscreen or sun block is highly recommended. This is a huge consideration in Australia, particularly in QLD, and consequently, a vast range of sunscreens suitable for all skin types, are readily available.