When it comes to our skin we usually think high-end products are the best quality products and so we spend tons of money on purchasing from high-end brands without really understanding what our skin truly needs. Not just that, we think the more products we apply on to our face, the better our skin will be, but that’s not true.

You needn’t follow a 10 step or 14 step skincare routine to achieve healthy, glowing skin – you just need to have a minimalist skincare regimen and understand what product goes on first and what follows, because a lot of times when you are dealing with a skin issue like acne or ageing, products need to be applied in a certain order to show optimum effectiveness.

#1

Always cleanse your skin, but never over-cleanse. If you have very oily skin, maybe wash your face twice a day – morning and evening, but if you have dry skin, wash your face only once a day. I personally have combination skin and use micellar water to cleanse my face in the mornings, followed by simply splashing my face with plain water and at night I use a gentle cleanser to wash my face.

On days when you’re wearing makeup, it’s always a good idea to double cleanse – use an oil-based cleanser to melt away all the makeup and then follow it up with a foaming cleanser. My current OG micellar water is the BIODERMA Sensibio H2O Micellar Water and go-to face cleanser at the moment is La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser.

Also, don’t rub or be harsh on your skin when drying your face, gently pat dry using a towel…you don’t want to bring on wrinkles to your precious face now, do you?! If you’re experiencing breakouts, now is a good time to use a pimple patch like UNNIE SKIN Large Square Acne Pimple Patch Value Pack – Hydrocolloid & Salicyclic acid for clearing pimples, zits, blemishes for face and skin to treat blemishes and protect your skin.

#2

Apply a toner within a minute of washing your face and letting that sink into the skin for about a minute before you go on to apply the rest of your skincare. What this will do is balance the pH of your skin and ensure that whatever booster, serums, cream or treatment you apply next will be absorbed properly by your skin.

Toners these days have become so much more than they used to be- they’re now designed to exfoliate the skin, act as the first essence, etc and they not only soften the skin, they also nourish your skin, so be wise about which toner you pick based on what your skin needs. I’m currently using the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Astringent Micro-Exfoliant Toner to gently exfoliate my skin and lighten acne scarring.

Exfoliating your skin is very important, but remember to not exfoliate your skin too much, as that will cause irritation and damage to your skin. Exfoliate no more than twice a week and use a product that is best suited for your skin type – be that a chemical exfoliant or a physical one. On days when you exfoliate – exfoliate first and then apply a toner.

You can apply toner by soaking a cotton round with it and swiping that all over the face, or directly misting the toner on your skin and gently patting that in with your fingers.

#3

Hydrate your skin with serum, essence and/or creams. An essence is traditionally more watery and lightweight than a serum, so less concentrated with active ingredients, whereas a serum is thicker in consistency (still lighter and more watery than a classic moisturiser) and loaded with key active ingredients that are meant to address specific concerns like wrinkles, dark spots or ageing.

I’m addicted to serums at the moment because that is what my skin needs – hydration, hydration and more HYDRATION. Some of my favourites are by Vichy and Clinique.

#4

Go in with your treatment product next (if you are using any). That means ampoules, creams (including super on-trend CBD creams), emulsions, moisturisers for skin issues like acne, scarring, pigmentation, ageing, etc. Once again press the product into the skin to make sure that it gets absorbed properly. For any active breakouts that have come to a head, use pimple patches like the UNNIE SKIN Large Square Acne Pimple Patch Value Pack – Hydrocolloid & Salicyclic acid for clearing pimples, zits, blemishes for face and skin to treat blemishes and protect your skin. These pimple patches contain Salicylic acid to help unclog pores.

#5

Never skip your eye cream next. I personally love to use gel-based eye creams because they feel so light and hydrating. Always use your ring finger to apply and tap product in around your eyes and never tug at the skin around the eyes because it is very delicate. Another great tip is to always move your fingers clock-wise while applying eye cream, also known as the eye-draining massage.

#6

The most important secret is to always apply sunscreen, irrespective of whether you are going outdoors or staying indoors. Look for an SPF of 30 or more as that ensures that your skin has maximum protection. Also, look for a sunscreen that provides both UVA and UVB protection. I personally love the  La Roche-Posay SPF range.

Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before stepping outdoors and reapply after every 2-3 hours to make sure there is no skin damage caused by sun exposure. I would highly recommend you check out spray or mist sunscreens like the Avene Very High Protection Spray SPF 50+ and Lotus Herbals Safe Sun Intensive Sunblock Spray Spf-50 as they are so convenient to apply if you are swimming or trekking outdoors – just spray the entire body and rub it in!

#7

So that was to do with skincare products that you should use for healthy, glowing skin, but what about the ‘glow from within’? Well, that’s my secret #7 – clean your diet. Healthy, glowing skin comes from a healthy, clean diet. Make sure you are eating five portions of veg and fruit every day. If you are a meat eater, opt for lean meat and proteins. Choose whole grains instead of refined flour.

#8

And the last one is to combat stress. Stress makes your skin sensitive and a lot of people start experiencing breakouts and acne when they are stressed (me included!). Exercise regularly and take the time to relax and rejuvenate… go for a walk with your partner or even your pet, play with your kids, go for a run with a buddy, take a relaxing bath or simply take the time out to have a glass of wine and read a book… whatever makes you happy! 🙂

Before I wrap up this article on Secrets to Healthy Glowing Skin, I would like to remind you that minimalism is the key when it comes to good, effective skincare. Using too much product on your skin might irritate it rather than treating it, especially if you are using anti-ageing products.