Everyone’s skin is different, what works for one skin may not work for another, but as a general practice, the following (affordable) routine is the best you can follow…
Morning
Light cleaning
While you sleep, your skin goes through a renewal process, removing toxins and debris, and since you’re not removing make-up or removing SPF, you just need a light cleanser.
Tonic
Often left off most people’s lists, toners shouldn’t be dismissed too quickly, as some have the ability to help tighten pores, flush out toxins, and rebalance the skin. It really depends on the cleanser you use before and how you wash your skin. Look for clarifying tonics or waters that rebalance your PH.
“Antioxidant-based toners bring the PH down to 5.5, the level you need to optimize skin health,” says Sturnham. The toner also serves to “prepare” the skin for the essential step of the serum, making it penetrate into the deeper layers and work more effectively.”
Serum
Moisturizers are great because they provide hydration and protect the skin barrier, but if you want the active ingredients to reach deep into the dermal layers and cause real action, you’ll need a serum.
They can be expensive, but if you buy them from a cosmeceutical brand, you know that the cost covers clinical trials and that it has been balanced correctly for your skin. Also, you can skimp a bit on your face creams to even out the cost.
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There are many assets that are included under the term ‘serum’. Here’s a quick guide to some you could add to your routine, depending on your skin’s needs:
L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) – A brightening antioxidant that helps neutralize free radical damage.
Retinol (Vitamin A) : anti-aging, also helps reduce the appearance of large pores and pigmentation. (You have to use it at night, not in the morning).
PHA / BHA / AHA : exfoliating acids that help to rebalance the skin’s texture.
Salicylic Acid – kills bacteria and dissolves debris that can cause blemishes to form.
Ferulic Acid (Contains Vitamin C + E) : an antioxidant that helps build collagen and evens skin tone.
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. It has antioxidant properties and protects the skin from free radicals.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid ampoules plump the skin and fight dehydration in the upper layers. This means they don’t have to be as smart as their serum counterparts and you can pay a little less. “Add hyaluronic acid to reinforce epidermal barriers and promote collagen production,” advises the expert.
Moisturizer
Apply moisturizing products in the following order: serum, moisturizer, then sunscreen. In this way, the most liquid formula will penetrate first, and the other layers will sit on top to nourish and protect. If your SPF is quite moisturizing, you can always skip the cream.
SPF
Sunscreen is essential at any age and is essential if you want to slow down the aging process. You should use one daily and the amount you need will obviously depend on your skin type and how long you are exposed to UV rays.
Evening
Cleanse and exfoliate
Hopefully, you’ve already combined your cleanser with a weekly chemical exfoliant to remove dead skin cells. If not, now is the time to include one. Depending on the brand, you should use one between 1 and 3 times a week, but never daily.
Other days, use a cleanser alone, choosing one that suits your skin’s needs. It is important not to overload the skin. If you use a lot of active ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C, and acids, it’s a good idea to have a few days when you use milder products. Listen to your skin and give it what it needs.
Serum
Retinol is best used at night, as it can increase your skin’s sensitivity to UV rays. There are formulas with different concentrations, and the best one for you will depend on how sensitive your skin is.
Try to start with 0.3%. In this way, you can gradually increase the dose, reducing the risk of irritation. 1% is the strongest end of the market.
Note: You should avoid retinol during pregnancy, but you can use bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative, instead.
Night cream
The purpose of a night cream is to help the skin in its regeneration process and make it more efficient. Our Women’s Health US beauty editor Perdita Nouril trusts Filorga Time Filler.
Eye contour moisturizer
The skin around the eyes is the most sensitive part of the face, and it will be one of the first areas to show signs of ageing. However, most of the time the content of eye creams is exactly the same as that of face lotions, which means that you can do without buying both.
*Usually the main difference is that they contain less harsh chemicals that are not suitable for the eye area.
What you can’t do is a sloppy application. Spend a little more time gently massaging your creams in. This process will strengthen the muscles of the face and favor the production of collagen. Just like your body, your face will become firmer the more you work on it.
You can also occasionally use eye contour patches.
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