We know it's all too easy to get lost in a complex regime and lose track of the basics. Making sure you have the right foundations is key to achieving your best skin.
In this guide, we take you back to basics with five simple steps you need to nail for skincare success. So whether you're just getting started or think you've mastered your routine, read on for five easy tricks that will make a real, visible difference to your skin… for now and years to come.
We know it's all too easy to get lost in a complex regime and lose track of the basics. Making sure you have the right foundations is key to achieving your best skin.
In this guide, we take you back to basics with five simple steps you need to nail for skincare success. So whether you're just getting started or think you've mastered your routine, read on for five easy tricks that will make a real, visible difference to your skin… for now and years to come.
The most important way to maximise your skin’s potential is to understand your skin type and its needs. But do you actually know your skin type?
There are four basic skin types: normal, oily, dry and combination. The best way to pinpoint yours is to cleanse and dry your skin, then leave it completely bare for about an hour. After this time, study it in the mirror and feel it with clean hands.
If it’s soft with no shine or dry patches you’re one of the few lucky ones with what’s classed as normal skin. If it looks shiny and feels slightly greasy to the touch, you have oily skin. If it’s tight and looks flaky or cracked, you have dry skin. And if it’s a bit of both? Then you have combination skin.
Need To Know: Understanding your skin is the best way to shape your basic skincare routine with effective cleansers and moisturisers. From this point, you can build on these with targeted treatment serums and facial oils that help address other concerns such as lines, wrinkles, dark spots, acne and so on.
While you should always treat the skin you see in the mirror, consistency with your routine is key.
Dermatologists agree you must properly cleanse and moisturise your face and neck every morning and night to help maintain healthy, balanced skin. And, of course, a broad-spectrum SPF is essential every day – rain or shine! No matter what else you apply, never miss out on these vital steps day in, day out.
An absolute minimalist regime would include Crystal Cleanser and our Ultimate Day and Night Moisture Set.
Get these sorted and then look to add in specific products to target areas of concerns, such as Imperial Eye Gel for fine lines and dark circles and Pre-Eminent Beauty Serum for an added age-defying and brightening boost.
Your skin has its own way of naturally turning over (a process called 'desquamation'), but as you get older, this cycle slows down and needs a little help.
This is exactly why exfoliating regularly with our gentle, but effective Natural Luminosity Scrub is so important for all skin types and one of the best ways to loosen and slough away dead skin cells to achieve radiant, glowing skin.
What’s more, exfoliating prepares your skin for the rest of your skincare routine, helping it absorb all those fabulous ingredients from your serum, moisturiser and facial oil.
Just remember: go gently – no excess scrubbing is needed here, thanks very much!
A great skin barrier helps retain moisture while preventing toxic chemicals and environmental irritants like pollution and UV radiation from getting in. Think of it as a vital front-line protection that keeps your skin healthy and resilient. But take note: It’s very easy to upset your skin’s barrier function! So get these three things right ...
First, stick with gentle cleansing products like Crystal Cleanser that don’t contain harsh chemicals, sulphates or synthetic fragrances. Sulphates, in particular, upset your skin’s pH balance and strip away essential oils, leaving your barrier dry and exposed to potential irritation.
Secondly, only ever wash your face with lukewarm water – hot water also strips your skin of sebum and moisture.
Lastly, never forget to moisturise to lock in water, lipids and other essential nutrients. This is especially important overnight when your skin goes into regeneration mode. Try Night Elixir which contains shea butter, evening primrose oil and antioxidants to strengthen, soften and repair your barrier function as you sleep.
Did you know that the sun is the number one cause of skin ageing? It also never goes away. In fact, even on cold, cloudy days, up to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays can still penetrate your skin. Surprising isn’t it?
It figures, therefore, that sun protection is an extremely important non-negotiable step in your routine. And one of, if not the best anti-agers you could invest in!
If you’ve never found one that works for your skin, now’s the time to try our Organic Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 25 which not only protects your skin from the sun, but also leaves it smooth, even and glowing, meaning you need never apply foundation again. It’s a must for all skin types.
Need To Know: If you think you're safe from the sun's damaging rays in the winter months you need to read on. Partly cloudy skies are said to block around only 10% of UV radiation whereas some dense but scattered clouds have proven to reflect even more intensely! Do not be fooled by overcast skies.
So now you've checked in on the basics for great skincare, scroll down to make sure you have exactly what you need to get going! Because even the smallest of changes can reap huge rewards for your skin.
Tracey x