3 Step Evening Skincare Routine
While I choose to have a long and multi-stepped evening skincare routine, I am well aware that not everyone loves this stuff like I do. To me, taking care of my skin - and the time I carve out to do so – is therapeutic and the only ‘me’ time I can guarantee every day.
However, I’ve spoken with quite a few people who viewed this routine on my YouTube channel who said they just wanted a few simple steps to put them on the right track. What is a small daily routine I can do to create healthy skin?
There are really only 3 things you need to do every night. And I mean every night. The worst thing you can do is sleep in your makeup and SPF (which you better be wearing every day) so if you can carve out 3-5 minutes at the end of the day, then you’re all set.
Step 1: Cleanse
You need to do a double cleanse. This means you wash your face twice.
Makeup and SPF are literally designed to stay put. Washing with just a cleanser and your hands isn’t enough to get them off. You need a good, gentle cleanser, a cloth and warm water (not hot).
The first cleanse is to remove the makeup, SPF and sebum (oily surface of the skin). Personally, I like to use a balm or oil cleanser - this really loosens the products - but you don’t have to. However, you do need a gentle cloth. It can be a flannel, microfiber or muslin, it’s totally up to you. I use cloths from Beauty Pie as one side is slightly textured for the first cleanse, to really get the gunk off.
Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser
UK https://bit.ly/32xITxl US https://bit.ly/3eL45lW
For round 2, use the other side of the cloth. This is really the clean phase and ensures that all dirt and impurities that might still be under the makeup and spf has been removed.
A few things to note:
1) Don’t use wipes. Ever. And micellar water isn’t going to do the job either. It’s fine for removing eye makeup, but totally unnecessary.
2) Do it early – right after you get home or just after dinner. That means you won’t fall into the trap of drifting off to sleep on the couch and only barely making it into bed. Believe me, I’ve been there.
Beauty Pie Double-Sided Organic Cleansing & Exfoliating Cloths
UK https://bit.ly/3jDcF9Z US https://bit.ly/2E9D5ju
Step 2: Retinoid
The gold standard in anti-aging is retinoids. They improve the overall condition of the skin by stimulating cell renewal and decreasing the breakdown of collagen and elastin. This turnover means they minimize the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles, boost skin's thickness and elasticity and lighten brown spots caused by sun exposure. Hallelujah. Every one needs a retinoid in their routine.
Retinoids are a family of compounds derived from vitamin A. This general term encompasses over-the-counter and prescription-only formulas with varying levels of intensity. Once you find the right one for you, start slowly. Personally, I use the strongest I can my hands on – prescription retin a – and started with one day a week. Then I added another day a week and so on. This is a long-game step and takes months to see any visible results. But this stuff works. There’s a mountain of science to back it up.
Pestle & Mortar Superstar Retinoid Night Oil
https://bit.ly/3hdnUnG
Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules
UK https://bit.ly/2CP73bU US https://bit.ly/2OBOSco
Dermatica UK & US
https://bit.ly/2FSpspZ
Step 3: Moisturiser
This final step is to seal in the retinoid goodness and give a final boost of moisture.
That’s it. Simple, simple.
Cerave PM Facial Moisturising Lotion
UK https://bit.ly/39QBriK US https://bit.ly/2BPatvf
There are, of course, a number of other products you could add to this routine such as toners, serums, oils and mists but you really don’t have to. I choose to. But I’m a skincare junkie who enjoys nothing more than playing with lotions and potions.
If you find the items above that fit with your skin – type and conditions – these are truly the only products you’ll need to have happy, healthy skin. Go forth and protect!
