The world of skincare can be a completely overwhelming one.
And while stepping up your glow game from a basic routine of cleanse, tone and moisturise is incredibly exciting, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to hyaluronic acid, squalane and retinol.
So let’s forget the ingredient mumbo-jumbo just for a minute and start off simple.
Here are eight excellent tips that’ll serve your skin well, no matter what changes may come to your routine in the future.
1. Face, neck, back of the hands
When applying any post-cleanse product, keep these three zones top of mind. Start with the face, continuing to the neck and décolletage, and then any leftovers should be applied to the back of the hands (and not wasted elsewhere). These are the areas that tend to show the signs of ageing first and will benefit most from the lotions and potions you’re applying.
2. Pat, don’t rub
As far as K-Beauty advice goes, this is the one piece of wisdom worth listening to. Korean women apply their skincare mindfully, pressing and patting their products in, rather than a rushed rubbing job. By slowing things down, and patting on your serums and creams, you’ll drive the product into the skin and lessen the amount of friction. It’s best if your skin is still a little damp from cleansing, rather than completely dry, too.
3. Exfoliate, then hydrate
We’re all partial to a hydrating face mask, whether you prefer a serum-soaked sheet or creamy concoction. In order to get the best possible results from this once-in-a-while treatment product, you’ll need to clear the pathway first. By exfoliating, then hydrating, the moisturising ingredients can penetrate further for a plumper, juicier, and smoother complexion.
4. Vitamin C in the morning, retinol at night
The effectiveness of a lot of skincare can also come down to timing. And while your morning and nighttime routines may mirror each other in some steps, there are others that will need adapting. For example, vitamin C is best applied in the morning, as it’s an antioxidant that’ll help fight free radicals in the day, and works well alongside SPF. Whereas retinol is best applied at night, to reap the benefits while the skin’s cell turnover is occurring, and sun exposure is at a minimum.
5. Apply your eye cream with your ring finger
The skin around the eye area is much more delicate and thinner than the rest of your face. So to keep pressure and pulling at a minimum, eye cream should be applied and pressed in using your ring finger.
6. Glow from the inside out
Putting topicals on our skin does form the majority of our skincare routine, but never underestimate the power of nourishing your skin from the inside. Introducing a supplement designed to boost glow into your day is an easy and high-impact way to support not only your skin integrity and health, but your hair and nails at the same time (love a multi-tasker). Beauty Booster’s Glow Getter capsules count Biotin, Vitamin B5 and Riboflavin as part of its high-powered arsenal and are a favourite in the marie claire office.
7. SPF last and always
It wouldn’t be a skincare article without the reminder of SPF, and this should always be the last step in your morning routine, no matter what.
8. You’re unique
Everyone’s skin type is different. Everyone’s skin reacts differently. And only you know what you like. The best results come from catering to your own skin, how it feels, what it needs and reacting to any changes. Just because something worked for someone else, doesn’t mean it will necessarily work for you.
Lead image via @lefevrediary.
