Ugh…mid- January and it already feels like it should be June! Bar the odd Bounty, my box of Celebrations is filled with empty wrappers, the cocktails are a distant memory and I’m sucking on celery sticks to shake off those few extra ‘ah sure it’s Christmas’ pounds. ‘Blue Monday’ is just around the corner, and for those of us looking to put that ‘spring’ back into our step, here are my sure-fire easy to follow steps into creating a simple but effective skincare routine that will have you glowing in no time!
Hydration is key!
From the inside out, you need to rehydrate. Simply drink up to 8 glasses of water a day to replenish and hydrate your body from the inside out. This will not only detox your system but help flush out any nasties from your skin. Tip – Mix some cordial or fruit through water or opt for sparkling water if you’re not a plain old water fan!
Get on top of your cleansing routine!
♥ Double Cleanse – find a cleansing product you like. Whether it be a wash, cream or liquid based product, double cleansing ensures all daily grim is truly removed. Micellar water is a cost-effective and mild way to cleanse and for all you facial wipe lovers, ditch them! They can cause sensitivity and dehydrate the skin due to the high amounts of alcohol they hold! In my book, they are the devil!
♥ Exfoliate – twice a week is sufficient, and this will help remove dead skin cells that prohibit moisturiser sinking in. A small pea-sized amount on the fingertips and gently massage into damp skin in gentle circular movements. Avoid the eye area – fine lines and crows feet will become more evident if you pull and tug at this area as this is a fine transparent layer of skin. The general rule is to only lightly cleanse or add an eye cream to this area for hydration!
♥ Serum – a serum is a water-based formula comprised of tiny molecules that penetrate the deeper layers of your skin adding antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. At the moment, I’ve been using Clarins, Double Serum and have been using it for over 4 years now – I will not stray as it’s not only anti-aging and pumps loads of those antioxidants and plant extracts into my thirsty skin, (great for a gal in her 30’s) but it leaves my skin velvety and smelling wonderful! It’s also currently the most bought serum in the world. Fabulous for ANY SKIN TYPE enriched by a unique formula of over 20 plant extras to lighten, brighten, and tighten, leaving you looking radiant!
♥ Moisturiser – again, depending on your skin type choose a moisturiser that suits you! Be sure that your day moisturiser has an SPF of at least 30+ and 50+ for brighter days! This not only helps minimise UVA/UVB damage and premature aging but fine lines and age spots also! At night, to repair and restore your skin while you sleep, opt for a night cream!
♥ Oil – adding an oil to your routine is a must at this time of year. Oil also has tiny molecules which penetrate into the deeper layers of your skin but unlike serum, oil adds a kick of hydration and seals your skincare routine. Remember to add oil as your last step as other products cannot penetrate the oil layer once placed on the skin. If you’re stuck for time, you can mix it through your moisturiser, or indeed, for a dewy look, through your foundation. Remember, this also goes for oily skin types as you too can have dehydrated skin. Hydration and oiliness are two different things. Not only will the input of the correct oil aid hydration but it will also slow down the amount of oil your skin secrets. In full, stop stripping the skin with alcohol-based toners/products and start balancing by adding a little TLC.
Although this is a brief overview, if you carry out this routine using your preferred products, you’ll have soft subtle glowing skin within a very short time indeed!
Simply go to your nearest skincare specialist and find the products to best suit your skin type. However, please note, if you’ve problematic skin, seeking professional skincare advice from a dermatologist or your doctor is advisable before investing in products that may not actually work for you. You can then use the skincare routine steps to guide you with the products they recommend – a happy new year brings a happy skincare routine.
Feel free to email me with your beauty queries on info@kerryharvey.ie and stay tuned to @kerryharveydesigns on Instagram for mini-tutorials.