Is eye cream bullsh*t?
My really simple guide to skincare, including you need, and what you really don't...
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I’ve been a beauty journalist for 15 years, and without fail, the question i’m asked the most is ‘what skincare should I use?’ It seems (to a large extent…)that gen z and younger and well versed in what to use, but many of us grew up in a time where skincare was soap and water, a teenage face wash or maybe if you were lucky, Clinique’s 3 Step routine (including that toner/exfoliator that was like actual paint stripper.) There’s definitely a bit of a gap between those who grew up watching youtube beauty tutorials, and those who had diagrams in magazines and books to try and follow.
The question above is usually followed by another quandary; ‘do I need botox or filler?’ Firstly, nobody needs injectables; they’re not an inevitable part of womanhood we must all embrace. Secondly, get whatever you want injected, but maybe get your skincare game nailed first and see if that makes a difference - that’s all I’m saying!
The aim of skincare isn’t to put as much on as possible, it’s to keep your skin as balanced as possible, which is tricky for women in particular with our delightful hormonal fluctuations. You don’t need to use any skincare at all if what you’re doing works for you, and you can spend as much or as little as you like - and it doesn’t mean anything or matter either way, so I’ve kept the budget a little mixed. Shout if you need cheaper versions or anything like that.
One last thing before we begin, skincare has a shorter shelf life than you’d think; on the back of your products there’s usually a sell by date (it’ll look like the below,) so try to stick to that and use them up before you buy anything new (it’s also better for your bank balance and the planet.)
Ok, let’s do this….
Cleansers
Pick a cleanser that works for your skin type. Oilier skins might like a gentle foaming wash, dry skins may prefer an oil, cream or balm cleanser. Somewhere in the middle? Pick what you like. What you do in the morning is up to you; some people prefer not to wash their faces, but I do mine morning, evening and after the gym.
Wash your face twice; the first rinse gets rid of any bacteria, pollution and make-up, and the second is a bit of a back-up in case the first wash was half-arsed. I like an oil cleanser that turns milky, washes off easily and removes all my make-up in one go. But if there’s anything more stubborn (hola waterproof mascara) I use a micellar water with a cotton pads.
You don’t need more than one cleanser unless you want to. And if you have sensitive skin or eczema a fragrance free is ideal - the less potential irritants the better.
-Great for skin with eczema: Skin Rocks The Cream Cleanser Fragrance Free, £32
-Great for dry skin - Tata Harper Nourishing Dry Cleansing Oil, £79
-The deepest clean but for the love of god, don’t get it in your eyes: Then I Met You Cleansing Balm, £38
-Any skin type - Bioderma Sensibio Cleansing Micellar Oil, £18
-Any skin type- Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, £32
-Any skin type- Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm, £11.95
2. An all-rounder serum
Serums have smaller particles so they’re used after cleansing, to penetrate a little deeper into the skin compared to a moisturisers which sit on the upper layers of the skin. A serum with vitamin C (an antioxidant to help with free radical damage from UV, pollution, etc), niacinamide (vitamin D, which helps skin’s proteins function better), and hyaluronic acid or glycerine (moisturising) is a good shout.
You can do them all separately or use multiple serums, but if you want to keep it simple, then these below have all of the above in:
-Garnier 3.5% Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Brightening & Anti Dark Spot Serum, £8.66
-Bubble Day Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum, £18
3. A moisturiser
If your skin feels dry, add in a facial moisturiser. One with ceramides is ideal to help the skin’s barrier function perform better, meaning it’s loses less moisture, and keeps the bad stuff out (pollution, bacteria, etc.) That’s it - it doesn’t have to be any more complicated than this.
-Great for oily skin: Cerave Oil Control Moistursing Gel, £13.20
-Nice for dry skin - Ranavat Renewing Bakuchi Crème, £95 (another option is Inkey List Bioactive Repairing moisturiser, £18.99)
-Good for all skin types - Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream, £15
4. A separate SPF
When an SPF is combined with a moisturiser we just don’t use enough of it; think about it, the moisturising ingredients sort of dilute the SPF in a way. Use a separate SPF30 or SPF50 to combat this. It doesn’t matter which one - a mineral one (thicker, heavier, and can give a white cast because they reflect the UV) or chemical based one (which absorbs the UV and neutralises it) just pick whatever you like, works with your skin and you don’t mind wearing. Apply it all over your neck and chest, and don’t forget the ears and eye area.
-My fave mineral one -Murad Exclusive Correct and Protect Broad Spectrum SPF45, £55
-Ace for sensitive skin, I use this daily- La Roche-Posay Uvmune Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50, £16
-Brilliant for oily skin and make-up wearers - Mecca To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen, £35
-Great for everyone, and my new fave - G Supergoop! Every. Single. Face. Watery Lotion SPF50, £23.20