Skincare Basics: The Simplified Edition

Beyond vanity, our skin is often a direct representation of our overall health. When body and wellbeing is good, we glow; when we are not taking care of ourselves, our skin will give us away through sallow hue, dark circles, and rough texture.

There are all kinds of ways to chase the glow (which we’ve shared plenty of here). Face masks and peels remove dead skin and unblock pores. There’s microdermabrasion, light therapy, syringes, and microneedling (a favorite of ours), which stimulates accelerated collagen production, making your skin appear fuller.

Plus makeup can hide a range of sins. But no matter how much we do topically, nothing beats starting with a naturally healthy routine. 

You Are What You Eat

You’ve heard it often before but somehow we still seem to forget this fact as quickly as we remember it. A wide range of vitamin and mineral deficiencies not only affects how we think and feel - they have a big impact on how we look. While a varied and balanced diet is always recommended, recent studies have suggested that eating a minimum of 30 different plants per week is ideal. And in fact, most of the best foods for your skin are plant-based. With that in mind, feel free to stock up on nuts, seeds, fruits and veggies on your next grocery run…

Get Your Sweat On

Ironically, we do a lot to disguise the fact that we sweat, from deodorants and antiperspirants to face blotters etc. But actually sweating is really good for you. The sweating process drags out toxins deposited within lower layers of fat and clears out your pores for good measure too. 

There are plenty of ways to make your body sweat from going for a sauna (the regular kind at the gym or an infrared sauna) to going for a run. Hot yoga is another fitness trend with a lot behind it as the heat allows you to sweat more and push your stretches a little further.

Wash! But Gently

The key to making sweat work for you, though, is washing straight afterward. If you don’t, your body just reabsorbs any toxins it just flushed out, which is annoying. Believe it or not, one of the best ways to wash your face (especially in the mornings) is just with simple, lukewarm water. Make sure you dry your skin with a soft clean towel.

When it comes to makeup removal, however, cleansers are essential. And if there is one single most effective thing you can do for your skin, it would be to remove your makeup. Even the best beauty brands can clog your pores to some extent. Using a cleansing wipe is a good starting point before washing and a simple routine of following up with a moisturize (or our favorite, squalane oil) is really all you need for the basics. In addition to that, it’s all about finding the right serums or creams to target whatever your specific concerns might be.

Find the right skincare products

There are hundreds of skincare products available to buy in stores and via online retailers. While it’s fantastic to have so much choice, how do you go about finding the right skincare investment? One of the most important steps to take when looking at products is choosing items that match both your objectives and your skin type. Are you looking for help with anti-aging, dry or sensitive skin, or are you just looking for a little more glow? A great trick is to start by shopping online to discover new brands, like the Obagi skincare ranges, and read product descriptions. It will save time and prevent pressure from sales assistants. However asking for advice through online help chats or help or in person if you’re unsure which products will suit your skin, and look for ingredients that will make a positive difference. If you dream of soft, supple skin that looks more youthful, for example, using products that contain hyaluronic acid can be a huge asset. It can be useful to read reviews but do make sure they are verified and authentic. Another great tip is if you’re designing a new skincare regime, use samples and travel size products to see how they suit your skin and what difference they make before investing your money.