How2: Get That Glow! Our Skincare Routines.
Sofia
To say my skincare story has been easy and quick would be nothing short of a lie! I suffered from acne throughout secondary school and I think I tried every single product I could buy to try and make it better. I even remember a product I used which contained real snail smile, gross but apparently amazing, still didn’t work for me. My acne wasn’t too severe, the spots weren’t huge and full of puss, it was more like loads of little bumpy spots on my cheeks, forehead and chin. Nothing worked, until I went to the doctors. They put me on medication and within 4-6 weeks my acne had cleared. Practically vanished. I’d recommend everyone who is suffering from acne to take a visit to your GP and try out the medication route - I know of so many success stories from friends and family.
However, after all of the bumps had disappeared came the scarring. This was and still is a constant battle!! The scarring on my cheeks was the worst, red patches with old spot scars that basically just made it seem like I still had spots. Today my skin is probably the best it’s ever been, I still have some light scarring and during certain times (that time of the month and when I get stressed mainly) my red cheeks are really prominent. Puffy eyes is the bane of my life, it’s genetics and something I’ve been trying to rid myself off for ages!
A couple Christmases ago, I treated myself to some skincare bits from The Ordinary and I’ve not looked back since. I’m an advocate for their products; straight to the point, no bullshit ingredient list, just the raw product that works. My absolutely favourite product of theirs (and now an ingredient I actively look for in my skincare products) is Salicylic Acid. It’s a BHA Acid (beta hydroxy acid) which unlike AHA Acids penetrates into your pores to exfoliate dead skin cells and remove excess sebum (AHA’s focus on exfoliating the skins surface, as opposed to penetrating the skin). It’s perfect for oily/combination skin and can also help reduce inflammation and bacteria growth.
Now for my skincare routine:
AM
Cleanse CeraVe Salicyclic Acid Smoothing Cleanser . I love this cleanser, it has no harmful chemicals or perfumes and foams well on the face. It also has a high concentration of Salicylic Acid which is something I LOVE!
Tone Nip+Fab Salicylic Extreme Toner . This is a new addition to my skincare routine and I have to say I love it so far. I feel like it evens out the redness on my face without stripping the excess surface oils that alcohol based toners do,
Acids The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution. You already know I love this stuff, I don’t even need to say much. Try it and let me know! It’s the best.
Serums Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (molecule) + Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG. I definitely notice a difference when I use Niacinamide; it’s a great serum to treat redness and minimise the appearance of pores.
Moisturiser Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser with SPF 15. I’ve been using this moisturiser for a while and I have no complaints! It doesn’t over stimulate my face and create excess oil and it has SPF. On really hot days, I do wear additional SPF 30 on top.
Eye Cream I’m ALWAYS trying new creams, but I liked using Mario Badescu Glycolic Eye Cream. I’ve always been insecure about my puffy undereyes (thanks to my dad’s side, puffy eyes is hereditary), so I’m always trying new creams that might help! Combined with the Caffeine Solution, I really liked the Glycolic Eye Cream and I felt like I woke up with brighter, tighter eyes.
Oils Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil (for hydration) and Bio Oil for scarring. If you can get past the weird smell of the Rose Hip Seed Oil, you will reap the benefits! It’s an amazing moisturising factor as it contains Vitamin A and other essential fatty acids. As well as that it can also promote skin regeneration. Bio Oil is also my little favourite, I’ve used it for years and I see differences really quickly, especially with brand new scars.
PM
Before anything, I clean off my makeup with a makeup eraser (we don’t use wipes round here) and the Clinique Take The Day Off Balm.
Cleanse CeraVe Salicyclic Acid Smoothing Cleanser
Tone Nip+Fab Salicylic Extreme Toner
Acids The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%. In the evenings I switch up the acids that I use. Ascorbic Acid is raw Vitamin C and is great for brightness while the Alpha Arbutin works to even out hyper-pigmentation and dark spots.
Retinoids The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane (I’ll be upgrading to a higher % when mine finishes). I also use a Retinol in the evenings, this is great for fighting signs of aging (gotta get in there early!) and textural irregularities.
Serums Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Moisturiser Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser with SPF 15
Eye Cream I’m ALWAYS trying new creams, but I liked using Mario Badescu Glycolic Eye Cream
Oils Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil (for hydration) and Bio Oil for scarring
As well as the products in my daily routines, I have a few other products that I have to shout out! Another one of my top top top favourite products is The Body Shop Drops of Youth Peeling Solution. If we’re talking instant results, this product is top tier. I use about 2 pumps in my hands and begin rubbing it all over my face. After about 10-20 seconds, you’ll start seeing “dead skin” literally rolling off your face in small blobs. The peel is meant to rid your skin of any excess dirt, oils and dead skin on the surface and believe me, once you’ve rinsed off all of the balls of gunk, your face is going to feel so smooth and have a natural glow. Looking like I’m wearing highlighter after I’ve washed my face. I used this once or twice a week, it’s recommended to be used every 2-3 days. Another one of my fav exfoliators is The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, but I’d just like to say this isn’t for those with sensitive skin. I' literally leave this on my skin for about 5-7 minutes and it does the job. I once left it on a little too long and it caused some slight dry patches on my face (which I managed to get rid of pretty quickly).
Finally, at the beginning of the year I invested in a facial steamer. Now I’m not going to lie and say I’ve been completely consistent with using it, but when I have, I love it. It really makes me feel like my face is squeaky clean and it helps to break down the sebum which is in your pores. It’s also good if you’re feeling clogged up and just want to unblock your airways. I oped for a larger steamer that encapsulates the steam and I can rest my face on as opposed to the smaller ones that blow steam out into the air as I felt it would be more effective at reaching all areas of my face.
Chloë
Luckily for me, my skin hasn’t given me as heavy problems as others. However, the South Asian gene kicked in when it came down to hyperpigmentation, dark circles and the damn HAIR.
As a teenager I would get the odd PEAK spot - you know them ones that you can feel growing under the skin for weeks, absolute pain. Now, I find that when I am super stressed that’s when the spots come. Stress spots are not fun.
At the start of lockdown, Sof actually recommended that I invest in some skincare - yes, i was THAT girl that was only using some bar soap to wash her face. It works for my dad who has good skin, so I was hoping that whatever gene it was that created good skin was going to come to me as well. She saw that I was spending all my money on kicks and thought it was about time that I invested in something that will actually do me some good.
I have combination skin, my oily t-zone is the absolute bane of my life. Absolutely no highlighter on, but my skin would say otherwise - out here looking like a Krispy Kreme Glazed Doughnut throughout the day. The other bane of my life is the hyperpigmentation. This causes so much stress to my life because it is EVERYWHERE - I am still looking for a solution so if you have any, please drop them in the comments.
Thanks to our Finance Queen, I was able to find the right products for the issues that I have with my skin.
My skincare routine is as follows:
Morning 1:
Cetaphil Cleanser
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid + Alpha Arbutin 2% - my vitamin C to help combat the hyperpigmentation, dark spots and uneven skin tone. I was surprised how much of a difference this made to my skin.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% - again, something else to help combat the uneven skintone. I’ve heard this is also great at helping with skin conditions such as acne and rocasea
No7 Day Cream with SPF - This moisturiser goes on so smoothly, it doesn’t smell bad and it has SPF! My cheaper alternative would be the Simple vital vitamin cream with SPF. They’re both amazing.
Morning 2:
Cetaphil Cleanser
The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid + Alpha Arbutin 2%
Salicylic Acid - I have heard this product is a MUST in your skincare routine. It clears/dries up your skin, especially when those stress spots are coming. As of right now I am using the Nip+Fab version which also has Niacinamide and have no complaints. But I cannot wait for The Ordinary to restock so I can get my hands on their version.
No7 Day Cream with SPF
Evening:
Cetaphil Cleanser
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA
No7 Night Cream
Now that my routine is out of the way, my absolute must to tackle that horrible hair gene *insert eye roll* is to dermaplan my face. I know some people would rather go and get this done professionally, but your girl does not have ££ to be dropping every time the hair grows. Despite the myth, the hair does not grow back thicker or faster. I’ve noticed my skin is a whole lot better as well - I think this is because of the dermaplan and my new routine. I buy some eyebrow razors in bulk from amazon and get to stepping.
For my makeup lovers, I LOVE, LOVE, cannot stress how much, LOVE, the Clinique Take The Day Off Balm. When I tell you your makeup MELTS off of your face, it is no joke. I hate taking my makeup off, especially my mascara, but this one product changed this. My makeup is off in less than five minutes. A tiny piece goes a long way. I then go in with my Face Halo and it all comes off. I highly recommend this to everybody, whether you do a full beat or natural glam - it is a must.
That’s a wrap! You now know all of our skincare secrets, invest in some of your own! Let us know if you try any of the products we’ve recommended or whether you have any recommendations for us.
Skincare is ESSENTIAL, Makeup is a CHOICE.