1// Makeup Removal
The golden rule of skincare - NEVER SLEEP IN YOUR MAKEUP! Whilst accidentally sleeping in your makeup once isn't going to do permanent damage to your skin, it's a really bad habit to get into. Makeup wipes are widely accessible and are the most convenient way for wiping off your makeup at the end of the day. However, I prefer something more gentle and I find that using a micellar water on the back of a cotton pad is more effective, gentler on the skin and also way more affordable!
Try: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water [$12.99]
2// Cleanse
The skin on our face is fairly sensitive to external conditions such as the weather, pollution in the air and also to the stuff we put on our face such as makeup. Cleansing is therefore a crucial step to make sure your face is getting a proper clean - just standing in the shower isn't going to remove the dirt and natural oils trapped in pores. For people with oily skin I recommend a cleanser with salicylic acid for acne control.If your skin type leans more dry or normal a cream cleanser would be more appropriate as you don't need such a deep cleanse.
Try: Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser [$10.99] (for oily skin) or Natio Gentle Cleansing Milk [$16.95] (for dry or normal skin types)
3// Exfoliate
Exfoliation is another step to maintaining healthy skin as it helps to remove the dead skin cells on the skin's surface. Removing the dead skin cells helps your skin maintain a smooth even texture and will improve the way that your foundation applies and looks on your face. Especially if you have particularly dry skin, its necessary to remove the dry and flaky patches for your foundation to go on smoothly. Exfoliation can be both manual - using scrubs - or chemical - using products like chemical peels.
Try: St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Scrub [$9.99], St. Ives Apricot Blemish Control Scrub [$9.99], John Plunkett Glyco Peel [$29.95]
4// Tone
There's quite a bit of debate about whether toners are necessary or not and I am also guilty of forgetting about this step. However, I think using a well formulated toner can definitely give your skin extra benefits. A mist toner is really great for adding extra hydration and 'waking up' the skin. I also find using a hydrating mist toner helps my moisturiser absorb better. Toners that you use on a cotton pad have actually made a huge difference to my skin, particularly in removing any makeup, oils and dirt that still hang around after cleansing. Taking that extra step can help in the appearance of pores and again work to even out the overall tone and texture of the complexion.
Try: Lancome Tonique Doucer [$56.00], L'Occitante Immortelle Essential Water [$42.00], or for something a little more affordable Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner [$9.99]
5// Moisturise
As I mentioned above, makeup looks better on your face if the texture on your face is smooth and even. Moisturising is essential as it hydrates your skin making it soft and radiant. Even if you have oily skin, you've likely felt your skin feeling 'tight' after cleansing and exfoliating and using a moisturiser can still be useful to maintain hydration. I usually use a light moisturiser in the morning that won't feel greasy under my makeup and then a heavier moisturiser in the evening that can sink in and rejuvenate my skin over night.
Try: Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser [$9.99] (suitable for all skin types), Natio Antioxidant Face Moisturiser [$17.95]
* There are so many options when it comes to moisturiser the two mentioned above are my favourite and ones I continue to use and repurchase.
6// Feed & Treat
Sometimes your skin just needs a little TLC. Whether its 'that time of the month', you're stressed about exams or even a change in season, sometimes our skin acts a little crazy and a regular routine of cleaner, exfoliate, moisturise just doesn't cut it. As soon as I started feeding my skin with extra nutrients I noticed a huge difference in the texture and overall brightness of my complexion. For me, adding a facial oil really helped control breakouts, even out my complexion and reduce scarring and pigmentation from old spots. I think all skin types can benefit from using facial oils but there are also heaps of different serums and treatments to tackle all sorts of skin problems.
Try: Trilogy Rosehip Oil [$19.99], Tarte Maracuja Oil [available from Sephora Sydney]
7// Mask It
Using face masks is another tip I recommend for extra skin TLC. Whether you need to give your skin an extra deep clean and draw out all the impurities or give it an extra hit of hydration masks are perfect because they are a super quick fix (and also great for pampering yourself!). Masks come in all sorts of different forms such as clay masks which are great for getting rid of stubborn blackheads, sheet masks which make you look like a ghost but are fantastic for a hit of moisture as well as masks which apply just like a moisturiser but sink deep into the skin.
Try: Palmer's Cocoa Butter Purifying Enzyme Mask [$9.99], Bioderma Sensibo Soothing Mask [$39.99], Lonvitalite Face Masks
8// Blemish Busters
If sex-ed in school wasn't already completely insufficient I also wish they'd told me that you continue to get pimples even after puberty. In fact I didn't struggle with breakouts until about a year ago. I've learned the hard way that squeezing and picking at your spots leads to scarring and stubborn pigmentation. Put a spot treatment on instead - I know there's a big temptation to pop! - and breakouts will disappear much faster and you won't be left with any unpleasant reminders either.
Try: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion [$22.00]
9// Protect
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world and the majority of skin cancers in Australia are caused by exposure to UV radiation in sunlight.* The best way to protect your skin is by wearing SPF daily. Even if your foundation has an SPF in it, its always a good idea to get into the habit of applying sunscreen underneath your makeup everyday - and of course don't forget about the rest of your body! Wearing a hat and sunglasses outdoors is also an easy way to protect the sensitive skin on your face.
Try: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Suncreen Lotion SPF 50+ [$16.99]
10// Keep Hydrated!
A huge factor to the way our skin looks is how healthy our bodies are overall. I know as soon as I'm fatigued or sick, my skin takes on a really pale and sallow look. Dehydration often leads to skin that is dull and dry and you can often notice this on your lips and around your mouth first.
Try: Drinking more water - duh!
I know that taking all these steps may seem excessive, however, crucial to the way your makeup looks is the condition of your skin. Spending time and money on makeup and not also taking care of your skin doesn't really make sense. Maintaining your skin is also going to make sure you get the most out of the products you put on top of it!
Please note I'm not a skincare expert but have compiled these tips after trying a lot of different skincare products and evidence from my own experience. As I have mentioned above, there are different skin types that are going to react differently to different products or may need more TLC than others. For reference I have oily skin.
xx Catherine
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* Information provided by the Cancer Council Australia. Learn more here.
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