The Ultimate Guide to the Perfect Skincare Routine
Step 1: Cleansing
Cleansing is a very important step in any skincare routine; it's the process of removing dirt, oil, makeup, and other impurities from the skin to keep pores clear. It prevents acne by removing debris and gives a clean base for better absorption of skincare products. My 2 personal favourite cleansers I use are:
Step 2: Exfoliation (2–3 times a week)
Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, improves texture, and boosts the absorption of other products. Unclogs pores, reducing the likelihood of acne and blackheads. Exfoliation also enhances skin texture, leaving it smoother and more radiant. My favourite exfoliators are:
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant: A personal favourite for tackling blackheads and clogged pores. Perfect if your skin is oily, combo, or even a little sensitive. It’s free of fragrance, parabens, and all that unnecessary junk, so you can trust it to treat your skin with TLC.
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial and Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil Mini: First off, Babyfacial is like a spa treatment in a bottle. It’s packed with AHAs and BHAs (fancy acids that exfoliate your skin) and works like magic to smooth out your texture, brighten your skin, and unclog your pores. If you’ve got dull, tired skin or stubborn spots, this stuff gives you that “I just had a facial” glow without leaving your house. Now, pair that with the Virgin Marula Oil, and you’ve got yourself the dream team. After Babyfacial does its thing, this oil swoops in to calm and nourish your skin. It’s super lightweight but mega-hydrating, leaving your skin soft and dewy without feeling greasy.
Step 3: Toner
A toner is a lightweight liquid applied after cleansing to remove residual dirt, balance pH, and prepare skin for other products. Toners improve absorption of subsequent skincare products. Products to try:
Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner: The rose water gives your skin a refreshing hit of hydration while calming redness and irritation.
Pixi Glow Tonic: which is a game-changer. It gently exfoliates your skin, sweeping away all that dull, dead skin hiding your natural glow. After a few uses, you’ll notice smoother texture and brighter skin, like magic.Step 4: Serums
Serums target specific skin concerns like hydration, ageing, or uneven tone with concentrated ingredients. Serums also provide targeted treatment for issues such as dark spots, fine lines, or dryness. My favourite serums:
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant: If your pores tend to look more like craters, this can help shrink their appearance over time. It doesn’t physically scrub your skin (so no irritation), but it makes your face look super smooth and refined.
TruSkin Vitamin C Serum: Brightens the skin and fades dark
spots. It’s super lightweight, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t leave that sticky feeling some serums do. Perfect for layering under your moisturizer or makeup.
An eye cream hydrates and nourishes the sensitive eye area to prevent dryness and reduces puffiness and minimizes the appearance of dark circles. Products to test out:
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream for Eyes: This cream is amazing if you're looking for something that’s lightweight but still super hydrating.
Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado: It has a thick, creamy texture that’s not greasy but still feels rich enough to tackle dryness and puffiness. I love how it instantly brightens up my eyes without making them feel heavy.
Step 6: Moisturizer
Hydration is essential for all skin types to maintain the skin barrier and lock in serums. A good moisturizer also prevents early signs of ageing.
Products to Try:
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: It's super affordable and works for pretty much all skin types—whether you're dry, oily, or somewhere in between.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream: This cream is packed with powerhouse ingredients like amino-peptides and niacinamide (which is just a fancy name for vitamin B3), helping to visibly firm and smooth your skin. It really helps with reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, so if you're starting to notice some signs of ageing, this one’s a great pick.
Step 7: Sunscreen (Daytime Only)
Sunscreen prevents sunburn, premature ageing, and skin cancer by protecting against UV damage. It also help maintaining even skin tone by preventing sun-induced hyperpigmentation which makes it one of the most important steps in any skincare routine. No one wants to age quickly. Some of my trusted products I use and highly recommend are:
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46: it’s super lightweight and doesn't feel greasy or heavy, which is a big win, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 70: It absorbs super quickly into the skin, leaving it feeling soft and dry, not oily—hence the "dry-touch" magic.
Eucerin Sun Tinted Mineral Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 35: First off, it’s mineral-based, so it’s gentle on the skin and great if you have sensitive skin or irritation issues. Plus, the tinted formula helps even out your skin tone, giving you a nice, natural glow while also protecting you from harmful UV rays.
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Step 8: Nighttime Additions
Incorporate products like retinol or nourishing oils in your nighttime routine are applied to address specific concerns while the skin regenerates overnight. It promotes skin cell turnover and repair. Products I recommend:
Olay Retinol Correxion Night Cream: Retinol is a powerhouse for boosting cell turnover, so while you're catching Z's, it's working to smooth out your skin and fade those pesky fine lines.
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil: You can use it on your face, neck, and even your hair. It helps with uneven skin tone, fades dark spots, and can even give your hair some shine.
There you have it, the best skincare recipe for perfect, clear skin!
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