Brushing up on the basics in any aspect of your life is usually a good idea, and when it comes to skincare it’s no different. No matter how many products and facials you invest in, if you’re neglecting the basic principles, you won’t be getting the best out of them.
While skincare is partially an art, it is also a science. So while no two faces are made completely equal, there are a few guiding principles that all people can benefit from adhering to. And no matter how much of a bonafide skin expert you are, we can always learn a thing or two about sticking to the tried and true principles of skincare.
When it comes to layering serums, these mantras could not ring more true. Knowing which actives to mix and which to keep separate could be the key to seeing the best results. But even if you shouldn’t mix two skincare ingredients together, it doesn’t mean you can’t use one in the morning and one in the evening; this is largely encouraged to ensure you can reap all the benefits. So here is a streamlined approach to your AM/PM skincare rituals.
The best AM routine
Knowing how your skin feels and looks in the morning is key to unlocking a successful skincare routine. For a lot of us, you may think your skin looks dull and dry in the morning, this is why layering on some brightening actives such as Vitamin C can do wonders for refreshing your complexion. Let us talk you through the basics that should be a non-negotiable in your morning routine.
Start with a gentle cleanser
First things first, before you start layering on your expensive serums make sure you’re cleansing the face so you’re working with a clean canvas. For most people, we recommend cleansing twice a day - in the morning and in the evening - unless you have severely dry skin. If you’re suffering from very dry skin, try cleaning the skin with water only in the morning and then saving the cleansing for the evening.
For the majority of us, however, a gentle morning cleanser is the perfect way to get your skin off to the right start. This will remove any left over serums, oils or creams that were applied the night before. You’ll notice after you cleanse in the morning, that it refreshes your sleep complexion. Our Gentle Cream Cleanser is the perfect morning pick-me-up for tired skin. This silky emollient-rich formula works to gently remove impurities while injecting protective hydration to nourish dry and sensitive skin. It harnesses the moisturising fatty acids of Avocado Oil and Hemp Oil which both work to soothe skin and repair the skin’s barrier.
Now reach for an antioxidant serum
If you’re a skincare enthusiast it’s likely you’ve heard the term ‘antioxidant’ more than a few times, but what does it actually mean? Basically, antioxidants protect your skin from free radicals that break down the collagen of the skin, leading to accelerated signs of ageing. Free radical damage can manifest on the skin in different ways for different people, however, common free radical damage appears in the form of dark spots, fine lines and sagging skin - essentially things best avoided. That’s why applying a serum in the morning that protects against free radical damage is the best way to preserve the skin and its collagen stores, the most common being Vitamin C.
Vitamin C has garnered some serious street cred in the skincare world and for good reason, it really works. Not only does Vit C offer overall protection against skin stressors, but it also works wonders on brightening the skin and helping to even out skin tone. That’s why it's a firm favourite to use in the morning. If you’re new to Vitamin C, we recommend introducing it slowly to the skin and then building up over time. Start using it three mornings a week and then slowly start to increase this number until your skin can tolerate daily use.
Our PRO Strength Vitamin C Serum is your ideal morning companion. This antioxidant elixir works to reduce and prevent the signs of photoaging and comes with a 10% stabilised water-soluble vitamin C derivative that is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of dark spots by 25%. This serum is specifically formulated with antioxidant delivery technology that significantly boosts the efficacy of water-soluble antioxidants against oxidative stress.
Now it’s time for moisturiser
Regardless of whether or not you have oily skin, you should always be following up your active serums with a moisturiser. Choosing which moisturiser is right for you usually largely comes down to personal preference, however, for most people you can get away with using the same moisturiser morning and night. If you have severely dry skin, you may wish to opt for a thicker more powerful texture in the evening to really get that hydration boost!
In the morning, however, especially if you’re going to apply foundation, a light formula that’s easily absorbable is the way to go. For a hydrating yet lightweight moisturiser the Rebalancing Moisturiser is a fan-favourite. Being ultra-lightweight while also working to balance and clarify the skin, there are few better morning alternatives on the market. This comes with an added boost of niacinamide which helps to restore the skin barrier and results in a smoother, more refined skin texture. It also contains sodium hyaluronate, a smaller form of hyaluronic acid that can deeply penetrate the skin to hydrate and plump.
Finally, don’t forget your SPF
The last step in your morning skincare routine is undoubtedly the most important. In case you haven’t heard, prevention is always the best cure, and when it comes to premature signs of ageing, this couldn’t be more true. Rain, hail, tornado, or shine SPF is a non-negotiable in your morning routine. Not only does SPF act as your first line of protection for skin cancers, but it also protects your skin from sun damage (which leads to fine lines and wrinkles).
You should always be looking for a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher and make sure you always apply it last (before any makeup), to ensure it can be properly absorbed into the skin. While some foundations claim to have SPF, these are usually quite unreliable and it can never hurt to have an added boost of protection to be on the safe side. For a sunscreen that does it all, you can’t go past the Daily Antioxidant Defence SPF30. It ticks all the boxes, being both moisturising and protective, it contains UBA/UVB filters that provide sheer broad-spectrum SPF30 protection without containing any oxybenzone or octinoxate. It also gives the skin a moisturising glow with hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
Your perfect PM routine
Now it’s time to get that skin ready for bed, and while the routine follows a similar pattern to our morning one, there are tweaks that are crucial for success.
Double cleanse
It’s time to properly take the day off and set your skin up for your heavy-hitting skincare investments. Because the morning often consists of serums, SPF and makeup it can take more than one round of cleansing to effectively remove all the oil, sweat and debris. That’s why we usually recommend double cleansing, always use a gentle cleanser first and then, if you need to, you can use a salicylic acid cleanser second (if you suffer from acne).
Start with the gentle cream cleanser first, and then follow up with the Purifying Gel Cleanser. This water-activated gel formula provides a deep and clarifying cleanse that helps calm and restore balance to oily skin. It includes the BHA salicylic acid which is practically kryptonite for acne and works deeply to exfoliate and unclog pores.
Treat and target
The next steps in your routine will largely depend on what your specific skin concerns are. After you have a fresh base, cleansed and ready to go, it's time to apply your nighttime serums and corrective treatments. This is where you look at addressing concerns such as dryness, pigmentation and redness. Two of the most common treatments are retinol and chemical exfoliants or peels.
Retinol
For a tried and true ingredient that lives up to the hype, you can’t go past retinol. Retinol works to visibly firm, refine, brighten and renew the skin, and it also helps prevent and treat breakouts. So basically, every skin concern under the sun is likely to in some way be treatable with retinol. Like all actives, it’s important to introduce retinol slowly and build up over time once your skin develops a tolerance. The PRO Strength Retinol is the retinol quad you need in an age-defying elixir to reverse and prevent the signs of aging. We don’t recommend using retinol and vitamin C together - so opt for one in the morning and one in the evening for best results!
Niacinamide
Another skincare ingredient taking the world by storm is niacinamide. This works to improve skin tone, texture and redness and is a restorative elixir you need no matter your skin concerns.
Acids
If you’re wanting a deep exfoliation you can’t go past an AHA/BHA. The Resurfacing AHA/BHA Peel will reset your skin overnight to reveal your best skin in the morning. This multi-acid exfoliating peel is inspired by the clinic to resurface and revitalise your skin for a clearer, more radiant complexion.
Spot treatment
If you’re suffering from breakouts, it’s now time to apply any spot treatments. The Blemish Rescue Treatment lives up to its name and will rescue you from blemishes, without damaging your skin further. Incorporating the power of zinc, salicylic acid and tea tree oil, this will have you on the road to clear skin in no time.
Eye cream
While the use of eye creams can be hotly debated, we are firmly team eye creams. The skin around our eyes is thinner than the rest of our face, and therefore it requires it’s own special treatment. Eye creams are a great option for adding extra moisture to dry under eyes and targeting fine lines. The secret is finding something that is rich, yet sensitive and the PRO Collagen Eye Complex strikes the right balance.
Moisturise
Deja vu? It’s time to lock in all those hard-working ingredients! As your skin begins its repair process at night, it’s important to remember that moisturiser plays an important role in sealing in all those products you’ve just layered on. It will also ensure you wake up feeling plump and refreshed!
You may want to use the same moisturiser you used in the morning, or you might want to mix it with a creamier, thicker consistency. The Complete Recovery Moisturiser ticks all the boxes!
And voila - there you have it, the tried and true skincare ritual!
