Skincare

Skincare: Make beautiful, healthy skin your routine

So many things outside of our control can impact the health of our skin—pollution, climate, work-related stress. However, you can control your skincare regimen to help boost your skin’s defenses. Maintaining a healthy and happy complexion starts with knowing your skin type and which treatments it craves the most. Follow the skin care tips below to get your skin looking and feeling its best.

When you lead a busy lifestyle, it’s easy to let skincare fall by the wayside. But following a proper skincare routine will help to keep pimples and wrinkles at bay, protect your skin from UV rays and harmful pollutants, and keep your face looking fresh. But where should you start? With so many products to choose from, it can be daunting to plan a skincare routine that suits you. Here’s our suggestions for a fuss-free facial regime – just pick and mix the treatments that feel right for you.

Exfoliator : First thing’s first: exfoliation. Before your morning shave, exfoliating can help to scrub off dead skin cells and rid your pores of excess oil (one of the key causes of acne). As a bonus, it will help to open up those pores and lift the hairs, which should reduce the risk of cuts and ingrown hairs. Give an exfoliator a go if you want that fresh-faced feel.

Shave cream/beard oil: No one likes a dry shave! Investing in a decent shave cream will help to ensure a clean shave as well as soften the skin underneath. Beard out of control? Beard oil will help to tame frizzy beard hair so you look less grizzly and more groomed.

After-shave balm:If you’re prone to red, scratchy skin after shaving, a rich after-shave balm can help to reduce irritation and keep skin looking smooth. Healthy skin, here you come!

Eye cream:A hydrating eye cream applied morning and night is going to keep you looking bright-eyed for longer. So if you’re rolling out of bed and straight into the office, it’s a godsend. Not only that, but many eye creams boast anti-ageing effects and can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Choose wisely!

Moisturiser : Who doesn’t want smooth, soft and healthy-looking skin? Applying a moisturiser with SPF is not only going to help you seal in much-needed moisture, it’s also going to help protect your skin from harmful UV rays throughout the day. Make skin hydration the last (and most important) step in your morning skincare routine.

Facial wash: In the evening, you’ll probably want to wash away all the grime of the day before you do anything else. A facial wash will get right into your pores to clean out the gunk.

Cleanser: Cleanser goes deeper than a face wash to slough away dead skin cells, dirt and excess oil to reduce the likelihood of breakouts. If you’ve got naturally oily skin, you might prefer a water-based cleanser. If your skin is overly dry, a cleansing oil or rich cream might help to add extra moisture.

Toner: A toner is sort of half way between a cleanser and a moisturiser – it helps to clean out your pores, refine your skin tone, and target the production of excess oil by balancing ph levels. Don’t skip it, because it basically preps your skin ready for your serum and moisturising night face cream. Just sweep a pad across your face after cleansing.

Serum: An overnight serum is a good choice if you’re worried about the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Night time is all about rest and relaxation, so what better time to apply a rejuvenating serum? Its anti-ageing properties will kick in while you sleep.

Night face cream: Lock in the effects of your serum and combat the drying effects of your bedroom’s air conditioning with a moisturising night face cream.

Face masks: One-off treatments more your thing? Face masks are versatile and have a wide range of benefits depending on the type you choose. Whether you want to exfoliate, unclog pores, moisturise, clear acne, boost circulation, or, you know, just relax after a long day, a face mask is great option. Use once or twice a week for optimum effects.

Best Skincare Products

• Best Skincare for Dry Skin: Soothe dry skin and restore moisture with skincare solutions that nourish, repair and revitalise. Look for cleansing oils and lotions that won’t strip your skin. Target extra-parched areas with a concentrated dose of lightweight, vitamin-rich serum or give your skin a replenishing boost with an essence or mist. Follow with a fast-acting moisturiser that works on contact while also supporting skin’s natural barrier to lock in moisture over the long run. Give your skin an intense overall moisture boost with an overnight hydration mask.
  
  

• Best Skincare for Oily Skin: Prevent breakouts and minimize shine with products that clarify and mattify. Opt for gentle, soap-free cleansers and choose an exfoliator that unclogs pores while sloughing away dead skin cells. Tone with an antioxidant-rich toner. Even if your skin is oily, it still needs ample moisture. Choose a lightweight, hydrating gel or cream. Make sure to apply a sunscreen in the morning that’s oil-absorbing so you don’t miss out on vital sun protection.
  
  

• Best Skincare for Combination Skin: Balance dry and oily areas with mild formulas and light textures. Look for cleansers that are soothing to prevent both irritation and moisture-loss. Use a hydrating toner all over, but target oily areas like your T-Zone with a mattifying product. Stick to liquid or gel lotions as your daily moisturiser. Always wear oil-free sunscreen to keep your face shielded without adding shine.
  
  

• Best Skincare for Acne-Prone Skin: Detoxify with deep cleansers, spot treatments and non-aggravating makeup. Remove dirt, makeup and other pore-clogging impurities with a foam, gel or oil that cleanses deep down. If you need to zap a blemish, opt for a concentrated dose of powerful, yet soothing ingredients that can be applied directly. To treat a breakout, try full face care with a treatment that heals and relieves skin with active ingredients that aren’t overly drying. For your makeup, look for oil-free foundations and concealers that have calming benefits.
  
  

• Best Skincare for Sensitive Skin: If you have sensitive skin, simple skincare is best. Look for mild, sensitive-safe formulas with high concentrations of natural ingredients that are rich in vitamins and nutrients. If your skin is extremely sensitive, organic skincare options might work best to get all the good stuff your skin craves without potential irritants.
  
  

Learn more about how you should cater your skincare routine to suit the needs of your skin type with our Skincare By Skin Types Guide. Sephora has what you need from natural skincare to specialized treatments to get clear, glowing skin. Rev up your skincare routine with key skincare ingredients like collagen, hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid that can make a real difference for your skin. Perfect your skincare routine with skin care tips for 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond with our Skincare By Age Guide. Shop online at Sephora to find the right skincare products for you now.