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How often do you think about your skincare essentials?
With the colder weather starting to draw in, it’s a great time to think about your skincare routine. What does it consist of? With a change in weather, is it time to switch up some of your products? No one likes dry skin throughout the winter, and no one wants to be oily when it heats up again!
But amongst your seasonal skincare, it’s worth considering which products you want to keep a firm grip on all year round. Today I’ll be sharing my own personal faves, to help you build your own go-to guide to skincare essentials!
Disclaimer: I’m going to be talking about products that I’ve consistently been using and loving, and have had the best results with. But as I have recently signed up to the Amazon Associate Programme, this means I earn commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
How many products do you need?
To preface this blog, it’s important to discuss how many products you need, in comparison to what you may be made to think you need. Whilst one product can’t do it all, there is a growing trend online that sees people with 20 step routines – two extreme ends of the spectrum. I’ve even been a victim to those influencers by purchasing too many unnecessary products myself.
The reality is that too many products can have a negative effect on your skin, leading to breakouts, dryness and more. Whether you’re new to skincare or a seasoned professional, a reduced approach is often best.
Different products can help with different goals, but ultimately, you’ll want to strip your routine back to basics with 3-4 essentials. Once you have your core essentials, then you can always build upon that with additional products depending on your goals and needs. Just don’t create a 10 step routine without doing your prior research, or because you think you need to copy an influencer on TikTok!
Your go-to guide to skincare essentials
Step 1: Start with a cleanser
The building block of your skincare routine is a quality cleanser. This will help to remove any dirt or makeup, leaving you a clean base to help your other products work. Use twice a day – in the morning to remove any impurities from the night before, and in the evening to cleanse away the day.
I use the Simple Moisturising Facial Wash. It’s hydrating, cleansing, and a great start to the day. I haven’t been using it all that long, but it’s working great so far.
Step 2: Add a serum
This is where you can customise your routine, without overloading it with products. There are serums and oils out there suited to every goal and need your skin may have. You’re able to personalise and manage different skin concerns such as wrinkles, acne, brightening, redness, and more.
I use The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. I don’t feel I have any specific concerns, I just want that bright, smooth, glowy look. This product does the job!
Step 3: Moisturise
Hydrate your skin with a quality moisturiser, suited to your skin type. One of the benefits to moisturising ensures that you are replenishing the moisture lost due to general environmental factors, and preventing dryness overall.
Using Simple again, I’ve used the Hydrating Light Moisturiser for years, and still love it to this day.
(Optional) Step 4: Add SPF
Whilst using SPF isn’t optional, you may find a quality moisturiser that already has it included. Even if the sun isn’t out, you should be using it everyday to help prevent sunburn and skin cancer.
I use the La Roche-Posay Invisible Fluid SPF 50+. Although it is on the pricier side, I have very sensitive, pale skin so I don’t mind paying the extra for quality.
What extras can you add?
Once you have your core skincare essentials in place, then you can add in extra products where necessary. The key here is to not overload with products that you don’t actually need, but assessing if there is something that your skin is missing. Examples of those include: exfoliator; toner; or additional treatments.
Within my own routine, I additionally use an exfoliator and toner. However, I have perfected this routine after years of trialling different products and seeing what works well and what doesn’t work well. In the instances that it doesn’t work out well I’ve seen increased redness and blemishes. Now I’m happy to have nailed it so that I rarely get spots, and a smoother complexion overall.
As I’m only 24, I’m sure it will adapt in the future as my skin will have different needs and requirements. This is something to consider for your own core essentials, and how you may need a new formula at different times too.
This has been a go-to guide to help you reassess and find the products that are a necessity to you. These are my personal skincare essentials. What would you add or change?
