The Best Basic Skin Care Routine Everyone Needs

It's never too early or too late to start taking care of your skin. The best way to prevent ageing is to wear a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen daily. There is plenty of research to support that sun damage is the number one reason for skin ageing and it is also the most controllable factor when it comes to 'not looking our age.' But beyond just wearing SPF everyday, I'll outline the most basic skin care regime that everyone can easily do.

WHY DO I NEED A SKINCARE ROUTINE?

Have you ever heard the term free radicals before? They are little molecules that come from many sources (see the infographic below) and cause oxidative stress which can ultimately damage our DNA and causes us to age. As I explained above, the most common source of free radicals comes from UV light from the sun. It is also the source of free radicals that we have the most control over simply by avoiding getting too much sun and using sunscreen daily which is important not just for the ageing process but can also help prevent cancer caused by the sun.

So we all get it now, UV damage = ageing / potential cancers and sunscreen reigns QUEEN! But if we are to slather on sunscreen everyday and never wash it off, that's going to get a bit gross! Enter: the basic skincare routine, cleanse, moisturize and sunscreen. Repeat.

Here is a great demonstration of the ways free radicals impact ageing through oxidative stress.

Aside from sun damage, there are other factors which contribute to skin ageing as well and that's another reason why a simple skincare regime with high quality products will do you proud! Genetics plays a part, although as the research continues to show, it plays a fairly small part in comparison to our environment. Lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, how much water you drink, stress, exercise and sleep are other major players in the skin ageing process and I am going to explain to you what products will most benefit you in your day to day life.

It's true that the younger you begin protecting your skin, the better. However it's truly never too late to start! Thanks to modern science and a booming cosmetic industry there are literally thousands of products available on the market which can help shield your skin from the oxidative damage caused by free radicals. I will outline some of my favourite products below many of which are from Beautycounter as it is a brand which focuses entirely on creating high quality, effective products that contain NONE of the toxic ingredients that go unchecked in many of our beauty brands still to this day.

Beautycounter is on a mission to provide clean, non toxic skincare that works and is working to raise industry standards for testing.

*all my suggestions below are non-paid advertising, I just love these products and have seen results in my, and my clients', skin from using them.

BASIC SKIN CARE ROUTINE

This is good for those who are just starting to take care of their skin. You can't start this routine early enough. If I had to put an age range on it, this skin care regime would be for those 16 to 25. This routine sets an excellent habit of cleansing, moisturizing and protecting your skin daily.

Save this picture for later to refer back to!

MORNING & NIGHT ROUTINE

1) Cleanse

Use a mild, PH balanced cleanser to remove natural oils that are produced while sleeping and to remove oil, bacteria, makeup and pollutants that collect on our skin during the day. Our skin typically has a natural PH of around 4-5 while most soaps tend to have a much higher PH of around 9+ (see image below). Regularly using soap may cause dryness, discomfort and eventually lead to premature ageing due to dehydration. If your skin is on the oily / acneic side, don't be fooled into thinking this will benefit you by drying out your skin. In fact, when skin becomes dehydrated, it uses its only natural mechanism to reregulate its moisture levels by producing more sebum which equals way more oil!!

My suggested cleansers:

For normal to combination skin types: Countermatch Refresh Foaming Cleanser is a beautiful soft foaming cleanser that is gentle enough to use twice a day without disrupting the skin's moisture barrier but effectively removes dirt, oil, makeup and pollutants.

For oily, acne prone and congested skin: Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser which is deep cleansing and gently exfoliating with natural jojoba beads to cleanse skin, refine pores and leave skin feeling balance.

For dry and ageing skin: Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm this is such a beautiful, comforting way to cleanse the skin! The rich balm acts both as a makeup remover, cleanser and overnight hydrating facial moisturizer. Talk about triple threat!

This 3 in one cleansing balm removes makeup, cleanses the skin and can be used overnight as a supreme hydrator!

2) Moisturizer

As we have already learned, many factors can contribute to skin ageing, free radical damage being a huge part of that! So why not do everything we can to help protect our skin from damage as well as keep it looking and feeling its best everyday. Moisturizer is the barrier of protection between your skin and the oxidative stressors found in our environments. It also keeps the surface of the skin hydrated with natural, humectant and emollient ingredients like squalane oil, glycerin and hyaluronic acid to keep your skin plumped, protected, smooth and balanced. Your moisturizer is what gives the comforting sensation to your skin when it feels dry or dehydrated. It can also help to regulate sebum (oil) production for oily skin types.

Skin with no moisture barrier allows water to escape and irritants to penetrate the skin's surface

My suggested moisturizers:

For normal to combination skin types: Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion literally the perfect little do it all moisturizer! It is lightweight, unscented, 100% non toxic and adapts to the skin throughout the day to keep up with modern life. Not only does it provide up to 24-hours of hydration —it offers the essential building blocks of hydration, nutrition, and oxygenation to keep skin soft, smooth, and glowing.

For oily, acne prone and congested skin: Countercontrol Matte Effect Gel Cream this gel textured moisturizer is super lightweight and fresh on the skin. It is designed to balance oil production and to mattify the skin while still boosting the water levels to help keep everything in balance. Did you know oily skins are the most misunderstood skin type? Many people think oily / acne prone skin should be treated with harsh cleansers, astringents and drying ingredients but this has the opposite effect. When the skin becomes over dry, it actually begins producing MORE oil in order to make up for the imbalance. So treat oily skin very gently with mild cleansers, oil free hydrating lotions and detoxifying charcoal masks to keep skin clear and balanced.

For dry and ageing skin: Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream this rich cream is a dry skin's dream come true! It is so supremely hydrating and comforting and also helps to firm and tighten the contours of the face while using.

The best little do it all moisturizer there ever was! Lightweight, hydrating and protecting. Excellent for daily use.

MORNING ROUTINE ONLY

3) SPF (Sunscreen)

UVA/UBA rays are damaging to the skin 365 days a year - with that said, always, ALWAYS use sunscreen on your face.

My suggested face SPF:

Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion

Using a broadspectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen daily is your number one defense against skin ageing

TREATMENTS

Dermaplaning

Eventually at home maintenance just won't cut it on its own. We need to help our natural processes along sometimes and a great way to do this is with dermaplaning. Get a dermaplane treatment once a month, to exfoliate 21 days worth of dead skin cells and remove vellus hair (lovingly referred to as peach fuzz!) This helps to refine pores, soften the appearance of fine lines and allows products to properly absorb into the skin as they are not being blocked by a waterproof barrier of redundant skin cells. This treatment is suitable for anyone who has begun their skin care routine as it will help to enhance the skin's natural glow and allow makeup to glide on to perfectly smooth skin.

Dermaplaning uses a medical grade scalpel to exfoliate and remove vellus facial hair

My suggested dermaplane treatment:

Well, with me of course! Book Here

So there you have it!

Start this routine right away if you haven't already! And stay tuned for an Anti-Ageing Skin Care routine that you'll want to implement to be proactive.

Have any questions? Feel free to reach out to me at littlewhiteliesbeautyshop@gmail.com.