If you have been subscribed to us for a while, I'm sure you have collected some skincare gems that you may not know how/when/why to use, continue reading and I will help straighten out how to apply your skincare in 6 simple steps, jargon free!
Since I run a beauty/skincare business I have a lot of products that I need to try, my bathroom cabinet is on constant verge of becoming a product avalanche when opened! It can be daunting to see all of the different creams, serums, mists, toners, exfoliators etc, not knowing exactly their purpose, what ingredients to use when and the difference between the formulas. So, we have researched when to apply what, which ingredients are best used for day or night, and how to start implementing them in your skin routine, so you don't have to!
When I first started running MyTreat I 'liked' skincare; I put on a mask and exfoliated every now and then, but I didn't LOVE skincare like I do now because I can visually see what a difference a good routine can make! Now days, my morning and evening skincare routine has become a little ritual, even if I'm super tired or stressed, it's my little slice of me-time. That extra few minutes of dedicating time to my skin makes me feel a bit more pampered and cared for, ready for a good night's rest or to seize the day!
I'm not a big makeup person, I love having the kind of skin that I can wear fresh, with a touch of mascara and lip gloss and be ready to go. This isn't always the case, as life seems to love to throw curve balls like blemishes, wrinkles, pigmentation and under eye bags where it sees fit, but having a good routine with the proper ingredients is a HUGE step in preventing those curveballs in the first place!
So, here's how to apply your skincare in 6 simple steps!
PS - I have also included some products I recommend for each step, which are forever half the regular retail price on our build a box page!
How to apply your skincare - 6 simple steps to perfect skin
Save this picture in your phone, print it, write it on your mirror or memorize it, according to experts, this is the best way to apply your skincare:
Step 1 - Cleanse
In the morning, it is best just to cleanse with warm water, but if you need to, a gentle cleanser will do. Cleansing preps your skin so it is clear of any nasties, residual makeup, or oils so that the following products can work properly.
We recommend using a cleanser that has been designed for your skin type and something gentle so it doesn't strip your skin. At night, if you have makeup that won't budge, an oil cleanser or even a tiny bit of coconut/olive oil and a cloth brings it right off! Just make sure to cleanse off the oil with a standard cleanser afterward.
Try:
By Nature Purifying Facial Cleanser The rosehip oil will help remove makeup, ad the hyaluronic acid is amazing for extra hydration!
For oily skin - The By Nature Purifying Charcoal Cleanser
Step 2 - Toner (Or Essense)
Think of toner as a primer, as it allows the rest the ingredients in your skin regime to absorb better, it also reduces pore size and helps prevent blackheads. Spritz/pat over clean, dry skin and allow about 5 minutes or for the formula to fully dry. If you don't wait that extra time, you may accidentally neutralize the acids before they work their magic. Perhaps brush your teeth/ make a tea during this step! If you are subscribed this month, you will be receiving the luxurious Linden Leaves Gold Toning Mist in your October Glow Box which can be used in this step, it's also amazing to use throughout the day, over makeup or even at the end of your skincare for a gorgeous glow!
AM - The Nude By Nature Vitamin C Energizing Toner from the June Box is wonderful for the morning!
PM - I personally love the Linden Leaves Balancing Toner at night, as it has chamomile and pohutukawa which is lovely before bed.
Step 3 - Serums
Serums are concentrated forms of nutrients that usually target specific concerns. If you are a subscriber, you will have just received the Arture Youth Preserve Retinol Serum from the September Box and are about to receive the Rata & Co Probiotic Serum. There are so many wonderful serums to choose from that it can be overwhelming, but take a look and see which serum suits you best. You may find you need an undereye serum for the darkness under your eyes, or a brightening serum for pigmentation, or something to help with dry skin, etc. Take a look at our range to see what ingredients you need, and what concerns you want to look at. For me, I am still in love with the Arture Retinol Serum (which is INCREDIBLE, bye-bye wrinkles!!!) and also l have a few other serums that I layer each morning and night... I am just a little obsessed with serum's.. especially since this is the last one for the rest of the year so I am stocking up!
AM - Antioxidant Serums - like the Rata & Co Probiotic Serum In the October Box, are best to use for the day, which help neutralize damage from UV rays and pollutants. Remember to always avoid retinol serums in the morning, as the sun neutralizes the ingredients.*
PM - Retinol serums, like the Arture Youth Preserve Serum is best only used at night as it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. You can follow up with other serums after this step!*
*NOTE - As a general rule of thumb, apply the lightest, oil-free serums first as the thicker the formula, the harder for other products to penetrate. You can use multiple serums, but just give each of them the chance to soak in and dry before applying the next layer.
Step 4: Eye Cream
No one likes dark under eyes, bags or crows feet, that's why eye cream is so important, use night and day, start as early as your twenties! Eye creams are usually thinner and optimized for the delicate skin surrounding your eyes compared to typical face moisturizers. Read the instructions on how to apply on your product, as each is different. Some recommend to apply over the whole eye area, others say just around the socket. The undereye area is SO delicate, imagine you are applying product to rose petals that you don't want to bruise (to minimize wrinkles and damage). Lightly pat the product around the eyes and try not to rub.
We have a range of eye creams on our shop that target different concerns, take a look and find the perfect formula for you!
Step 5: Moisturizer
If you have oilier skin you may think that moisturizer will have a negative effect, but it's actually the opposite! Your skin over-compensates with natural oils when it is dry, so moisturizing is actually necessary in preventing this, also, moisturizing is essential in trapping in all the goodness you just applied! There are many different formulas of moisturizers on our build-a-box page, all for different skin types and target problems, so you can find the one that works perfectly for you. Look at the full range for morning and evening here. We are still using the incredible Tiaki Night Cream from the August Box which was a huge hit with our subscribers. If you're a subscriber and loved that moisturizer, try out the Tiaki Day Cream next! It's just as intensive and hydrating, but slightly lighter for day wear.
Step 6: Facial Oils & Sunscreen
Remember preventing aging skin is so much easier than fixing aging skin so once you hit your mid thirties or if you have dry skin, facial oils are your best friend! Use as your final step before be to really sandwich all of the wonderful nutrients and hydration from the products you've applied. I personally love putting it on as my last step before bed as it really helps add the extra hydration whilst I sleep. Facial oils should always be your very final step to your skincare regime as it's virtually impenetrable, so applying products on top would be a waste of time! (Apart from sunblock, which we want sitting on the surface of the skin anyway.) I am still loving the Nudi Point Facial Serum from April's Box, which has also been described as 'Liquid gold' by many, which I must say I'd have to agree with! We also stock the lovely By Nature Hydrating 100% Pure Face Oil, which is made with hyaluronic acid for hydration and has a slightly lighter formula if that suits you better.
Okay let me get this out of the way - secret to preventing pigmentation, dry skin, wrinkles and skin cancer? SUNSCREEN. Even if it's mid-winter, always put a layer of sunscreen each morning, especially if you are using retinol serums as your skin is more sensitive to UV rays! If you aren't doing this already, start now, this is probably the best skincare advise anyone can give you and I promise it's worth it!
Weekly
There is literally nothing a face scrub and mask and scrub can't fix, in my opinion anyway! After or during a busy week my favourite past time at the moment is locking myself away, putting on some good old sing along to music and having some quality me-time with a little face mask and soak. This along with magnesium bath salts makes a world of difference to me (and my family). Making the time for this can sometimes be impossible, so even if you don't have time for a full pamper night, face masks and scrubs are amazing at rejuvenating skin and combating the elements. These products aren't typically you're everyday products as they are more intensive so save them for once or twice a week.
Exfoliators - If you are subscribed this month, you will be receiving the delicious Grounded Lip Scrub and a divine Coffee and kola-nut Facial Scrub from Sirius Skincare, to achieve that gorgeous glow and rid yourself of dull, dead skin cells. If you are in need of an exfoliator, we stock the wonderful Nudi Point Konjac Sponge for subtle exfoliation everyday, or the incredible Arture Microdermabrasion Resurfacing Cream, for a weekly deep, luxurious exfoliation with micro-crystals and premium natural ingredients.
Masks - The occasional mask can help improve skins tone, texture and appearance, plus they are perfect to stock up for a pamper night! Checkout our entire range of beautiful masks from local NZ brands here.
That's it! Only 6 simple steps to add to your morning and nightly skincare routine for wonderfully glowing, hydrated skin. Get a head start on the summer season now, because believe it or not, wedding and party season is creeping up way too fast!
Do you have a product in your cabinet that makes sense now? Or have you found something that I haven't included? Let us know in the comments!