Overwhelmed by the countless options for skincare? Don’t know the difference between serum, moisturiser and oil? We hear you, it’s a jungle out there!
There’s always a new product to try, combination to test and brand to bow down to. We’ve done the rounds, believe us. And you know what we found out? It was all meant to be simple. A lot more simple than advertising had us believe, anyway!
Want to know what skincare elements are must-haves? We’re giving you the basics – the skincare 101. These are the multi-functional products you really need.
Cleanser
So the first must-have product is a cleanser. Your skin produces oil, collects dirt and sheds dead skin cells. Skin specialists recommend cleansing morning and night to wash this gunk off, as well as your sunscreen and makeup. Cleansers usually come in a cream, foam or gel. Creme Gels tend to suit dry skin types. Gels Cleansers cater for oily skin prone to blemishes. Still unsure which one to choose? Whatever your skin type, multi-functional cleansers deeply clean your skin without drying it out.
Exfoliating Masque
You know how we mentioned dead skin cells? Popular exfoliants contain tiny granules that lightly scrub the first layer of your skin to brush dead skin cells away. Exfoliation promotes skin renewal (healthier skin) and preps your skin for serums and moisturisers. Your face will feel smoother and look brighter. We’re obsessed with our scrub-to-masque blend exfoliant. The scrub gently buffs away dead skin cells and the masque deeply nourishes.
Toner
Toners are a step people often miss. And this is probably because there’s a lot of confusion about what they actually do. Toners get rid of any dirt you missed while cleansing, and depending on what toner you use, they also address skincare concerns like dryness, oiliness, irritation and enlarged pores. Instead of getting multiple toners for different needs, we recommend buying one toner that refreshes, hydrates and purifies all in one.
Serum
We’re getting to the good stuff now! This is where skincare gets active. Serums are oil or gel based liquids with high concentrations of particular ingredients. Like all skincare products, there are a lot of serums on the market and they vary on price, ingredients and concentrations. How do you choose which one to buy? Get a serum that will do all skin types some good. HA serum is the perfect place to start. HA is a sugar that retains up to 1000X its weight in water. HA hydrates your skin and gives it a plumped up glow. How can you go wrong?
Eye creme
One of the most common questions we get asked is, do you really need an eye cream? Our answer is yes. The skin around your eyes is thinner than the rest of your face and doesn't produce as much oil, so tends to get dry. It’s usually the first place to show fine lines as well. Eye creams contain many different ingredients like HA, retinoid and peptides. It depends on your skin type, age and skin concerns which one you choose. But multifunctional eye creams will tick the important boxes like hydrating and cooling puffy eyes.
Moisturiser
We’re talking about skincare 101, right? Well, moisturiser is the OG! Think moisturiser is just about hydration? Wrong. Although moisturisers are vital in preventing dryness, they also balance all skin types, oily and dry. As serums grow in popularity, moisturisers have taken a backseat but they’re still the product that brings all your skin elements together! Moisturisers seal in your serums and create a barrier against dirt and grime. And depending on your skin concerns, you can find moisturisers with all the active ingredients your skin needs.
Sunscreen
Okay, okay. We have to talk and SPF. Your skincare is going to be pretty useless if you’re out in the sun without protection. If you want to keep your soft skin for longer, get yourself sunscreen and make sure you wear it every. single. day. Yes, even if you’re in the car running a quick errand. Put your sunscreen on after your moisturiser and keep reapplying.
So, there you have it! Our skincare 101. We’d love to hear your skincare must-haves. Comment below. What skincare product can’t you live without?