I have never paid much attention to my skin. My daily skincare routine has basically consisted of removing any make-up and then wiping my face with a flannel and warm water. Occasionally I would use a face scrub or a face mask, but not often.
My skin is okay, but it’s not amazing. I often get spots, especially on my chin and upper lip. The sides of my cheeks get bumpy and dry. Neither of these things really bother me, but I feel it would be nice to try and improve the health of my skin.
Therefore, this month I have set myself a challenge to follow a skincare routine every day. I had no idea what a skincare routine should involve, so I did a bit of research on Pinterest. I found lots of pins showing the order in which different types of product should be used, such as cleansers, toners and moisturisers. Some of these pins differed in opinion, and some included more variety of products than others. I pinned the ones I found most helpful onto my Skincare Routine board.
My skincare routine
Rather than choosing a routine off Pinterest, I decided to make up my own based on the ones I had seen. This way, I could tailor it to the types of product I own and would like to use. This is what I came up with:
I was unsure which products I should use in the morning, in the evening, or both. I was also uncertain about the order in which I should use the products. This routine is an experiment in itself, and I can always tweak it if I find it is not working!
I read that it’s best to exfoliate 2 to 3 times a week, and also to use a face mask 2 to 3 times a week. So I put these into my routine 3 times each, on alternating days.
I was a little confused about the difference between a make-up remover and a cleanser. I realise there is definitely some overlap between them! Where I have written cleanser on my routine, this would also involve removing any make-up that I am wearing (I don’t always wear it). I might use a specific make-up remover first, and then a different product to cleanse my whole face.
Using up skincare products
This challenge is also a great way for me to use up some products that have been sitting around for a while. I have various cleansers, serums, face masks etc. that I have rarely or never used. I’ve sorted them out and organised them by product type. I will start by using up the ones that are the oldest, or are already half used.
I prefer to use natural skincare products that are free from chemicals. I also do my best to only buy products that are vegan and cruelty free, although I own some products that I bought or received before I made this change. If I run out of a particular type of skincare product this month, I will make sure to buy replacements from natural and ethical brands. I will also try to find products that are packaged sustainably where possible.
Healthy skin comes from within
I realise that skincare is not all about the products we put on our skin. What we put into our bodies is just as important! Therefore, this month I am planning to eat as healthy a diet as possible, full of fresh fruits and vegetables, and limit sugar and processed foods. I will also make sure to drink plenty of water!
Skincare experts, enlighten me!
I don’t claim to know what I’m doing when it comes to skincare. If I am making any obvious mistakes in my routine, or if you have any general skincare tips for me, then I would love to hear from you! I would also love to know if there are any particular skincare products you would recommend, especially if they are ethical, natural and sustainable.
I will report back at the end of the month, to let you know how I got on with the routine, which products I used, and whether I have seen any improvements in my skin.
Good luck with this! I’m doing a similar thing where I’m really trying to focus on my skin-care at the moment because I keep just leaving it and then wondering why it doesn’t feel nice. 5 days out of 7 I can manage and then I let it all go again so the aim is to make it 7/7. It looks like you’ve got some great products here: finding a routine that works for you, regardless of what Pinterest says, is definitely the way to go. I hope you notice the difference by the end of the month!
Thank you! It sounds like the key is consistency, if we want to see a lasting difference in our skin! Good luck with yours, I hope you manage to make it 7 days out of 7! My routine is trial and error but I am hoping to see a difference!
Good luck with your new routine. It can be time consuming but it’s so worth it x
Thank you so much, I hope I will see a difference in my skin! x
I absolutely love skincare and having like a proper routine! I mean the biggest tip I would use is just to keep switching up your routine and products! Try not to alway stick with the same things. I find when you do that not only does your skin start to get used to them so you don’t see the effects but also you don’t know if theirs another product out there that will be better for you!
Chantelle
xoxo
Thank you for the tip, I didn’t realise that your skin can get used to the products and they become less effective! But it makes sense, and that’s very true that you never know if there’s a better product out there! xx