Here’s our top skincare tips and must-have products for achieving flawless skin
From reintroducing toner to switching to serums, our guide to perfect complexion is guaranteed to get you close to achieving your dream skin
HAVING healthy looking skin help us look and feel so much better - and sometimes make-up just won't help.
From altering your product application to booster serums, we've rounded up the skincare upgrades that you regime needs.
Stop scrubbing
Love the deep-clean feel you get post-face scrub? Well, it could be doing you more harm than good, especially if you’re prone to breakouts.
“An exfoliating scrub will only tackle the build-up of dead skin cells and grime at a surface level,” says Anna Persaud, CEO of This Works.
“However, liquid exfoliants can penetrate deep into the epidermis to soften and resurface the top layers of skin, remove and loosen dead skin cells and decongest pores.”
Break the scrub habit and reach for . Spritz on to a cotton pad and wipe over your face after cleansing – no need to rinse.
It contains natural protease enzymes, which sweep away dead skin cells and pollution, while the salicylic acid and witch hazel help treat blemishes and target excess sebum.
Give yourself a boost
Say hello to “boosters”, which are like a glass of healthy green juice for your complexion. Designed to deal with immediate skin issues, these powerful drops can be applied a few times a week instead of or before serum (which aims to prevent future skin issues, such as fine lines and repair past problems).
“Boosters provide a concentrated dose of active ingredients targeted for specific concerns such as dehydration or pigmentation,” explains Dr Alexis Granite, Kiehl’s Since 1851’s consulting dermatologist.
Dry, flaky skin? Look for a product that contains hyaluronic acid, like .
A vitamin C-rich product such as , will lift a dull complexion.
Uneven texture? Opt for . It contains vitamins A, B3, B12 and C, as well as antioxidant Bakuchiol to kick-start cell renewal, fight redness and smooth skin.
Pep up your peepers
The skin around the eyes is the thinnest on your whole body, making it the most delicate and prone to damage – hence those pesky crow’s feet.
However, if your eyes get puffier after using an eye cream, it might be time to swap to a serum.
“Eye serum can be more potent than a cream, because it contains more active ingredients,” explains Michaella Bolder, Time Bomb’s skincare expert.
“Plus, they have smaller molecules, so hydrate at a deeper level, whereas creams tend to be thicker and lie in the eye socket, blocking the pores.”
Apply a pea-sized amount of , twice a day – it has flavanoid glucoside bio-active, which instantly gets to work on dark circles and puffiness.
, might be a bit of a budget stretch, but it contains sea chamomile, pomegranate and Chinese hibiscus to soothe the eye area while also brightening and firming.
Set the tone
If you ditched toners years ago, get ready to reintroduce yourself. The latest batch of toning products are a million miles away from the alcohol-based drying solutions of the past, and today’s tonic formulas have a serious role to play in your skincare regime.
“These acid solutions work to smooth and brighten, but also reduce oiliness without the need to physically scrub away at our skin – leaving a smooth, glowing canvas for better absorption of your serum or moisturiser,” says Michaella.
We love , which contains salicylic acid to
gently dissolve dead skin cells and combat blemishes.
Want extra glow points? Opt for , which uses azelaic acid to brighten and even out your complexion. A few pumps on to a cotton pad once a day will seriously transform your skin.
But don’t underestimate the strength of these products. “Acid toners can significantly increase your risk of redness, dryness and irritation – in which case you need to stop using the product,” warns Michaella.
“They can also increase sun sensitivity, so be sure to protect skin with an SPF. It’s best to use a minimum of SPF15, depending on your skin type, every day.”
Be well gel
Do you and your pillow find night creams too heavy? Traditional creams can be too greasy for some skin types, preventing absorption.
“Heavy night creams can suffocate the surface layer of skin, preventing the turnover of cells overnight and resulting in breakouts come morning,” says Michaella.
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“The power of a night cream comes from its ingredients, not its consistency, so a lighter, gel-based night moisturiser is ideal.”
Slather on , before bed as it’s been proven to penetrate up to 10 layers of skin, allowing its superfruit ingredient – amla – to get deep into your epidermis to brighten, tone and tighten from within.
Need an intense hit? Try .
It goes on as a gel, then turns into an oil, yet still feels light on the skin. Plus rosa canina fruit oil helps to soften and encourage skin’s natural nightly repair cycle. It’s well worth the spend!
Photography: Christian Kettiger/Trunk Archive,
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