How confident are you in putting a skin routine together? I’m often asked how many products, what products, what brands, should be included but ultimately we all need to start with skincare basics. Because getting to know your skin will help you choose the best products to build a routine upon.
“Based on having no real skin issues or being time poor, I believe the barest of essentials is a cleanser and moisturiser – even if it’s only a once a day habit,” says facialist Kristy Hines, owner of Element Aveda Lifestyle Paddington.
“However, the ideal ‘bare essentials’ for everyone of all ages without any skin issues is cleanser and moisturiser, morning and night, plus a weekly exfoliation”.
Once we’re comfortable and in a happy routine with our skincare basics – morning (after exercise) and night (before bed) – we can begin to ‘add on’. Kristy suggests a serum as the next best addition, “these products are what I like to think of as maximum results and impact, for minimal time and effort with concentrated ingredients designed to give you skin high performance results,” she explains.
“Hydrating toners are excellent if you want to start moving into a more sophisticated skin routine, they help serums and moisturisers absorb plus you use less of these more expensive products per application. In the long run, they give you better results and save you money with minimal effort”.
Regarding the order of products, Kristy advises to always check with the brand you are using as some products need to be applied in a specific order. General advice, which is non-brand specific is below. A beginner eight step routine which could also include exfoliation and/or masque as step 1.5, between cleansing and toning.
SKINCARE BASICS step-by-step
- Cleanse
- Tone
- Serum
- Eye cream
- Face Cream
- SPF
- Make up
- SPF reapplication during the hours of the day (even over your makeup)
Once you’ve designed your routine, perhaps the biggest headache comes in choosing how much you’ll spend and on what products. But rest assured, expensive skincare doesn’t always mean better. Kristy says it’s important to use products that contain ingredients that are right for your skin, current skin conditions and seasons.
“Look for brands that offer clinical testing results rather than sensory testing and have products recommended to you by someone qualified, that understands skin and skin conditions. There are many people and places and brands selling skincare – do your research and ask for the person’s qualifications,” says Kristy.
The cherry on top of any skincare routine, and a way to push your skincare basics to work harder, has to be the facial but many are unsure of how much to spend, where to go or what to ask for.
“Let the experts decide,” Kristy explains, “try to book at least a 60 minute treatment on your first visit, discuss the results you want for your skin and ask advice of which facial/and program will best achieve these results”.
The basic rule for facials is monthly for maintaining your skin or weekly for skin challenges that need to be corrected over 3-6 weeks. For the best skin results, have an intense program of 4 facials in 4 weeks twice a year and in between monthly maintenance.
“I always prefer to under promise and over deliver – we ask guests to understand it can take up to 3 months to start seeing real results. If you see them sooner then great but good skin is a commitment not a flirtation!”
Kristy Hines is facialist, beauty expert & owner of Element Aveda Lifestyle Paddington
