You’ve probably worked out that beautiful skin doesn’t happen by itself! A great skincare routine is essential in helping our largest organ look at its best as we face stress, pollution and reduction of collagen production as we hit our 30s! But how can we do this during lockdown, or without spending a fortune for regular facials at our favourite spa when they finally do reopen? Let’s explore.
Consistency with a night time skincare routine builds the foundation for bright, nourished and youthful skin. But how do you go about choosing your products?
Start with assessing your skin type and characteristics so that you can pick the right products for you. Is it dry, oily or both? Is it blemished? Are fine lines visible even when you pinch it? If your skin is dry, stay away from harsh cleansers. Opt for an oil or cream based cleanser that will effectively remove dirt, makeup and pollution from the skin without leaving it dehydrated and irritated, such as Smoothing Cleanser. However, if you suffer from oily or blemished skin, opt for a cleanser designed to remove excess sebum such as Clear Skies or Clear Slate.
By determining your skin type not only will you be able to pick the right cleanser, but you’ll also know what moisturizer, serum and oils will work best for your skin. Product descriptions are normally very specific about what skin type would benefit best from its use. Alternatively, you can contact your Tropic Ambassador (me) for a virtual skin consultation, or take an online quiz that will put together a skincare routine for you.
Which brand should I choose?
This is a completely personal choice and is likely to be based around your budget and ethos. There are some spectacular products out there that can cost a small fortune and receive great reviews, but I have a more modest budget and can comfortably afford Tropic. In addition, I know they are cruelty free, vegan free, carbon neutral and work with United World Schools, setting a great example for other companies. These are important reasons to use the award winning Tropic skincare products, but without sounding too shallow, it’s the actual results I’ve had from using them that makes me confident in recommending this range.
So, go for something that you can afford, that is in line with your ethos and receives great reviews!
How many products should I be using?
This will greatly depend on your skin type, but in general, there are 4 stages to your nighttime skincare routine that will require a product each:
1) Cleanser
3) Moisturizer
4) Face oil containing vitamin C and omega oils
5) Eye cream
After cleansing, you should layer products according to weight, lighter products such as serums go first, and oils go last.
What is the benefit of a nighttime skincare routine?
We’ve already mentioned that a nighttime skincare routine is the foundation block for fabulous skin, so here is a breakdown of exactly how those blocks come together:
Daily cleansing
- Helps prevent blemishes by removing makeup, dirt and pollution. Blemishes can lead to scarring and pigmentation that take a long time to fade.
- Manages the pH levels of the skin; enabling sufficient water and product retention, for proper skin hydration. Dehydrated skin can lead to fine lines and wrinkles so hydration is key in helping you look more youthful.
- Essential to keeping your skin looking radiant and healthy. Cleansing helps maintain proper pore size. Encourages proper skin hydration and prevents the production of excess oils.
Daily Exfoliation
- Increases cell turnover (the continuous shedding of dead skin cells and subsequent replacement with younger cells). This turnover makes the skin appear radiant and glowing.
- Removes dead, dry or dying cells boosting the skin’s overall radiance.
- Remove any makeup or dirt deep within the skin pores that have been missed by the cleanser, which also helps prevent breakouts.
- By removing dead, dull and dry skin cells first, the moisturizers serums and oils can penetrate the skin better, maximising their results.
- Evens out the skin and minimizes the appearance of discoloration, which is great for those who suffer from pigmentation and scars.
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- Smoothes out the skin, helping your makeup easily glide onto the skin. Your foundation is less likely to sit into fine lines, or look patchy.
Daily Moisturizing
- Can prevent skin problems. Using the right type of moisturizer on your skin can help you to balance it out. For example if you have oily skin, you may be prone to acne. Choosing a light lotion type face moisturizer instead of a cream can help bring this balance.
- Helps your skin stay young. The skin cells in sensitive places such as your face, ears, neck and chest renew more often than in other areas of your body. This rapid renewal makes these areas more prone to dryness. These areas are often exposed to the sun much more, which is why you should ALWAYS apply sunscreen to them.
- Fights wrinkles. According to the British Journal of Dermatology, people with properly moisturized skin get wrinkles at just a fraction of the rate of those with dry skin.
Daily use of serums and oils
- Serums and oils include active antioxidants such as Vitamin C that restore cell growth. Serums and oils can also brighten the skin, prevent ageing and help with skin complaints such as dry or oily skin, depending on the serum you select.
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What is the best way to do my night time skin care routine?
Ok, so once you have all your products at hand, follow this how-to guide to carry out your night time skin care routine and you’ll never go wrong again – it is a foolproof method for flawless skin.
- Massage 2 pumps of cleanser onto your face, neck and eyes (make sure you keep your eyes firmly shut)
- Rinse with warm water
- Massage 1 more pump onto face for your second cleanse
- Rinse with warm water
- Run the hot tap (not too hot) and soak your bamboo cloth (or a very soft flannel) so that the flannel is very warm/slightly hot. Wring well.
- Open up flannel and place over entire face for a few seconds, pretend you are having a sauna experience and that your pores are opening in the heat (which they actually are)
- Gently rub your face with the flannel for a gentle exfoliation
- Bring flannel down to neck and décolletage and clean
- Reverse flannel and repeat
- Rinse flannel, hang up to dry and make sure you wash it properly every couple of days (at least)
- Run cool water and rinse your face to close your pores again
- Allow face to air dry. Now is a good time to brush your teeth…if you’re pushed for time, use clean cotton pads to gently dry your face. Do not use a towel! No matter how fastidious you may be with your laundry, towels are the perfect breeding grounds for blemish causing bacteria and other microorganisms to grow because they’re often damp, warm, absorbent, and hang in dark bathrooms.
- Apply your moisturizer in circular, upward motions onto the face and neck. I use one that contains Bio-Retinol to fight against signs of aging
- Once the moisturizer is fully absorbed, apply your oil. Massage into the skin for at least 1 minute. Take this moment for yourself, it’s a mini facial, working upwards (against gravity), nourishing the skin and promoting blood circulation. Don’t forget your neck and decollage as these areas are also prone to the signs of aging.
- Finally, warm your eye cream in your fingers and massage the eye area gently starting from the inner corner of the eye and working your way out. Remember that this is a sensitive area, too much pressure can cause bruising or broken capillaries. The tropic eye cream also doubles up as a balm, so use what’s left on your fingers to nourish your lips.
- Finally, have some water and jump into bed with a good book – no looking at your phone or screens, your final step is to get a good night’s sleep!
When you wake up in the morning, your skin will glow from the efforts of the night before. Now, if you have benefited from semi-permanent brows, lips and eyeliner, all you need is to do is have a gentle cleanse, spritz your toner, apply your serum and tinted sunscreen and you’re ready to leave the house!
