How to Get Clean, Clear Skin

Do you struggle with acne? Are you concerned about redness or dullness? Do you have hyperpigmentation or dry patches? By pinpointing your primary skincare concerns, you can choose products that target and address those specific issues effectively, so you enjoy a healthier, more radiant complexion. Here are some tips for customising your daily regime

First off, no matter your skin type or concern, there are four basic steps every skincare routine should include but what changes is the type of product (and the ingredients therein) you choose. 

A basic skincare routine should follow these four steps: 

- Cleanse

- Treat

- Moisturise 

- Protect

Exfoliators, toners, masks and eye creams are all great additions, and once you have the basics down you can start incorporating these.

Acne

Acne is caused by factors such as pore congestion, excess oil production, hormonal fluctuations, bacteria, and genetics, and can appear across the face as well as the body. Acne is commonly seen on the back, chest and shoulder area where there are more follicles and therefore more oil.

The acne skincare routine

Cleanse: A gentle hydrating cleanser with soothing ingredients, such as ceramides, glycerin or allantoin, can balance and prepare the skin for targeted acne treatments. 

Treat: Apply an acne treatment - serum, gels or spot treatment - that contains active ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide which are the gold standards for acne. Salicylic acid is a BHA (beta hydroxy acid) that dissolves the excess oil and dead skin cells that lead to clogged pores while benzoyl peroxide helps kill acne-causing bacteria on your skin and in your pores to help reduce pore clogging and inflammation.

Moisturise: Apply a non-comedogenic (which means formulated to not cause blocked pores) moisturiser or gel cream that uses lightweight hydrators - like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane—and avoid thick creams filled with heavy oils and butters like shea butter and coconut oil. 

Protect: Acne treatments make the skin more sensitive to UV rays, so a strong defence is a must. Look out for noncomedogenic, oil-free, fragrance-free, and lightweight formulas that feature acne-fighting and anti-inflammatory ingredients, like lactic acid and niacinamide (a form of Vitamin B3).

Dryness and dry patches

If you feel your skin is flaking or there is tightness or itchiness, then you’re probably suffering from dry skin. This skin type can result in fewer oil-producing glands across the face/body meaning it produces less sebum or that the glands aren’t producing enough oil. In turn, it affects the skin barrier’s ability to protect against aggressors as well as retain moisture.

Skincare routine

Cleanse: Look for a formula with a cream or oil-based texture that helps skin stay soft and hydrated while removing dirt, oil and other impurities.

Treat: Apply a hyaluronic serum as this super-hydrating ingredient holds a thousand times its weight in water and seeps deep into the layers of the skin to restore hydration levels and smooth out the texture.

Moisturise: A ceramide-filled moisturiser with ingredients such as squalane will help replenish the skin’s moisture levels and keep it smooth.

Protect: Once again look for a formula with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalane.

Hyperpigmentation

Often seen as dark spots, marks or uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation is simply the overproduction of melanin by skin cells called melanocytes which creates darker patches on the skin and can occur all over the body including the face
.

Skincare routine

Cleanse: Opt for a formula with lactic acid as this will give your skin a gentle, mild, and daily exfoliation to help fade hyperpigmentation every time you cleanse.

Treat: Adding a vitamin C serum or treatment into your routine is key. This potent ingredient is known to fade pigmentation, and combat dark spots, sun damage, ageing, and dullness,  thanks to its high concentration of antioxidants that help protect and neutralise the damage caused. 

Moisturise: Choose a moisturiser packed with vitamins A, C, and E, essential fatty acids, as well as AHA’s. These ingredients will help improve the overall look of skin, boost collagen production, and help to brighten and promote a more even skin tone.

Protect: Opt for a non-comedogenic formula with skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C, and zinc oxide.

Redness

Persistently red, flushed-looking, sensitive skin is often due to challenging skin issues like rosacea and dermatitis, allergies, reactions to a flush from exercise, over-exfoliation, extreme temperatures, and sun exposure. Whatever the reason, it is important to soothe and treat inflammation.

Skincare routine

Cleanse: A gentle, soothing, fragrance-free cleanser that preserves the skin’s barrier while gently removing impurities is best.

Treat: Treat the skin with a targeted serum or booster that features skin-replenishing heroes, like ceramides, lactic acid, and hyaluronic acid which help to build and nourish the skin’s surface with hydration, which ultimately assists in decreasing skin redness.

Moisturise: Seek out moisturisers that are fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic.

Protect: Conclude the routine with a calming, hydrating sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum SPF 30+ protection. Sunscreen products whose only active ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are incredibly gentle and the least likely to cause sensitivity, including to skin around the eyes.

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