Why I Started Taking My Skincare Seriously In My Twenties & The Products In My Routine Right Now
Around two years ago I decided to start taking my skincare seriously.
Beautiful skin is the first thing I notice in a person.
Radiant skin and a big smile always makes me feel like I want to be that persons’ friend!
Not weird at all right?!
You ‘wear your face’ every day, so to me it makes sense to focus time and energy on your skincare.
Whatever stage of life you are in, the sooner you begin to start looking after your skin, the better.
Skincare In My Twenties
Previous to ‘upping my skincare game’ I’d had a pretty sporadic relationship with my skincare. I’d try products here and there but mainly I stuck to a simple routine involving products I’d used since my teenage years.
As I’ve progressed through my twenties, I’ve been noticing the quality of peoples skin (including mine!) so much more.
Perhaps it’s something to do with growing out of ‘teenage skin’ (although, do spots ever go forever?! Solutions on a postcard please). And it’s definitely got something to do with noticing the first signs of ageing.
Further to the physical signs, I was keen to stop using a topical lotion with antibiotic I’d been on for years to combat breakouts. I was tired of relying on it. Every time I stopped using the antibiotic I noticed my skin breaking out, and I knew there had to be a better way of pursuing clear skin.
Having spoken to girlfriends, had my first few proper facials and quizzed many a beauty PR friend on their best products, I feel like I’ve come to develop an arsenal of skincare products which are truly great.
These products work for me, and I highly recommend them, but ultimately I feel everyone’s ‘perfect skincare routine’ is unique to them, so I’d advise booking in to see a skincare specialist if you really want to start from scratch. Or to do your research! There are SO many amazing websites, blogs and resources out there to help you. I have listed some of my favourites at the bottom of this post.
For now, I am sharing my current skincare routine, and some of my favourite skincare products right now.
REMOVE. TONE. & REPAIR.
Elemis Omega-Rich Cleansing Oil | Elemis Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules | Estēe Lauder Advanced Night Repair Intensive Recovery Ampoules | Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic
MAKEUP REMOVER
You don’t realise what a HUGE difference removing your makeup, and cleaning your skin properly makes, until you start to do it.
Hands down this is the step which has made the biggest difference in my skincare routine.
Prior to cleansing properly I was never really getting all of my makeup off in the evening, and this was causing a build-up of product and dead skin cells which equalled dull skin and spots.
Since cleansing my skin properly, toning and following up with a repair serum, I wake up in the morning with clear calm skin.
This step is really noticeable over a few weeks – so stick with it!
MOISTURISERS
For evening: The Estēe Edit by Estēe Lauder Rescue Balm For Face And Body
For day: The White Company Advanced Hydration | ELEMIS Hydra-Boost Day Cream
MOISTURISER
Want to know how to get ‘that glow’?
Whilst I believe glowing skin essentially comes from getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, exercising and laughing a lot, moisturiser also helps a lot!
Most recently I have been using a mixture of moisturisers.
I have been loving the The Estēe Edit by Estēe Lauder Rescue Balm For Face And Body on particularly cold evenings or when I really need a heavy dose of moisturiser overnight, and I cannot even tell you how good the ELEMIS Hydra-Boost Day Cream smells! It reminds me of summer which is a very nice sentiment when I am applying my moisturiser on a grey wintery morning!
Also – did you know that The White Company have just started doing skincare? Have a peruse of the whole collection here and learn about the process behind all of the products. As you’d expect from The White Company they are packaged in a beautiful, elegant and minimalistic way.
Another things about moisturisers? They make a MASSIVE difference to the visibility of fine lines for me – especially on my forehead.
MASKS I LOVE
Estēe Lauder Nightwear Plus 3 Minute Detox Mask | Flawless By Friday 5 Day System (Available In The US & Canada) | REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask | REN Clarimatte Invisible Pores Detox Mask | REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial
MASKS
I LOVE me a good mask.
Don’t be afraid of having a whole ‘wardrobe’ of masks, your skin will need different things depending on the day, your recent routine and activities, and even your monthly cycle.
I like to use a combination of masks, as I shared in this article. I have one to get rid of dead skin cells, another to absorb oils, and one which delivers a quick burst of Vitamin C for my skin. (Amongst others!)
No matter what your mask says on its instructions as to how long you should leave it, I just figure out what works in my routine. Sometimes I leave a face mask on for five minutes, and sometimes I leave it on for thirty. I’d rather actually do one than put it off because it doesn’t work in my routine.
EYE CARE
Flawless By Friday ‘Mesmereyes’ Eye Mask System | ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks | The White Company Eye Revive Daily
SKINCARE AROUND THE EYE AREA
As part of my endeavour to look after my skin, paying attention to the delicate area around my eyes has become really important.
I have historically been lucky in that I don’t suffer with bad bags under my eyes, but I do notice an improvement to the elasticity, and general ‘plumpness’ of my under-eye area if I use a good serum or under-eye mask.
Recently I’ve been getting regularly less sleep than I should do, and so this skincare step has become particularly important! If I am feeling really tired, or I have something special on, I love to do an eye mask – the ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks are insanely good.
LIPS
LIP BALM
I wanted to slot this one in because I LOVE Burt’s Bees honey lip balm.
It’s not technically skincare but it has been a mainstay in my handbag for over ten years, and I still think it’s amongst the best.
I never feel like my skincare routine is ‘done’ until I’ve applied a little Burt’s Bees.
SOME OF MY FAVOURITE SKINCARE RESOURCES
The Anna Edit
Cocos Tea Party
ELEMIS Spas
WHAT’S YOUR TAKE?
Do you have a skincare routine you stick to?
Do you have any favourite products or brands? I am always on the look out for new names and products, so I would love to know any you particularly recommend. Share them below so that I can check them out, and so can your fellow TEA readers ????????
Love, Monica x
