Your New Holy Grail Skincare Routine For Glowy Skin

Besides fashion, skincare has to be one of my other interests in life! Since my late teens, I’ve been fascinated by skincare. Still, soon before the COVID-19 outbreak, I got even more curious about the ingredients. Skincare has traditionally been my form of self-care, allowing me to work on myself during the lockdown. It’s now a religious activity that I perform every morning and night, becoming part of my daily routine. Today I’m sharing the things I’ve discovered that are must-haves for glowy skin. I have oily/combination skin, but several items I’ve listed may also work for dry and normal skin.

Double Cleanse

Whether you’ve worn a full face of makeup or a few layers of sunscreen, double cleansing your face at the end of the day is necessary. Makeup cleansing wipes should be avoided because they are both harsh on your skin and harmful to the environment. A cleansing balm or an oil-based makeup remover are my favourites. My favourite is the Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm because it is affordable.

I prefer reusable cotton pads, although a muslin cloth will suffice. You can go the extra mile and use micellar water to remove it, or use water. I then use a facial cleansing wash, such as the Inkey List’s salicylic acid wash or CeraVe. It’s not just cheap and cheery, but it also cleans your face without stripping it of its natural oils. Salicylic acid is an exfoliator that penetrates deep into the skin, wiping out any impurities that may be causing your acne. It’s also less irritating in a wash form because it has less contact time with your skin.

Glowy Skin Toners

This step is optional. However, I like toner between stages to moisturise my skin and allow for greater product penetration. Finding an alcohol-free toner is important since alcohol can dehydrate your skin. Toners frequently need clarification with pH balancing, which needs to be updated. Because most products on the market are designed to restore your skin’s pH, a toner can now deliver moisture to your face. My favourite is COSRX’s Centella toner, a K-Beauty product. Centella is an excellent component that’s popular in Korean beauty. It is slowly entering Western skincare since it has soothing and healing characteristics. This substance can aid in the recovery of injured or irritated skin.

Treating Hyperpigmentation

As a result, this stage is unique to you and your skincare requirements. Hyperpigmentation and acne scars are my main concerns as a woman of colour. I’ve tried many products to help decrease the look of dark spots, and I’ve found a couple that work for me. The Ordinary’s Alpha Arbutin is affordable and has helped me lighten my hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C has also been beneficial, although using it for the first time can be confusing. FaceTory and Skincare by Dr V products are my favourites.

Moisture

Moisturiser is one of the final elements in any skincare regimen. Sealing in all the products you’ve used is essential whether you have dry or oily skin. CeraVe has a choice of moisturisers that will meet your needs. They are relatively affordable and contain crucial chemicals such as niacinamide. These chemicals help to rebuild and moisturise your skin. I’m applying the moisturising cream overnight to prevent transepidermal water loss (evaporation of moisture from the skin).

Glowy Skin Protection

SPF should be used every morning and throughout the day, especially after applying active ingredients to your skincare routine. Sun damage is the leading cause of ageing and can aggravate existing skin issues. Chemical and tinted SPF sunscreens are all available today. I recommend the La Roche Posay Invisible Fluid SPF 50+ for chemical protection. It’s great because it does not create a white cast or a sticky finish on your skin. Skincare by DrV’s Inzincable sunscreen is the finest I’ve found because the white form is minimal and doesn’t irritate my eyes.