Making time to cleanse, tone and moisturise really will make a difference to your skin — not just today, but in years to come. A good skincare routine keeps your skin clean and healthy, and helps prevent breakouts, dullness and premature signs of aging. Here are 9 simple tricks for building a skincare routine that actually works.
#1. Massage and Rinse
If you’re using a cream cleanser, massage it into the skin to dissolve makeup or dirt, then rinse off using a muslin cloth. These are great for removing every last trace of makeup while gently exfoliating your skin.
If you’ve chosen a face wash instead, lather it up and use your fingertips to work it into the skin in a gentle circular motion towards the hairline — don’t forget the neck.
#2. Rinse and Splash
Always use warm — never hot — water to rinse. Once you’ve rinsed all the product off your face, finish with a splash of cold water to get the blood flowing and help close the pores.
#3. Use Only a Clean Towel as You Pat Dry
Never drag or tug the skin on your face with a towel or cotton wool, as this can loosen the skin and contribute to premature aging.
#4. Mask Up At Least Once a Week
Use a moisturising face mask once or twice a week to draw out deep-down dirt and oil.
#5. Exfoliate!
Exfoliate using a gentle face scrub to clear away dull, dead skin cells that can affect your skin’s texture.
#6. Use a Toner
After opening your pores to cleanse with warm water, you’ll want to close and tighten them again using a toner, which helps prevent dirt building up in them.
A refreshing, clarifying toner acts as an astringent for the skin, helps de-puff, and restores its natural pH balance. Using a toner on cotton wool will also pick up any last traces of makeup or cleanser residue.
#7. Massage Your Moisturiser In
Spend one or two minutes massaging a moisturiser into your face and neck in an upward circular motion — this boosts blood circulation in the skin and gives it a healthy glow.
#8. Don’t Forget Your Lips and Eyes
Your lips and eyes are some of the most noticeable parts of your face, so don’t forget to moisturise and protect them with a nourishing eye cream and lip balm.
#9. Get Into a Good Routine
A good routine to build is to cleanse, tone, moisturise and apply lip balm and eye cream every morning and night. Add a mask once a week and exfoliate with a face scrub once or twice a week to keep things topped up.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many steps should a basic skincare routine have?
A simple, effective routine really only needs three core steps: cleanse, tone and moisturise, done morning and night. Exfoliating once or twice a week and masking once a week are helpful extras rather than daily essentials.
Should I use hot water to wash my face?
No — hot water can strip and irritate the skin. Use warm water to cleanse, then finish with a cool splash to help close the pores.
Do I really need a toner?
A toner isn’t essential, but it helps remove any last traces of cleanser or makeup and can restore your skin’s natural pH balance after cleansing.
How often should I exfoliate?
Once or twice a week is plenty for most skin types. Exfoliating too often can leave skin sensitive or irritated.
What’s the easiest way to stick to a skincare routine?
Keep it simple and attach it to something you already do daily, like brushing your teeth. Cleanse, tone and moisturise morning and night, and build in exfoliating and masking on set days each week so they become a habit rather than an extra task.
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