In a previous blog post we wrote about the importance of taking
the time to really cleanse our skin, so here is a little list of different
cleanses and their uses.
When buying a skin care routine it can be a minefield out
there! There are constantly new product launches, new brands appearing and new
‘miracle’ products coming out every other month, and nearly every brand will
have their own ‘spin’ on the perfect skin care routine.
So through our experience of being beauty therapists, working
with makeup and skincare, personal experience, and hearing and seeing lots of
different clients with different routines, genes and skin… here is our advice
to you.
Keep it simple.
Your skin needs to be cleaned and moisturised every day twice
a day to keep it looking and feeling its best, will benefit from being exfoliated
at least once a week, and enjoy a little face mask weekly, fortnightly…or at
least once a month.
Then think about all the little extras that can help benefit
your skin more… serums, wonder products, brushes etc.
Everyone has different skin, no 2 skin is alike, we all have
different flaws, complaints and problems, so not every brand will suit
everyone, not every routine will be correct for everyone. You have to know your
own skin and know what is best for you, and it can be down to trial and error. We
know some ladies who only ever use soap and water and their skin is flawless
(Lucky them!!)
When choosing a skin care routine, be aware of how much time
you have, how busy you are, and how much time you want to spend on your skin,
for example if you are always in a bit of a rush then a 7 step skin care
routine will not suit your lifestyle and you will end up wasting half the
products and most likely feel like it is more of a chore and a hassle, on the
other side if you love indulging that little bit longer on your skin then a 7
step skin care routine will be perfect for you to feel ultimately pampered.
It is down to being honest with yourself and knowing how much
time and effort you want to put into your routine.
But if you’re not sure where to start then we suggest
investing in a cleanser correct for your skin type, a facial skin exfoliator
that you can use at least once to twice a week (some exfoliators you can use on
a daily basis, these are much gentler, others will be slightly on the more
scrubby side and best to use as directed on the product) and invest in a good
day cream and night cream for your skin type. Once you have these basics right
and you’re using them regularly and feel they are working for you, then we
would suggest looking into any little extra products that can help.
To begin us on our skin care journey here is a list of different cleansers and uses.
The Cream Cleanser – this cleanser is made with added
moisturisers within it, these can include vitamins also, while lifting and
absorbing impurities and make up on the skin this cleanser also helps to
moisturise the skin, leaving it feeling soft without that tight dry feeling, a
great cleansing type if you suffer from dry skin. You can apply it with cotton
pads, or smooth it onto your face and then use cotton pads to wipe away the
excess.
The Gel Cleanser – this cleanser helps to absorb excess oil
on the skin while lifting impurities, the lighter lather of this cleanser is
more suitable for those with an oilier skin. Gel cleansers generally leave the
skin feeling squeaky clean and extra fresh, if your skin is on the drier side
this could feel slightly uncomfortable for your skin. With a gel cleanser you
would use this with water and gently massage onto your face and then rinse off
with water.
The Oil Cleanser – Any skin type can use an oil cleanser, the
feeling isn’t for everyone as some people do not like that ‘oily’ feel on their
skin, Your skin secretes natural oils on the surface of your skin every day,
the idea is that the oil being applied helps lift the dirty old oil that has
gathered on the skin, whilst the new fresh oil helps replenish the skin underneath
without drying it out and keeps the balance of your skin correct. Oil cleansers
are becoming more popular and is a great cleanser if you are looking for more
‘natural’ products
The Foaming Cleanser – these cleanses lather up as you
massage them in, lifting impurities and then you rinse them off, generally with a refreshing 'clean' feel left
behind, not as moisturising as a cream cleanser but still a good cleanser for
normal to combination/oily skin.
The Misceller water – Miscelles are cleansing agents that
form together when put in water, which form crystals which help remove dirt,
whilst releasing little pockets of oil to help soften the skin.(this is a very
basic explanation) but it is basically a cleanser which is less harsh to the
skin while cleansing, as it doesn’t have any added chemicals to it. It is
simple, it works, and it cleans the skin, and is fantastic for more sensitive
skin types.
The makeup wipe – These cloths have cleansers in them, they
are designed more for 'on the go' to carry in your bag when at the gym or for a
quick freshen up during the day. We would
never recommend make up wipes as part of a nightly skin care routine, they are
great options for when you’re on the go, to keep in your bag or locker.
To cleanse your skin thoroughly we would always recommend
doing a light cleanse to first remove the initial make up and impurity build
up, then we recommend doing a second cleanse to work on the cleaner skin to
help break down any stubborn dirt or make up and leaving the skin feeling
cleaner and fresher. We believe you should always give a good few minutes to
cleanse your skin on an evening.
We hope you find this useful and that it helps you in the
search for your perfect skincare routine!
‘Live in the moment’
Beauty and the Spa
