How to create a glowing skin routine

Skin care routines aren’t ‘one size fits all’ and what might work for others, might not agree with your skin. That’s why it’s good to try out different routines and listen to what your skin is telling you, before you settle on the right one.

Discovering your skin type and how to treat it

Skin types vary from person to person. Even if you have the exact same routine and diet as your flatmate, your skin might not react the same to it. The most common skin types are oily, dry, and combination skin.

If you have oily skin, you might find it useful to exfoliate up to three times a week to remove any excess oil and dirt that could cause blackheads and breakouts. Enzyme type exfoliators (AHA and PHA’s) do this without physically scrubbing at the skin, therefore preventing any unwanted damage that might come with more abrasive facial scrubs.

However, if you have dry skin you will want to use a combination of gentle exfoliators and regular moisturising to give your skin some life back and offset any dryness.

If you have combination skin it can sometimes be a bit trickier to find the right balance of products to suit, but regular cleansing and TLC will help revitalise your skin.

Consider different products and treatments

Products with vitamin C are great for brightening skin and hyaluronic acid can be used to add hydration to the face. Just remember to not use products that shouldn’t be used together as this could cause irritation.

If you want to remove dead skin cells and reduce the size of your pores, try products that contain niacinamide to improve overall brightness and radiance. However, be careful in sunlight if you are using retinoid products as they don’t react well with UV rays and can cause skin sensitivity and damage. It’s recommended that you apply these products at night just before bed and thoroughly cleanse them away in the morning.

There are also different treatments that can help revitalise your skin such as facial peels, which remove the top layer of dead and dull skin to reveal a rejuvenated fresh layer and take years away from your look.

If shaving is causing skin irritation, there are hair removal options including laser and other products.

Stay healthy

Not drinking enough water can make your skin look dull and tired, not to mention dehydrated with dark under eyes. Keep hydrated and drink plenty of water to keep your face feeling fresh and reduce dryness. Having a good balanced diet with plenty of greens and antioxidants like blueberries is a great way to prevent breakouts and gain that glowing look.

Diet is a key skincare tip. Try incorporating foods that are rich in antioxidants into your daily routine as part of a meal or snack as it can help prevent hyperpigmentation and damage to skin cells.

Know when to see a dermatologist

If you’re struggling with your skin and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better, no matter how many products and routines you’ve tried, don’t suffer in silence. Book a free consultation at a dermatologist and get expert help in transforming your skin.

Dermatologists have experience with a multitude of skin types and skin related problems so will be able to recommend methods you might not have discovered before.

Use an SPF

Regardless of whether it’s sunny or cloudy, an SPF goes a long way in protecting your skin from harmful UV light rays. This type of light can cause wrinkles and premature signs of ageing so it’s important to stay protected against it if you want to keep your skin looking glowing and youthful.

You can try adding SPF into your routine with an SPF protective moisturiser, concealer or foundation which can be found in many cosmetic stores and are affordable to buy. However, if it is an extremely hot and sunny day remember to still use sun lotion as well as your SPF product of choice as they are usually not as strong, and you might still be putting your skin at risk.

Cleansing and removing products from your face well at your earliest convenience will prevent clogging up pores, allowing your skin to breathe to avoid any oily breakouts.