Daily Cleansing Ritual- Helping to keep your skin healthy and glowing
The Japanese have a 4-2-4 system with the Korean’s citing huge results with a double cleanse whilst other leading brands promote the three step cleanse routine. In a dermatological world where science fuses with nature, methods are constantly evolving and changing. We now know more than ever about our dermis layers and what we can do to help keep them in top shape, from retinol-A to vitamin C serums, micellar waters to the use of facial wipes ( which personally I do not advocate to use as part of your cleansing routine. Equally from an environment viewpoint as well) More on those later.
There are a wide variety of creams, washes, gels for all stages of life with an equally dazzling array of prices from discount cheap to the cost of a family holiday abroad!
“Beauty has blown up to be a $532 billion industry — and analysts say that these 4 trends will make it even bigger. Bethany Biron”
Others hide behind the play on names, such as counting a natural berry extract or marine algae or the cells from some weird and wonderful Mexican plant. It goes on. Whilst I am always fascinated by this growing and dominant market of skincare products.
I believe in simple ways and slower ways. Everyones’ skin is different too. Some of us are prone to hormonal imbalances, environmental stresses such as air conditioning, heating, strenuous workouts, whilst others have inherited fabulous genetics and great skin. Black, Hispanic, Asian skins will also vary in their cell structure.
So how do you approach a skincare routine that works for you?
Well first and foremost look at your diet & lifestyle.
Yes, take a good look at what you eat, how hydrated are you, what stresses are you exposed to a and not just the environmental ones but the emotional and physical ones too! Because what you eat and drink and surround yourself with is going to be a big factor in how your skin reacts and looks. Funny how some marketing campaigns don’t highlight this. Im not saying that if you have the odd treat of chocolate, alcohol and can’t avoid a stuffy overheated office that your skin can’t look great but Diet & Lifestyle should be your first priority and port of call. Try to aim for a balanced week of fruit and vegetables, pulses and grains and keep hydrated. I know this as I often think I drink a lot but actually I don’t, so now I keep a jug of fresh lemon water by me to see how much I am drinking and to up it when I am clearly avoiding it because I’m too busy, or that Jon just needs finishing. I advocate that all my clients drink after a treatment and to maintain good levels of hydration every day to help the body combat viruses and to flush out a build up of toxins.
Your skincare routine is an extension of your good eating choices and hydration habits.
Skincare as a ritual is the ultimate in self-care especially after a long hard and busy day. We are always on the go, racing from one thing to another, yet this is the time to help slow everything right down to get your body and mind to be receptive to a good nights sleep where a lot of the body and mind repairs itself.
I like the double cleanse. Mainly because I sometimes sit with my chin in my hands listening to someone or whilst reading an article and it is amazing how much hidden dirt we carry on our hands and fingers! Plus my pores will have been working hard to regulate temperature as I go from a heated environment out into the cold winds and rain then back in again.
Why a ritual?
Rituals are ceremonies. Think of this as a self -care ceremony celebrating you, your body and your amazing face that has smiled, cried and expressed so much throughout the day.
We don’t all have serene spa like bathrooms to enter at the end of each day, maybe we had no time to clean everything down, the kids left their towels in there, but you can make room for your favourite products and that is what is important when you hit the shower or bath.
Daily Cleansing Ritual
A shelf or counter with some space for your favourite products, light a candle. Facial muslin cloth, washable cotton pads.
Start with a Cleansing Balm- I always start with this as it melts onto your skin beautifully and the texture is perfect for a mini facial massage!
Begin with circular massage motions all around your face, neck, jaw& chin, ears ( yes even your ears) which you’ll have fiddled with at least once during the day! Pop on a cotton headband if its not your hair washing night to stop the oils transferring up intro the hairline.
Keep massaging for at least 2 minutes as this helps break down the dirt and grease.
Rinse the muslin face cloth under warm water and place over your face and begin wiping away the balm. Keep rinsing the cloth as you go until all the balm has been removed.
Then use a cream or gel cleanser or cleansing milk depending on what product you use. Again massage your cleanser around your whole face and neck area. This second cleanse will help loosen up hidden dirty patches, or deeper pores that may be clogged. Rinse off with warm water using the muslin cloth.
Once you have finished cleansing, take a washable cotton pad. (I have a small bag of these in my drawer in a dark charcoal colour. They wash up beautifully time and time again and help lessen the impact on the environment.
Soak a pad with some gentle toner that is alcohol free and is suitable for all skin types, you do not want to dry your skin out! A good toner should aid hydration not take it away.
At this point if you want to add a serum do or maybe a small dab of facial oil. Equally you can just skip to your favourite moisturiser. Massage in circular motions working from your neck upwards, like you are brushing up your neck towards your face. Focus on the mouth lies, cheeks, forehead and give your temples a gentle massage in a circular motion to help ease headache tension.
Your skin should feel clean, look glowing and will be in a good position to repair itself overnight.
For the morning, I usually do one cream cleanse, rinse with a muslin cloth. Cotton pad toner, followed by an facial oil and cream to keep it hydrated for the day. If I know I will be mainly outside then I pop on a little SPF factor too or my tinted moisturiser had one added, so keep a look out if your BB cream, tinted moisturiser or foundation has an added SPF.
If you get a chance to revamp your bathroom area, make a simple shelf just for you. Pop a little succulent plant on there, a mini essential oil candle, a small basket full of muslin face cloths and washable cotton pads. It’ll help you feel special and cared for and entice you to enjoy making self-care part of your daily routine.
A small dab on the wrists and neck points with an essential oil blend enhance your ritual. You could have one on your shelf for nigh time and one for daytime.