Written by Maria Nichol
Whether you’re into it or not, maintaining a skincare routine is pretty vital. How we treat our skin can help prevent common skin issues and tackle any premature signs of ageing, and if you’re like me and wear a lot of makeup often, then having reliable products to wash away impurities at the end of the day can be the difference between glowing skin and painful breakouts.
Just like us, our skin is unique, and so finding a routine that feeds the skin with everything it needs, can take a bit of work. There’s also the added dimension of the seasons, and I always switch up my routine slightly to accommodate that. In this month’s Beauty Thread, I’ll be talking you through newly discovered skincare saviours that will see you through autumn and beyond!
KEY CLEANSERS
Cleansing is always the first step in your skincare routine. Like an artist that needs a blank canvas, you too need to make sure your skin is clear of excess oil, impurities (and last night’s makeup!) before you start your day. skinSense by Abi Cleeve’s Double Cleanse has become a fast favourite in the AM, as it’s plant oils and butters (think avocado, almond and shea) add moisturising factors, and it’s suitable for even the most sensitive of skin. I make sure my face and neck are damp before gently massaging it in and washing off.
For the evening, I like to double cleanse, and start with a thicker, oil to milk formula, as this will ensure every impurity is banished. Skincity is my go-to right now, they have a gorgeous Mellow Balm Cleanser that I massage onto dry skin and it dissolves the day’s makeup.
BODY BEAUTIFUL
The skin is our largest organ, and I have to admit, sometimes I pay a whole lot more attention to my face than the rest of my body. During the colder months, our skin is more exposed to harsh elements, so it’s important to keep it hydrated and healthy. Showertime calls for skinSense’s Body Scrub, a hydrating antioxidant blend that gives you a nice clean slate. The combination of fruit stone grains as the exfoliant element gets extra brownie points from me too!
When you’re out of the shower, try Polaar’s Moisturising Body Milk. This smoothes and really regenerates dry skin. It can be applied all over the body, but I recommend concentrating more on the areas where the skin gets particularly dry. Polaar is a new brand to me (and this product is new to LiB!), I love their natural ingredients, vegan formula and of course, cruelty-free status.
CARING FOR THE SKIN
The skin always needs a little extra attention in winter, but instead of switching up all my products, I add some new formulas to give other areas the care they deserve. I have several night creams and thicker moisturisers for when my skin becomes dry, but I’ve also been paying more attention to my neck and decollete lately. skinSense’s Neck and Decollete Cream provides deep and instant hydration, and its vegan formula has ingredients like sweet almond oil, cactus oil and canola oil too.
I’ve also added a couple of last steps to my current routine to care and protect the skin. The first being Polaar’s Sun Lotion in SPF50+ – I have very fair skin, which is super sensitive so I usually apply this if I’m heading out for the day. SPF is so important all year round, as harmful UVA and UVB rays are present, summer *and* winter. And lastly, I’ve been so impressed with Inika’s Radiant Glow, a product which debuted on the Beauty Counter this month and isn’t available anywhere else! I use it as the last step in my routine, as it’s perfect as a beautifying primer (and it’s vegan and cruelty-free too).
LUSCIOUS LIPS
Lip care is again very important in the colder months as the skin is prone to drying, chapping and general soreness. Lip balms are an excellent remedy, but recently I’ve found a new product that does good to the lips while adding a beautiful glossy texture: MAKETHEMAKE’s Hyaluronic Lip Oil! Completely translucent, it’s all about shine without the stickiness and the best part? It’s infused with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, as well as collagen-stimulating dragonfruit (woah) to feed the lips with do-good ingredients. It’s vegan and cruelty-free as well.
A HELPING HAND
This year it’s a double whammy for hands. Not only do they become vulnerable to cold weather elements, but we’re also washing our hands a hell of a lot more, so they need some extra TLC. Cue two of my handbag heroes right now: Natura’s Nourishing Hand Cream and Puressentiel’s Antibacterial Gel. Natura’s ethics really appeal to me – the brand is heavy on eco-conscious sourcing and production (with ingredients harvested sustainably by local Brazilian communities), and formulas that are suitable for vegans too – it’s a win-win. Their cream glides on, absorbs quickly and any excess can be massaged into the nails to strengthen the cuticles.
I never thought I’d become so eager to find the perfect antibacterial gel, but here we are in 2020! Of all the varieties I’ve tried, Puressentiel is a firm favourite – their gel is made with three essential oils (lavender, tea tree and lemon) as well as aloe to keep the skin hydrated. The best thing about this though? It’s made with all-natural ingredients.
