You've booked your hairdresser and your make-up artist is on standby, but have you paid any thought to your skincare routine? With less than a year to go until I get married, I know my close-ups aren't insta-worthy. So in a bid to swot up on my skincare, I've been speaking to the experts.
A question of time
If you've got significantly less time than you'd like until you exchange your vows, you might be wondering if there is any point in introducing a new skincare routine. "Not so," says Amy from Aqua Advanced Skincare and Beauty (www.aquaskincare.co.uk). Our skin has a natural ability to turn over every 28 days, "so we should see a result from sticking to a good home care regime and treatments in this time," she says. "However just by changing to a good skincare regime you should notice an instant difference in the way your skin looks and feels within a few days," she ads.
That said, if you've got more time, all the better. As Dr. Mariano Spiezia, skin expert and formulator at www.inlight-online.co.uk, told me: "Considering that the last few months before the special day are fairly stressful, it's important to prepare and de-stress the skin, starting a beauty regime a few months beforehand. However it's never too late to start and even a month before will do, especially if you're using a face mask. Our skin, being an intelligent organ, will adjust easily, absorbing the nutrients of a highly nourishing and pure product." The upshot? The earlier you start your skincare regime the better, but if you've left it too late, don't panic, you can still work miracles with as little as one month to go.
Type face
First things first: you need to determine what type of skin you're dealing with. Normal: Soft and smooth skin with an even tone and doesn't feel dry or oily; Oily: Will leave blots of oil on a tissue; Dry: Flaky skin that can feel tight; Combination: oily in the t-zone region and dry elsewhere; Sensitive: Could suffer from conditions such as rosacea or allergies and is generally very easily irritated. If you're not sure what group your skin fits into, check with a dermatologist. They'll also be able to recommend products specific to your skin type. So once you've determined your dermis description, patch test any new products first to check they don't cause irritation or a breakout and introduce them one at a time. Otherwise, if you do have an issue, you won't know which product is causing it. This can be time-consuming, so is another good reason to start that routine as soon as possible.
Ready, steady, routine
Something I learned early on in my skincare journey was the importance of cleansing. Dr Mariano Spiezia told me: "Cleansing the skin is the very first step, even for someone who has never had a beauty regime before. It's useless to use any products on the skin if it's already clogged and dirty." And Kelly from Aqua was also quick to sing cleansing's praises too, telling me it creates "the perfect blank canvas for the rest of your products to penetrate deeper where they will be most beneficial." Sold on the idea of cleansing but confused as to which type of cleanser to use? Here's the skinny... Foaming: This type of cleanser lasts a long while, as you only require a small amount of product to work it up into a lather. However, foaming cleansers can further dry out dry and sensitive skin. Non-foaming: Generally gel or lotion cleansers, such as Cetaphil. These are pretty mild and gentle which means thick make-up and sun cream can be a challenge to remove. Ideally they work best on sensitive skin and in a double-cleanse routine. Cleansing balms: Balms have become increasingly popular in recent years. They are solid and liquefy when massaged on to a dry face and are very good at removing all traces of make-up. Cleansing balms can work well with most skin types. Micellar: You simply wipe this watery product onto your skin and then wipe it away. It's popular with backstage fashion shows but while it might be OK for a festival, in my experience it's not a substitute for a proper cleansing session. Oil: Cleansing oil is great at removing stubborn make-up and can boost moisture in dry skin, too.
Once you've got your cleanser, it's time to get cleaning. Kelly told me: "We recommend cleansing twice in the evening and once in the morning if needed." Cleaning your face twice might seem like overkill, but I was surprised at just how much grime came off in the second cleanse. Yuck. I've tried a few different cleansing methods, but I've found a warm flannel to be the most effective. Simply apply your cleanser of choice and, using a damp, warm cloth (I used an old-fashioned flannel) wash it off using gentle circular motions. I like the mild exfoliation a flannel offers, but you could use a muslin cloth if you have sensitive skin. Once you have your clean blank canvas, it's time to add a serum. Unlike most moisturisers, serums are generally targeted to address a specific problem. They contain high concentrations of certain ingredients such as vitamin C (to help brighten skin) or hyaluronic acid (to reduce the appearance of fine lines). Once your serum has been absorbed, you can layer on a moisturiser. You don't need to do anything else on top of that, but, says Amy, "having a regular facial each month to maintain skin health" can certainly help your routine.
FACE FACTS
Want to boost your skincare game even more? Here are Dr. Mariano Spiezia's top tips for radiant skin...
1. Take it easy and learn to laugh. One of the biggest problems affecting the appearance of skin is the lack of oxygen. This is mostly due to anxiety and stress. Laughter brings not only oxygen but le joie de vivre that increases the happiness hormones.
2. Avoid using scented soaps as these can be harsh on your skin and strip it of all the good stuff. Choose natural or organic products instead.
3. Relax once a week in a hot bath while using an oil-based face mask.
4. Reduce coffee and alcohol consumption
Amy and Kelly of Aqua Skincare share these skincare mantras:
1. Always take your make-up off before bed-time.
2. Never use face wipes unless you're using them for household purposes!
3. Drink plenty of water.
4. Always wear your SPF.
5. Find time to treat your skin to a facial and good quality products. We only have one skin so let's look after it.
Finally, along my skincare journey I have also learnt the importance of cleansing your face in the early evening to avoid that right-before-bed sleepiness when everything feels like too much of a chore. And bulk-buy flannels. You don't want to use dirty flannels on your skin, so save yourself the constant laundry cycle and buy in a week's worth. It's worth remembering that everyone has different skin types and skincare, and what works for some won't work for others. So if in doubt, contact a skincare expert and seek their advice.
Copyright Wed magazine 2017
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