It seems isolation has hit pause on makeup tutorials and play on skin care routines; paticularly those incorporating active ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.
And if you have an interest in slowing down the ageing process and taming your stress-induced acne flare-ups, you may have found yourself losing hours indecisively putting items in and out of your cart.
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If you’re still unable to pull the trigger out of utter confusion (what’s priority? And what’s worth splurging on?), we enlisted the help of Paula’s Choice Senior Research and Education Manager, Desiree Stordahl, to advise us on how best to structure a basic active ingredient routine.
And don’t worry, it doesn’t require 50+ steps OR for you to re-mortgage your home…
@paulaschoiceau
Tip #1 Layering
Layering simply refers to the order that skin care products are applied. To ensure your products are working to maximum potential, there’s one main guideline to stick to: “generally speaking, go in order of thinnest to thickest texture,” says Desiree.
e.g. Cleanser, serum, moisturiser and oil
And remember that in a morning routine, you should “always make sure sunscreen is your last step”.
Tip #2 The basic foundations
Below is a simple morning and night routine that should work for most ‘normal’ skin types and incorporates the basic essentials. This is great to use as a stand alone guide, or, depending on your particular skin care concerns, you can supplement for any other necessary products. But keep in mind that not all actives play nice together.
A BASIC MORNING ROUTINE
Step 1. Cleanser
bh recommends: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
Step 2. Vitamin C
Desiree says this is “great for brightening skin and fading discolourations”, recommending Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster.
Step 3. SPF
bh recommends: Cancer Council Face Day Wear Moisturiser Matte SPF50+ Invisible
A BASIC EVENING ROUTINE
Step 1. Cleanser
bh recommends: Clearasil Daily Clear Oil-Free Daily Gel Wash
Step 2. Retinol (aka vitamin A)
Desiree says “this multi-tasking ingredient will ensure brighter, younger looking skin. Applying retinol once every few days, instead of daily, is ideal to reap the benefits.” She recommends: Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment.
Step 3. Niacinamide
Desiree says this one can be used daily to help “diminish break outs and reduce pore size”, recommending Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster.
Step 4. Night cream
bh recommends: Olay Regenerist Whip and kōtia Regenerating Night Cream.
Tip #3 Tailor your routine to your skin concerns
According to Desiree, the best thing you can do when structuring your skin care routine, is to hone in on your individual skin troubles.
Your concerns are going to be different to those of your mother, sister or best friend. So make sure you are always tailoring every step to YOU.
Once you’ve nailed the foundations of your routine, then you can start to look at levelling-up in terms of actives and treatment products.
@paulaschoiceau
If you’re someone with acne-prone skin, Desiree says she’s a huge fan of salicylic acid and azelaic acid “to keep break-outs at bay and speed up the healing”.
After a shot of skin-plumping hydration? Hyaluronic acid is where it’s at. Increased firmness and minimised wrinkles? Desiree points us in the direction of a robust mix of peptides.
But, we’ve all go to walk before we can run, so stick to the basics to start and then assess your skin’s needs only once (and if) it needs something more…
Main image credit: @paulaschoiceau
What active ingredients are you currently using? If none, would you give this routine a try?
Good tips , thanks for sharing.
I’m only using glycolic acid and salicylic acid at the moment
I also try to keep it simple with my morning and evening routine and I stick with what works for me just changing it seasonally because the harsh winters really affect my skin in the ACT.
I always apply sunscreen daily. Even if I have no plans to go outside im still using sunscreen.
Here is some advice from dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting on introducing retinoids into your skincare routine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCH6On-5Rto
Not sure about the product recommendation of 1% retinol straight away. Retinol can cause irritation. It should also be introduced slowly, e.g. twice a week, then every 2 nights, then every night. I’ve been slowly building up strength, now on 0.5%.
Great article, thank you. I don’t tend to use a cleanser in the morning. I just wash my face with water. I’m willing to admit that sometimes I’m a bit slack when it comes to sunscreen oops. I try to remember most of the time but sometimes I just forget.
I always wear sunscreen, it’s part of my routine
Don’t use acids due to super sensitive skin. Always use sunscreen.
Interesting, will have to look into that.
I use a lactic acid peel once a week (a peel I’m trying to ration out because it’s so damn expensive) & a niacinamide serum every night, that’s about it. If I do cleanse my face during the morning (a rarity these days since I don’t have a day moisturiser & also haven’t really been bothered about cleansing in the morning), then I’ll use a HA serum. I’ve learnt that my sensitive/combo skin can’t handle certain ingredients (for e.g. most things Vitamin C-related + peptide serums), so I have to keep my routine fairly simple.
I’ve been using Vitamin C in my serum lately.
Id like to introduce retinol properly into my routine.
About to start incorporating vitamin C to brighten my skin
I have been incorporating vitamin c into routine for a while now, makes a big difference. Love using glycolic acid & retinol as well. Always use spf, every day
Their is so much to choose from.
Still don’t use vitC regularly in best l asc. acid form…. just does not agree with my skin, but neeeeed it =D
I alternate some of these. Retinol three times a week. None of these things seem to help my breakouts though sadly.
Yes, been diligent since age 17. 😀
This is pretty much my skincare routine. Vitamin C for day and retinol at night.
Handy article, I have so many different serums and creams that it has become too much to figure out which to use and when.
Some good suggestions here.
This sounds soooo bad but went through a stage of just washing my face and not moisturising at all- of course now I realise that was a horrible idea but I was just so concerned about breakouts and for some reason thought my moisturiser was causing them!!
Have been using Vitamin C cloth masks, and other moisturisers with Collagen and Elastin as well as Hyaluronic acid cloth masks they definitely make a difference in brightening and evening out skin tone.
I would love to start some of these
Helpful article, sometimes I think my skin looks better when I don’t use as many products. Do love a clay face mask a couple of times a week when I have the time and am trying to use Retinol a few times a week as well.
I’m using vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night, I was always curious when to use the niacinamide, looks like night time is the best time.
Some good tips. I’ve just finished my Vitamin C serum but retinol is my no.1 product.
I should be a lot more diligent about the order I apply things in. Usually I just pick a few items at random from my collection. A toner here, a serum there. Some moisturiser. Whatever goes.
I’ve just started using the Cerave HA and so far I quite like it. It does leave my skin feeling nicely hydrated
Think i need to add a vitamin C to my morning ritual. Great read.
these have always confused me but makes abit more sense now
I have been using Nicotinamide to keep my skin clear and bright. I use in the morning.
Great routine step by step plan. I get so confused about what goes first, second etc
Thank you for this, I’ve been interested in trying a few actives lately.
I don’t cleanse in the morning – only at night
Very easy to follow. Thanks.
This has been my routine for a few months now.
I just throw in some Ordinary Buffet and face masks as well with the actives (Elizabeth Arden Retinol and Kora Vitamin C serum currently )
A great routine will makes your healthy young and clear.
Some good ones to try…
I like a basic skincare routine. Cleanser, serum, moisturiser or facial oil and sunscreen
I want to try some vitamin c
I’ve been getting a bit slack during covid, I need to get back into routine.
And it’s paying off! You don’t look a day over 17! x
Timely reminder that I can layer Niacinamide with my retinol at night! Thanks Bh x
Interesting and a great read.
That shelfie image is actually from @mandylikesbeingbroke. I recognise it. BH, please amend the credit or you are likely in breach of moral rights in the image – it should not be attributed to @paulaschoiceau.
The original image on the Paula Choice Instagram account also credits @mandylikesbeingbroke as the copyright owner of the image: https://www.instagram.com/p/B_1DCPgCDWk/.
Some great tips using active ingredients in skincare routine. These seem to be good products as well. Products I have not tried.
Ha! Its coz I hang out with amazing ppl like you and some of your amazing-ness rubs off on me! x
This is a good read.