Expecting your brand new skincare products to work in one day is as pointless as expecting that extra holiday weight to fall off after one day of healthy eating. Just like anything worth waiting for, achieving clear skin takes consistency and routine. Not only does our skin thrive when accustomed to a regular routine, but it can take up to 8 weeks for the full effects of new skincare to start showing results, as cell turnover needs to occur to change the overall behaviour of the skin. However, just like any other routine, our regular skincare can sometimes be deprioritised with the odd night forgetting to remove makeup turning into a full month of mixed products and overall skin confusion.
Ready to commit to your complexion? Follow these easy steps to stay on track this year!
Plan your routine
One of the most important steps for sticking to your routine is having a clear idea of what is in it! Pick out the products that you will be using based on your skin type that you can stick to. To do this, you may want to read up on what's best for your skin; read our edit for the best skincare routines for every skin type. For example, if you suffer from acne prone skin, a cleanser containing Salicylic Acid is advised to deeply cleanse pores and regulate oil levels. Whereas if anti-ageing is your main concern, retinol will be your new best friend!
Keep it simple
A skincare routine does not need to be long and complicated; though you may want targeted treatments based on your skin type, if you struggle to stick to your routine, keep it simple! Start off with the staples: cleanser, toner, moisturiser, eye cream and SPF (this can be in your moisturiser to make life even easier). This staple set of products can easily be tailored to your skin type and provides the basic support needed to correct and perfect your complexion. If you do decide to add products in, do it slowly and one by one to see how this affects your skin.
Multi-task
If time is your obstacle then multi-tasking is a great way to make your skincare routine feel quicker. Combining application with other daily tasks can also make you more likely to stick to your routine, making it easier to remember. Easy ways to incorporate your skincare into your usual routine include cleansing in the shower, allowing your moisturiser to absorb whilst you brush your teeth or even leaving a face mask on whilst you get on with your day to day tasks. The L'Oréal Paris Pure Clay Detox Face Mask will purify, smooth and brighten your complexion in just 5-10 minutes. Another time saver, the Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial is an all in one facial treatment that can be left on overnight to soak into the skin, nourishing it with omegas, vitamins and anti-oxidants.
Make your products easily accessible
Make life easy for yourself by keeping your skincare products in an accessible place where you know you will be reminded to use them ie. in the bathroom in a visible place or on your dresser that you regularly use morning and night. Set your skincare up in order of use so that they both look organised and are convenient to use instead of digging around in drawers for a good ten minutes looking for your moisturiser!
Make it relaxing
Instead of thinking of your skincare routine as a chore, make it into your 'me time' and take the time to relax and create a full sensorial experience that you will look forward to each day. Set the scene for some relaxation using a scented candle such as the ESPA Soothing Candle and take a break from life whist you let your skincare absorb in. Invest in a cleansing cloth such as the Revolution Skincare Microfibre Face Cloths that will not only make your cleanser more effective, but will feel soft and gentle on the skin.
Set skincare goals
A great way to stick to your routine is to set goals. Giving yourself something to achieve, whether that be to reduce your wrinkles, clear acne or reduce dark circles, having something to aim for is likely to keep you motivated. As mentioned, most skincare treatments can take between 4-8 weeks to start showing results, so make sure to stick to them by marking your progress; take before, progression and after pictures to note down your improvement and to refer back to when you start to stray from your routine.
Set an alarm
If all else fails, set an alarm for your skincare routine. Pick a time in the day that you know you aren't likely to be busy and set the reminder to get up and go take care of your skin! After repeatedly doing this, you're likely to turn your routine into a habit that you will stick to.
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