Do You Need a Skincare Routine?

All that said, do you need a skincare routine? When do you need to start with one? How complicated should a skincare routine be? How many steps should your skincare routine have?

That's quite a personal decision and there isn't really one size fits all! Nevertheless, here are some parameters to keep in mind:

1. Your Age

• Skincare for kids - Less than 12

• Skincare for Teenagers

At that stage, it's great to start developing the habit to clean and protect your skin with compatible skincare product for your skin type. Usually 2-3 skincare routine steps should be enough: cleansing, treating, moisturising, protecting-SPF. Make sure you get a personalised routine if you suffering from hormonal acne or any other skin condition! But don't overcomplicate it! 

• Young Adults 18-25

Research indicates that metabolism starts slowing down at the age of 20 while skin aging kicks off at around 25!  Meaning, based on your unique situation it's very possible that you could go by with a compatible to your skin type cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen....and you good to go until 25! No need for fillers, nor botox or extensive skincare unless you experience any adverse skin conditions. Enjoy the simplicity of that age, complexity will come and stay in the following year!

• Adults 25+

2. Your skin type

If you deviating from normal to combined skin, you could be experiencing more issues, from occasional pimples to dry patches or redness if you on the dry and sensitive side. Tune into your skin behaviour and adjust your skincare routine accordingly.

3. Your environment

If you travel often, you are exposed to high humidity or highly dry environments or even hard water for prolonged period of time, you skin's microbiome may be challenges and in need of a bit more love! Don't ignore it. 

Do You Need a Simple or Elaborated Skincare Routine?

I know that the majority of media out there suggests more complicated skincare routines and sometimes up to 15 or more steps. Before sharing my opinion, there is an interesting study done where a simple and an advanced routine was compared.

Here is the conclusion:

"Hemoglobin heterogeneity was found to be significantly reduced only in the Simple Routine group. However, the Advanced Routine (AR) outperformed the Simple Routine when it comes to improving superficial hydration, deep hydration, skin roughness, mean pore area, melanin heterogeneity, and crow's feet wrinkle depth. A significant increase in skin brightness from baseline was only recorded when using the Advance Routine while both routines significantly improved the nasolabial wrinkles"

When looking at the 2 experimental groups of women their description is as follows: Volunteers aged 25-55 years were randomly allocated to two different groups: one using the Advanced Routine (n = 29, mean age = 45, SD = 7) and another one using a Simple Routine (n = 20, mean age = 42, SD = 7)

Keep in mind the above study was funded by oriflame and the overall result was "Yes advance routine outperformed simple one" but I would like to draw to your attention to 4 key parts.

The 4 above points are to illustrate that simple routines have benefits, especially if you are still before your thirties. Younger skin can support itself if you give it just enough and don't disturb its delicate balance! Of course as we grow older our skin function is deteriorating and yes a more complex routine would make a difference.

How to Choose the Right Skincare Products for You?

To choose right products for your skin, you need to consider:

1. What's your skin goal?

What is the one thing you would like to tackle? Approach skincare not as miracle therapy rather as long term game such as going to the gym for your skin.

2. What's your skin type?

Your skin type is not one for the rest of your life! It changes with the seasons, lifestyle and aging. Listen to your skin, see what it tries to communicate to you and adjust your habits. Something that worked for someone else isn't a guarantee that it will work for you! It all boils down to your unique skin, lifestyle and routines. 

3. Use Scientifically Proven Ingredients

Opt for scientifically proven ingredients that deliver  the results your skin needs! Don't just rely on company's claims, check independent research of those ingredients and use the right % of actives.

4. The formulation

Not all products are created equal! The formulation of a product makes the whole difference in whether an ingredient will make the impact on your skin or not. A simple example would be 2 products could be claiming to contain Niacinamide.

• One at 3% and another one at 5%, which one would you choose? 
• What if one contained 5% and the other one 10%? Which one would you choose now? 

Research shows that the best results for anti-aging and hyperpigmentation without any sensitisation are achieved at 5% not 3% nor 10%. There are 2 reason I would suggest someone to go to 10% or even 20%.

Number one, if they are already used 5% or 10% for 3 months hence topping up the percentage for continuous improvement. Number two, if they are looking to target serious hyperpigmentation. Nevertheless, I would strongly suggest instead of going to 20% Niacinamide you stick with 10% and get a formulation that's pair Arbutin or Kogic Acid. That way you are working on different paths of hyperpigmentation and targeting all aspects with different ingredients.

The Key to Skincare is Knowing Your Skin

As Steven Nwe, DO, a dermatologist with Northwestern Medicine says: “The key to skin resiliency is knowing your skin and treating it well.” source

I encourage you to start listening to your skin. Observe how it reacts to different stress levels, food, and skincare. More doesn't mean better; seek the right balance for you!

Do you still feel lost? Here are some resources I offer for free to help you:

1. Free skincare routine templates adjusted for UAE conditions.

If you already have a skincare routine but since you moved to UAE something just doesn't feel right! Maybe your skin became more dry? Maybe started having more pimples here and there? 

Sign up here and I will send you the templates which will point you some basic but important adjustments your need to make!

2. You have no idea where to start?  Free Skincare Quiz

Check out the questionnaire I have developed for you! Within 2 minutes:

• it prioritises your skin concerns
• creates a basic structure routine for you
• suggests the type of ingredients you need to incorporate in your skincare routine

3. If you feel that you need more! You still have questions about:

• what are the right skincare not only for your skin but for your values as well
• if you want to understand how you can adjust your skincare without wasting your current products
• if you still haven't found products that work for your skin
• If you are looking for a partner in you skin journey 

A 45 min consultation is just for you!