Clean Skin
For most of us cleaning our faces is a mindless task - wet, wash, dry and repeat morning and evening. But as we have become far more obsessive about our skincare, this first step in our daily regime has taken on greater importance and cleansers of all types and textures have come centre stage. But, as with almost everything else in our modern world, moderation just doesn’t seem to be in our vocabulary and just maybe this emphasis on cleansing has gone overboard and we are frantically cleaning, scrubbing and exfoliating to the the detriment of our skin health and leading to an increased chance of skin sensitivity and premature ageing.
Skin Barrier
When the delicate protective skin barrier is compromised, skin will feel dehydrated, reactive more prone to inflammatory conditions like acne and if your skin isn’t cleansed properly, the rest of your regime may as well be forgotten as the products will not absorb as they should. The acid mantle of a healthy complexion (the film on the skin’s surface) has a pH of about 4 to 5.5 and an ideal cleanser should have a similar pH range.
In my experience - the biggest problem in skincare now is the overuse of acid - I have written about this many times, yet it continues, as it seems our quest for smooth, younger-looking skin means we are prepared to tear away our skin’s natural protection and ultimately destroy it - TAKE HEED!
I am not adverse to acids in my routine, but most days I choose a more gentle nourishing cleanser, saving the acids for my active serum, rather than including them every step of the way. This said, I use them maybe twice a week when my skin needs a more active cleanse. Note: become familiar with how your skin feels after cleansing: If it feels tight and dry -then it probably is and you have overdone it.
Trustworthy Skincare
The following are a few of my preferred cleansers that keep my skin clean, supple and nourished. Most of these brands use only natural ingredients and all are natural in origin, sustainable and trustworthy - I wouldn’t use or recommend them otherwise. Trust me on that! Obviously all skin is different so experiment with these to find a cleanser that leaves your skin clean, supple and refreshed - NOT dry and tight.
Double Cleansing & Face Massage
I have written about this frequently (see here). Double Cleansing is simply cleansing your skin twice and hip Irish brand Pestle and Mortar is always a winner for me, as it digs deep to clean, yet gently nourishes and hydrates. I don’t double cleanse daily but when I do, it’s always a perfect excuse to give my skin a great massage to stimulate circulation, increase drainage and to enjoy a few minutes washing away my day’s worries. Before trying this, take a look at Slow Ageing Essentials skincare philosophy and massage technique - its easy, quick and it works! Their Face Wash is fab - as is this capsule range in its entirety!
Cleansing Balms & Creams
Cleansing Lotions & Liquids
One Ocean Beauty Purifying Ocean Mist Cleanser
[This ultra-sustainable brand goes out of its way to have not just a neutral but a positive impact on our planet - it’s fab!]
Cleansing Oils
Kinvara Absolute Cleansing Face OIl [Another Irish favourite]
Cleansing Powders
Powders becoming increasingly popular now - mixed with a little water, or as with my latest find: 1-006 Powder Cleaner and Smoothing Reaffirming Mask by the boutique Spanish brand Mamita Botanical - blended with a little natural face oil it makes a super nourishing mask.
Kinvara Skincare Elemental Exfoliating Powder
[I use this 1-2 per week at night when I have it!]
Mamita Botanical 1-006 Powder Cleaner and Smoothing Reaffirming Mask
Skin Sensitivity
When it comes to skin sensitivity and inflammation, balance is key, in both what we eat and what we apply on our skin. If your skin is acting up then treat it kindly - don't over exfoliate in the belief that the harder you work the more the aggravation will disappear. It will get worse. Instead use a gentle foaming or pure natural oil-based cleanser, remembering that less is more. Be very careful with the products you use too, as they may be too harsh during this very sensitive time. Avoid highly fragranced skincare and any products packed with a list of added extras, most especially sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate (SLS) as these will exacerbate eczema and other irritation.
In essence - the purer and simpler the better.
Feed Your Gut
As you will already know if you have been following my blog, the gut holds the key to overall health - our skin included - so nurture it, feed it well and water it. If you are not sure what you should be eating, then my latest book GLOW: Your complete Four Week Plan to Healthy Radiant Skin has the answers, with quick easy and delicious skin-and- gut-nourishing recipes to help you on your way to luminous skin this Christmas.
Above all, listen to your skin - get to know it and it will signal what it needs. Skin renews itself so interfering with these natural cycles can be detrimental - surely advice our mothers would have given us!