Guest Post: Natural, Radiant Skin. Your Ultimate Skin Care Routine Checklist!

At one point or another, we’ve all been in awe of the flawless skin of a celebrity in a magazine. But that skin’s probably been airbrushed to within an inch of its life, right? Perhaps. But sometimes, skin really can look that good, and it’s all down to using great products, and being consistent about skin care.

Creating a skin care routine isn’t always easy. In fact, there are lots of great products out there that might work for one person, but not for another. It’s important to use products that work for your individual skin type, but no matter what works for you, there’s a 5-point process that everyone should follow. 

Before you head off to bed each evening, try to tick these simple actions off your checklist:

1. Check Yourself Out

The benefits of adopting a good skin care routine (and sticking to it!) can’t be denied. But if your aim is to have truly beautiful, radiant skin, then it’s important to remember that there are some skin concerns that are beyond even the most amazing of products. The common condition rosacea, for example, doesn’t usually respond well to topical creams and lotions. The best  rosacea treatment is often laser therapy, which takes place in a clinic or spa. So before going to bed, always look for telltale signs of common skin conditions such as this and understand that radiant skin often needs a little helping hand. 

2. Wash it Off

Hands up who’s guilty of crawling under the covers with a face full of makeup? A lot of us do this, and while it’s arguably easier to skip cleansing, especially when you’re tired, it can wreak havoc on the skin. Even the best non-comedogenic products (which are products that don’t block pores) can still affect the skin by drying it out, so it’s definitely worth taking the time to wash off any cosmetics, and any dirt and grime that might have settled on your skin during the day. The best product to use at the end of the day is a moisturising  face and body soap which cleans effectively without stripping the skin of natural oils. 

3. Apply the Right Products

The secret to natural, radiant skin? Natural products. There is a never-ending list of products out there which all claim to work miracles, but the truth is that products that contain harsh chemicals and synthetics can actually do more harm than good. These ingredients can dehydrate the skin and compromise your natural barrier function, resulting in dryness and even soreness.  Natural skin care is different, using natural ingredients like cranberry, lavender, and mandarin to deliver powerful antioxidants exactly where they’re needed. Always be sure to check what you’re putting on your face.

4. Moisturise

There are all sorts of products that you can apply to your face depending on your skin type and condition, including oils, serums, toners, essences, and creams. However, no matter what products you choose to layer on your face, you should always end with a good moisturiser. Why? Because a good moisturiser locks in all the hydration from your oils and essences, helping to keep your skin looking fresh, youthful, and radiant. One of the best moisturising ingredients is cocoa butter. The  benefits of cocoa butter are plentiful; it’s gentle on sensitive skin, it absorbs well, and it's bursting with antioxidants. 

5. Chill Out

Even though you may be tired after a long day, the last point on your skin care checklist should be to spend a few minutes chilling out. Many people like to apply moisturiser and hop straight into bed, and you can imagine what happens next… moisturisers are wiped off the skin as soon as the head hits the pillow. To really derive the full value of skin care products, it’s a good idea to allow them a little time to soak into the skin — around 20 minutes is optimal. And if you’re really committed to great skin, try using a silk pillow case… they’re said to help reduce wrinkles (although it might be a bit of wishful thinking!)

Find What Works For You

If your existing skin care routine doesn’t look like this at all, don’t worry! The truth is that skin care is much more of an art than a science, and creating the perfect routine may take a bit of trial and error. 

But what we’ve done above is shared the core fundamental basics of a great skin care checklist, helping you to form the structure of your routine and add in the products that make your skin happy and healthy. 

Sarah Pelham is the Beauty & Wellness Expert for Bookwell.com.au, an online platform for instant bookings for hair, nails, beauty & massage appointments. For nearly four years Sarah has worked closely with hundreds of salon owners within the beauty and wellness industries. She has her finger on the pulse of new trends in this growing market.