The skincare world can be very overwhelming - do this, stay away from that, keep it simple but have a 10-step skincare routine... it can be exhausting and extremely confusing. Sometimes we just want to keep it simple and find the easiest but effective ways to look after our skin, without breaking the bank or breaking out our skin.

Expensive treatments and routines, swapping out new products, and trying out new skincare trends every few months are not as important as you might think. The secret to healthy and glowing skin is much simpler… it's all in our skincare habits.  Our daily habits can have a massive impact on the appearance of our skin and skin health. From dirty makeup brushes to our diet, there are many habits that we need to change to get the best out of our skin.

Get the Glow:

1. Stay Away from Makeup Wipes
   As much as some of us lazy girls want our makeup wipes to clear our skin of all makeup and dirt, it just doesn’t work. Wipes don’t do much for our skin apart from removing some makeup, but as far as cleaning our skin, wipes can often do the exact opposite. Since wipes don’t break down the makeup, oil, and bacteria left on our face our skin will end up suffering from clogged pores, irritation, and breakouts. Regular use of wipes can also speed up the aging process with the constant pulling and tugging of the wipes on our skin not only irritating and damaging skin over time but worsening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The convenience of a makeup wipe is not worth dull and wrinkled skin.
   The best alternative is a double cleansing routine in the evening. This will ensure that all makeup and dirt are properly removed so that your skin is clean and healthy.

2. Remember Skincare can be Simple & Inexpensive
   When it comes to skincare, more isn’t always the best. A skincare routine made up of lots of different products and ingredients can actually clash and overwhelm your skin, causing even more problems. It's important to search for ingredients and products that work for your skin and you don’t need to break the bank for your best skincare routine. In fact, there are so many great, affordable skincare products available that use many great skincare ingredients for a variety of skincare types. It’s just about shopping around to find what works for you and buying what your skin needs, rather than forcing a full routine that isn’t effective. Start by improving your skin barrier with a committed cleanser, exfoliant, moisturiser, and SPF routine before adding more specific products and ingredients to your routine.

3. Just Do You
   Don’t follow every skincare trend on social media. There are so many new trends and products in the skincare world that it would be impossible to try them all, and it would even be damaging to our skin if we kept switching our routines to keep up with the trends and copied influencer routines. We all have different skin types and skincare needs, so what works for one person probably won't work for another. Create a skincare routine that works for your skin and don’t feel pressured to try out new trends or constantly try new products, as this can very easily work against you. It's best to commit to a skincare routine that works for you and change it up when your skin needs change - if it’s not broken then don’t fix it.

4. Don’t Skip Your Neck
   Good skincare includes your neck as well as your face. Just like your face, your neck can show signs of ageing and skin damage. Signs of ageing on our neck can actually appear earlier due to the skin being thinner, not being looked after like the face, and constantly looking down and scrolling on our tech can lead to neck wrinkles (oops guilty) …The skin on our neck is just as delicate as the skin on our face and is exposed to the same environmental damage, bacteria, and breakdown of collagen as the skin on our face. To prevent poor aging, wrinkles, and damage, you don’t need a separate neck routine but remember to bring your cleansers, moisturisers, and sunscreen down to your neck when applying to your face. This keeps your neck looking just as smooth and healthy as your face.

5. SPF SPF SPF
   You’ve heard it before, but sunscreen is the most talked about skincare tip because it works! No matter the weather, it is important to use sunscreen to prevent skin damage, dark spots, and poor ageing. There are a variety of sunscreens on the market to suit your skincare needs and are made with many great ingredients that will treat and protect your skin. Even on a lazy day, remember your sunscreen. Future you will appreciate the sunscreen dedication.

6. Wash your Makeup Brushes
   This is a simple step that many of us forget about (guilty, again). Forgetting to wash our brushes or swap out our beauty blenders can contribute to clogged pores and bacteria spreading across our skin and causing breakouts. It’s recommended to wash our makeup brushes at least once a month to prevent the spread of dirt and bacteria when applying our makeup.

7. Glow from the Inside Out
   When we glow on the inside, we will also glow on the outside. What we put into our body greatly affects our skin, so it's important to have a well-balanced diet with skin-friendly foods. Too much sugar will work against the skin as it encourages the ageing process and breakouts. Replace this with a diet rich in whole grains, fruit, and veggies as this enriches your skin with all the important skin-loving nutrients to improve skin health and help you feel good on the inside and out. This is your reminder to drink water because this helps to keep your skin hydrated, improve elasticity, and give you that glow from within.

8. Ask a Skincare Expert
   The best way to treat your skin is to understand your skin and no one knows skin better than a qualified skincare expert. Seeking advice from a dermatologist or skincare specialist can really help you understand your skin care needs and build a routine that is tailored to your skin. Not only will this help improve skin health and appearance, but it can actually help you save money as you won’t need to buy and test your way through so many products before finding what works for your skin.