It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by skincare, especially when there seems to be a new trend or hack popping up every other day.
But despite all of these skincare products spouting its own benefits and claiming to solve a problem – and contrary to what you see on social media – a multi-step and complex skincare routine can actually be doing you more harm than good.
In actual fact, Avant Skincare and their in-house beauty expert, Laura Sophie Lenz, says you only really need FIVE steps in your skincare routine to achieve that coveted dewy and healthy look.
“Those long days are in full swing, the weather is warmer, summer is the perfect time to let your skin BREATHE,” says Laura “Less is certainly more when it comes to skincare, especially when we tend to overload with products containing ‘active ingredients’, the skin barrier can become irritated. When irritation does occur, it’s also much more difficult to identify the culprit within a multi-step routine, whereas with a simple skincare routine, it’s much easier to pinpoint what may be causing the problem. While it can be good fun to jump on skincare trends circulating social media – and while increased awareness and use of skincare products is very much welcomed – it can be difficult to navigate what’s really best for your skin.
“Consistency is key when it comes to our skin, and having an intense routine that consumes your mornings and evenings can be counterintuitive for being consistent, too. We can limit our active ingredients, reclaim our mornings and evenings, and have time to enjoy our radiant, glowing skin!”
So, is it time to ditch the 20-step routine and strip your routine back to basics? Here’s the five ingredients your skin REALLY needs…
Step 1: Oil-based cleanser
Is your face actually clean? Unless you’re double-cleansing your skin, probably not. Double-cleansing in the evening ensures you can completely remove impurities built up throughout the day including makeup, SPF, and pollution – combatting clogged pores, breakouts, and dullness.
Starting with a blank slate for your skin is incredibly important; the products you use after will have a clean canvas on which to really penetrate the skin and work effectively.
An oil-based cleanser works on the principle of ‘like dissolves like’; the oil in the cleanser breaks down oil-based impurities such as makeup, sunscreen, excess sebum, and oil-based pollutants and debris – but all without stripping back the skin’s natural oils.
Step 2: Water-based cleanser
A water-based cleanser there to combat the remaining impurities on the skin, ensuring it’s fully prepared for the remaining steps. It targets water-soluble impurities like sweat, dirt and grime, water-based pollutants, and the residual impurities after oil cleansing. While it’s still a critical step in removing the majority of issues, leftover oil cleanser on the skin can trap other impurities, or even interfere with the absorption of subsequent skincare products.
It’s a fine line with skincare, where if used incorrectly, products that are intended to nourish the skin can actually be harmful. A mild but effective water-based cleanser is a key part of any minimal routine, helping you reap the benefits of your subsequent products. A water-based cleanse aims to hydrate the skin and maintain the skin’s natural PH balance – helping the skin to maintain its natural acidity, and protecting the skin from bacteria and any environmental aggressors. It should not be harsh or ‘strip’ the skin, instead acting as an extra level of cleansing and nourishment, and a way to equip the skin to thrive!
Step 3: Toner
Toner is an essential – but often overlooked – part of any minimal skincare routine; it gives your skin that essential nourishment and rejuvenation it needs before moisturising. We tend to become overwhelmed in this part of our skincare routines, and we’re tempted to take all advice on board – overloading ourselves with multiple toners and serums, which often don’t even interact well together. It’s critical to choose a toner that is right for your skin, and your skin only!
It’s personal preference which toner you may choose, but it all comes down to what it says on the tin – toning the skin! Toner aims to enhance the skin’s overall health, appearance, and texture, always keeping skin’s wellbeing at the forefront.
With a toner, give your skin what it needs after cleansing, being sure to always keep the health of your skin barrier at the forefront of your mind – so nothing too harsh or irritating.
Step 4: Serum
Now here’s where you can get adventurous! Even the most succinct, minimal skincare routine can have creativity and adventure – all tailored to your skin.
Without a healthy skin barrier, your skin can feel irritated, sore, and experience acne breakouts. Prioritising this, and helping to restore your skin’s natural PH levels, is paramount for any skincare routine. A barrier serum is the perfect option here, as this will often contain nourishing, hydrating ingredients, to plump and replenish the skin.
If you have a specific skincare concern, this step of your routine can be alternated with another serum, such as a retinol, to target any of your skin’s needs. There’s a misconception that you need separate serums that solely target a single skin concern, but regenerative serums with multiple active ingredients exist – which are perfect for a minimal skincare routine that doesn’t overload the skin.
Step 5: Moisturise (and protect)
Last, but certainly not least, your moisturiser.
Despite being a staple of any skincare routine, many people – especially those with oily skin – often skip this step for fear of making the oiliness worse. The truth is that moisturising is key to combatting oil production; dehydration can potentially disrupt the natural skin barrier, giving it a dull, dry appearance, accentuating lines and wrinkles, and resulting in a lack of nourishment.
Moisturising both morning and evening is recommended, but only your morning efforts will require sun protection; we recommend an SPF 50 to protect against sun damage. There’s a myth circulating that SPF is only necessary when the sun is ‘out’, but even on those dry, drab and cloudy days, using an SPF is absolutely essential to protect the skin.
Keeping your skincare routine minimal is not only less time consuming and easier to maintain, but it is also extremely effective. Many products – while individually effective – are not always compatible together, and can be counterintuitive or even harmful in the long run.
By sticking to these five concise steps over time, you can easily combat any skin concerns, while keeping your skin from becoming overloaded or overwhelmed with multi-targeting products.
Work smarter, not harder – for the good of your skin.
About Avant Skincare:
Founded in London in 2016, Avant Skincare is a pioneering luxury beauty brand committed to harmonizing nature and science to create nutrient-rich, results-driven skincare solutions. Avant designs inclusive products suitable for all skin types, regardless of gender or ethnicity. Each formulation is meticulously crafted, emphasising transparency by highlighting active ingredients on product labels, and is developed in collaboration with dermatologists and skincare experts. Avant’s dedication to sustainability is evident through its recyclable packaging and cruelty-free certifications. With a global presence spanning the UK, Europe, the USA, and other international markets, Avant continues to innovate, offering advanced skincare that empowers individuals to feel confident in their own skin.
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