Clear skin is balanced, calm and looks smooth and radiant, nobody chooses blemishes, redness, or dark spots, but of course these are the realities of skin sometimes. Fortunately, there is much you can do to promote clear skin, not least follow a daily skincare routine that’s tailored to your needs. Consistency is key, so don’t skip makeup removal, as skin will improve over time if you can stick to your daily routine. It also pays to listen to your skin, it is communicating, usually reacting in times of stress or if you’re lacking good nutrition. Keep an eye on what triggers your skin, as everybody is different, and find ways to manage your skin from the inside out alongside your daily clear skin routine.
Skin Type While it’s true that excess oil can lead to blemishes, oily skin is not the only type that copes with blemishes – see also dry skin, sensitive skin, combination skin and normal skin. However, products formulated specifically for oily skin will help to mop up excess oil, but if you are not oily, this may lead to unbalanced skin and in turn to blemishes! So, make sure you know your skin type and build your routine with this in mind. For help determining your skin type, you can follow the advice here, book an online live video consultation or book an in person consultation in one of our stores.
Start with Cleanser During the day our skin is exposed to the environment as it works to protect our precious interior. Dirt, debris, and pollution can cause clogged pores and lead to blemishes, so it’s essential to remove fully with a cleanser at the end of the day. There’s also little point applying expensive active serums and moisturisers on top of skin that hasn’t been cleansed, as they won’t be able to do their thing. So prioritise cleansing every morning and evening, before you apply any other skincare products. All skin types can benefit from a gentle cleanser like our Ultra Facial Cleanser, a pH balanced mild cleanser that helps remove dirt and debris whilst leaving the skin feeling moisturised. If your skin is producing excess sebum or blemish-prone, then we recommend our Blue Herbal Blemish Cleanser Treatment. This foaming cleanser includes salicylic acid and helps to purify pores while removing all traces of dirt and oil.
The Serum Step Serums are water-light skincare products packed with powerful active ingredients that work to treat the skin. Choose the right one for your skins needs, use it consistently and you are likely to hit the skin sweet spot. So the first thing you need to do is work out what your skin needs, if you are coping with excess oil and/or blemish-prone skin, reach for our Clearly Corrective™ Daily Re-texturizing Triple Acid Peel, this peel or chemical exfoliant helps to reduce the appearance of pores, boost skin’s radiance, and create visibly softer and smoother skin. It gently exfoliates the skin, helping to prevent dead skin cells from getting trapped into the pores and can be used daily. Alternatively, our Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum 5.0% Niacinamide works to soothe skin with niacinamide or vitamin B3, while minimising shine, reducing the appearance of imperfections and excess oil, ideal for sensitive skin types. You could choose to use a different serum AM and PM, and these two are perfect partners.
Hydration is Important There’s a difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin; dry skin is usually a skin type which is characterised by too little oil production in the skin. Dehydrated skin can happen to any skin type, it just means that there’s a lack of water in the skin. When skin is dehydrated, it can lead to a number of issues including more pronounced looking pores and fine lines. It’s important to drink enough water, but things like central heating and showering in hot water can also lead to dehydrated skin. Hydrated skin means a healthy, plump moisture skin barrier which means skin looks clear and balanced. Keep your skin hydrated with a serum like our Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate which works to visibly improve the appearance of dehydrated skin with a formula that includes hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Moisturiser is King For those with dry skin, moisturiser is a daily essential, while oily skin types may wonder if it’s necessary. We’re here to say, yes, do moisturise! Choose a light, non-comedogenic blend like our Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream which is specially formulated for oily and normal skin. Moisturiser protects the skin from environmental damage and helps balance the all important skin barrier.
SPF Forever Think of SPF as insurance for your clear skin, wearing it daily will protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun. Our Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 PA++++ is a unique non-comedogenic sunscreen which provides high protection with a lightweight, refreshing texture. The water-light sunscreen is formulated especially for oily skin and hydrates and defends skin from damaging UV rays, leaving it shine-free, smooth and protected.
Skin Tips A weekly face mask is more than just a pampering treat if you choose the right one, you'll see skin improvements with consistent use. For those looking to minimise pores, our Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask is formulated with Amazonian White Clay and helps to draw out impurities, banish dead cells, reduce surface oil production and leave the skin feeling detoxified, purified and pores look visibly reduced. When skin feels uncomfortable and irritated, calm everything down with Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Mask. This instant hydrator ideal for sensitive skin types helps to reduce visible redness and helps skin feel comforted to reveal a more balanced, revitalised complexion.
Finally, if you have a breakout, our Truly Targeted Blemish-Clearing Solution is your one stop fix. This liquid blemish patch with 2% Salicylic Acid, 4% Niacinamide and 0.2% Licorice Root, works to targets the causes of blemishes, as well as calming and fading post-mark discoloration. Using our exclusive “liquid patch” technology, our blemish-clearing solution creates a breathable seal that layers seamlessly with sunscreen and under makeup.
Your clear skin routine requires commitment, if you follow the steps daily you’ll see faster and better results. For more information on your skin type or for help devising a personalised skincare routine, don’t forget you can always book an online live video consultation or book an in person consultation in one of our stores.