Self-care Saturday: Skincare 🌺💅

This Saturday, it’s time to indulge in a little bit of self-care. As a skincare fanatic myself, I thought I’d share a few tips and tricks. 

Taking time to look after yourself is, of course, so important. When we are looking after ourselves, we are in a better frame of mind to be able to help those around us. Personally, getting into a good skincare routine has helped me feel like I’m prioritising at least a little bit of time each day to take care of myself. Even something as simple as applying my favourite moisturiser at the end of a long day is a moment of peace, reserved just for me. 

As mentioned, when it comes to skincare, it’s all about simplifying it and getting into a good routine. Find a product you love, and use it consistently. I have my tried-and-tested products which I know my skin will like, and then I have my ‘extras’, the more luxurious products in my collection which I use a little bit more sparingly when I need a pick-me-up.

For my morning routine, I keep it simple. 

1. If you have oilier skin like me, it’s better to opt for a simple and hydrating water-based cleanser. I look for cleansers which say ‘foaming’ or ‘hydrating’ on the side of them. This way, I remove the oil which has built up overnight without stripping my skin. If you have drier skin, some people prefer to avoid a cleanser altogether and simply use a little bit of lukewarm water splashed on their face to remove any build-up and refresh their skin.
2. Once my skin is almost dry but still a little bit damp, I apply a pea-sized amount of a hydrating eye cream. Mine contains caffeine, but any will do. Just make sure it says hydrating! 
3. An optional step here is to apply face serums, which depends on your skin concern. Hyaluronic acid is good to rehydrate the skin and should be applied to damp skin. Azelaic acid is good for redness and should be applied on dry skin. If you’re unsure, always read the instructions on the product.
4. Next, I apply a simple, fragrance-free moisturiser which contains ceramides. Ceramides play an essential role in both the water-retention and barrier function in the outer layer of the skin. 
5. The most important final step in any good morning skincare routine isa good SPF! At this point, I leave the wet products on my skin to dry down for ten minutes or so, during which time I will get dressed or make breakfast. Once my face has dried down, I apply two to three finger-lengths of SPF (look for one which has a strong UVA and UVB rating). Try to opt for an SPF which doesn’t double as a moisturiser, since it’s easy to under-apply and an SPF by itself will provide better protection.  This is the time to be extremely generous with your product in order to get the best possible protection for your skin. Waiting for your moisturiser and eye cream to dry down is extremely important, as it can sometimes interfere with the effectiveness of the SPF. If you opt to use an active serum such as Azelaic acid, using SPF is even more important as active serums can make the skin more sensitive to exposure to the sun.

For my evening routine, I also keep it simple, but here is also where I try to indulge myself with some more luxurious products at the end of a long day.  The most important step is to double-cleanse, which means using an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based one: 

1. I start with a good oil-based cleanser on dry skin. This will help to deep-clean any traces of makeup or SPF, or dirt which has built up on my face throughout the day, without stripping my skin or weighing it down. I have oily to combination skin, so this step is extremely important for me. Once I have massaged the oil-based cleanser into my skin for 60 seconds, I dampen my face with a little bit of lukewarm water and massage until it forms a lather , which helps to emulsify the cleanser and makes it easier to remove. 
2. After emulsifying and rinsing the oil-based cleanser, I will then use a water-based cleanser - a good tip is to look for something that says ‘foaming’ or ‘gel-based’ on the side, to help ensure any traces of the oil-based cleanser, makeup, and SPF have been washed away. 
3. My next step is to use a hydrating eye cream. 
4. Next, I seal everything in with a good, rich moisturiser. 
5. After this, I apply my face oils. I currently have my eye on our MOA Aphrodite Facial Oil, which is a new addition to the Rosypenguin store. It’s perfect for sensitive skin, and it contains rosehip seed oil which is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as essential fatty acids, helping to reduce scarring and brighten the skin as well as seal in hydration. The rose geranium fragrance is gorgeous, and a perfect way to take self-care Saturday to the next level. 

An extra tip is to opt for a skincare mask on days when your skin really needs a lift. Look for one that says ‘hydrating’, which are typically designed to be applied to clean skin and left on for ten minutes at a time. It’s always nice to put on a face mask during a nice, relaxing bath. Add some dreamy mineral soak to level-up your relaxation with notes of lavender essential oil. 

Even if skincare isn’t for you, make sure to carve out some time this Saturday to do something nice for yourself. Whether it’s reading a book, spending time with a loved one, or just going for a walk, it’s so important to look after ourselves. 

Take care, 

Georgie x