A good skincare routine is extremely important, it allows you to stay looking your best for longer. Whether you're dressing up for a first date or just in day to day life, self-confidence often begins with great skin. Read on for some tips on how to get your skincare routine sorted. 

1. What Skin Type Do You Have? 

A skincare routine hinges on what type of skin you have. Is your skin oily and prone to blemishes? Or is it dry and flaky? If it is a combination of both, you probably have combination skin with an oily T-zone in the middle and drier patches around your cheeks and the perimeter of your face. Work out which skin type you have before you do anything. Otherwise, you won’t have the right products and your skin will suffer. 

2. Cleanse and Tone 

Always cleanse and tone your skin twice a day; once when you get up and then last thing at night. Cleansing is important because it removes dirt, dead skin cells, oil, and toxins. Pick a cleanser that matches your skin type and combine it with a toner. Don’t scrub at your skin and don’t overclean it. Too much is almost as bad as not enough. Wash your hands before you mess with your skin. Hands are usually covered in millions of bacteria and the last thing you need is to spread them all over your face. When you have finished cleaning and toning your face, apply moisturiser. Do this delicately around your eyes so that you don’t damage the skin. Use a light moisturiser in the morning and a nourishing one at bedtime. 

3. Makeup Removal 

Don’t go to bed with your makeup on, even if you are exhausted or drunk. Leaving makeup on is really bad for your skin. You can get away with it when you are 18, but as we age, our skin is less forgiving. Use a good quality makeup removal lotion to clean off your eye makeup, paying close attention to mascara. It isn’t always easy removing waterproof mascara, but try not to scrub at your eyes, as you could cause some damage. Once you have removed all that makeup, cleanse and tone as normal, and then moisturise your skin. 

4. Sun Protection 

Pay close attention to sun protection. If you don’t protect your skin, it won’t be long before your complexion shows signs of sun damage. UV light exposure causes irreparable damage to the skin. In the long-term it accelerates the natural aging process, leading to fine lines and wrinkles forming, especially around the eyes. Too much sun can also cause skin cancer, which is not something you want. Always apply sun protection lotion to your face before you go out, even on a dull day. Some moisturisers and foundations have UV protection included but don’t rely on these. If you want to be safe, use a specialist sun protection product. 

5. Weekly Skincare 

Whilst cleansing, toning, moisturising, makeup removal, and sun protection are daily tasks, there are some things that don’t need to be done more than once or twice a week. Exfoliating the skin is a weekly task. Using an exfoliating product will remove dead skin cells and help to dislodge blackheads. If you do it too often, you could end up with irritated skin, so once a week is enough. Applying a nourishing face mask is also a weekly task. Use a face mask to give your complexion a boost. Look for face masks containing all-natural ingredients, such as mud masks. You could even have a go at making your own using ingredients in your kitchen.