Over to you, Rachel!

2021 - How To Get Your Glow Back!

With Christmas and New Year festivities over, we can look to a fresh start - at least beauty wise - for 2021! Regardless of how low-key our celebrations might have been, I think we could probably all do with a new, gentle skincare routine that will help calm and detoxify our skins. Read on for tips and product recommendations that will help you get your glow back and start the year on it’s beautiful way!

CLEANSE

Firstly cleanse on the inside - beautiful skin starts from within! This will have a positive effect on your whole body and your skin will definitely thank you for it... start each day with a cup of hot water and fresh lemon. This cleanses your liver and kick starts the day! And continue to drink plenty of water all day to keep your body and skin hydrated. This also helps you keep focus mentally for the goals you want to achieve throughout your day, so it really is a no-brainer!

Your skin definitely needs a good cleanse in the morning to remove any excess oils that occur during the night but sensitive, winter skin doesn’t necessarily need a foaming face wash which could dry it out, therefore a gentle morning cleanse with a calming cream, milk or lotion is preferable. Apply to dry skin and use warm (not hot!) water and a clean flannel to remove. I like Neals Yard Remedies Calendula Cleansing Cream (1) which also contains Jojoba which softens and soothes skin keeping it balanced and supple.

Follow your cleansing routine, morning and night, with a calming toner. Ensure it’s alcohol-free as anything containing alcohol will strip the natural surface oils from your skin, drying it out and causing more issues such as flaking and sore, irritated patches. A lovely choice is the Lancaster Comforting Perfecting Toner (2) which is perfect due to it’s moisturising action, which perfectly preps skin for the rest of your routine.

To cleanse and remove makeup in the evenings, I recommend a gentle double cleanse. This two step process means that surface makeup and pollution is removed with the first cleanse, then the second deeper cleanse ensures that your skin is left glowing and prepped ready for serums and moisturisers. Firstly, copy your morning routine using your cream or milk cleanser, but making sure to really take some time to give yourself a really relaxing facial massage as you apply. Use your flannel to remove and follow with a wash off cleanser such as the Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser (3). This cleanser contains Shea Butter which soothes sensitive skin without causing irritation. Again, remove with your warm flannel as you did with the cream cleanser.

By the way, here’s a good tip - it’s definitely worth buying a stack of white flannels so that you can use a fresh one daily and wash them on a hot wash. Also I advise not using fabric softener when washing them, as this can leave residues on your face, thereby causing all sorts of problems!

EXFOLIATE

Winter-battered skin needs only a gentle exfoliator so once or twice a week. Strong, grainy exfoliators are great but there is a risk of over scrubbing with them which can really irritate skin that is sensitised by weather, heating and over-indulgence. Try something like Clarins Gentle Peeling Smooth Away Cream (4) to exfoliate your skin and remove dead skin cells. I love this product because it uses a gentle rub-and-peel method to exfoliate and really helps polish the surface of the skin without scrubbing.

FACE MASK

Once or twice a week a moisturising face mask will ensure that your skin is delicately deep cleansed and prepped and ready to reap the benefits of your new skincare routine! REN Evercalm Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask (5) is a lovely one to try. It strengthen the protective barrier of sensitive skin and helps reduce inflammation, redness and irritation.

USE A SERUM & MOISTURISE

Keep skin well hydrated after cleansing morning and evening with a hyaluronic acid serum, followed by a good moisturiser to seal it in. Hyaluronic acid serums work best when applied while skin is still damp with toning lotion and immediately followed by moisturiser. Try Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum (6) which contains a 75% hyaluronic acid complex to maintain skin’s hydration and keep it feeling deeply moisturised.

Follow up with a gentle, calming moisturizer such as Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Nourishing Moisturiser (7), morning and evening. A supremely nourishing moisturiser, this contains vitamin E, an important antioxidant which protects against free radicals and pollution. It is so gentle that it can even be used on skin after cosmetic procedures.

Thanks Rachel, a friendly chat about beauty routines was just what we needed.

Remember, taking care of yourself is always a worthwhile pursuit - don’t wait until the last minute to make yourself a priority!