The holiday season is almost upon us — in fact, we’re almost ready for our Black Friday skincare event, so you know that Christmas is close.
It’s the perfect time of year to rethink your skincare routine. You might be new to the game (in which case, welcome! We have all the holiday skincare tips you need right here). Or maybe you just want to take advantage of the sale season and stock up? From layering to routines to easy at-home hacks, this exhaustive guide has holiday skincare essentials covered.
How to build a routine from scratch
The first thing to consider when creating a routine is your skin type. After cleansing, does your face feel tight? You’re probably a dry skin type. If you notice shine within 30 minutes or so, you’re likely an oily skin type. If your skin is somewhere in between, you have normal or combination skin.
From there, think about your unique complexion goals. You might want a brighter tone, or fewer breakouts and blackheads. Perhaps you want to soften the effects of ageing. Or maybe you just want hydration and sun protection. Working out these things will make it easier to know which products to reach for.
Cleanse, treat, hydrate, protect, repeat
Now, the fun part. If you’re new to skincare, this might feel daunting — but if you're going to invest in the basics, now’s the time to do it! (Consider it your Black Friday skincare routine.)
You can include as many steps as you like but to start, we suggest using a cleanser, a treatment of some sort, a hydrator and a protective sunscreen.
Cleanse: This essential step removes makeup, dirt, oil, pollutants and excess skincare products. Proper cleansing will also ensure you get the maximum benefits from the rest of your routine.
Treat: Think of your treatment product (or products) as a heavy lifter. Pick a formula or ingredient that aligns with your skin goals. It might be a serum, exfoliator, oil or combination of the three.
Moisturise: All skin types need moisture! A hydrating day/night cream will keep your skin soft, balanced and healthy.
Protect: SPF might just be the most important step of all. If you’re not using sunscreen every day, you may as well chuck out the rest of your products. And if you’re new to skincare, it’s a good place to start.
3 tips for skincare layering
The order in which you apply your products matters. Follow the advice below to ensure you get it right
- Apply your products from the thinnest formula to the thickest. This means you should start with cleansers, followed by mists and watery serums before thicker moisturisers and creams.
- The only exception is actives, including Retinol and exfoliating acids like Glycolic and Lactic. These should always be applied to dry, clean skin.
- Always finish your morning routine with sunscreen.
5 formulas to get you started
These hero products are perfect for most complexions (and all are 30% off for Black Friday, naturally).
Gentle Cleanser: A simple, hydrating cleanser for everyday use. It’s so gentle, even the most reactive skin types love it.
Glycolic Scrub 14%: Our much-loved scrub buffs and smooths the skin in minutes. It’s great for brightening and reducing texture. Also a great way to refresh summer skin.
1% Hyaluronic Complex Serum: Serves up weightless hydration to plump and smooth without stickiness.
Moisture Defence Normal Skin: The perfect mid-weight moisturiser for long-lasting hydration.
Age Defence SPF 50+: A light, oil-free sunscreen for daily protection.
Our golden rule for glowing skin during the holidays
So you’ve got the basics down pat. Now you want to get glowing over the holidays (or rescue skin that’s seen too many late nights). Our number one tip? Add in a weekly face mask. A targeted treatment will revive and refresh tired skin. Try Expert Revitalise Hyaluronic Jelly Mask for plumping hydration or Enzymatic Micro Peel as a leave-on brightening treatment . You can even layer the two products to get a post-facial glow at home.
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