BETTER SKIN IN 5 STEPS

After spending the week with Kate Somerville a couple of months back I learnt so much on skin, the importance of using products personalised to you and sticking to a routine.

Those of you that have followed me for a while know how simple I like to keep it and will always multi use where possible. These 5 steps I certainly don’t stick to everyday, however for the past couple of weeks have been trying to, and have really felt a difference.

Here I’m sharing Kate’s 5 Daily Do’s philosophy for you to incorporate into your routine if you wish. How many of the 5 are you already doing? Comment below! (I was 4/5)

STEP 1 – Cleanse

I meet so many women that splurge on a great serum and moisturiser but use a face wipe to cleanse (Mum I’m pointing at you!). The majority of skin issues are caused through poor cleansing so a good cleansing routine is key to healthier looking skin. I personally double cleanse (not as lengthy as it sounds) with a Cleansing Oil or Micellar Water to remove makeup and then a treatment cleanser suitable for how my skin is feeling removed with a muslim cloth. If you wanted a one hit wonder to do it all, opt for a cleansing oil no matter your skin type. Massage all over onto a dry skin to dissolve makeup and then wash off with a muslim cloth in the shower.

STEP 2 – Exfoliate

The secret weapon for smoother brighter looking skin. With exfoliation you have two key options – Physical exfoliation or acid exfoliation (or both if you are an exfoliating addict like me!). Physical exfoliation is a product that feels like a scrub that you would use with water physically buffing away dead skin cells on the surface. Acid exfoliation comes in the form of a skin tonic with AHA acids. Think of AHA acids as dissolving the glue that holds the dead skin cells to the surface of your skin. I like to use a physical/acid blended exfoliation once a week (Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive) and then my acid tonic twice a week (Kate Somerville Liquid Exfolikate) not on the same night. Exfoliation can make skin more sensitive to the sun so always do pm rather than am.

A few of the best options for acid exfoliation…

STEP 3 – Hydrate

Your hydrate step should be a Hyaluronic Acid based product that sinks into your skin to quench thirsty skin. Hyaluronic Acid should ideally be used daily if you are dehydrated (99.9% of us) to give you that plump hydrated finish to your skin.

Opt for a Hylauronic Acid serum, of for maximum results, treat yourself to a Dermal Quench. Hyaluronic Acid infused for oxygen for the ultimate plumping experience.

STEP 4 – Treat/Moisturise

Now, apply a light layer of a targeted serum if needed, or just lock all the goodness into your skin with your favourite moisturiser and create the perfect base.

For everyday my favourite is Goat Milk moisturiser to add simple hydration calm and soothe. If you want hardcore anti ageing to really plump, treat and firm your skin it has to be Peptide K8 cream. (Kate Somerville herself and Caroline Hirons Desert Island Product).

STEP 5 – Protect

A spritz of SPF in the AM to protect your skin and you are good to go.

I am currently using a cream SPF and then throughout the day I spritz with the SPF 50 makeup setting spray by Kate Somerville (because I’m now an SPF addict!). The setting spray is amazing to use on top of makeup as it sets your base and protects your skin without disturbing your makeup.

Here’s to healthier looking skin this summer!! Which of the 5 steps are you missing? Comment below!