The past few years have seen a rise in beauty enthusiasts’ becoming more interested in taking better care of their skin and experimenting with different products, even cooking up formulas in the kitchen at home. Social media hashtags like #selfcaresundays #Glowingskin and #organic skincare have become regular features with both men and women alike in the quest to create a smooth clear canvas of gorgeous skin.
This is great right? Gone are the days when people were more interested in covering up with makeup to hide skin imperfections, we are in the skincare era now and unless one is dealing with a severe condition that may require a trip to the dermatologist, it takes a few simple steps to keep your skin healthy and achieve your desired glow.
However, it’s easy to get sucked into a whirlpool of products, routines and skincare fads, which may end up breaking your bank account and worse, leading to breakouts. Let’s take a look at a basic skincare routine to get you well on your way to your skincare goals.
Step 1 – CLEANSE
The rule of thumb is to start and end your day with clean skin. Choose a cleanser or facewash which is suitable for your skin type, for example, an oil-based cleanser would not be ideal for a person with oily skin however hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid are generally suitable for all skin types.
Step 2 – MOISTURIZE
Cleansing will strip your skin of the impurities and oils collected throughout the day and overnight – it is vital to feed the skin after cleansing by using hydrating vitamin-enriched moisturizers. While you may need to try a few different moisturizers before getting the best fit for your skin, typically, dermatologists suggest choosing a moisturizer that is fragrance and paraben free. These are also
suitable for those who may have sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Step 3 – SUNSCREEN
Now, this is a very important step that most people tend to skip. PROTECT! PROTECT! PROTECT!
Your first line of defence in keeping premature ageing and skin cancer at bay is using sunscreen with UV protection of at least SPF 30 or higher. YES, Vitamin D is important, but constant exposure to the sun will be detrimental to your skin.
DIET and Hydration for skincare
As the old adage states – beauty starts from within. It would be unreasonable to expect a radiantly clear complexion if you do not follow a healthy, well-balanced diet and drink a lot of water. Your skin is the biggest organ in your body, and like all organs, it relies on being fed fresh fruits and vegetables and other vitamin and mineral-rich foods for it to thrive. While you can try to avoid outside pollutants and free radicals affecting your exterior, the same applies to your interior. Feed your body with antioxidants and keep hydration at the top of your list and your skincare routine will already be on the right track to working wonders for your skin.
Busisiwe Nxele is a seasoned journalist with over 15 years of experience working in radio broadcasting. Apart from her love for radio production, Busi’s passions include beauty, health, style & skincare which she has turned into a business by launching her own skincare range. Her other hustles include working for one of the biggest event companies in the Eastern Cape, in the arts & culture sector. A proud Pisces mom of three humans & a couple of plant children, she enjoys good red wine, horror movies & reading the subtitles on her favourite K drama series. - As a contributor on 041online, I would like to have simple informative & interesting conversations on all things beauty & lifestyle, while showcasing what’s on offer within GQ & the EC as a whole. Follow Busi on Instagram or through her Brand
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