How To Build A Skincare Routine For Beginners

Your first step is determining your skin type, and Beth has a speedy way to figure it out. “Cleanse your skin, wait 20 minutes, and then see how your skin feels with no skincare.” If your skin feels taut and tight, then it errs on the dry side. If you feel like there’s oil coming through on your T-Zone, then your skin sits on the oily side. A little of both? That’s combination skin. If your skin feels happy and comfortable – no tightness, no excess oil – then your skin is normal.

Now it’s time to build a routine in-line with your skin type. There’s always going to be a core routine. You’ll always have cleansing because it’s the step that everybody needs to do. Equally, we need to exfoliate, moisturise and use SPF. So they’re your real core, real basics. That’s it. Four products. The absolute essentials for even the most stripped-back skincare routine…

Dead skin cells can cause so much havoc on the skin, so removing them will clear pores, brighten complexion and remove dry flakey patches. This will therefore help to prevent breakouts, evens skin texture and clears the path for the rest of your skincare to get to work. The result is a brighter, smoother, softer complexion.

If you're worried about your sensitive skin being irritated more, don;t worry, this is why Beth formulated Radiance Face Scrub. It’s mostly made from organic Shea Butter and the “scrubby bits” are gentle jojoba balls, so there’s less risk of irritation.

Radiance Face Scrub can be used up to four times a week and it removes dulling dead skin cells, targets dehydration and smooths fine lines.

One thing all skin specialists agree on, is sun protection, it’s the final and most important step in your skincare routine. It’s no exaggeration to say that the rest of your skincare routine is in vain if you don’t protect your skin. UV rays are the number one cause of premature ageing and pigmentation – an SPF 30+ is the best form of protection against sun damage, so make sure you apply an ample amount as the last step of your morning skincare routine. 

Retinoids

Feel like your skin isn’t quite as vibrant as it used to be? Retinoids have the ability to jumpstart our skin’s cell turnover, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines in the process. Skin appears firmer and smoother and behaves more like its younger self.

Retinoids are often only mentioned in the context of fine lines and wrinkles, but they were originally used to treat acne. Not only do they speed up cell turnover so that pores don’t become congested, but they also help balance excess sebum so there’s less oil present in the skin.

There are lots of different derivatives that sit within the retinoid family, including retinal, retinol and retinyl esters. Retinal is a real superhero, delivering transformative results with a low chance of irritation (that means no more flaking like a croissant). But remember to take it easy and start slowly and ALWAYS wear SPF everyday. 

Niacinamide

How often do you wake up to find an unwelcome friend has set up camp on your complexion? If you feel like your skin is plotting against you, then you can rely on niacinamide to foil those nefarious plans. An ingredient that goes the extra mile, niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3) helps to reduce excess oil so blemishes become a rarer occurrence, and also improves your skin’s overall tone and texture.

Vitamin C

So much more than a glass of Tropicana, vitamin C is the first port of call for skin that’s feeling lacklustre. A potent antioxidant, vitamin C does a brilliant job of shielding skin from free radicals – molecules that come from things like sunlight, pollution and stress, and have the potential to damage our skin cells and speed up the ageing process. With consistent use, vitamin C also brightens, evens and restores radiance to dull-looking skin. The ultimate boost, think of it as a juice cleanse for your complexion.

Now that we’ve nailed the non-negotiables and targeted treatments, here’s how everything comes together in your AM and PM skincare routines…

Cleanse

Your pillow isn’t the best makeup remover – cleanse twice in the evening to ensure there’s no makeup or SPF lingering on your skin before you head to bed. You can do this with a cleansing oil or balm first, followed by Refreshing Face Wash. 

Exfoliate (3–4 times a week)

The quickest way to see results in your skin is to exfoliate using Radiance Face Scrub. This will help to resurface, decongest and whisk away dead skin cells to leave you with glowing, balanced skin.

Face Mist

Set your skin up for the day with a skin-plumping face mist, Hydrating Face Mist is packed with soothing Aloe Vera, Rose and Chamomile plus everyone’s favourite Hyaluronic Acid. 

Hydration Mask (3–4 times a week)

One of the most transformative steps in your routine, using Recovery Face Mask, a targeted cream mask will help you achieve your happy hydrated skin goals. 

Balm or Oil

Lock in all the goodness from the rest of your night-time routine with a nourishing, skin-boosting nightly skin treatment. Beth recommends using Nourish Overnight Mask every evening if you struggle with super dry, irritated or sensitive skin and Restorative Face Oil every evening for normal, oily, acne prone or dehydrated skin.