AD | I’m going to let you in to a secret. I’m almost 30 and still haven’t *really* established a proper skincare routine. Perhaps I should have added that to my 17 things I want to do before I’m 30 list. Despite being the first person to rave about how it’s an important part of your self care routine, I slack something rotten with my skincare sometimes. And now I’m approaching 30, it’s kinda hit me that I need to you know, not do that. So I want to chat about how to create a skincare routine that works for you – especially if you’re approaching 30, like me.
It’s no ancient secret that our skin changes as we get older. Due to the natural process of aging and due to environmental factors such as the sun, smoking and lifestyle habits. It’s not something we can avoid (unless we opt for things like botox which if that’s your jam, good for you) but with our skin being our biggest organ and such a vital one at that, we definitely do need to give it a bit more TLC than we probably are.
Before I go on about how to create a skincare routine that works for you, I just want to mention that aging is beautiful. And the natural process of aging and what it does to our skin and bodies isn’t something to be ashamed or embarrassed about. However, if you’re struggling with acne, it’s worth consulting with an acne dermatologist who can provide specialized treatment options to help you achieve clearer skin. We should embrace all the seasons of life, which, as I approach my 30s, I’m 100% planning to do. Beauty is skin deep (mind the pun) and age has no place in beauty.
Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
As I’ve mentioned like 4 times already, I’m approaching my 30s (did you know I’m approaching my 30s?) and looking after not just my skin but my body as a whole is something that’s become much more of a priority to me. Gone are the days of my late teens where I’d be going out drinking 6 nights a week. Gone are the days where my anxiety was so bad I couldn’t even exercise. Long gone are the days of 4 takeaways a week. Can you begin to even comprehend the impact that all of that has had on my skin already?
So this post is for all my 20 something folks who, like me, have taken THIS DAMN LONG to establish even a slither of a skincare routine. For those that have realised that time for neglect is OVER. And those that want to give their skin the love and care it deserves for all it’s done for us since the moment we were born. Cheers to skin.
How to create a skincare routine that works for you:
Don’t use products just because everyone else is using them
I think in the blogging / influencer industry in particular this one is very apt because people are promoting products and raving about new releases left, right and center. And when a few of your favourite creators are talking about a product and claiming how good it is, it can be VERY hard to resist trying it out for yourself, even if you don’t need to.
Don’t be scared to experiment
I think experimenting in your 20s is really important in order to find what works for you. And although our skin changes as we age and we might have to switch up our routine as we go along, it just gets you into the habit of trying new things and being open to trying new products that might be more beneficial for your skin.
Branch out
Our skincare routine doesn’t just stop at products such as moisturizer or serums. There are so many incredible tools out there to aid you in your skincare routine to really help you get the best results and take amazing care of your skin. In Summer 2019, I reviewed the PMD Smart Cleansing Device and still to this day, it’s an integral part of my daily skincare routine.
So as I already loved PMD, I was so excited to try out their PMD Personal Microderm Classic device as well. This device comes in 7 different colours and combines Patented Spinning Disc technology with Perfectly Calibrated Vacuum Suction. A once a week use will help your skin look and feel firmer and more radiant and will reduce the appearance of wrinkles and enlarged pores (and I am the Queen of enlarged pores!)
The PMD Personal Microderm Classic comes with an adapter, a range of disks that allows you to up the intensity and face and body caps, to used on the desired area of your skin. I’ve only personally experimented with my face so far, as that’s the area I want to improve. All you need to do is plug the device into the adapter, into a plug socket and off you go. No charging or faff involved.
I started using this device around the beginning of August and as with the Smart Cleansing Device, it quickly became an integral part of my skincare routine. Although I will admit, I was using it more than I should have for the first few weeks, until I was told off by PMD and told only to use it once a week – whoops!
However, that just shows that one weekly treatment from the PMD Personal Microderm Classic can do the trick and give you great results. Not all skincare has to be hard and time consuming and if you’re looking to know how to create a skincare routine but you don’t want to be spending hours in the bathroom applying thousands of different products but still want to see results, then this would be perfect.
As I mentioned, my pores are quite large and something I wanted to use the device to target. Immediately after each use, your face feels incredibly soft. Mine goes a little red from the suction but that’s okay. And with a light layer of gentle moisturizer afterwards, it’s right back to normal.
And with a once weekly use from the beginning of August until now, my face looks more radiant and my complexion is better than ever! I still get breakouts (this is something that I get a lot anyway, due to the pill I’m on) but in general, my face looks brighter and I’ve even stopped wearing foundation on most occasions because I just don’t need to! Amazing, huh?
Remember that imperfections are normal
Now although I’ve just said about how I wanted to reduce the appearance of large pores, I want to add this point anyway because it’s so important to remember. When we’re thinking about how to create a skincare routine that works for us, we’re often focused on getting those products to REMOVE or REDUCE imperfections. And whilst there’s a lot of great products out there that DO do that, it’s also worth remembering to embrace what you have.
Because imperfections are beautiful and normal. A little redness on your cheeks, wrinkles around your eyes from laughing, scars and marks are all part of what makes you, you. So I like to see a skincare routine as part of self care. And to me, self care means embracing who I am. Blemishes and all!
Understand what type of skin you have when it comes to creating a skincare routine
And finally, something pretty obvious but also something that took me FAR TOO LONG TO LEARN! And that’s using products for your skin type. Not products that you like the smell of. Or like the packing it comes in. Not products you’re using just because your favourite influencer has used them. Because it’s going to do more damage than good. So evaluate your skin and really dig deep into the type of skin you have.
Related read: What Skin Type Am I?
