When I was younger, the importance of cleansing, toning and moisturising was an alien concept. We didn’t have the internet to feed us the current news and had to rely on what our parents aunts, friends and enemies did. And nobody went to a salon. What!!
I was much older than I wish I was, when I began to look after my skin. I’d say I was well over the age of 40, when I realised my skin wasn’t made of leather, and would definitely show the march of time sooner rather than later.
So – just how important is it to cleanse, tone and moisturise?
Well, just like leather, our skin actually does need some TLC if we want to help get the best out of it as we age. I can’t promise you skin like the 30 something Duchess of Cambridge when you’re 70 years old, but not resembling a completely shrivelled and dried up prune by the time we’re 50 or 60 is a good target to aim for. However old we are when we begin to look after our skin, we can only help hydrate and soothe, and the earlier we start, the better chance we have of helping our skin to stay in the best condition it can be, for as long as possible.
Let’s take each step..
Double Cleanse
Once in the morning and once in the evening.
It’s even simpler than it sounds. Not removing the daily make-up and grime, means we’re sleeping with much on our faces, and if we simply top that up the next morning with another dose of make-up, well you can see where that could end up. To help maintain a clear complexion and try to avoid spots and acne, cleansing is very important, especially at night.
If we don’t remove the muck while we’re getting older, it will dry out our skin and quite possibly clog our pores. Who wants blocked pores as an adult? Not me. I’d do as much as I can to try and avoid it. As an adult, try to avoid waterproof mascara as you need to rub harder to remove it, and can damage your eyelashes. Keep the waterproof kind for rainy days, weddings and christenings.
Which one? Use one that agrees with your skin. An extra soothing variety will suit all skin types, but you can also buy ones that are specific to skin conditions, ie for dry, oily, or combination skins. Lotions made with natural ingredients are kinder to the skin, which is why we use Eve Taylor Aromatherapy products.
I use a little cleanser, and add a touch of lukewarm water to help activate the cleanser on my face. It helps to break down make-up, and although we don’t need to rub hard, using gently circling motions with our fingers can dislodge caked on grime.
Tone
After removing the cleanser, toning the skin is the next step. Ensure you have fully removed the cleanser from your face, by using a facecloth, or dampened cotton pads. Don’t scrub at this stage, as it’s all been about removing dirt and make-up so far. Choose a gentle toner, and you might be surprised to find ever more dirt comes off if you use a cotton pad to apply your toner. Some people like to close their eyes and spritz it on like a mist, but I find too much product is wasted that way. Toner calms the skin and helps prepare it by lowering the skin pH level.
Moisturiser
This step is all about the hydration. After cleansing and toning, replenishing the moisture in our skin is essential. Do remember your lips, as we often tend to forget those. Use a light gel for the eye zone, and choose a moisturiser that nourishes your skin. Pure essential oils in a moisturiser are always a good choice, and the formulations hep to improve the elasticity of skin, as well as helping reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Protect
This is a no brainer. Sun Protection Factor 50, all day long. At a minimum SPF 25-30, all year-long….. If there is one thing that will help the appearance of lines and wrinkles, it’s to keep our skin protected and away from the harmful rays of the sun, for as long as possible. Apply in the morning, or mix with your foundation before you go out. Not only with your foundation go further, your skin will be well protected. Reapply as necessary during the day.
Go Pro
Go to the professionals.