Disclaimer: I am not a skincare professional nor do I profess to know anything or everything about skincare. I am just sharing what has worked for me. So don’t take my words as gospel, and please do your research and if necessary, consult a professional dermatologist for any skincare concerns you may have.
2019 has officially been my best year in skincare. We’re not even halfway through so those are big words but seriously, the ageing process cannot catch me sleeping! Things have finally fallen into place and the stars have aligned for my skincare. I mean yes, I do have to change things up as the seasons are changing (Click HERE for my AM Summer Skincare Routine and CLICK HERE for my PM Summer Skincare Routine) and I can’t forget that regular hormonal outbreak on a monthly basis (you know when the friend is in town, side eye!). But even with all that, my skin has never been better. And it’s all down to six things I am calling my Skincare Game Changers. So without further ado, let’s dive in:
INGREDIENTS – Paying attention to the ingredients in my products has been an absolute game changer for me. If you’ve been following my beauty regimens then you know I have oily/blemish prone skin so it’s really important that I use products that are designed to deal with that skin type. I’m no expert but ingredients that I look out for as an oily skin girl include niacinamide (helps brighten skin), vitamin C (also great for brightening dull skin), aloe vera (which helps to calms skin), glycerin (which is a humectant so great for attracting moisture to the skin) and of course, the ACIDS.
THE ACIDS – this should even have been Numero Uno on the list. What was my skin before I discovered acids? What was I even doing? This is how you know I’m a newcomer to the skincare game. But never fear, at least I’m here now. I read a beauty blogger’s review of the acids some years back and was hella freaked out, parked the notion for a couple of years and then last year in the midst of all the changes I was going through, decided to give acids a whirl because…well why not? The first time I tried Lactic Acid on my face, I nearly cried in the morning when I felt how smooth my skin was. A baby’s butt has nothing on my face after my nightly skincare regimen, take that you cute fiends! My acids arsenal includes The Ordinary’s Lactic Acid 10%, Botanical Lab Pumpkin & Papaya Enzyme Daily Exfoliator, The Ordinary Glycolic Toning Solution, Lixirskin Night Switch BHA/AHA 10% and of course the grown and sexy Biologique Recherche P50V. This stuff is potent so be careful when using these products and MAKE SURE YOU WEAR SUNSCREEN THE MORNING AFTER! Here’s a guide to how to use exfoliating acids and another article that provides a glossary for the different acids and how they function.
APPLYING PRODUCTS IN THE CORRECT ORDER – THIS! I will be honest, I was just layering in ignorance before and following someone else’s routine and hoping for the best. When I finally established the correct order for me, things changed big time. So starting on freshly cleansed skin, I apply my toner, after which I apply serum, then moisturiser and finally eye cream. Basically I start with the lightest, most watery products and end with the heaviest products. Any other way doesn’t allow the products do all the work they should e.g. there’s no point putting a toner on after a heavy moisturiser cream – it won’t penetrate!
SUNSCREEN – Guys! Seriously! I think anyone in this day and age who can confidently say black people don’t need sunscreen should be slapped multiple times. Just keep slapping them until sense enters their head. Sunscreen prevents your skin from premature ageing and also protects against skin cancer. We all need it. Black, white, Asian, blasian, we ALL need it!
ACCEPTANCE – I’ve come to accept the ageing process, my skin type and situation for what it is. The fact is I’m going to be 35 this year, I’ve got oily/blemish prone skin and suffer from hyperpigmentation and acne scarring. This year, I started following beauty bloggers my age and older rather than bloggers that are 15 years younger than me trying to sell me anti-ageing products. I feel like I am finally using products that are working and are relevant to me. Also what’s up with brands using 18 year old models to sell anti-ageing creams? Like seriously??? I know I’m not the first to say this but seriously it just doesn’t make sense. What a complete exercise in futility for any 40 yr old consumer buying x brand’s anti-ageing serum trying to achieve Cara Delevigne’s skin. Reality is, you probably never had her skin even at 20 so do yourself a favour and stop perpetuating this exercise in futility. Nah son, I’m not buying the BS anymore. Ok rant over.
CONSISTENCY – I genuinely think that consistency is such an important factor in achieving your best skin for whatever stage you’re at in life. Yes there are some products that you will see overnight success with, heck some you will see half an hour later (Biologique Recherche anybody!!!). But most products will take longer to really treat your skin and deal with whatever issues you are seeking to address. Sometimes your skin will purge at first when you start using a new product. Don’t be scared, research and see if that is normal before immediately binning the product. Having said that, you also need to know when it is time to change things up in your routine e.g. when the seasons change. Springtime is here and by summer, I cannot dare to layer up my skin the way I do in the bleak midwinter. The most important thing is that I am paying the necessary attention to my skin and being consistent in my routines.
Here is how my skin – #nofilter – has been looking from the start of the year to recently (braid pics are from late January and no-braid pics are from May)
So there we have it. Those are my game changers. What are your skincare game changers? Products and/or steps? Shout in the comments below!
