3 Steps to Perfect Your Skincare Routine

If you’re new to skincare, it can be pretty intimidating at first. There’s a ton of noise out there on how to choose the right products, how to use them and how do it all in the right order too. So, we’re here to make it easy, by picking out the three most important ways to improve your skincare routine, with a step-by-step guide on each.

1.    Cleansing Your Face

Even if your face looks clean to the naked eye, if you’re not cleansing, it’s pretty safe to say – it’s not. There’s so much dirt, grime and bacteria floating around in the air, and it builds up on your face. If you don’t clean your face daily, it will build up and cause irritation and clogged pores.

Plus, if you're using any skincare products to improve your skin, without washing your face, you’ll just be adding the product on top of the dirt, and it will never reach the surface of your face.

There are four main steps to properly clean your face. First, wash your hands. You don’t want to be rubbing even more dirt on your face while trying to clean it. Next, give your face a rinse with warm (but not hot) water.

The third step is to use a face cleanser. Take a small amount of cleanser and rub it onto our face gently, creating a lather with the water left over from rinsing your face. If you don’t already have a cleanser you like, the best ones to look out for (CeraVe’s Hydrating Cleanser and Blemish Control Cleanser ticks all four boxes):

• Are non-comedogenic (meaning the ingredients are shown to not clog pores)
• Are fragrance-free (some fragrances can irritate your skin)
• Have ceramides, which are natural compounds that support your skin’s moisture barrier. If you think of your skin barrier as a brick wall, ceramides are the mortar that hold the bricks together, helping to keep moisture in, and keep external irritants out.
• Are developed with dermatologists!

Finally, rinse your face a second time and pat it dry with a soft, clean towel. Simple as that!

2.    Targeting blemishes

Targeting blemishes is the most effective way to keep your skin clear and radiant. Find the product that works for your skin concern. For example, if you suffer from mild-acne prone skin, dermatologists recommend using something like CeraVe’s Blemish Control Gel once a day after cleansing, to visibly reduce blemishes.

Or, if you’re dealing with uneven skin tone and dullness, try CeraVe’s Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum to help visibly brighten complexion and promote a more even skin tone. Use Vitamin C during your morning regime.

If you’re dealing with post-blemish marks, try a retinol serum that resurfaces and smooths the skin, like CeraVe’s Resurfacing Retinol Serum. If you’ve never used retinol before, start by a pea-sized amount 3-4 times a week at night, until your skin builds up a tolerance to it. After a few weeks you can start using it daily.

BTW: It’s very important to apply your preferred SPF50 sunscreen in the mornings if you are using retinol (or even if you’re not using retinol!).

3.    Moisturising

Moisturisers are one of the most important staples of skin care. They are key for hydrating the skin, and those containing ceramides are important to supporting your skin moisture barrier (remember that brick wall we spoke about earlier?). Even for those who have oily skin, moisturising is a very important step. Just make sure to pick the right products.

Moisturising your skin is most effective when it’s still slightly damp from cleansing. Apply a small amount of moisturiser on the tips of your fingers and gently rub it into your skin. Moisturisers formulated with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, like CeraVe’s AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF15, can really help support the skin’s moisture barrier while hydrating your skin throughout the day!

Don’t forget the body, too! CeraVe’s Moisturising Lotion has a lightweight texture and supports the skin moisture barrier for 24-hour hydration, and can be used on the face and body.
Once you’ve moisturised, do yourself (and your skin) a huge favour and (gently) slap on some sunscreen as well. Give the moisturiser a few minutes to soak in before applying sunscreen, then apply SPF50 in the same way you moisturised.

Building your skincare routine is as easy as these three steps. The key is to keep it simple and consistent, with accessible products that you know, with formulations that work.

Want to hear it from an expert? See what leading Australian dermatologist Dr Samantha Davidson has to say:

“Skin care doesn't need to be complicated, but it does need to be consistent. A skin care routine should aim to use gentle yet effective ingredients that cleanse, protect and repair without irritating your skin or confusing you!

Ceramides are naturally occurring fatty acids that make up our natural moisture barrier. In many skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis, ceramides are known to be decreased (this also occurs naturally with ageing and sun damage). Using ceramides in your skin care, in conjunction with power active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide will promote a healthy barrier and provide your skin the support to either repair or just maintain youthful glow.”

If you’re keen to upgrade your skincare routine, check out the range of dermatologist approved products CeraVe have on offer to help you look after your skin.