Everything You Need To Know: Become An Expert On Your Skincare Routine

Navigating the world of skincare can be a bit like finding your way through a maze. It's not as simple as replicating your favorite influencer's routine or following the first Google search result. With an overwhelming array of products, conflicting advice on routine order and product types, and the need to consider your unique skin type and concerns, it's easy to feel lost, especially if you're new to the world of skincare.

But fear not! We've got your back. Our amazing cosmetic physicians can shed light on some of the most common skincare questions. Our expert insights will empower you to take charge of your skincare journey and make informed choices tailored to your specific needs. So, let's dive in and uncover the secrets to achieving your best skin ever.

A cleanser, SPF, and moisturiser are the basics. There are plenty of other fabulous ingredients that have a therapeutic effect on the skin which are known as cosmeceuticals. The right advice can help enormously in determining which of these might be of benefit to you.

I’d recommend using vitamin C and SPF as part of your morning routine. These products work as an antioxidant and sun protection. Our morning products have a preventative role, whereas our evening products are more focused on repair, and this is the time to use heavier moisturisers, retinol, and facemasks.

Generally speaking, between two to three times a week is enough to reduce dullness, improve skin tone, and conditions like acne. They help to remove the layer of dead cells on the surface of our skin that can make our skin look dull and tired. Chemical exfoliants include alpha and beta hydroxy acids, like glycolic and lactic acid. They’re derived from fruits and milk and are safe to use on a regular basis. On the other hand, physical exfoliants, which contain small beads, are best used once or twice a week.

The skin ageing process is very individual, and can be influenced by many factors including skin type, genetics, lifestyle, and sun exposure. Specialised anti-ageing products and retinols are ideal to introduce between the ages of 25-30 to give your skin the protection it needs to prevent and repair microscopic skin damage – the type of damage that happens years before you actually see it. You’re never ‘too young’ to start sun protection with a high quality SPF, which should start in childhood and provide powerful anti-ageing and skin health benefits that continue on throughout all stages of life.

Retinol is essentially a derivative of vitamin A which is one of the body’s key nutrients for boosting cell turnover. It’s added to topical skincare products to promote skin renewal, brighten skin tone, reduce acne, and boost collagen production, and can also help with pigmentation.

Balance is critical here, as retinol can be very irritating if used too frequently, or started at a concentration that is too strong for your skin. My suggestion is to start with a pea-sized amount of a low percentage formula used two to three times a week, slowly increasing to nightly usage over a two-month period, depending on how your skin responds. Those with sensitive skin or who struggle with conditions like rosacea may be more prone to side effects such as mild irritation, dryness, and sun sensitivity as your skin adjusts. Medical evidence shows us that vitamin A derivatives are most important when it comes to anti-ageing. They can be notoriously tricky to start, but well worth the persistence.

A great skincare routine is simple, effective, and easy to stick to. Often we find people are doing far too much to their skin. The key is to simplify and aim for consistency.

The right skincare routine starts with knowing your skin type and goals. At The Skin Lab, we analyse our clients’ skin using the Observ 520 to evaluate all aspects of skin conditions, including fine lines, pigmentation, surface texture, pores, inflammatory processes, dehydration, oiliness, and the presence of bacteria and fungi. Once an appropriate skin analysis has occurred, we can assess what needs to be optimised in your current routine.

For ingredients to absorb properly, you need clean skin that is free from oil, makeup, and grime. After cleansing, the basic principle is to begin application with thinner, more translucent products, and layer until you reach your thicker and heavier cream-based products (the proper order of product application are as follows) :

1. Cleanser
2. Eye Cream (this is so you don't get other products on your eyelids, which are more sensitive)
3. Serum
4. Spot Treatments
5. Moisturiser
6. Sunscreen (AM) and Retinol (PM)

The mainstays of good skincare for those in this age bracket is clean and protect: making sure the makeup comes off at the end of the night before going to bed and ensuring sun protection happens daily. I cannot emphasise enough the power of SPF as the best long-term preventor of ageing and pigmentation. The dose of radiation we get from the sun eventually damages our skin, accumulating, until eventually we do irreparable damage to the DNA of our skin cells, making us prone to skin cancer and photoageing.

HydraFacial, Cosmeceutical Facials, LED Light Therapy, Skin Needling, and Laser Genesis are ideal treatments, and as we approach 30, the (sparing) use of Anti-Wrinkle Injectables can act as a preventative against fine lines and wrinkles. Dermal Fillers can be used to naturally enhance features such as the lips and cheeks.

As we approach our 40s, little fine lines, wrinkles, and discolouration of the skin start to appear, along with some loss of volume in facial features. From a skincare perspective, retinols should be well and truly in play. Vitamin B can also be helpful for redness and inflammation.

Skin health trumps all, so we usually advise commencing regular skin checks after the age of thirty. This should be done annually. From an aesthetic perspective, HydraFacial, Cosmeceutical Facials, Laser for Redness and/or Pigment, PICO FX Laser, and injectable treatments such as Anti-Wrinkle Injections or Dermal Filler are also popular choices.

This is the age bracket where our skin usually starts to show the signs of ageing such as volume loss, and loss of elasticity. We often see pigmentary changes, redness, deeper lines, and wrinkles. Some of us may experience the start of jowls and/or a double chin. Additionally, our skin and hair becomes dryer.

In addition to cleansing and using SPF, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E, and the use of hydroxy acids, our skin will start to become thirstier for richer moisturisers in the form of creams. Peptides and hyaluronic acid are excellent moisturising ingredients, and don’t forget – it’s just as important to repair the skin on your neck and decolletage as it is your face.

Facials such as a HydraFacial, Laser for Pigment or Vessels on the face, rejuvenating laser treatments such as CO2 Resurfacing or PICO FX Laser, Thread Lifts, Anti-Wrinkle Injections and Dermal Filler, Coolsculpting for double chins, and Micro-Needling are just some of the treatments ideal for tackling ageing skin concerns in this age bracket.

We hope our advice will help guide you on your skincare journey. If you still have questions, book in for a free consultation with one of our other expert physicians and we can help put you on the right path to your skincare goals, or leave a comment below!