Serums, toners, cleansers, moisturisers, oils, scrubs...We’re often being told what to put on our skin, but how? A good skincare routine gives your face the care and attention it needs, but if you don’t apply your products in the correct order - or pair the wrong ones together - you could end up with an irritated complexion or render your products straight up ineffective. We’re here to help…
Step 1: The Crucial Companion
Cleansing properly is a complete game changer and it is also the first step in a skincare routine. If your skin isn’t clean, then it doesn’t matter how nice your products are, they won’t penetrate properly and will clog your pores. Regular cleansing, morning and evening, is essential to keep your skin clean by removing make-up, impurities, dead skin cells, and excess oil. Think of it as a clean slate for your skincare products. Our two cleansers also soothe, hydrate and are full of antioxidants.
For the best results: Massage onto the face, neck, and décolleté using deep, upward circular motions, making sure you get behind the ears too. Remove with a cotton pad, muslin cloth, or warm water.
Tip: Cleansers are a great way to clean your make-up brushes! Your brushes accumulate bacteria and you should clean them regularly to avoid rubbing anything dirty onto your lovely, cleansed face.
Step 2: Toning in Tandem
After cleansing, your skin should be feeling squeaky clean. Toner works in tandem with your cleanser and is designed to remove any dirt left behind after the first step. It also removes the calk (calcium and minerals) that is found in tap water when we wash our face and it balances the pH of your skin.
For the best results: Apply to the face, neck and décolleté with a cotton pad after cleansing. Pitter-patter all over your face with your fingertips to boost circulation and give your skin a good glow.
Fact: Our skin is naturally acidic! It has a pH level of about 4.5 - 5.5. Once your pH level goes above 6.5, the acid mantle (your skin’s first line of defense) gets compromised and your skin becomes vulnerable to bacteria and infections. Toners restore the pH balance after cleansing, so your skin is better protected.
Step 3: The Unmissable Step
Serums can be a bit of a mystery. What do they actually do? Essentially, face serums are super concentrated, lightweight moisturisers with small molecules that penetrate deep into the skin, delivering key active ingredients. They’re vital to defy ageing.
Our magical Hibiscus Serum has a unique combination of age-defying peptides including Hibiscus Seed, Green Pea Polypeptide, and Tetrapeptide. Multi molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid (which sounds scary but is a natural substance) delivers superior hydration, while a synergistic Ceramide Complex helps nourish the skin’s natural moisture barrier to plump and smooth from within.
For the best results: After toning, massage 1-2 pumps onto the face, neck and décolleté using circular motions.
Tip: Since Hyaluronic Acid is a real hydration hero, we also have a range of Hyaluronic Acid Vials. Add a few drops of a vial to the serum for an added hydration boost! Or, add a second serum step by using a vial.
Step 4: Go Back in Time
Our eyes can be a bit of a giveaway...So, at what age should one start using eye cream? The answer is the earlier the better. The skin under your eyes is super sensitive, and the chances of wrinkles, dark circles, and fine lines are very high. Eye cream helps to prevent and reduce the signs of ageing.
Our Almond Eye Cream is formulated with Provitamins B3 and B5, Olive Oil Fractions and Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate, brighten and help reduce the appearance of fine lines. Boosted by Vitamins E and C, as well as Sweet Almond Oil, this product helps to refresh the delicate eye area.
For the best results: After serum, apply with gentle taps around the eye area using your ring finger- you want to apply very light pressure to avoid causing wrinkles. Don’t forget the eyelids, which are important for keeping the whole area hydrated.
Tip: Try storing your eye cream in the fridge! Eye cream is even more effective when it’s cold. The extra shot of coolness will soothe tired eyes and help with any puffiness.
Step 5: Lock it Down
Moisturising is key to any skincare routine. Who wants dull, dry skin prone to wrinkles? We didn’t think so. At Irene Forte Skincare, we know how important it's to moisturise, so we have a variety of moisturisers for different skin types. Be it mature, sensitive, dry and dehydrated or oily, we have something to suit your needs. Our Hibiscus Night Cream is especially good for dry skin in the evenings.
For the best results: Apply to the face, neck and décolleté after serum and eye cream.
Tip: You can switch out any of our moisturisers (including the night cream) for one of our face oils. Similarly to a face cream, an oil acts as a barrier on the skin, locking in moisture. The great thing about an oil is that you can use it together with some circulation-boosting at-home face massage techniques, which will leave you with plump and glowing skin.
And you’re done!
