Why three steps are enough to start
If you're just starting out, the shelves can feel overwhelming. Serums, toners, essences, masks, oils. I've tried and tested thousands of skincare products, and I can tell you honestly: you don't need most of them to begin.
What your skin needs every day is simple. Clean it gently, keep it comfortable and protect it from the sun. Get those three right and you have a routine that works. Everything else is a layer you can add later, once you know what your skin likes.
Step one: cleanse
Cleansing removes SPF, make-up, oil and the day's grime so the rest of your routine can do its job. You want skin that feels clean and soft afterwards, never tight or squeaky. Tightness usually means a cleanser is too harsh for you.
In the evening, massage a little onto damp skin for about thirty seconds, rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry. In the morning, a quick, gentle cleanse is plenty. AlumierMD Gentle Foaming Cleanser is a lovely first cleanser for most skin types, including sensitive skin, because it removes SPF without stripping. ZO Gentle Cleanser is another good choice that leaves skin soft rather than tight.
Tanisha's tipUse lukewarm water, not hot. Hot water can leave skin feeling dry and tight, even with the gentlest cleanser.
Step two: moisturise
Moisturiser helps your skin hold on to water and supports its barrier, the outer layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out. Every skin type needs it, oily skin included. Oily skin simply tends to prefer a lighter texture.
If your skin is normal to oily, AlumierMD HydraLight gives light hydration without a greasy feel. If your skin is dry or feels tight by lunchtime, AlumierMD HydraDew is richer, with shea butter and hyaluronic acid. Smooth one to two pumps over your face and neck after cleansing, morning and evening.
Step three: SPF, every morning
If you only add one product to your life, make it a daily SPF. Sun exposure is one of the main reasons skin starts to look uneven, lined and tired, and it reaches you on cloudy days and through windows too.
Apply it generously as the last step of your morning routine, to your face, neck and ears. Heliocare 360° Sensation is ultralight with a matte finish and no white cast, whatever your skin tone. If your skin is dry, Heliocare 360° Water Gel feels fresh and hydrating. Reapply every two hours when you're outdoors.
Tanisha's tipThe best SPF is the one you'll actually wear. If you dislike how it feels, you'll skip it, so choose a texture you enjoy.
Common mistakes, and when to get help
The mistakes I see most often are buying too much at once, changing products every week, skipping moisturiser because skin feels oily, and reaching for strong acids or scrubs before the basics are in place.
Once your three steps feel easy, you can add one extra, such as a vitamin C serum in the morning or a gentle retinol at night. Not sure which products suit you? Book a free consultation and one of my skin experts will help you choose; it's also how you order ZO. If your skin becomes sore, very red or develops a rash that doesn't settle, stop and see your GP.
