Choosing the right products for your skin and building a skincare routine can be daunting. There is an overload of information available to us. From social media to beauty publications and stores with an endless array of choices.
As co-founder of local skincare brand lelive, Nash Mariah knows a thing or two about building a skincare routine from the ground up. It all starts with the skin of course!
‘Once you know what kind of skin you have, whether it be dry, prone to break-out or other, you’ll have a better idea of what skin concerns you’d like to address,’ explains Nash. ‘From there you’ll need to research products best suited to these concerns and decide on a ballpark budget for skincare.’ Whether you are only starting your skincare journey, or feel you need to go back to the basics, here’s what Nash Mariah suggests.
Skin Type 101
Knowing your skin type is essential to ensure you use the right skincare products. ‘There are five types of healthy skin: normal, dry, oily, combination (both oily and dry skin) and sensitive,” says Nash. Your skin type is generally determined by genetics, however it will also be affected by other factors. Not only can the seasons and environment have an impact on your skin, and therefore building a skincare routine, but your skin can change over time with ageing.
As South Africans we celebrate the uniqueness of our diverse cultural roots, and this also rings true for the multitude of skin types and concerns. ‘lt’s our mission at lelive to make skincare that is clean, simple, effective and affordable while celebrating what makes us unique,’ notes Nash. It’s a good mantra to have in building your own unique skincare routine too. Don’t work against your skin, get to know it well so you can nourish it with what it needs.
Less can be more
Thanks to the many skincare ranges available these days, finding a skincare range that fits your budget is an easy task. ‘Expensive skincare products doesn’t necessarily mean they are more effective,’ warns Nash Mariah. ‘At lelive we use the best quality natural ingredients and yet our range is affordable.’
Oftentimes your skin doesn’t need a plethora of products either. Simple can better. Begin building a skincare routine with a cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen. These are your skincare foundations and should be paid the most attention. Many products have more than one function, so having the basics doesn’t mean you are excluding any essential steps. Cleansers can double-up to not only remove excess oil and make-up, but also rids the skin of dead skin cells.
Every person is unique
Many people can be a certain skin type but also have a skin concern unique to them. Acne, enlarged pores, pigmentation and sun damage are a few of the skin concerns that could impact building a skincare routine. Once you have your basic skincare products, you can build onto it by adding a product that targets your specific skin concern.
‘A great way to compliment your routine is to add a serum that is packed with high concentrate ingredients’, advises Nash. Serums are lightweight due the small molecular structure, making it easy for your skin to absorb. They can be used daily or less frequently depending on your skins needs and are easy to layer within your skincare routine.
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