We've all seen it on Instagram or Tiktok - those complex 12-step facial care routines that sometimes cause more stress than rest for our skin. But let's be clear: fortunately it doesn't have to be that complicated!
In fact, overly intensive treatments can even put your skin in worse condition. Why? Your skin is an amazing mechanism that could keep itself in perfect balance... if the world were perfect. Unfortunately, we don't live in an ideal world and your skin still needs a little support in the form of cleansing, nourishing and protecting.
What is a good skincare routine?
Your skin is smart, respect that! Work with your skin instead of against it and let your skin do the work itself as much as possible. At Food for Skin we are not fans of products that completely take over your skin's own functions. Overly intense peels, exfoliants and strong cleansers seem to clean your skin nicely, but they also confuse your microbiome. Because with intense peels, in addition to the dirt, you also immediately take with you all the good bacteria that your skin needs to keep the skin barrier strong. You actually make your skin addicted to those intense products, because one product will ensure that your skin cannot do without another product.
An example: a vigorous peeling that removes a layer from your face also removes a large part of the skin's natural protection. That may feel nice and fresh, but your skin panics and becomes dry or red, for example. To compensate for this, it is then necessary to soothe the skin again with toners, masks and serums. And because the natural layer is gone, your skin actually becomes dependent on these products, because it is no longer able to quickly restore the skin barrier itself.
At Food for Skin, our skin philosophy is that the skin should be stimulated as much as possible to get started on its own, actually the opposite!
Skincare step-by-step plan
Fortunately, an effective facial care routine can be very simple and effective, without the need for a long list of daily facial care steps. It's all about understanding essential products and choosing the right ones to suit your skin condition and needs. So let's dive into a simplified, yet great facial care routine for strong and glowing skin.
Skincare sequence
There is a lot of talk about the order of facial care. Because what should come first? Follow these three steps for an effective routine:
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Cleaning
Getting into your facial care routine starts with a clean slate. Cleansing is the foundation of any routine . But here goes: softness is the key. Choose a cleanser that is thorough but gentle β one that removes dirt and impurities without stripping your skin's natural oils. Think of gentle cleansing oils or milky cleansers without aggressive ingredients. Most foaming cleansers clean too much (SLS, SLeS). We are not in favor of that! Are you looking for a nice oil cleanser? Then use the Carrot Cleanser from Food for Skin.
2. Feeding
The next step in your facial care plan is nourishment. Now that your skin is clean, it's time to add nourishing ingredients. Choose skincare routine products that suit your skin condition and needs. Maintaining hydration is crucial ( moisture can't be delivered into the skin as some brands would have you believe!), so look for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin or natural oils like jojoba or argan. These nourishing elements help keep your skin supple, hydrated and resilient.
Food for Skin only uses natural oils for its serums and all serums are aimed at suppleness, moisture retention and resilience. The intensity of our serums increases because your skin changes as you get older. We recommend the Cucumber Serum for younger skin, the Pumpkin Serum for skin where fine lines appear and the Avocado Serum for skin that has been around longer and that is looking for optimal suppleness.
3. Protect
Protection is the last step, but certainly not the least. As we wrote before: our world is not optimal for the skin, because we have to deal with exhaust fumes, acid rain, chilly winds and with high sunlight: UV radiation.
Therefore, protect your skin against free radicals that damage or age your skin with antioxidants. Every Food for Skin product contains antioxidants, but the Tomato Base Cream is the gem. This protects the skin very nicely against all external influences and retains moisture in the skin. The Tomato Base Cream contains a number of natural protectors against negative UV radiation from the sun, but emphatically: the cream contains no SPF (no factor)!
The sun is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to skin damage at medium or high sunlight, so make sure you always have good sun protection with you on these days. You can read here how to recognize a good, natural sunscreen. The SPF30 from Food for Skin is extra caring and without fragrances, possible hormone disruptors, microplastics, nano-particles, and with a mineral Zinc UV filter.
Do you feel like your skin is dull and that you have a lot of accumulated dead skin cells? Then you can add a mild peeling twice a week.
Daily facial care steps
So you don't need that much every day! The secret of healthy skin therefore lies in supporting its natural functions and... strengthening the skin barrier is crucial. Excessive treatment with aggressive products can disrupt your skin's natural barrier. Aiming for gentleness means giving your skin a chance to breathe and repair itself.
Look for products with antioxidant ingredients such as vitamin C. This helps protect against environmental damage and maintains your skin's moisture balance.
Must haves in skin care routine
Quality over quantity is our guiding principle when it comes to skin care. So for us the only must haves are a cleanser, a serum and a day and night cream. Look for products that are effective without unnecessary additives. Natural, ethically produced products that are good for your skin and the planet are a win-win. Check the ingredients of your cosmetics and avoid harsh chemicals such as parabens, sulphates and artificial fragrances.
A simple, but carefully designed routine can work wonders for your skin. It's all about nurturing and respecting your skin, supporting its natural processes and ensuring its long-term health. And remember, consistency is key. Give your skin the love and attention it deserves, and you will see results in radiant, strong skin!
