We've all seen them on Instagram or TikTok - those complex 12-step skincare routines that sometimes cause more stress than peace for our skin. But let's be clear right away: fortunately, it doesn't have to be that complicated!
In fact, overly intensive treatments can even worsen your skin's 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 as much work itself as possible. At Food for Skin, we are not fans of products that completely take over your skin's natural functions. Overly harsh peels, exfoliants, and strong cleansers may seem to clean your skin nicely, but they also disrupt your microbiome. Because with harsh peels, besides dirt, you also remove all the good bacteria your skin needs to keep its barrier strong. You are essentially making your skin addicted to these harsh products, as one product will make sure your skin cannot do without another.
For example: a harsh peel that removes a layer from your face also removes a large part of the skin's natural protection. This might feel fresh, but your skin panics and becomes dry or red, for example. To compensate, it is then necessary to calm the skin 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 to work itself, so actually the opposite!
Skincare step-by-step plan
An effective skincare routine can fortunately 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 products that suit your skin condition and needs. So let's dive into a simplified, yet good facial care routine for strong and radiant skin.
Skincare order
There's a lot of talk about the order of facial care. What should come first? Follow these three steps for an effective routine:
1. Cleanse
In your facial care steps, it all starts with a clean slate. Cleansing is the foundation of every routine. But here, gentleness is key. Choose a cleanser that is thorough yet mild—one that removes dirt and impurities without stripping your skin's natural oils. Think of gentle cleansing oils or milky cleansers without harsh ingredients. Most foaming cleansers clean too much (SLS, SLeS). We are not proponents of that! If you're looking for a nice oil cleanser, use Food for Skin's Carrot Cleanser.
2. Nourish
The next step in your facial care routine is nourishment. Now that your skin is clean, it's time to add nourishing ingredients. Choose skincare routine products that match your skin condition and needs. Maintaining hydration is crucial (moisture cannot be brought into the skin as some brands would have you believe!), so look for products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or natural oils such as jojoba or argan. These nourishing elements help keep your skin supple, hydrated, and resilient.
Food for Skin uses only natural oils for its serums, and all serums are aimed at suppleness, moisture retention, and resilience. The intensity of our serums increases as you age. We recommend the Cucumber Serum for younger skin, the Pumpkin Serum for skin where fine lines are appearing, and the Avocado Serum for skin that has been around for a while and seeks optimal suppleness.
3. Protect
Protection is the last step, but certainly not the least. As we wrote earlier: our world is not optimal for the skin, because we have to deal with exhaust fumes, acid rain, harsh winds, and with high sun strength: UV radiation.
Therefore, protect your skin against free radicals that damage or can age your skin, with antioxidants. Every Food for Skin product contains antioxidants, but the Tomato Base Cream is the gem. It beautifully protects the skin 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 with emphasis: the cream contains no SPF (no factor)!
When the sun's strength is moderate to high, the sun is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to skin damage, 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 nourishing and without fragrances, potentially hormone-disrupting substances, microplastics, nanoparticles, and with a mineral Zinc UV filter.
Do you feel like your skin is dull and you have a lot of accumulated dead skin cells? Then you can add a mild peeling twice a week. Read more about what a peeling does for your face here. Does the skin around your eyes need that little bit extra? Read here whether an eye cream is really necessary.
Daily facial care steps
So, you don't need much daily! The secret to healthy skin lies in supporting its natural functions, and strengthening the skin barrier is crucial. Over-treatment with aggressive products can disrupt your skin's natural barrier. Striving for mildness means giving your skin the chance to breathe and repair itself.
Look for products with ingredients containing antioxidants like vitamin C. This helps protect against harmful external influences and maintains your skin's moisture balance.
Must-haves in skincare routine
For us, quality over quantity is a guiding principle when it comes to skincare. So, 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 for the planet are a win-win. Check the ingredients of your cosmetics and avoid harsh chemicals such as parabens, sulfates, and artificial fragrances.
A simple but carefully composed routine can work wonders for your skin. It's all about cherishing and respecting your skin, supporting its natural processes, and ensuring its long-term health. And don't forget, consistency is key. Give your skin the love and attention it deserves, and you will see results in radiant, strong skin!
