This routine takes things right back to the skincare basics. For many of you, it may be slightly too obvious, a bit “common sense-y” and for that I’m sorry, but I just felt that I wanted to get some simple skincare steps recorded on video. The importance of proper cleansing, mainly, I suppose, but then a little note about serums and treatments and where they fit in to a daily beauty routine. Because I do feel that a lot of weight is afforded to moisturisers – always be sure to use a good moisturiser! – but that many moisturisers are quite limited in performance in comparison to serums and things like BHA treatments and overnight peels. I get much more out of my Liquid Gold or Advanced Night Repair II than I do from only using a run-of-the-mill moisturiser; the treatment serums seem to really get to work and change the appearance of my skin, whereas the moisturisers mostly just seem to sit there and read the papers. OK, I exaggerate – there are some brilliant, brilliant moisturisers out there, and they are an entirely necessary part of the routine – but I suppose that I want to stress the importance of a good treatment or serum. The textures are usually finer so that they can get to work more easily on the skin and they normally have quite concentrated ingredients. Take Liquid Gold, for example, for intense exfoliation and rejuvenation or Hydraluron for a massive shot of unadulterated moisture. You wouldn’t get quite the same effects with most face creams – they serve a different purpose. They do a great job of keeping the skin plump and juicy and soft, but as a rule, it’s the serum beneath that’ll be delivering the skincare goods.

I’ll repeat as a rule, because I know that you’ll come up with about three zillion examples where this isn’t true: again, I’m by no means saying that moisturisers are useless – you’ll see when you watch the video that they form an entire THIRD of my beauty routine! – I’m just trying to advocate serums and treatments as brilliant things. When it comes to addressing specific needs they are simply irreplaceable; BHAs or salicylic acid for helping with spots, glycolic or AHAs for keeping skin looking rejuvenated and fresh, treatments for dark spots, serums for hydration, potions for redness and sensitivity and tightness… There are moisturisers that contain these ingredients – many now are incredibly hi-tech – I just can’t see the harm in giving the skin a pre-moisturiser treat. Something that will do the business on whatever it is that you want to fix. And if there’s nothing that needs fixing then good for you! Though I still think that you can invest in your skin’s future and use a serum that will give a little extra protection during the day – something antioxidant and clever like the CE Ferulic serum from Skinceuticals (pricey but excellent) or the Skinesis Age Repair Serum from Sarah Chapman. None of this is gospel, obviously, this is just what I do. And yes, serums do tend to be pricier, but I’ve given a few affordable suggestions that I’ve tested over the past year – you can find a list of ideas at the bottom of this post.

A word on toners, because there were lots of comments on them underneath the Youtube video after I said that I didn’t count them as a step: I am in no way saying that I don’t agree with toners. I use a toner now and then, I just don’t see it as an absolutely crucial part of my routine. If I was a cotton-wool-and-lotion type of girl then I would no doubt follow up with a toner, but I do a thorough cleanse with a balm or cream cleanser and this, on its own, usually works well for me. My skin feels ultra-clean and balanced. The reason I don’t push toner as an essential part of my routine is that lots of people I know reach for the most alcoholic, skin-stripping toner they can find (my personal teenage favourite used to be a bright pink concoction from Clinique that made my eyes water) and then use this as a secondary cleanse. Not ideal. If you have a good one and you love it, go ahead – I quite like Lancome’s one here, and I don’t mind the occasional sweep of the Clarins exfoliating or my MD Formulations Anti-Oxidant spray, but I don’t go into panic-mode if I can’t find one in the cesspit of my beauty room.

Whoo – I feel as though I’ve over-explained the entire video – bet you don’t even want to watch it now! If you haven’t lost the will to live then have a look – you need to scroll right down the page, or, if you’re on email then please click here. I’ve detailed a few product suggestions below that I hope some might find useful, also some links to previous reviews. Comments below, if you feel the urge!

NOTES FROM VIDEO: BRACE YOURSELVES:

Cleansing.
I do a proper, full cleanse (as shown here in the video) at night. In the morning it’s usually a quick wash with a cleansing wash or I use cleansing waters. Mostly I’ll use cleanser and water though! It’s really important to do a thorough cleanse – if you need to do it twice to get off all the crap then so be it!

All of the below cleansers can be used over the eyes too, but if you have lots of eye makeup on and need a separate, dedicated eye makeup remover then please do go ahead. Some favourites:
Lancome Bi-Facil: http://tidd.ly/41515f09
Melvita: http://tidd.ly/93c5c90b

Cleansing Balms:
Clinique: https://www.ruthcrilly.co.uk/2013/…
Emma Hardie: https://www.ruthcrilly.co.uk/deser…
Merumaya: https://www.ruthcrilly.co.uk/2013/…
Champneys: http://tidd.ly/d4012c38
(These suit all skin types.)

Creamy Cleansers:
Akin: https://www.ruthcrilly.co.uk/2013/…
Una Brennan: https://www.ruthcrilly.co.uk/2012/…
Neal’s Yard: http://tidd.ly/fcba263a
Alpha-H Balancing: https://www.ruthcrilly.co.uk/2012/…

I still use the Clarisonic but mostly as part of a home facial or occasional deep cleanse. It’s too much for me to use every day. But if you get on well with it, use as much as you like.

Exfoliating.
I haven’t included exfoliants in this video because I don’t use scrubs, really, which is what most people think of when you say “exfoliation”. I prefer regular chemical exfoliation – I use Liquid Gold every two or three nights, but not so much in the summer as it does make the skin a little more sensitive to the sun.
Liquid Gold Post: https://www.ruthcrilly.co.uk/2012/…

Those with acne/oily skin may want to use some kind of exfoliant on a regular basis to keep pores clear and refined. BHAs/salicylic acid are great for exactly this. You’d more often than not use your exfoliating treatment or serum in the SERUM/TREATMENT step before moisturiser. Not always, but mostly. Paula’s Choice do great BHA products with different strengths.

Lots of the serums I use contain mild exfoliants – the Liquid Gold Rejuvenating, for example, and the new Chanel Weekend product. Anything with glycolic and lactic acids and other AHAs in will be exfoliating as they work. Great for pepping up the skin and making it fresh and clear. See below – serums!

Serum/Treatments.
Some affordable ones:
For added moisture boost (dry, dehydrated skin): Hydraluron: http://tidd.ly/bb130a9f
With glycolic for renewed skin: Olay 3 Point serum http://tidd.ly/11898d92
For dark spots and brighter skin, No7 serums day and night at Boots: http://tidd.ly/8f9953a3
My current one: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair II (the NEW one!): https://www.ruthcrilly.co.uk/2013/…
Old fave: Alpha-H: https://www.ruthcrilly.co.uk/2012/…

Moisturisers.
Basic, good moisturisers.
Clinique: http://tidd.ly/32c33af
Alpha-H Essential Moisturiser:https://www.ruthcrilly.co.uk/2012/…
No7 Range: http://tidd.ly/8f9953a3
Olay Range: http://tidd.ly/11898d92

For day, you need an SPF – see this recent video:https://www.ruthcrilly.co.uk/2013/…

Eye Creams
I have used StriVectin SD for years:https://www.ruthcrilly.co.uk/deser…
Also love KIKO 3D Eye Cream, cheap and cheerful:http://goo.gl/MoZzK

Do remember SPF – read THIS!