Confused about skincare? Start Here 🤍

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by skincare, you’re not alone...

Between trends, conflicting advice, people and products promising instant results or miraculous quick fixes, it’s no wonder so many people feel unsure about what their skin actually needs.

And honestly, the skin, skincare and makeup world has grown so much over the years that it can be very overwhelming working out where to even start.

So I have compiled a list of questions that as a beauty therapist who specialises in skin, I am asked constantly, sometimes even every week in clinic. This page is designed to be a calm, honest starting point with no pressure and no over-complication.

I will also add to this FAQ still page as new questions come up.

Melissa x

 

Q: Do I really need a skincare routine?

A: Short answer is Yes..

But it doesn’t need to be complicated!

A routine doesn’t automatically mean 15 steps or constantly buying new products.

At its core, a base routine that is correct for your skin and used consistently will help to support the health of your skin. Think of a base routine as your cleanser, moisturiser and SPF/sunscreen.

Using the right products regularly supports the skin barrier, improves tolerance and allows real change to happen over time.

And then whether you need what I refer to as your “treatment” type products will depend on your skin and the results you are chasing. These products could be skincare like lotions//tonics, serums, eye creams, face masks and so on.

For most people, an effective routine can be simple and look something like:

• Cleanse
• Treat (if needed)
• Moisturise
• Protect (SPF during the day)

More products don’t always equal better results, the right products used consistently do.

And the part about using products consistently is extremely important. All the small things you do daily to support your skin, like your morning and night skincare routine, will have the biggest impact compared to something you do occasionally.

If you would like to see examples of simple skincare routines, I have created a few skin-concern specific bundles to help guide you on what a potential routine may look like. I will like a couple below, but you can explore then under the ‘Bundles’ tab under ‘Shop’ as well:

•           Menopausal Skin Support Bundle
•           Breakout Prone Skin Support Bundle – Oily Skin
•           Breakout Prone Skin Support Bundle – Dry Skin

Think of these like a guide as no two skins are the same. But they are some common routines I recommend to clients. Plus, they suit more concerns than just the concern in the title 🤗

If you’re feeling really unsure or would like a personalised recommendation then book in for a Skin Consultation and we can chat about your skin and come up with a plan.

 

Q: What if my skin is sensitive or easily irritated?

A: This is incredibly common and often misunderstood.

Sensitive or reactive skin is frequently a sign that the skin barrier is compromised or impaired. This can happen from over exfoliating, using too many actives, frequent product changes, using the wrong products for your skin or even stress and hormonal shifts.

When skin is sensitised, the goal isn’t to “push through”, it’s to calm, support and repair.

This usually means:

•           Fewer products
•           Gentle formulations
•           Barrier supporting ingredients
•          Avoiding unnecessary actives and over exfoliating

Calming the skin first almost always leads to better long-term results than trying to treat everything at once.

Once the skin is calmer and the skins barrier is repaired and strong again, then we can start addressing other concerns.

If you would like to see some of my go-to products I reach for when helping my clients with a sensitised or barrier impaired, I will link them below:

•           Barrier Impaired / Sensitive Skin Bundle
•           SIV Biome Balancing Serum
•           Bare Roots Vital Cream
•           Bare Roots Omega Oil

And if you’re feeling really unsure or would like a personalised recommendation then book in for a Skin Consultation and we can chat about your skin and come up with a plan.

 

Q: Why does my skin react to products other people love?

A: Because skin is individual. No two skins are the same.

And this is something that trends don’t account for that.

What works beautifully for one person may be completely wrong for another, depending on things like:

•           Skin barrier health
•           Genetics
•           Hormones
•            Environment
•            Diet
•            Lifestyle
•            Health concerns
•            Medications
•            Previous skin treatments or conditions

Online reviews and viral products rarely take these factors into account. This is why personalised advice matters, and why copying someone else’s routine often leads to frustration rather than results.

Your skin and circumstances are unique to you. And whilst there can be some similarities in how we address certain skin concerns or common ingredients for certain issues and so on, we need to consider your skin individually and come up with a skincare or treatment plan that reflects what your skin needs.

This is why all my facials are customised to what a person needs on the day and one of the reasons why I require every client to start with a skin consultation.

 

Q: How long should skincare take to work?

A: Unfortunately, it’s not a straight forward answer…

This is one of the most common questions but also one of the most misunderstood.

As it will be different from person to person and be impacted by things like:

•           How their skin is presenting at the beginning
•           Their concerns or results they are chasing
•           The products and ingredients needed to help improve their skin concerns
•           If any other changes or considerations are needed around things like lifestyle, diet, environmental factors, seeing a naturopath, any testing needed etc.
•           How often products are used and if used correctly
•        Commitment to skincare, in clinic treatments and any other beneficial things like supplements, etc

As a general rule though, starting a new skincare routine can see a skin go through a purge and/or transition phase, which is quite common. This is why I recommend to start slow, get your base routine correct and let your skin transition to a new skincare routine, before bringing in too many actives and exfoliants.

And you’ll be surprised at what we can do with a cleanser, moisturiser and SPF!

Then when your skin is ready, we can add more specific products like serums and so on.

But you also have to allow ingredients time to work. Some work on more of a superficial level (think exfoliants, which you will see some change instantly but it’s not permanent) and some on more of a cellular level (think serums with ingredients like Vitamin A or Vitamin C) which takes time, likely more than 3 months.

Please don’t let this deter you though! As much as it is a process, it does not mean you don’t see any improvements at all for months on end.

And as a guide, I say allow about 3 skin cell cycles when adding a new product to see if it’s working or not. And one skin cell cycle is around 28-30 days but it does slow as we get older.

An important note:
Skin works on cycles. And constantly changing products resets progress and can keep skin stuck in a reactive state or prevent there from being improvements made on a cellular level if not enough time is given to a new product. Consistency of a basic routine is almost always more powerful than strong actives, exfoliants and multiple products used occasionally.

 

Q: Do I need professional treatments if I’m using good skincare?

A: Not always… but sometimes they can be helpful.

Home skincare routines are the foundation of skin health. Professional treatments can support and accelerate results, but they don’t replace a suitable home routine. In fact, treatments are far more effective when the skin is already being supported properly at home.

Because professional treatments or facials are not done daily. It is actually the small things you do on a daily basis, like your morning and night skincare routine, that have the biggest impact and have a compounding effect when it comes to results and skin health.

I would go as far to say that if you can only afford either skincare or in clinic treatments, to prioritise your skincare and book a facial either quarterly or once or twice a year. But make sure your skincare is correct for your skin otherwise you won’t see results.

So, start with a Skin Consultation to get your personalised skincare routine and go from there.

There is no “one size fits all” answer here. And that’s okay.

 

Q: When should I ask for help?

A: If you’re:

•         Feeling confused or overwhelmed
•      Reacting to most products
•         Not seeing results despite consistency
•         Unsure what your skin actually needs

…that’s usually a sign it’s time for guidance.

A consultation isn’t about necessarily adding more products. It’s about removing guesswork, protecting your skin barrier and creating a skincare and/or treatment plan that actually suits your skin.

 

A gentle next step 🤍

If you’re not sure where to start, you can explore my routine-based collections or book a consultation for personalised guidance.

Skin health doesn’t need to feel stressful. It should feel supportive and sustainable.