An A-List Facialist Shares 12 Tips For Healthier Skin
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Before I do anything else after waking up, I drink three glasses of water with electrolyte powder – I love the ones by the clean brand Vidrate. There’s a lot of scepticism over electrolytes, but I really see a difference because a dry inside does show up on the outside of your skin, so you need to up the ante internally.
Supplements are non-negotiable. I’m 46, so I am beginning to need help with immunity and hormone health. I take a pea-sized amount of Shilajit in my morning coffee. This supplement from the Himalayas has minerals that the body needs to help balance hormones, immunity, brain health, and, importantly, healthy-looking skin. I like the brand Temple Products. I also take DHEA, a natural testosterone supplement, vitamin C and ashwagandha. I’m a big fan of ashwagandha for calming the nervous system under stress. We also include ashwagandha in my KICHI Forever Oil formula to help calm inflammation within the skin.
Having my face in the sun is a real no-no. That might sound obvious, but I actively avoid sun-tanning my face and do my best to keep it in the shade – as well as wearing SPF at all times. My motto has always been that a tan will fade, signs of sun ageing will stay. I have regular laser and radiofrequency tech facials year-round too. More than any other treatment, laser slows down the clock.
A double cleanse is key. I’ve always done it and won’t stop. It’s basic, but lots of people are still debating whether ‘doubling up’ is essential. In my opinion, it is – because so many of us don’t effectively remove the day’s grime, leading to dull skin and breakouts. It gives you extra security when you do it twice. The trick is using gentle formulas. I start with BYOMA’s Melting Balm Cleanser as it dissolves stubborn products, then I’ll follow up with CeraVe’s Hydrating Cleanser. Both are proof that you don’t need to invest a fortune in your cleansers to see good results. In my opinion, that’s the step you can save on. Spend elsewhere.
I’ll never be without a vitamin C serum. My favourite is Obagi’s 20% formula. It delivers glow, ramps up antioxidant support, brightens and stimulates collagen production, while also enhancing protection from any UV and pollution damage. Vitamin C is underrated yet essential because it offers so many benefits. I believe by the age of 30 you should be using one daily after cleansing in the morning – a retinol can wait until you’re 40 when skin cells really need the rejuvenation.
@_KichiBeauty; @SkinByNatashaClancy
@SkinByNatashaClancy
My go-to retinol is by Skin Better Science. I’ve tried plenty and found most leave me with more reactions than benefits. This one, however, is the opposite. It’s non-irritating and has made a visible improvement to my skin. I use AlphaRET overnight and the Eyemax product too. My complexion is smoother and more refined as a result.
I prefer oil to moisturiser. I apply my KICHI Forever Oil as it gives my skin such a dewy glow. I formulated the oil with ceramides and omega fatty acids to nourish and quench. I only add a cream-based moisturiser in winter, otherwise I find this is enough. Oils get a bad rap, but it all comes down to what’s inside – fragrance is always a no-go. A good oil can get down deep into your dermis – it’s why I use omegas as they have emollient properties that soften and smooth the skin by filling in gaps between your cells. This helps reduce roughness and uneven texture, giving the skin a visible suppleness. Omegas also help regulate sebum production – this may sound counterproductive, but certain oils, including red raspberry, are proven to control breakouts.
Hydration is a part of my routine I switch up. Otherwise, my routine stays the same all year. I try to add extra hydration and moisture in winter when my skin is dry and tight – my go-to product is Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Cream. I also stop using retinols when I am on holiday to avoid strong UV causing further irritation. Wherever I am though, I always apply SPF last, and my go-to brand is Ultra Violette. It has the most beautiful, hydrating formulas that feel good on the skin.
@_KichiBeauty
Gua sha is great, but it’s not a miracle worker. My face gets quite puffy now – especially if I’ve had a lot of sodium the night before. I often use our KICHI stone to drain fluid from under my chin. I do find it boosts blood flow and temporarily lifts my face for a few hours, but it won’t stimulate a great deal of collagen (a common myth). Gua sha can only do so much – you need to invest in tech and skincare ingredients to minimise wrinkles.
Less really is more when it comes to skin. Overloading your skin with products or acids will just break down your skin’s barrier. The result? Breakouts and irritation. It’s also true that the more you use, the more you’ll dilute the important ingredients. My rule is to think of your routines in four easy steps:
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AM: Cleanse, treat, nourish, protect.
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PM: Double cleanse, treat, nourish.
There’s no need for filler ingredients. Vitamin C, ceramides and non-irritating retinols are all proven to make a difference to your skin by increasing cell turnover for better collagen levels – stick to these and invest wisely. Look at the ingredients list and focus on what comes first. The most potent ingredients should be high on the list according to INCI standards – if water is up there, that means everything is quite diluted. I also recommend avoiding products with essential oils and perfumes. These can be irritating and cause breakouts for some.
My Baby Laser facial is my favourite treatment. If you want to be confident going without make-up, book in. It’s my biggest secret to flawless, juicy-looking skin. It works to buff and refine skin texture, treating various pigmentation and skin disorders – the downtime is also minimal. A final thing to note is, when you book treatments, always consider the clinic’s technology and the practitioner. This is the one area of a routine that shouldn’t be scrimped on – if things seem overly cheap, it’s likely the clinic hasn’t invested in premium devices. You won’t see results in this instance, especially not long term.
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