A Skin Expert Spills On Common Skincare Mistakes & How To Simplify Your Routine
At some point in recent years, I have been totally overwhelmed by skincare routines.
All the products! All the steps! All the breakouts trying to use retinol! Did I really need 147 different types of serums? Did I need skin needling or skin resurfacing? I thought adult acne was a myth in my teens? Why is life so unfair?
There’s no denying it: the thought of having a nine-step skincare routine gives me heart palpitations. Plus, it sounds expensive. And coming off the pill last year meant I had to really strip back to basics for a while, as my skin adjusted to a life of free-flying hormones again.
Charlotte Knight is a beauty expert, and the brains behind Ciaté London, Lottie London, and Skin Proud, an affordable skincare line recently launched in Australia.
In an oversaturated market, the appeal of Skin Proud is pretty obvious: it’s affordable, it’s 100% vegan, PETA-approved cruelty free, and it’s straight-forward. The formulas are designed either as an introduction to skincare for people in their teens and early 20s, or for when you want to strip back, rejig your regimen, and add on as you go (for people like me who are a slave to hormonal breakouts).
The products have your usual scientific ingredients that have become a normal part of our skincare vocab. We’re talking hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and AHAs. But it’s worth noting that Skin Proud is a brand that’s putting honesty first: implementing a strict no-photoshopping policy across their ads as well.
We chatted to Charlotte Knight, the founder of Skin Proud, about common skincare mistakes, the products you SHOULD be using, and why it’s time to stop overcomplicating your skincare routine.
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On cutting down your routine, and what products everyone should be using.
“For me, the most important steps to keeping skin healthy, balanced and protected is using a cleanser, hydrating treatment (e.g. Skin Proud Smooth Talk 2% Hyaluronic Acid Serum), moisturiser, and of course SPF. The first three can be used day and night, and SPF everyday.”
On the most common skincare mistake people make.
“Overcomplicating their skincare – it can be so easy to be sucked into thinking it’s necessary to have so many products in your routine, whereas more often that not simplicity is key. Similarly, using a ton of different actives can cause skin to freak out and cause more problems than solutions.”
On what actual skin procedures should women in their 20s and 30s be looking at doing:
“Hydration is key — if they can afford it — then regular facials targeted and tailored to specific needs are always worthwhile. Facials are also a good starting point to move on to more intensive treatments if need be.”
And on what people should look out for when it comes to at-home procedures (like at-home skin needling kits):
“I would always recommend seeing a professional over purchasing an at-home kit. Often we can misdiagnose what we think our skin needs and so having a professional consultation is the best starting point.”
On how to repair your skin barrier:
“Protecting and repairing the skin barrier is so important for good skin health. Once again, hydration is at the centre of a strong skin — using a Hyaluronic Acid serum combined with a moisturiser designed to lock moisture in to the skin will help to rebuild and protect your skin barrier.”
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Skin Proud is now available at Priceline with products ranging from $14.99 – $31.99.