• It is important that steps are performed in this order.

morning

• 1. cleansing
  • Akin Gel Cleanser
• 2. toning
  • Simple Fruits Refreshing Toner
• 4a. treatment/s (optional - as needed)
  • Clearasil Spot Treatment
• 5. moisturising
  • ◦SunSense Face SPF 50+ Sunscreen

evening

• 1. cleansing
  • Etude House Lip and Eye Remover; Paula's Choice Hydralight Cleanser_
• 2. toning
  • Simple Fruits Refreshing Toner
• 3. exfoliating & 4b. treatment/s
  • around eyes: PC Intensive Wrinkle Repair Treatment
  • face except eyes: PC Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel
• 5. moisturising
  • Olive Real Essence

weekly

• 8% AHA Weekly Resurfacing Treatment
• Gatineau Melting Refreshing Scrub
• oil-absorbing clay mask or sheet mask

notes

• Step 1:
  • when you have pimples, it's best to choose a cleanser that isn't creamy, but isn't formulated for pimples either, as they can be too drying.
  • evening: try washing your whole face with cleanser first, then if there are traces of makeup, use makeup remover. This approach saves time and uses less product.
• Step 2:
  • choose a toner that's formulated for your skin type and has hydrating properties.
  • moisturising can be skipped in very hot or humid weather if the toner has comprehensive ingredients.
• Step 3:
  • AHAs exfoliate the surface of the skin. BHA exfoliates the surface and inside the pores. Use BHA when you have pimples and/or blackheads. Use BHAs every day. If the product is too strong to use every day, buy a milder one or mix with another product to dilute it.
  • consider switching to an AHA if you don't have pimples or blackheads and you are using a retinol product: AHAs are proven to improve the benefits of retinol significantly. The two products can be mixed together to save time.
• extend the exfoliant to your neck and decolletee areas.
• Step 4a, pimple treatment:
  • use a product with benzoyl peroxide. 2.5% strength is an effective yet gentle strength.
• Step 4b, anti-ageing:
  • should be used every day. Lightening of discolourations may not be seen for 2-3 months. Must be used ongoing to maintain results.
  • ingredients good for brown discolourations include Vitamin C, niacinamide and retinol.
  • Try using the Retinol on your eczema.
• Step 5:
  • moisturiser should be applied morning and evening. Use one with sunscreen in the morning.
  • Do not use retinol or AHA products in the morning.
  • it's OK to use more than one product that contains sunscreen (e.g. moisturiser & makeup), in fact it's preferential.
  • choose a lightweight gel or lotion if you have pimples.
  • use a creamier formula on any dry spots. Check around the eye area especially.
  • there's no need to use a separate eye cream, but you may want to use a specialised product for dry skin, dark circles, discolourations, etc.
  • it's OK, even preferential, to use products with varying ingredients, e.g. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and Vitamin E (tocopherol) enhance each other's effects. See here for more
  • Extend the moisturiser to your neck and decolletee area.
• Except for letting toner dry, there is no need to wait between applying products.
• Makeup can be applied straight afterwards.

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