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How to Curate a Base Skincare Routine
In a world of endless products, trending ingredients and ever-changing “must-haves”, skincare can quickly feel overwhelming. At Youtime, we believe skincare should do the opposite — bring clarity, balance and a sense of calm. Our skincare expert Gemma Watts breaks it down, and explains exactly what you need to know.
WHAT IS A BASE SKINCARE ROUTINE?
A base skincare routine is the essential framework of daily skincare. It focuses on maintaining healthy skin rather than correcting everything at once. Think of it as skincare you can rely on — morning and night — regardless of season, trends or life stage.
A solid base routine:
- Supports the skin barrier
- Maintains hydration and balance
- Protects against environmental stressors
- Creates space for skin to function naturally
Once this foundation is in place, your skin is far better equipped to respond to targeted treatments if and when they’re needed.
WHY STARTING WITH THE BASICS MATTER
Healthy skin is built slowly. Overloading it with too many active products often leads to irritation, imbalance and confusion. A balanced routine allows you to:
- Understand how your skin actually behaves
- Identify what truly works for you
- Reduce sensitivity and inflammation
- Make more conscious, sustainable choices
Lets visit the core steps of a base skincare routine.
CLEASE – GENTLY AND CONSISTENTLY
Without effectively cleansing your skin, any other products you choose to apply won’t be able to absorb into the epidermis as designed. Cleansing works to remove dirt, bacteria and excess oil from the surface of the skin (and from within the pores, to an extent) that can build up throughout the course of the day and overnight.
Consider makeup removal a separate step to cleansing. If you are wearing makeup, or a particularly heavy sunscreen formula, throughout the day, cleanse twice: the first time to remove makeup, the second time to properly remove that oil and bacteria.
Many dermatologists agree that cleansing is only completely necessary in the evening. Determining whether or not a morning cleanse is right for you is, unfortunately, a matter of trial and error - for some, it can actually be of detriment to the skin barrier.
Pay attention to how your skin feels after cleansing. If it feels particularly dry and tight, your skin may benefit from skipping future morning cleanses. A micellar solution, rather than a traditional cleanser, can serve as a happy halfway point between cleansing and not. Cleansing is the first step of a good skincare routine.
AN EXFOLIANT
Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, revealing fresher, more radiant skin underneath — but it should always be approached with care.
There are two main types:
- Chemical exfoliants (AHAs, BHAs, PHAs)
- Physical exfoliants (scrubs, powders)
For a base routine, gentle chemical exfoliants used 1–2 times per week are often enough to maintain clarity without irritation. Less frequent exfoliation supports long-term skin health far better than overdoing it.
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HYEJA
Vegan Lotus Gentle PHA Purifying Mist 100ml
Introducing the Clarifying Lotus Extract & PHA-Infused Misting Hydrator—a refreshing and revitalizing spray designed to soothe and awaken your skin and senses post-cleansing. Lotus extract calms the skin, while PHA, one of the gentlest chemical exfoliators, is perfect for sensitive skin types.
A SERUM
The serum step of your skincare is where you can really tailor your routine to your personal skin concerns.
The rules of serums are, unfortunately, dependent on the serum itself, however there are a few common ingredients that can serve as a really effective starting point when building your routine.
If your skin is dry and dehydrated, try a hyaluronic acid or vitamin B serum. To even out pigmentation and the overall tone of the skin, a vitamin C serum may be of benefit, while a retinol can work to treat both acne and the visible signs of ageing. Oils can also be worked into your routine at this step.
AN EYE CREAM
Another point of contention, many believe eye-specific skincare is unnecessary and that its benefits are the same as those seen when regular moisturisers and serums are simply applied to the eye area.
For many, targeted eye creams are necessary to really deliver hydration to the fine skin around the eyes, given that this skin doesn’t produce oil in the same way as the rest of the face. Eye creams can be of benefit to those who experience fine lines and dryness, and should be applied after serums and before moisturisers.
Susanne Kaufmann
Rejuvenating Eye Cream
Specifically developed to nourish, soothe and strengthen the skin, this eye cream is formulated with skin-conditioning extracts to care for the sensitive area around the eyes.
Developed with an intelligent blend of active ingredients including silk protein, ectoin, moth bean extract, baobab pulp extract, echium seed oil and magnolia extract, the Rejuvenating Eye Cream helps protect against dryness for a brighter, more radiant complexion.
A MOISTURISER
Even if your skin is typically oily, a moisturiser will work to regulate the skin’s moisture levels, strengthen the skin barrier and, with time, improve its ability to hold onto hydration.
When the skin barrier is impaired, your skin can grow prone to inflammation, irritation and even acne. A simple moisturiser, in a formula as thick or as fluid as feels comfortable for your skin, will allow you to strengthen the skin’s barrier and ensure it is functioning at its healthiest.
In the evening, moisturiser should be applied as the final step of your skincare routine. In the morning, and in the mornings, it should be the second last step before sunscreen.
SUN PROTECTION
Sunscreen should be worn daily in order to protect your skin from superficial damage like sunspots and collagen damage, and from serious skin conditions such as melanoma. When choosing a daily sunscreen, look for an SPF of 30 at a minimum with UVA and UVB (broad spectrum) protection, as UVA can penetrate both clouds and glass and is present year round.
As a rule of thumb, if you’re in a space that is light enough to read in without having to turn on a light, you are being exposed to UV. While this rule of thumb can be helpful, I personally choose to ignore it... by getting into the habit of applying sunscreen every single day, you are leaving far less room for error and miscalculation than you would be if you relied on checking or gauging UV levels each day.
Make SPF a habit.
It’s important to remember that sunscreen is only one element of sun protection. Consider hats, protective clothing and shade when planning a day outdoors. Sunscreen should be the final step in your daytime skincare routine.
LERUB
Everyday Sunscreen SPF30
Meet the next generation of invisible mineral sun protection. Keep your skin beautifully protected and hydrated all year round, with nourishing natural antioxidants and a silky smooth formula that slips seamlessly into your daily wear. Sustainably made in Italy with grape ferment extract to stimulate natural Vitamin D production, plus hyaluronic acid and sweet almond oil for deep hydration.
Gemma Watts
Beauty Expert
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