It may feel as though a new beauty ‘micro trend’ arrives every month, but a lot of popular, trendy products aren’t always ideal for young, beginner skin. If you’re new to skincare, you simply can’t jump straight in to harsh active products, like Vitamin C serums, retinols or other AHAs. Even after years of honing my skincare routine, I still find my sensitive skin can’t handle products with a lot of actives. For that reason, its these fundamental products that I come back to again and again.
If, like me, you’re a bit of a brand loyalist and a product minimalist, you’ll love these skincare products that you can use to create a foundational skincare routine. (Bonus points for the affordable beauty price tags!)
My Basic Skincare Routine
Cleanser
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
$24.99 at Priceline
Some prefer Cerave but I will always be a disciple of Cetaphil. The two brands stock very similar items, with very similar (but not exactly the same) ingredients—it’s really a matter of personal preference. For me, I use this Cetaphil cleanser as a body wash and a gentle, daily face cleanser.
One of the ultimate cult chemist products, it never fails. And it’s budget friendly.
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Toner
Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
$32 at Adore Beauty
Many believe that toner is not a necessary step in the routine, but I think Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner is more of an essence.
It balances my skin, and adds a bit of extra hydration before the rest of your moisturising routine. It’s the perfect addition to a skincare routine for anyone with sensitive skin, as it doesn’t contain any stringent ingredients or scents. I came across it during a bout of peri-oral dermatitis, and personally found that it didn’t aggravate it.
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Summer Moisturiser
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel
$62 at Myer
We all inherit one beauty item from a mother, aunty, grandmother or girlfriend, right?
This was one of the first moisturisers I ever tried and I always return to it for the way it makes my ski feel — which is silky and soft to the touch. It’s the perfect summer moisturiser, BUT I don’t typically wear it during the day, under sunscreen or make-up as it won’t work with oil-based products.
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Exfoliant
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5%
$13.50 at The Ordinary
Chemical exfoliants can be tricky for young and sensitive skin. For years, my skin didn’t really appreciate being stripped back with stringent products. The 5% lactic acid from The Ordinary is the only one I continue to reach for. It provides an overnight glow, but is gentle enough that it won’t irritate your skin. It’s not one you’d use every day on young skin (once a week may suffice). And don’t forget to lather with SPF after using any acids. Any exfoliation will leave your ‘new skin’ (the fresh skin beneath your sloughed-away dead skin cells) exposed and vulnerable to sunburn and its effects.
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