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OUR GUIDE TO THE ULTIMATE SKIN CARE ROUTINE

a male model wiping his face with a white towel

A skin care routine is essential for keeping your skin happy and healthy – so don’t con yourself into believing that skin care is just for women! Taking a quick five minutes out of your day can help target your skin’s individual needs – whether you want to reduce oil or soothe dryness.

No matter if you’re completely new to the game, a comfortable midweight or a seasoned veteran, we’re on hand with the best skin care routine for every level. Beginners, check out our simple four-step regime. Intermediates, scroll down for two extra steps. And experts, we’ve got an eight-step option with your name on it. Each contains men’s skin care tips to help you get the most out of every step and every product.

 

BEST SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR BEGINNERS

When you’re new to the world of skin care, we know it can be overwhelming knowing where to start. If you’re a total novice, then first of all welcome! It’s a pleasure to have you join the cult!

It’s best to start with a few products and steps, and build up as you learn more about the art of skin care.

 STEP ONE: CLEANSE

Cleansing is one of the steps you’ll want to do both morning and night. Essentially, you’re cleaning the dirt and debris off your face, leaving a nice, clean base to apply the rest of your skin care products. Dampen your face and gently rub a small amount of cleanser onto your skin, then rinse with lukewarm water.

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STEP TWO: EYE CREAM

Whether you want to hide those hangover-induced under-eye bags or you’re conscious of ageing skin, eye cream is a great way to reduce dark circles and smooth any puffiness. A little goes a long way; simply smooth a small amount under your eyes every morning.

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STEP THREE: MOISTURISE

Moisturising is an important step in every skin care routine – and not only if you suffer with dry skin. Moisturiser helps to keep your face hydrated, and many moisturisers contain additional skin-loving ingredients to provide other benefits. Apply a smooth layer of moisturiser all over your face and wait for it to soak in.

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STEP FOUR: SPF

Arguably the most important step in your skin care regime is SPF. No matter the time of year or your local climate, the sun can cause more damage than you’d think! If you want to reduce the risk of wrinkle-causing skin damage, pop on an SPF in the morning (or pick a moisturiser that already contains one).

 

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BEST SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR INTERMEDIATES

If you know a bit about skin care, but it couldn’t quite be your specialist subject on Mastermind, we’ve devised the perfect intermediate skincare regime for you. It contains more products than our beginners’ routine, but won’t take too much time out of your day.

STEP ONE: CLEANSE

As always, your skincare routine should start with a cleanser to remove all the dirt and impurities.

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STEP TWO: EXFOLIATE

Go a step further and exfoliate your skin for fresher, smoother and healthier skin. A good quality exfoliator will keep dryness at bay while regulating oil production, making it perfect for all skin types. Many contain a mix of chemical exfoliants alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) to help gently dissolve dead skin cells. Apply a small amount to your face and gently rub it in before rinsing.

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STEP THREE: EYE CREA

Maintain a youthful appearance by applying a thin layer of eye cream daily. One bottle or tube should be enough to last you for months!

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STEP FOUR: SERUM

Whether you want to improve your skin’s tone and texture, reduce fine lines and wrinkles or target specific skin concerns, adding a specialist serum to your routine will make all the difference. Made with tiny molecules that quickly absorb into the skin, serums are designed to work on your skin as quickly as possible, making them a vital part of your regime. To apply, dab onto your skin using a light tapping motion.

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STEP FIVE: MOISTURISE

Lock in your skin’s natural moisture and provide additional hydration with a moisturiser – a key step in your skincare routine.

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STEP SIX: SPF

As always, finish off your skin care routine with an SPF or SPF-containing moisturiser to protect your skin from the sun’s rays.

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BEST SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR EXPERTS

If you seriously know your stuff when it comes to skin care, then chances are you’re ready to up your game and add in some extra steps and products to treat, protect, nourish, love and care for your skin.

STEP ONE: CLEANSE

You know the drill – begin and end each day with a refreshing cleanser to leave your skin feeling spick and span

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STEP TWO: TONE

Toners come in liquid form and are designed to refresh your skin without stripping it of its natural moisturiser. The liquid penetrates your skin fast, removing dead skin cells and providing a quick hit of hydration so that your skin is prepped and primed for the rest of your skin care routine. Toner is quick and easy to use; simply dab onto your face with a cotton pad, et voila!

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STEP THREE: EXFOLIATE

Next, it’s time to wipe away those dead skin cells with an exfoliator. Remember to go gentle; the exfoliator will do the job for you!

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STEP FOUR: EYE CREAM

Keep under-eye bags at bay and banish signs of ageing with a daily eye cream. Choose one containing hyaluronic acid to radically improve the look of dehydrated skin, or retinol for its anti-ageing properties. Or better yet, splash out on something diamond-infused…

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STEP FIVE: SERUM

Treat skin concerns and reduce signs of ageing with a daily serum. You’ll notice a radiant glow in next to no time!

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STEP SIX: RETINOL

Retinol is the absolute holy grail of skin care ingredients. It increases skin cell production, leading to unclogged pores, and is also known for its anti-ageing properties. Retinols most often come in serum form, but you can also find this miracle ingredient in moisturisers and eye creams too.

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STEP SEVEN: MOISTURISE

Maintain your skin’s smoothness and hydration with a daily moisturiser. If you find creams too sticky, try a lotion or a gel instead.

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STEP EIGHT: SPF

Protect your skin and prevent signs of ageing with a daily SPF. Make sure you apply it before you leave the house for the day.

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Cult Beauty

Cult Beauty

Writer and expert