How to Build a Skincare Routine with PCA Skin
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A good skincare routine does not need ten steps. For most people, four is plenty: cleanse, treat, hydrate and protect. Get those right, with products that suit your skin, and you will do more for your skin than any shelf full of products you use once in a while.
Here is how we build a routine at The Cosmetic Club using PCA Skin, the clinic-grade range we use and recommend in our Hadleigh clinic.
Step 1: Cleanse
Cleansing removes make-up, SPF, oil and the day's grime so the rest of your routine can do its job. The right cleanser leaves skin clean and comfortable, never tight or squeaky.
- Dry or dehydrated skin: PCA Skin Creamy Cleanser (£39), a gentle, hydrating cleanser
- Normal to sensitive skin: PCA Skin Facial Wash (£39)
- Oily or breakout-prone skin: PCA Skin Facial Wash Oily/Problem (£39)
Tip: if you wear make-up or SPF, cleanse twice in the evening. The first cleanse lifts it off; the second actually cleans your skin.
Step 2: Treat
This is where you target your main concern with a serum. Serums are lighter than moisturisers and carry more concentrated ingredients.
- Dehydrated or tired-looking skin: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum (£121) helps skin attract and hold on to moisture.
- Dull or uneven tone: PCA Skin C&E Strength Advanced (£123) is an antioxidant formula with vitamins C and E, best used in the morning.
If you have a specific concern such as breakouts, pigmentation or redness, the right treatment product depends on your skin. That is exactly what a skin scan is for (more on that below).
Step 3: Hydrate
A moisturiser supports your skin's barrier and keeps it comfortable. Choose one for your skin type and adjust with the seasons: most people need something richer in winter.
- Normal to dry skin: PCA Skin Collagen Hydrator (£52)
Ask us for a recommendation if your skin is oily, combination or sensitive. There are PCA Skin moisturisers for every skin type, and travel sizes are a good way to try before committing to a full size.
Step 4: Protect
If you only add one product to your routine, make it this one. Daily broad-spectrum SPF helps protect against UV damage, which is one of the biggest causes of visible skin ageing and pigmentation. Wear it every morning, all year round, including on cloudy days.
- Moisturiser and SPF in one: PCA Skin Hydrator Plus Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (£51)
- A hint of tint: PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45 (£55)
SPF is especially important if you are having treatments such as chemical peels or microneedling, when your skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Morning and evening at a glance
| Morning | Evening |
|---|---|
| 1. Cleanse | 1. Cleanse (twice if wearing make-up or SPF) |
| 2. Treat (antioxidant or hydrating serum) | 2. Treat (your targeted serum) |
| 3. Hydrate | 3. Hydrate |
| 4. Protect with SPF |
Three common mistakes
- Changing everything at once. Introduce one new product at a time, so if your skin reacts you know which one caused it.
- Giving up too soon. Most routines need several weeks of consistent use before you can judge them fairly.
- Skipping SPF. Without it, you undo much of the good work the rest of your routine is doing.
Not sure where to start?
Everyone's skin is different, and the best routine is one built for yours. Book a £35 skin scan at our clinic in Hadleigh, Essex. The Visagé Pro+ shows what is happening beneath the surface, and Anna, our NHS-trained registered nurse, will recommend a routine that fits your skin and your budget.
Book your skin scan or shop the full PCA Skin range. Free UK delivery on orders over £70.