Your purifying skincare routine

Pollution, UV rays, oxidative stress, hormonal changes, an unbalanced diet… So many factors can affect your skin’s health and beauty. When your complexion starts to look dull, pores become clogged, and blackheads and pimples appear, it’s time to take action! Read our advice so you can find a purifying routine that’s tailored to your skin’s needs.

Every skin type has its own specific needs and sensitivities. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference between combination and oily skin, as both can be prone to blemishes and acne. It’s quite common for these two skin types to be dehydrated too, so it’s important not to mistake signs of dehydration for signs your skin type is dry! To identify your skin type (and its changing moods), you can start by taking an online skin diagnosis.

If you have combination, oily and/or blemish-prone skin, you probably prefer to use skincare products that help to regulate sebum production and have light, fresh textures. But be careful not to let your skin get dry, as this could trigger an overproduction of sebum – a natural self-defense mechanism that kicks in to protect your skin.

Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc. Your diet can have a big impact on your skin’s beauty. To purify your skin from within, the first thing to do is to drink lots of water, as this is the ultimate skin-purifying drink! Aim for between 1.5 and 2 liters a day, to stimulate your kidneys and help your body flush out toxins.

If you find the taste of water boring (making it a huge effort to drink the recommended amount) why not make it more interesting by infusing it with fruits? You could add a few drops of lemon juice (but no more than half a lemon a day), mint leaves, or citrus fruit slices to give it some flavor. Make sure you eat lots of fruits and vegetables, as they’ll supply your body with vitamins. They’ll also provide antioxidants, to fight free radicals and combat oxidative stress. Avoid eating too much saturated fat (charcuterie, butter, dairy products), and give priority to “good” unsaturated fats (omega-3 and omega-9). You’ll find them in olive, flaxseed and rapeseed oils, avocado, seeds and nuts, oily fish, seaweed, etc.

Sugar is bad for both your body and your skin, as it’s responsible for glycation – a phenomenon that causes collagen fibers to become more brittle and prone to breakage, and accelerates the aging process. It’s difficult to stop eating sugar completely – and besides, it can be part of a healthy, balanced diet if it’s consumed in moderation. Plus it’s a source of pleasure! But watch out for those added sugars that are hidden in many foods, even salty ones! The easiest way to do this is to avoid processed foods and eat fresh and homemade food as often as you can.

Finally, although it’s been said many (many!) times before, we’re going to say it again: get enough exercise and sleep! A good night’s sleep will encourage cell renewal and help slow down the skin-aging process. Exercise, meanwhile, helps to detoxify the body. Just 30 minutes of physical activity a day is very beneficial for your health. You don’t need to run 15 km! But remember that your skin needs to breathe – so don’t exercise with makeup on!

Throughout the day, your hands will touch your telephone, your computer keyboard, work surfaces, etc. Everything you touch is covered with bacteria, so if you then go on to touch your face, these bacteria can cause skin pores to become inflamed, leading to blemishes. Make sure you wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face as much as possible. Your skin will thank you for it!

Cleansing and makeup removal are essential steps if you want to have beautiful skin. Every evening, make sure you remove all traces of makeup and cleanse well, to eliminate impurities that have built up during the day. If you want your skin to be really, thoroughly cleansed, try double cleansing. Based on Japanese beauty rituals, it consists (as the name suggests!) of two complementary cleansing steps, and is perfect for removing all traces of pollution, makeup and impurities. Start by using a makeup remover with an oily texture, such as a cleansing oil or our Baume Céleste, to remove oil-soluble particles including sebum, makeup and traces of pollution. Rinse off, then apply a gentle cleansing gel or lotion to rid your skin of water-soluble particles (e.g., sweat and dust), and rinse again. Double cleansing has excellent long-term benefits for your skin. It promotes cellular oxygenation, for a more radiant complexion, helps to prevent blemishes, and even helps to slow down the effects of skin aging.

Exfoliating rids your skin of pore-clogging dead cells and impurities, but it’s important not to exfoliate too often. If you have normal, combination or oily skin, we recommend exfoliating once every two weeks. If your skin is reactive, sensitive or mature, once every three or four weeks is enough.

Regardless of your skin type, you should always use a face scrub that’s gentle! Stay well away from harsh scrubs made with sugar or salt, as they can cause microlesions in the skin, which can then become a breeding ground for bacteria, causing blemishes. When we formulated La Crème Gommante, we wanted to have a face scrub that was effective but also very gentle – and, of course, certified organic. This formula is enriched with granules derived from fossilized microalgae (Diatoms) to gently exfoliate, AHAs (fruit acids) to stimulate cell renewal, and amaranth extract to nourish. It works to stimulate, soften and purify your skin, for a luminous complexion.

Our tip: To ensure that your skin reaps all the benefits of the active ingredients in La Crème Gommante, apply the scrub and leave on for a few minutes, then gently massage your face before rinsing it off. Glowing skin guaranteed!

To complete your purifying routine, treat your skin to Le Masque Pureté Détoxifiant – a deep-cleansing, detoxifying, blemish-fighting face mask that works its magic in just 10 minutes. Pores are visibly tightened, and skin feels purified and rebalanced.

Well-hydrated skin ages more slowly, reflects the light better, and is more resilient to external stressors. La Crème de Santé is a balancing moisturizer that’s rich in prebiotics, to help restore the skin’s microbiome. Ideal for both men and women, young skin and less-young skin, it works with all skin types, and can be mixed with one of our Boosters to create your own customized skincare.