We know that starting or maintaining a good daily skin routine can be confusing, overwhelming, time-consuming or even seem complicated. If you have an existing skin condition or challenges, it’s even harder.
There is almost too much information about the ‘right’ daily skin routine steps and there’s always new skincare formulas launching every day. So how do you find skin solutions that are right for your skin and budget? And find time to make a skincare routine a daily and affordable healthy habit?
We know it’s hard. But establishing a daily routine can be so beneficial for your skin health – and it can actually make your life easier in the long run.
So we’ve written this blog to help people with different skin types and skin issues find a daily skin care routine that is easy and protects.
Because if you find and maintain a daily skincare routine, your skin will thank you in the long run. Prevention is always better than cure, especially when it comes to skin!
So we’re here for the low effort, low cost, maximum result approach for all.
Be consistent
Establishing a proper skin care routine is important to help you find out more about your skin and to understand its needs.
Whether you opt for a more complex routine e.g. cleanse, tone, hydrate, serum/s, moisturise, SPF or a more minimalist and basic cleanse, hydrate and SPF – the goal is to elevate your complexion so it’s functioning optimally,[1] and to protect it wherever possible.
Trial and test
All skin is different and has different needs, challenges and sensitivities, and this can evolve as we get older. Products do not consistently perform the same for everyone and one person’s Holy Grail formula could be another person’s allergic reaction.
One thing we always advise anyone with a skin or formula concern: please patch test any new products 72 hours before use on the inside of the elbow. Proceed with caution if using strong activities and research what can and can’t be used together.
Also when it comes to trialing a product, go back to consistency. Give the product and your skin time to work together to determine whether you are achieving the results you want.
Sunscreen daily for protection and complexion
When it comes to protection, a high-quality, broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF30 should 100% be your Holy Grail product.
But did you know that sunscreen can aid in treating uneven and redness prone skin? Being in the sun without sun protection can make you break out more.
So, we underline the importance of using sunscreen and using lots of it. Including for those looking for a daily skin routine for acne, because sunscreen can actually help reduce some causes of acne (it can act as a moisturiser to reduce oil production).
Always apply more than you think you need, because we know that most people do not wear enough sunscreen to be properly protected. So if you are applying it correctly, it is important to take it off properly.
Altruist Skincare and Sunscreen as part of a daily routine
Altruist has a range of products that can be incorporated into your daily skin care routine. Read on to find out how!
Cleanse
This is an important step of any skincare routine.
Cleansing removes dirt, oil and other unwanted impurities. During the day, your skin is coated with bacteria, dirt and dead skin cells (seriously!) and effective cleansing can help remove these, to help improve the health of your skin.
Cleanser is thus crucial in your skincare routine, because without it your face would have a thick layer of dirt and bacteria, making it difficult for other products to do their work and get in contact with your skin. [2]
Our Altruist Cleansing Foam is designed to be part of a daily skin routine for combination skin, and also works very well as the first stage in the daily skin routine for oily skin. It contains 2% Salicylic acid which clears pores of dirt and reduces sebum production.
This is an exfoliating cleanser with anti-inflammatory and hydrating allantoin so you can be assured that the dirt and bacteria will come right off, but you stay hydrated. This foaming texture and composition is designed to go deeper to remove dry and dead skin cells, providing fresher looking skin.
This product is fragrance free and ideal for acne prone skin, as it gently cleanses while leaving skin feeling clean. We recommend cleansing twice a day, morning and night.[3]
Moisturise and hydrate
Hydrated skin is healthy skin. Properly hydrated skin should act as a natural barrier from the dirt and pollution outside. Healthy skin is soft, youthful and plump. When the skin is not hydrated, it is more susceptible to oil production, can dull the complexion and increase sensitivity.
The type of moisturiser you use is important. Using a hydrating moisturiser that is enriched with antioxidant or moisture locking ingredients can further improve hydration.
Moisturiser doesn’t just work hard below the skin surface. Moisturising can actually camouflage the blemishes on the skin, as it provides it with a sheen.[4] If camouflaging is something you want to achieve of course.
Moisturising your body after the shower helps lock in moisture which in turn penetrates deeper into the skin. So, we recommend moisturising after a bath or shower, or use a moisturising sunscreen, minimum SPF30, as your daily moisturiser. SPF should always be the last step in your skincare routine.
Skincare fact: Did you know that the skin on your face, neck, ears and chest tend to be the most sensitive and also the parts that are more susceptible to skin cancer?
These areas tend to shed skin a lot faster than other parts of the skin which is why they need moisture to repair the skin – this in turn allows new skin cells to emerge to the surface of the skin.
Altruist Moisturising Fluid with Hyaluronic Acid has been designed to be a highly wearable, enriched and hydrating moisturiser for any skin type, so it is a great option for most people.
Like all Altruist products, it has been developed for sensitive, acne prone skin. It has no fragrance and is paraben free, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic. It has been designed to help make skin appear more radiant and with its low molecular weight hyaluronic acid content, all those lovely moisture molecules it helps to draw into your skin, can be penetrated deeper into the epidermis. Thus, increasing the skin’s water content for extra ‘plumpness’
The Fluid formula is further enriched with glycerin, urea and shea butter to enhance the skin’s natural moisturising factors. It’s light, absorbs easily and can be used as a day or night cream. Use before sunscreen.
When is a moisturiser a sunscreen?
Want a moisturising sunscreen to both hydrate and protect your skin – so one you can use daily as a moisturiser? We’ve got you covered!
Here are three great high SPF, Altruist Sunscreen products that work particularly well as a daily facial moisturiser:
Altruist Face Fluid SPF50
The lightest texture broad spectrum sunscreens in the range. The Fluid like consistency makes it very easy to rub in and apply, even into facial hair areas. Both are enriched with the powerful antioxidant Vitamin E, to help nourish and protect the skin. They are also fantastic under make-up and loved by many beauty influencers and make-up artists. Super-wearable, no cast, with a light healthy glow.
Comes with high PPD/ UVA protection as well and the world-class SPF filters needed for optimum protection. Hypo-allergenic, non-comedogenic, paraben and fragrance free.
Altruist SPF30 Cream
Our original and first ever Sunscreen in a big 200ml tube. It’s more of a cream than the Fluids, but once applied to the face, it sinks in so well and is a great base for make-up or hydrating enough to be used as a daily face moisturiser.
Some refer to the texture as a light mousse-like consistency. It is an affordable way to incorporate a highly moisturising, ultra-high protection product into your routine.
Sunscreen – The important step to maintain
This really is the critical step – it is never bad to reiterate the importance of correct sun protection.
We’re referring to a high-quality sunscreen, not a cosmetic product with SPF as these are two very different things (and one will protect effectively, the other won’t unless you wear it like a mask!).
Even on days when it’s grey, cloudy and not a lot of sun is visible, our skin is still prone to the UV radiation damage which can cause sunburns, skin cancer, discoloration and premature lines and aging.
UV fact: approximately 90% of UV can penetrate clouds to reach us on the ground.
The best way to help your skin is to incorporate sunscreen in your daily routine. Start your morning by applying sunscreen before you go out and ideally, reapply throughout the day.[5]
What sunscreen is best?
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, at least SPF30, as recommended by the British Association of Dermatologists. [6]
For fairer skin, we recommend SPF50. Sunscreen should be the last step in your skincare routine so that it is not compromised in any way by other products.
Be aware that makeup is not enough to protect your skin. Even cosmetics with a high SPF will not protect to the same level as a specialist sunscreen because you would need to apply so much of the make-up, all over the face, to reach the labeled SPF.
A general rule: reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially after toweling, swimming or sweating to maintain the protection level.
And remember, even when wearing sunscreen, you can still burn. So clothing, hats, sunglasses and shade are also protection options, particularly for the fair skinned.
Now to the fun part: the different types of sunscreen that Altruist has to protect you
Did you know that all Altruist sunscreens are hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, paraben and fragrance free? We don’t do scented products. We’re also kind to animals, reefs and vegan friendly.
Our Sunscreen formulas are made to be tolerated by various different skin types and Dr Birnie, a Consultant Dermatologist and Skin Cancer Surgeon, formulates specifically with skin conditions like acne and those on acne treatments in mind.
Altruist sunscreens are also designed to feel more like a moisturiser (apart from our invisible spray), and the non-sticky formula makes it easier to reapply.
The SPF products in our sunscreen range offer a spectrum of textures, sizes, skin solutions and levels of protection. With every formula exceeding EU sunscreen standards, there really is a protection for everyone!
The original Altruist sunscreen SPF30 (PPD39) and SPF50 (PPD54) Creams
Timeless classics. High-quality, broad-spectrum protection with 5-star ultra UVA rating. These were the first to offer a broad range of photostable UV filters. Both are fast absorbing, non-sticky and feel like a moisturiser.
Family Sunspray SPF50 – why pack four sunscreens, when one can do the job for everyone, face & body?
The Family Sunspray that’s not just for families – it’s great for all! Ultra-high 5- star UVA protection (PPD48) without Octocrylene which makes this very face, eyes and kiddy friendly (from 6+months). Loaded with a water-pistol like trigger spray, so kids can learn to be sun safe, while having some fun (good for spraying hard to reach places and moving targets too!).
Altruist Face Fluid SPF50 - The lightest and newest stars on the Sunscreen block! Great travel size. Flat and compact so they can fit in most pockets and are easy to use on-the-go. So, there’s no longer an excuse not to re-apply.
Invisible Spray SPF50 - As light as a hairspray, totally clear and it delivers broad spectrum, 5-star UVA protection – this is so hard to find in spray sunscreens.
This is also a great option for people that will not use or don’t like creams, no matter what. Or that are looking for the lightest, best sun protection.
We also know that people like sunscreens that can reach hard to get places, like the back or back of the head. For this, the Invisible Spray from Altruist really is unmatched – but always remember to rub in and cover well. As it’s invisible, extra care is needed to ensure full protection.
Altruist Anti-Redness and Pigmentation SPF50 - A green SPF that changes colour? This one boggles a lot of minds. This green-tinted sunscreen with SPF50 not only conceals the redness in the skin, it provides coverage too. This product also slowly treats skin over time, reducing the redness in the skin without any antibiotics. This little miracle in a bottle is again perfect for those that are always on the go.
Like Sunscreen, this is the final stage…
Thank you for making it this far. Remember, if you make time to keep your skin healthy, hydrated, clean and protected, it will love you back.
If you do try out Altruist products, we do hope you like them!
Find out more about Altruist products, our formulas and ingredients on our Products page. Or go to the FAQs tab to find a list of many questions and answers about our sunscreens, protection and some tips from Dr Birnie.
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/skincare-routine
[2] https://www.westlakedermatology.com/blog/skin-cleansing-101-why-washing-your-face-is-important/
[3] https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/skincare-routine
[4] https://www.utmedicalcenter.org/the-importance-of-moisturizing/#:~:text=Moisturizing%20Reduces%20Skin%20Problems%20%E2%80%93%20Moisturizing,the%20skin’s%20blemishes%20are%20camouflaged.
[5] https://mahoneydermatology.com/5-important-reasons-to-wear-sunscreen-daily/#:~:text=Our%20skin%20works%20to%20protect,discoloration%2C%20and%20wrinkles%20over%20time.
[6] https://www.bad.org.uk/misapplication-of-sunscreen-leaving-people-vulnerable-to-skin-cancer/