How to Build an Advanced Skincare Routine

Let's be honest – skincare routines these days can get more complicated than assembling flat-pack furniture after a few glasses of wine. Ten-step this, double-cleanse that... it's enough to make your head spin faster than a washing machine on its final cycle.

But here's the thing – an effective advanced skincare routine doesn't need to be overly complex or require a second mortgage. It just needs to include the right active ingredients that actually work, applied in the right order.

So let's break down how to build a proper grown-up skincare routine that delivers results without requiring a PhD in cosmetic chemistry or hours in front of the bathroom mirror.

First Things First: Know Your Skin

Before you start chucking products on your face willy-nilly, take a minute to understand what your skin actually needs. Is it:

• Dry and in desperate need of hydration?
• Oily and prone to breakouts?
• Showing signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles?
• Dull and uneven in tone?
• A combination of all the above? (Because life's just not fair sometimes, is it?)

Different skin concerns need different approaches, but the good news is that a well-crafted routine can address multiple issues at once. The secret is choosing multi-tasking products with complementary active ingredients – and that's exactly what we'll help you do.

Morning Routine: Protection and Prevention

Your morning skincare routine has one major job: to protect your skin from all the rubbish it's about to face during the day (pollution, UV rays, that bloke on the tube who doesn't cover his mouth when he coughs...).

Step 1: Cleanse (But Don't Strip)

Start with a gentle cleanser that removes overnight buildup without stripping your skin's natural oils. No need for anything harsh in the morning – save the deep cleaning for evening.

Top Tip: Lukewarm water is best. Hot water might feel lovely, especially during winter, but it strips away natural oils faster than a toddler unwrapping birthday presents.

Step 2: Advanced Vitamin C Serum

This is where the magic starts happening. Our Advanced Vitamin C Serum with STAY-C 50 is your daytime superstar.

Apply 5-6 drops to clean skin and gently massage it in. The water-soluble vitamin C in this formula is one of the most stable, bio-available forms available, which means it actually gets to work rather than oxidising before it even has a chance.

What it's doing for you:

• Fighting off free radicals (those pesky molecules that cause premature ageing)
• Brightening your complexion and fading dark spots
• Boosting collagen production for plumper skin
• Creating a more even skin tone
• Giving you that "I drink two litres of water and get eight hours of sleep every night" glow (even if the reality involves more coffee and Netflix)

The vegan hyaluronic acid base also helps plump up your skin cells, while the vitamin E provides additional antioxidant protection. It's essentially a morning multivitamin for your face.

Step 3: Eye Gel

The skin around your eyes is thinner than the rest of your face (about 40% thinner, in fact), which is why it's often the first place to show signs of ageing, fatigue, and that extra glass of wine you had last night.

Our Eye Gel is packed with peptides and plant stem cells to tackle puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines. The cooling formula feels particularly brilliant on tired morning eyes – like a refreshing splash of cold water, but with actual benefits beyond just waking you up.

Apply a small amount (about half a pea size) using your ring finger (it's the weakest, so applies the gentlest pressure) and tap lightly around the orbital bone.

Step 4: Moisturiser & SPF

Finish with a lightweight moisturiser if your skin needs it, and ALWAYS apply SPF 30 or higher. No excuses, not even on cloudy days, not even if you're "just popping to Tesco," not even if you're working from home by a window. UV rays are responsible for up to 90% of visible skin ageing, so this step is non-negotiable if you want your expensive serums to actually work.

Evening Routine: Repair and Regenerate

Evenings are when your skin shifts into repair mode, making it the perfect time to apply ingredients that support regeneration and tackle specific concerns.

Step 1: Double Cleanse

First cleanse: Use an oil-based cleanser or micellar water to remove makeup, SPF, and surface grime.

Second cleanse: Follow with a gentle water-based cleanser to clean the actual skin underneath.

This two-step approach ensures you're not just moving dirt around your face. Think of it like wiping down a dusty table before properly cleaning it – you need to remove the surface layer first.

Step 2: Advanced Vitamin C Serum (Yes, Again!)

Our Advanced Vitamin C Serum isn't just for mornings – it works brilliantly at night too. Apply 5-6 drops to clean, dry skin. Evening application allows the active ingredients to work alongside your skin's natural repair processes.

At night, the vitamin C and E continue fighting free radical damage from the day, while stimulating collagen production as you sleep.

Step 3: Eye Treatment Duo

Evening is the perfect time for a two-pronged approach to eye care:

Eye Gel: Apply to clean, dry skin around the eyes as you did in the morning.

Eyelash Growth Serum: Our Eyelash Growth Serum isn't just for lashes – it also works wonders on brows! This innovative formula contains peptides, biotin, and plant-based ingredients to stimulate lash and brow growth while conditioning and strengthening.

To apply:

1. Ensure the eye area is completely clean and dry
2. Use the precision applicator to apply a thin line along the upper lash line (like you're applying eyeliner)
3. If you're targeting brows too, use the applicator to brush through brow hairs
4. Allow to dry completely before moving to the next step

Many customers see noticeable improvements in lash fullness after just 4-6 weeks of consistent use. Plus, fuller lashes and brows naturally frame your eyes, creating the appearance of more awake, youthful-looking eyes.

Step 4: Retinol Moisturiser

Here's where the real transformative work happens. Our Retinol Moisturiser with 2.5% retinol is the night-time powerhouse your skin has been waiting for.

Retinol works by accelerating cell turnover, boosting collagen production, and improving skin texture at a cellular level. Our formulation pairs 2.5% retinol with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, aloe vera, jojoba oil, and shea butter to deliver all the benefits with minimal irritation.

If you're new to retinol:

1. Start by using it just 2-3 times a week
2. Apply a pea-sized amount to your entire face, avoiding the immediate eye area
3. Gradually build up frequency as your skin adjusts
4. Be patient – retinol results typically become visible after 8-12 weeks of consistent use

This is the step that will make the most dramatic difference to fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture, and overall youthfulness with consistent use.

Weekly Treatments: The Extra Mile

Once or twice a week, give your skin some extra attention with these enhancement strategies:

Exfoliation

Once or twice weekly, add a gentle chemical exfoliant (think AHAs or BHAs) to slough away dead skin cells and enhance the penetration of your active ingredients.

Apply after cleansing but before serums, then continue with your usual routine.

Hydration Boost

On nights when you're not using retinol (especially when first starting out), consider applying a hydrating overnight mask or a few drops of facial oil after your moisturiser to lock in moisture.

The Right Order Matters (A Lot)

The sequence of application can make a huge difference to how effective your products are. The general rule is thinnest to thickest consistency, but with actives, it gets a bit more nuanced:

1. Cleanse
2. Exfoliate (when using)
3. Water-based serums (like our Advanced Vitamin C Serum)
4. Eye treatments
5. Moisturisers and oils
6. SPF (morning only)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

#1: Doing Too Much, Too Soon

I get it – when you've invested in good skincare, you want to use ALL of it, ALL at once. Resist this urge. Introducing too many actives simultaneously is the skincare equivalent of trying to drink from a fire hose.

Instead, introduce one new product every 1-2 weeks. This allows you to see how your skin reacts and identify any potential irritants.

#2: Inconsistency

That fancy serum won't work if it's sitting unopened on your bathroom shelf. Consistency is absolutely key with skincare – a simple routine that you actually follow is infinitely more effective than an elaborate one you can't be bothered with most nights.

#3: Impatience

Good skincare is a marathon, not a sprint. While some products (like our Advanced Vitamin C Serum) can deliver visible brightening effects relatively quickly, others (like retinol) need at least 8-12 weeks to show their magic.

Take progress photos every few weeks rather than scrutinising your face daily in the mirror. The changes will be more noticeable that way.

#4: Skipping SPF

I'm going to sound like a broken record here, but seriously – SPF is non-negotiable. Otherwise, you're essentially throwing your money down the drain as UV damage will counteract all the good work your products are doing.

Customising Your Routine

While the routine above works brilliantly for most skin types, you can tweak it based on your specific concerns:

For Extra Brightening

Use the Advanced Vitamin C Serum morning AND night, focusing an extra drop on areas of pigmentation.

For Intense Anti-Ageing

Once your skin has adjusted to retinol, increase to nightly use and consider layering the Vitamin C Serum underneath for synergistic benefits.

For Extra Dry Skin

Apply a few drops of facial oil before your Retinol Moisturiser in the evening for added nourishment.

The Bottom Line

An advanced skincare routine doesn't need fifteen steps and a second bathroom to store all the products. It just needs thoughtfully chosen, complementary products with clinically proven active ingredients used in the right order.

Our core four products – Advanced Vitamin C Serum, Eye Gel, Eyelash Growth Serum, and Retinol Moisturiser – work synergistically to address multiple signs of ageing and skin concerns. Used consistently and correctly, they create a comprehensive routine that protects, repairs, and transforms your skin without unnecessary complexity.

Remember, good skin isn't built in a day – but with the right routine, you'll be amazed at what a difference a few months can make!