How To: Master the Daily 5-Minute Skincare

If you think it's too late to start taking care of your skin or that you don't have time for lengthy skin care routine's, then this simple skincare guide may make you think again. Taking only 5 minutes morning and evening, this quick and effective skincare routine will show you how to get your skin glowing with radiance in a very short time. Skin is a living organ, and learning how to care for it will pay off in dividends, by remaining healthy and youthful to middle age and beyond. The following skincare routine will ensure your skin stays in tip-top condition, and you can adjust it to suit your skin's needs, as and when you need to. Keeping your skincare routine simple will enable you to incorporate it into even the busiest schedule or lifestyle. It could be the single, most rewarding five minutes of your day.

Tools you need for a Basic Skincare Routine

• Cotton pads
• Cleansing cream
• Skin toner
• Tissues
• Moisturiser

Method of Skincare Application

1. Pour a little cleansing lotion onto clean hands. Apply the lotion to your skin, beginning from the neck, using a circular movement across the neck, then finish with a few gentle sweeping movements from the bottom of your neck to the chin/jawline with the back of the fingers. Gently massage the lotion across the contours of your face, in an upwards and outwards motion, paying extra attention to any oily areas around the nose, chin, and/or forehead. Be especially gentle around the eyes, as this is the thinnest skin on your body and can easily be stretched causing unsightly bags. A light patting around the outer eye area using only the pads of the ring fingers in a circular movement around the eye from the beginning of the eyebrow to the inner corner of the eye will help to drain fluid from the eye area leaving it less puffy and more vital. Gently smooth cleanser across lashes to remove mascara and eyeliner. Use small circular movements to work across the forehead and down to the temples.
2. Remove the cleanser with damp cotton pads, again using an upward and outward movement across the face and gentle movements across and under the eyes. (Repeat this procedure if removing makeup at night or if you want a very deep cleanse). Always use gentle movements when caring for your skin to prevent sagging.
3. Soak cotton pads with toning lotion, choose one suited to your particular skin type, or use natural or homemade ones, such as rosewater for sensitive and dry skins, or witch hazel for oily skins (and oily areas in combination skin. Wipe over skin.
4. Open a tissue and place it over each side of the face, to absorb excess toner.
5. Warm a little moisturizer in the palms of your hands and gently press onto the face and neck. To protect your skin from the elements, choose a daytime moisturiser that contains an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15+, SPF should be used to avoid weather-beaten, it will also prevent aging due to sun and wind damage and helps keep the skin supple.

If you have more time to spare or are going out in the evening and your skin feels extra tired or loose, apply the white of an egg all over the face, including under the eyes, and relax for ten minutes. Rinse off with warm (not hot) water. This is an effective and natural skin firmer and toner.

For the skin’s benefit, always choose products that are natural or organic, or better still make your own.

Practice this effective 5-minute skincare routine, twice a day - morning and evening every day and soon you will reveal a nourished, healthy-looking skin that simply glows with good health. Long term it will keep your skin looking good for the rest of your life. One minute per step is all it takes to reveal fresher, more youthful skin and wave goodbye to future skin nasties.

You can enhance this skincare routine by exfoliating the skin once or twice a week, this will get rid of any deep-down grime and slough off dead skin cells, revealing fresher, younger-looking skin. You can use an exfoliating facial wash, exfoliating cream or you can make your own homemade exfoliator by mixing together a dessertspoonful of thick, rich moisturizer with half a teaspoon of sugar, Gently work into skin for a couple of minutes, making sure to cover all the face (except the eye area) then rinse with warm water. Keep eyes closed during rinsing.

For the skin’s benefit, always choose products that are natural or organic, or better still make your own.

Practice this effective 5-minute skincare routine, twice every day, morning and evening and soon you will reveal a nourished, clearer looking skin that simply glows with good health. Long term it will keep your skin looking good. One minute per step is all it should take to reveal fresher skin, whilst helping to prevent any nasty skin problems. Keep those wrinkles at bay the easy way.