The Caroline Hirons Guide To Creating A Caring Routine For Blemish-Prone Skin

Taking your first steps into the wonderful world of skin care can be an exciting time. But it can also be confusing. Between the dazzling array of products and seemingly endless ingredients lists, how do you know where to start? Add breakouts into the mix and it can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. Bustle UK spoke to skin expert and founder of Skin Rocks Caroline Hirons to get her tips on making skin care choices with confidence. She gave us the breakdown on building a simple but effective routine and clued us in on a brand new range that targets blemishes while maintaining the skin barrier.

Introducing CeraVe’s new Blemish Control range, here to make caring for blemish-prone skin easy. All CeraVe products are developed with dermatologists (doctors who specialise in skin) and the new range is no exception — this is skin care you can trust. CeraVe’s new Blemish Control Cleanser and Gel not only improve the appearance of existing blemishes but help prevent future ones appearing. Sounds like the skin care dream right? Read on to find out how to make your ideal routine a reality and get the most out of CeraVe products.

Caroline Shares How To Get Your Skin Care Journey Off To A Great Start

When it comes to skin care, sometimes it’s better to keep things simple. For your first routine, Hirons advises that three key products should do the trick. “Start with your bookends, a cleanser and a moisturiser for both a.m. and p.m. and an SPF in the morning,” she says.

As for the actual products to include in your routine, Hirons recommends the CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser if blemishes are a concern. To cleanse effectively, it’s important to strike the right balance. Hirons notes: “Don’t over cleanse. Some people try to clean their skin too much if they are blemish prone, but make sure to only cleanse twice a day.” Using the CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser just twice a day will help pores stay unplugged and prevent future spots from popping up.

There are certain ingredients that those with oily or blemish-prone skin should look out for when shopping for products. “Salicylic acid is brilliant for treating blemishes and niacinamide is perfect for regulating oil, so look for these if you are oily,” recommends Hirons. Both of these star ingredients can be found in the CeraVe Blemish Control range — including 2% salicylic acid in both the Cleanser and Gel.

The Hero Product Caroline Says Every Skin Care Routine Should Include

No matter your skin type or concern, there’s one product you shouldn’t skip — moisturiser. Hirons says it’s “a common misconception” that oily or blemish-prone skin types don’t need moisturising. In fact, moisturiser can help prevent blemishes. This all down to something known as your skin barrier, as Hirons explains: “The skin barrier is there to protect our skin from pollution/bacteria, which can lead to spots. If you have a strong skin barrier, you will be less prone to blemishes. You can strengthen your skin barrier by using moisturising products.”

The CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 50, PM Facial Moisturising Lotion, and the new Blemish Control Gel are excellent skin barrier safekeepers. These formulas include CeraVe’s signature blend of three ultra-nourishing essential ceramides (moisture-retaining miracle ingredients found naturally in the skin), which alongside the brand’s patented MVE technology (slow-release delivery system), help hydrate and protect the skin all day.

Caroline’s Tips For Making The Most Of Your New Routine

A key part of caring for skin is using products at the right time. Both your morning and nighttime routines should start with a cleanser, followed by any serums and finish up with a moisturiser. In the morning, you also need to include SPF. Hirons advises that SPF is essential to ensure your skin is shielded from the sun’s rays as you go about your day. The CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 50 helpfully combines a moisturiser with an SPF, saving you time while looking after your skin. SPF should be final step in your morning routine, always and in all seasons.

Just as SPF should be used in the morning, there are some products that are best used in your evening routine. Hirons explains that strong actives (the ingredients that make the product work) can make your skin more sensitive to the sun and “are better to be used in an evening routine.” These can include things like AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) such as glycolic and lactic acid. These can be found in CeraVe’s Blemish Control Gel, which make it a great choice for targeting blemishes and blackheads at night. Use this after cleansing as an alternative to the CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion to help improve the appearance of blemishes.

As for any last pearls of wisdom Hirons has for fighting breakouts? “Ensure that you are using fresh face cloths daily and changing your bed[sheets] at least once a week. Change your pillowcases more frequently if you have acne.” Oh, and seriously, don’t squeeze your spots. Hirons is firm on this: “Try not to play with your spots, it will only make them worse,” she says. Between Hirons’ tips and CeraVe’s Blemish Control range, starting a skin care routine for blemish-prone skin has never been simpler.

And now, using the code CAROLINE20, you can save up to 20% off on selected CeraVe products, excluding bundles, on LookFantastic.com. Valid from 1.9.2022 until 30.9.2022. Not to be used in conjunction with any other discount code. Subject to availability. While stocks last.