Another day, another beauty hashtag. The latest social media obsession is #skinstreaming, with 137.7 million views on TikTok and counting.
Translation: Streamline your over-the-top beauty routines by opting for a less-is-more approach. What you need are a few effective products, targeting multiple needs. Then, use them consistently for best results.
Basically, it’s a novel way of saying what your mother always told you: “Stop putting a bunch of different products on your face and hoping they work.”
It’s what dermatologists invariably suggest, and what this 53-year-old beauty obsessive knows to be true. After all, there’s a reason so many of us have super-sensitive skin these days: We assault our skin with hundreds of chemicals every day when we apply ointments.
Kate Somerville, 55, the Hollywood beautician who grew up with agonising eczema and has developed a major glow guru, is a big advocate for the issue, proposing a handful of effective, science-backed treatments loved by Demi Moore, Reese Witherspoon and Eva Mendes.
Another day, another beauty hashtag. Social media’s latest obsession is #skinstreaming, with 137.7 million views on TikTok and counting (file image)
Her new KateCeuticals SuperCell Rejuvenating Serum (£84, katesomerville.co.uk) promises clinical-grade skin rejuvenation through a potent source of vegan stem cells and peptides that accelerate cell turnover. It’s already the brand’s best-selling product and aims to stimulate collagen, combat fine lines and address sun and pollution damage.
For me, a lazy person, the fact that it is a roll-on also adds to the appeal of this single-use method – a refreshing, soothing, multi-tasking product.
I say it’s a one-time treatment, but what we’re really talking about here is going back to the traditional three-step ritual, albeit with updated steps. Instead of the old cleanse, tone, and moisturize steps, we now have cleanse, repair, and protect steps.
What you’ll need is a gentle cleanser with a texture that suits your skin; some sort of restorative product (a moisturizer, oil, or serum, again tailored to your needs); then an SPF of 30 or higher.
You don’t have to spend a fortune. Instead, look for brands like Neutrogena, Q+A, Cetaphil, CeraVe, Olay, Garnier, Bioderma, Vichy, La Roche-Posay, L’Oréal and Skin Proud.
Or buy a bundle to make things even more affordable and easy. The Revolution Skincare X Sali Hughes Day Gift Set (beautyrevolution.com) costs £31.50 and costs £53 for the basics: a cleanser, exfoliating toner, protective vitamin C serum and a light morning moisturiser.
Plus, there’s a Revolution Skincare X Sali Hughes Night Gift Set (£36 down from £48) for nighttime, with the toner and serum, plus a richer cleanser and moisturiser. Pick up a Mini Set travel version of the day kit to try (£10).
I currently need oil cleansing day and night, the only option that doesn’t leave my face feeling dry. I’m using Medik8’s Lipid-balance cleansing oil (£29, medik8.com), which leaves my skin exquisitely supple.
I ‘tone’ (or rather de-puff) my skin with an ice cube and then add a layer of Emma Hardie’s Brilliance Facial Oil (£42.85, sephora.es). However, as with my cleanser, I often go for something more budget-friendly. My sunscreen is a mobile feast, but I’ve become obsessed with Heliocare 360° AR Emulsion SPF50+ (£26.39, lookfantastic.com) for its shine as a makeup base that lasts all day.
Before bed, I use celebrity-favourite Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water for Sensitive Skin (£4.68, boots.com) before my oil cleanse, just to check that I don’t have any sunscreen or sunscreen left, I exfoliate with a flannel.
Finally, I finish with a layer of Beauty Pie Youthbomb 360° Radiance Concentrate Serum (members £44, non-members £185, beautypie.com).
The ultimate product for a radiant body, with its patented Biolog-Elastic complex, a powerful fusion of 15 active ingredients: peptides, proteins, super-hydrating and soothing ingredients that firm, renew, illuminate, tighten, hydrate and provide a spectacular glow. I am a faithful follower.
Five lip tints for summer
MAC Glow Play Tendertalk Lip Balm (£22, maccosmetics.es)
pH-activated for a custom shine in ten award-winning tints that strengthen the lip barrier.
Lisa Eldridge Baume Embrace Melting Lipstick (£26, spacenk.com)
Currently Space NK’s best-selling lipstick, it melts in your mouth delivering a glass-like shine.
Lisa Eldridge Baume Embrace Melting Lip Colour (£26, spacenk.com)
Inkey List Volumizing Lip Balm with Tripeptide (£11, cultbeauty.es)
A non-irritating firming cream in four shades that repairs, moisturizes and provides visible volume.
Dr. Hauschka: from lip to cheek (£26, drhauschka.es)
A nourishing bar with 100% natural ingredients available in four illuminating shades.
Bert’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm (£6.79, hollandandbarrett.com)
A much-loved classic, admired by Bridgerton makeup director Erika Ovist.
My icon of the week: Alex Jones
The former One Show presenter, 47, caused a stir when she recommended Simple Protect ‘N’ Glow Radiant Glow Sheet Mask (£2.30, sainsburys.co.uk), and claims they are better than more expensive face masks. She also loves Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Face Primer (now £43.20, boots.com), followed by “my infallible accessory: blush. I would be lost without it.”
Former The One Show presenter Alex Jones, 47, caused a stir when she recommended Simple Protect ‘N’ Glow Radiant Glow Sheet Mask (£2.30, sainsburys.co.uk)
Desire for cosmetics
I would be remiss in my summer duties if I didn’t present you with my best offering of the past 25 years, namely the Philips Satinelle Essential epilator (£24.99, amazon.es).
My Mail colleague Sarah Vine was the first to introduce me to such a device, after her mother discovered it. I bought one in the early 2000s for a very similar price to what they cost now – less than a single waxing session at my local salon. Think of how much money I’ve saved.
Hair removal is instant, easy, painless (just shave first, keep hair short and stretch skin) and can be used all over the body (I use it on my armpits and bikini area too). Hair growth is incredibly slow, gentle and subtle. Invest in it!
The Philips Satinelle Essential epilator (£24.99, amazon.es)