Skincare and Makeup: Optimising Your Routine for Healthy Skin

Most women love a good makeup routine, but here’s the truth: your skin is the real canvas. If you want that glow-up to look natural and last all day, you need a strong skincare base. That doesn’t mean drowning your bathroom shelf in 27 serums and potions. It means focusing on active skincare, choosing quality Australian skincare products, and knowing when to bring in the heavy hitters like a retinal night cream. Let’s break down how skincare and makeup work together, how to simplify your routine, and how to keep your skin thriving without making it all too hard.

How Skincare and Makeup Interact

Think of skincare as the prep work and makeup as the finishing touch. If your skin isn’t hydrated, exfoliated, and protected, makeup won’t sit properly. It can cake, crease, or vanish by lunchtime. Meanwhile, if you wear heavy makeup without proper cleansing, you risk clogged pores, irritation, and dullness. The trick is balance—good skincare habits that complement makeup, not fight against it.

Your Morning Routine: Skincare Meets Makeup

Mornings are about protection, hydration, and creating a smooth base for makeup. Here’s how to keep it simple but effective:

1. Cleanser – Start with a gentle cleanse to remove oil and any leftover night cream.
2. Antioxidant Serum – A serum packed with vitamin C or E helps fight free radicals and brightens skin. This is a cornerstone of active skincare.
3. Moisturiser – Lock in hydration with a lightweight moisturiser.
4. Sunscreen – Non-negotiable. Broad spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, every day. Even if your foundation says it has SPF, it’s never enough.
5. Makeup Application – Go for primer if you want longevity, then apply foundation or tinted moisturiser. Less is more—your makeup looks better when your skin is cared for.

Your Evening Routine: The Real Work Happens Here

Evenings are for repair and renewal. This is when skincare does the heavy lifting:

1. Double Cleanse – Start with an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup and pollutants, then follow with a gentle face wash.
2. Exfoliation (2–3 times a week) – Helps remove dead skin cells and keeps texture smooth for better makeup application.
3. Treatment – This is where the star comes in: a retinal night cream. Retinal (yes, stronger than retinol) is a powerhouse for boosting cell turnover, reducing fine lines, and evening skin tone.
4. Hydration – A nourishing moisturiser keeps your skin barrier strong overnight.

What to Avoid in Your Routine

• Overloading on products – More doesn’t equal better. Too many layers can cause irritation, product pilling under makeup, or flat-out wasted money.
• Skipping sunscreen – It doesn’t matter how good your serums are—without SPF, you’re undoing all the work.
• Using expired makeup – Old mascara and foundation can cause breakouts or infections. Chuck it when it’s past its prime.
• Mismatched formulas – Oil-heavy skincare with matte foundation, or thick primers with dewy serums, often clash and cause patchiness.

Keep It Simple: Why Less is More

Here’s the cheeky truth—brands love selling you more than you need. But your skin only benefits from a few well-chosen products. High-quality Australian skincare products with proven active ingredients will do far more than a dozen trendy creams promising miracles. A streamlined routine saves time, money, and your skin from unnecessary stress.

FAQs About Skincare and Makeup

1. Can I skip moisturiser if I wear foundation?
   Nope. Makeup clings to dry patches. Moisturiser keeps skin balanced and helps makeup glide.
2. Do I need primer if I’ve got good skincare?
   Not always. Well-prepped skin often means you can skip primer, unless you want extra staying power.
3. Will retinal make my skin peel?
   Sometimes at first. That’s normal as your skin adjusts. Ease in slowly and always follow with hydration.
4. Should I remove makeup if I’m too tired?
   Always. Sleeping in makeup is the fastest route to dull skin and clogged pores.

Smarter Skincare, Smarter Makeup

Your makeup is only ever as good as the skin underneath. That means a strong foundation of active skincare, choosing high-quality Australian skincare products, and sticking with essentials like a retinal night cream. Keep it simple, keep it smart, and you’ll have skin that looks just as good bare as it does under makeup.