Beauty insight: My best skincare tips

So I'm not going to brand myself an expert in skincare, because I'm not. I learn new things almost every week and really, the skincare industry is constantly evolving so I don't think anyone can truly be on top of it.

Nevertheless, I've been skincare obsessed for 4 years and I can never commit to sticking with one product - I even have a terrible habit of scanning websites for a new cleanser while there's still 2 weeks' worth left in my own! So when I turned 19, I was on my 'gap year' from uni (one that didn't involve any travelling, just full-time work so a little boring sorry everyone!) and I landed a job as a No7 Beauty Advisor in Swansea. I'd never really used No7 a lot before, just the odd product or two, but I absolutely loved make up and obsessed over skincare.

I'm always that person that my friends send a message to asking which product is best for that and how to create a routine for them - so I thought to create an edit of my top skincare tips that I've learnt over the years and during my time as a Beauty Advisor.

Tip No1 - Double cleansing is the way forward

I realise that double cleansing isn't actually that straightforward and there's so many questions involved - can I use the same cleanser twice? Do I double cleanse every time I wash my face? Does double cleansing dry out my skin? Like you, I was pretty confused to begin with but luckily, working on the beauty counter helped me to answer a few of those questions.

Personally, I double cleanse in the evening to make sure my skin is as clean as possible before bed. Sleeping is a chance for your skin to heal, carry out skin cell renewal and to rejuvenate itself, so it definitely can't do all of those things if you've missed a layer of foundation on your cheek.

Grab your trusty cleanser, it can be foam, gel, cream - whatever takes your pick - and cleanse as you normally would ensuring you massage the cleanser into your face for around a minute. After you've rinsed, take a different cleanser to the previous one - I tend to use a gentle cleanser like creams or oil-to-milk cleansers that will soothe my skin and hydrate it. You're all clean, ready for your nighttime routine (rhyme unintended but I guess it lifts the spirits a little).

Tip No2 - Tone, tone, tone

I never really used to believe in toners, but after working on the beauty counter I realised just how amazing they are for your skin. In just a sweep, toners can help to detox the skin by lifting impurities and give you that extra bit of cleanliness that your skin is screaming out for! Not only does a cleanser do that, but it can also restore the pH balance in your skin to make sure irritation, redness and dehydration stay at bay.

Toners that include Rose extracts are perfect for adding a hint of glow to your skin and they're super gentle too!

Tip No3 - Exfoliate weekly

If you've never used an exfoliator before, that's absolutely fine, but once you use it once, you'll never go back. Try using a microdermabrasion product or one fuelled with plant-ingredients, these are the most natural and won't be too harsh on your skin.

What's the purpose of exfoliating? They're a great way of buffing dead skin cells from the surface of yourself, unclogging the dirt in your pores and instantly reveal the freshest, glowiest and brand spanking new skin that's been waiting underneath. Once you start exfoliating weekly, you'll begin to notice when your skin is due its next treat, as the texture will start to feel gritty and uneven.

Be careful not to scrub too harshly with exfoliators, it does more harm than good! The best way to buff off the dead skin cells is to massage gently into your skin, in circular motions, moving clockwise and anti-clockwise for around two minutes.

Plus, exfoliators aren't just for your face and full body ones are a lovely and indulgent way at keeping your skin healthy and supple.

Tip No4 - Serums can help with texture and Jade Rollers are a great way to press them in

I've used a serum since I was 19. Granted, I've tried many in those 3 years but your skin concerns can change as your skin ages and frankly, serums can help to solve those solutions quicker and more effectively than anything else.

A couple of months ago, I found my skin was getting dull and lacking radiance, so a Vitamin C serum was perfect to bring back a healthy glow to my face. Last week, my skin was super dry and flaking in some places so a Hyaluronic Acid serum was just the rescuer it needed.

Whatever your skin concerns, serums are truly amazing and they work underneath the surface of the skin to fight the problem. You can massage it in before applying moisturiser, or apply it to your face and press it in with a Jade Rollers, with crystal being an effective way to press the product into your skin.

Tip No5 - Wear SPF everyday, even if it's not sunny!

Working at No7 really made me realise how important SPF is. On one of my training days in Bristol, the teacher showed us a photo of a middle-aged woman who would drive to work the same route every day and the sun caught the same side of her face the whole time. They then compared the left side of her face to the right, and you could clearly see the sun damage - I was honestly so shocked! - she looked so many years older on the sun-damaged side.

Everyone loves the sun and this isn't to say you can't enjoy it, but wearing SPF can protect your skin and slow down ageing. "There's no point wearing SPF to prevent ageing, I'm only in my 20s?" I hear you say, but believe it or not, your skin starts to age in your mid to late 20s and science proves that prevention is better than solution.

So, get plastering the SPF on everyone and make sure your moisturiser contains SPF20 and above - SPF50 is even better!

Tip No6 - Tea Tree Oil is a saviour for inflamed spots

Every month, alongside my lovely treat from mother nature, I get a swarm of spots incoming. Sometimes they're just little lumps and bumps that I can ignore, but other times they come in huge, sore boils.

Even when nothing in my whole skincare routine can make them go away, Tea Tree Oil always comes to the rescue. I always keep a stash of it in my skincare drawer as it's the perfect solution to reducing the size of spots, calming down any irritation and really helps to reduce the redness. I'm not saying it makes the spots disappear, because nothing does really, but it definitely shoos them away a little quicker than the natural process!

Tip No7 - Water actually works way better than any product will

Skincare isn't all about products and plastering formulas on your skin, it's also related to personal wellbeing and making sure you're feeding your skin with the best possible things. Until around two years ago, I would only ever drink squash, fizzy drinks and lots of hot drinks (ok, the hot drinks part is still true) and all of those drinks would not contribute to healthy, clear skin. The squash caused breakouts because even though it says 'no added sugar', there's still a ton of sugar from all the broken up fruits in the mix. Fizzy drinks may contain 'no sugar' but they're definitely not flushing out the impurities from your skin.

Water is the best possible ingredient to having clear and supple skin. It won't just 'look' healthy, it will actually be healthy as the water will help to flush out the impurities in your skin and bring intense hydration that helps to fill out any soft lines or dehydrating patches on your skin.

I try my best to drink 1-2l of water a day, but I realise I could definitely drink more. I think the trick here is just making it a habit and setting yourself some mini goals throughout the days - perhaps drinking 2 glasses on your lunch break? Filling up your reusable bottle 3 times in the morning? Little reminders can help us to achieve the big goal.

These are just a few of the skincare tips that I've learnt over the years, but I'd love to know what you think/suggest too! Comment below or DM me on Instagram on @lifebylau_

Thanks for reading, 'see' you soon x