What’s On Team Skin + Me’s Bathroom Shelves?

Skin + Me is now officially three years old – happy birthday to us! In just a short time, we’ve grown a brand that is changing the face of skincare and built a community that we are truly proud of (that’s you!).

But we wouldn’t be where we are today without the people behind the brand too. So, to celebrate our third birthday, we asked some Skin + Me team members to share their skincare secrets. Read on for their favourite products, top tips and a peek behind the scenes…

Katie O’Hara
Junior Copywriter

I’ve been really lucky with my skin for most of my life, but experienced hormonal acne and congested skin in my early twenties – wearing heavy makeup, taking it off with makeup wipes and not getting enough sleep didn’t help. My first skin goal was acne, and starting at Skin + Me made me take my skincare routine more seriously. I stripped everything back and, once I’d started a proper routine, then introduced actives (thank you tretinoin!) my skin looks and feels better than ever.

I’m also vigilant with sunscreen to keep my skin looking its best for as long as possible – Skin + Me Daily Defence Sunscreen has been a brilliant addition to my morning routine. Now, my goals are to keep spots at bay, and while the odd one pops up now and again, they don’t bother me. I’m also keen to keep my skin smooth and supple – I’ve gone from wearing a really full-coverage foundation to just a skin tint or tinted moisturiser, which suits me perfectly. I’m really happy with my skin now, and plan to keep it that way!

My resolution for 2023 was to have a solid evening routine that I do every night, as a moment of peace before going to bed. After dinner and evening TV, I throw on some mellow music and have a shower. Then, it’s skincare time – I’ll cleanse in my bathroom, then do the rest of my routine at my dressing table. If I’m double-cleansing to remove makeup, I’ll use a cleansing balm (I’m using e.l.f’s Holy Hydration balm at the moment), and follow-up with the Purify + Prep Hydrating Cleanser from Skin + Me. If my skin’s feeling rough, I’ll use the Beauty Pie Wonderscrub as a mask once a week.

Then it’s on to hydration – I start with Beauty Pie’s triple hyaluronic serum, and once that’s dried down fully, I use my Daily Doser. My tretinoin strength has gone up recently, so I tend to buffer with a moisturiser before my daily dose. I seal everything in with my Soothe + Smooth Light Moisturiser, but if my skin’s on the drier side, I’ll go in with Avène’s Tolérance or Cicalfate Cream.

Despina Stylidou
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber

My lifestyle is pretty hectic and my days go by very quickly due to various after work activities and just being busy. However, that moment of skincare has been ingrained in my daily routine as a habit since I can remember. I think I started using a moisturiser daily from the age of 13 and never stopped! My skin goals are mostly to help with preserving my skin’s elasticity and prevent the early signs of ageing as well as maintain the radiance of my skin.

In the morning, after cleansing my face with Apivita Creamy Foam Cleanser with olive and lavender. I then apply my Frezyderm Anti-Wrinkle Effect Eye Cream followed by my Frezyderm Moisturizing and Repair Face Cream 30+. I have been using Frezyderm as my main hydrating moisturiser since I can remember – I have changed the actual products as I got older but I stuck with the brand because it leaves my skin very smooth. I then apply my sunscreen – Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream Plus SPF50 and I often reapply during the day.

I like to shower in the evenings, taking the day’s stress and worries away by relaxing under the running water. I cleanse my face in the shower with the same cleanser I use in the morning. I like to use a nice fluffy robe instead of a towel to dry my skin and for my face I use soft tissues. I don’t use many products as I notice that the more products I use the worse my skin can get. I start with the same Frezyderm eye cream and moisturiser that I use in the morning. Then I apply my Skin + Me Daily Doser and I finish with a moisturising lip balm.

Evie Venables
Customer Experience Associate

My skin journey has been wild. Until the age of 18 I had perfectly clear skin, but this then broke out into really painful acne when I left home for university. It impacted my life immensely and really affected my confidence. I tried many different skincare products and treatments but none sorted my skin long term like Skin + Me’s Daily Doser did – I did an article on The Dose where you can read more.

In the morning I keep it super simple. I use the Environ Gel Cleanser and Bioderma Sebium Hydra moisturiser, and I love our new Skin + Me Daily Defence Sunscreen! It is a great everyday product and it wears really well under makeup. I sometimes switch it up and use the Mesoestetic Tinted SPF when I don’t want to wear any makeup.

I love lighting candles in the bathroom, having the shower, then doing my evening skincare routine, but in all honesty most days there just isn’t time for that! I always double cleanse with Bioderma’s Micellar Water and my Environ Cleanser for my boujee second cleanse, or our Skin + Me Purify + Prep Cleanser when I am on the go. I also use a separate eye makeup remover since I wear extreme waterproof mascara – the Nivea Eye Makeup Remover works like no other. I have no idea how they do it.

Then the main event: the Daily Doser. I genuinely can’t live without this product and could not put into words the impact it had on my skin. After this I use my Bioderma Sebium Hydra moisturiser, but maybe once a week I use La-Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm as my moisturiser. This gives my skin a real sense of rejuvenation, as all the active ingredients in my Daily Doser can be quite taxing on the skin. It’s great on a Sunday evening as a little reset for the week ahead.

Tia Williamson
Customer Experience Team Leader

I unfortunately have super dry skin and often suffer from eczema flare ups so I have to really pay attention to how my skin is feeling. My journey has had lots of ups and downs of finding products that really work for me and don’t irritate my skin. I’ve never really had acne but I do get some hormonal spots, so my routine needs to be nourishing but also keep this at bay. I also look for things that come in smaller packaging as I travel a lot and like to be able to have my regular products on the go.

There are no exciting rituals for me but I do love to take the opportunity to drink some water whilst waiting for my face to dry after washing it. I tend to let it air dry and use this as an opportunity to get hydrated. A little candle or facemask moment on the weekend is also always a treat sometimes – I love Elemis Superfood as it is just so soft. Big fan!

I either use the Inkey List Oat Balm Cleanser or the No7 Oil Cleanser Balm. They are perfect for taking makeup or SPF off and amazing for dry skin as they’re so gentle. I follow this up with the Skin + Me Purify + Prep Hydrating Cleanser, just to double cleanse and make sure my face is super clean. At the moment I use the Skin + Me Soothe + Smooth Rich Moisturiser to buffer before my Daily Doser, but I switch products in the summer as my skin often changes. I’ll likely swap to the Soothe + Smooth Light Moisturiser.

After this, I’d usually use either E45 (dry skin girly here!) or the La Roche Posay Cicaplast which I’ve cycled between for around six months now. When it comes to SPF I love the Nivea Water Gel SPF 50, the Skin + Me Daily Defence Sunscreen, and Garnier Over Makeup Super UV Spray with hyaluronic acid.

Christian Thevathasan
Customer Experience Associate

My skincare journey began when I dipped my toes into the world of makeup and cosmetics. Having grown up watching my mother doing her own makeup was a mesmerising ritual of self-love that she unknowingly passed onto me. Diving into her collection of pots and little scented potions allowed me to develop a fascination with the magic of glamour. After a few years of embellishing my face with makeup, I noticed my skin stopped glowing, pulling me into a cycle of covering my insecurities only to experience duller skin. I spoke to my mother about this, and she told me that makeup cannot exist without skincare.

My morning and night routines vary in subtle ways. As someone with combination type skin, I like to ensure my skin remains dewy without becoming too oily. My mother taught me that skincare begins with washing your face. I use Skin + Me’s Purify + Prep Clarifying Cleanser, which beautifully washes off the oils that my skin produces overnight, as well as the dirt it accumulates throughout the day. At the end of my wash, I wet my face with icy cold water to close those pores and keep her firm.

My base layer consists of a few drops of The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum. I’ll apply this onto my slightly wet face, then fan it until it’s fully dry. My second layer can vary, where normally I use The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum however if I have blemishes or spots, I’ll pull out my 2% BHA Salicylic Acid Liquid Exfoliant by Paula’s Choice – she’s literal bae.

Skincare feels like chemistry to me, as you’re constantly finding the right concoctions that work for your skin. So in true chemist fashion, I always mix my moisturisers (and SPF in the morning) to create the perfect blend. In the mornings, I use Skin + Me’s Soothe + Smooth Light Moisturiser, with a few drops of the Daily Defence Sunscreen, and one drop of Tropic’s Super Green Nutrient Booster serum. At night, I’ll use Skin + Me Soothe + Smooth Rich Moisturiser, along with a few drops of Tropic’s Age Defying Omega Elixir serum. I like to mix it all on the back of my hand, and apply it to my face by gently tapping, pressing and massaging it into my skin.

Anna Samson
Mid-weight copywriter

Skincare has always interested me, but until a couple of years ago I was more concerned by the way it made me feel than what it actually did. A pretty bottle or the promise of an elaborate ritual was enough to make me click “add to basket” – needless to say, this whirlwind approach led to spots, dry patches and redness. I now try to choose products with intention, and this approach has helped to smooth out my skin.

Most mornings I wash my face in the shower with REN Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Gel while still half asleep – the botanical scent helps to diffuse the rage I feel towards my alarm. After patting my face dry, I then spritz it with BYOMA Balancing Face Mist. The aggressive spray function really helps me feel more awake. Next it’s time for Skin + Me Soothe + Smooth Light Moisturiser, a few sips of coffee, and then I then slather on sunscreen (if every other step fails, this is the one I won’t ever leave the house without). I was loyal to the COSRX Aloe Sunscreen for years, but I think the new Skin + Me Daily Defence Oil-Free Sunscreen might replace it.

In the evening I push my fringe back with my very sophisticated cat ear headband and use the classic Garnier Micellar Water to take off my makeup – at £6 for a huge bottle in Tesco, why would I use anything else? I steal my boyfriend’s fancy Clarins Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser and then it’s time for my Daily Doser. I was a bit nervous about using it since my skin can be quite sensitive, but my dosage of tretinoin has been increasing gradually, so there have been no side effects so far. I dot it around my face then do some reading while it soaks in. I might dab on a little Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream – it’s old school, but it fixes chapped lips and dry skin – before adding a layer of moisturiser and falling asleep.