Sarah Chapman’s good skin guide

Even if you’re a laid-back type who usually leaves all the Christmas prep till the eleventh hour, now’s the time get with the good skin programme. Because no matter how laissez-faire you are, your skin is working to its own strict schedule. ‘Our skin is constantly renewing itself – older cells in the upper layers shed themselves and new ones take their place,’ says top facialist and skin expert Sarah Chapman. ‘This process generally takes around 27 days, so if you start using a new product, its full benefits may not be visible on your skin for about a month.

‘Because of this, it’s really important to give your skincare at least four weeks to deliver results before an important event,’ she says. In other words, it’s time to start being a little more strategic with your skincare, which means either initiating something resembling a routine or honing your existing regime into something a little more sophisticated.

While ‘routine’ might not sound that exciting, it does lead to better skin. ‘The magic formula comes when you combine scientifically advanced products and performance-proven actives with a good amount of sleep and plenty of water,’ Chapman says. Good skin days, here we come.

‘Planning ahead means you can build up to the big day with targeted treatments,’ says Chapman, who advises ramping up your regime with masks and serums, as well as in-clinic facial treatments. ‘It’s the perfect time to add in a dedicated treatment programme such as my Radiance Recharge System. It’s formulated with 10 single-dose skincare shots to prep with gentle micro-exfoliation, followed by a combination of concentrated vitamin C cocktail and Glow Complex C B3, which is guaranteed to give a glorious glow.’

Honing your routine starts with going back to basics. ‘Cleansing is a hugely underrated step that’s overlooked by so many – and by cleansing I don’t just mean a make-up wipe!’ Chapman says. ‘Even the most proficient cleansers can’t compete with the power of a double cleanse at the end of the day. Removing all of the grime, make-up, pollution and sebum that can build up throughout the day will help to keep skin clear and radiant.’ Chapman recommends taking time to really massage your cleanser into the skin to boost the blood supply and flood cells with vital nutrients and oxygen. ‘As well as ensuring a deeper clean, facial massage is my favourite way to encourage radiance,’ she says.

The best way to reboot your complexion? Exfoliation. ‘If you’re prone to congestion, I would recommend following your cleanser with a gentle daily exfoliant,’ Chapman says. ‘Look for lactic, phytic, glycolic and fruit acids to dissolve any dull dead cells and surface residue, and allow your natural radiance to shine through. Exfoliation will also help your skincare to work more effectively and your make-up to sit better.’

‘Your next step is all about targeting specific concerns with a serum,’ Chapman says. ‘If your complexion feels dry or tight, look for a formula with hyaluronic acid, a high-performance ingredient that can lock up to 1,000 times its weight in water into your skin. If hyperpigmentation is a concern, try a formula with vitamin C – it tackles existing sun damage, acne scars and age spots, as well as inhibiting melanin production to prevent future discolouration. Or if your skin is sensitive and redness-prone, look for a formula with health-boosting probiotics and anti-inflammatories.’

The last step in any comprehensive skincare routine is a moisturiser. It may not boast the all-singing, all-dancing actives of its snazzy serum counterparts, but hydration remains the cornerstone of healthy skin. ‘Lock in hydration with a moisturiser or elixir,’ Chapman confirms. ‘For daytime, make sure you use a formula with SPF to protect against sun damage, which is one of the main contributors to signs of ageing, as well as antioxidants, which protect from free-radical damage.’

Once you get to grips with the mechanics of skin function, it becomes as clear as day that you need a slightly different routine at night. ‘Nighttime is when our skin enters repair mode, renewing itself up to three times as fast as during the day,’ Chapman says. ‘Support and enhance this process by focusing on regeneration-boosting formulas containing proven antioxidants, stabilised vitamin C to brighten skin and even out any hyperpigmentation, and rejuvenating vitamin A [retinol] to transform skin from deep down. I’m a huge advocate of high doses of vitamin A for nearly all complexions – it is one of the only ingredients recognised by the FDA as anti-ageing. It works deep in the cells to boost regeneration, repair DNA damage, counteract photo-ageing, and normalise sebum production to rebalance the skin.’

‘I’ve always taken a 360º approach to skin health, and diet has been proven to play a huge part in its condition,’ Chapman says. She advocates supporting your skincare regime with well-formulated supplements. ‘It can be difficult in today’s busy society to get all the nutrients you need, especially if you’re following a specific dietary programme, so supplements can be helpful. I would recommend a multivitamin with D and B, which can also help to alleviate stress; zinc to assist with healing; omegas for cell support; and magnesium to help encourage relaxation.

My Overnight Facial Supplement system, which I formulated to contain all of the above, is designed to support the skin during its most active phase of cell renewal, while you sleep. Omega oils have great benefits both internally and externally: they help to protect the cell membranes, keeping them supple and permeable to allow for healthy functioning.  Omegas are also anti-inflammatory, helping to prevent sensitivity and blotchiness. Try my targeted Omega+ Booster Supplement for a dose of sea buckthorn [omega 7], collagen-promoting vitamins, and anti-inflammatory omega oils [3, 6, 7 and 9] to support the skin from your inside, out.’