Author, influencer, presenter and Grazia's new beauty columnist Candice Brathwaite shares her biggest skincare revelation to date.
I was a skincare addict. It all happened so slowly, like most addictions do. I would claw my way through multiple bottles of cleansers and scrubs and feel sullen when I realised that I was clean out of ‘the one’. I was a self-confessed beauty junkie. That term, 'beauty junkie', is often used to convey admiration. 'Oh check you out, with your £300 creams, LED face masks and facials, you're such a beauty junkie!'. I lapped it up, the admiration and the skincare obsession.
I was almost predestined to become consumed by the world of beauty. The combination of suffering with confidence-knocking teen acne and now having constant access to beauty gurus, skincare influencers and a never ending stream of ‘advice’ via SkinTok (skincare TikTok for those not in the know) had me drowning in product, little of which I was adequately clued up about.
Add into the mix that my job as a TV presenter and influencer sees me inundated with the latest and greatest when it comes to skincare products and you get the picture. It sounds like the dream right? I certainly thought so. My interest in skincare and newfound inside track in the world of beauty seemed as though it was a match made in hyperpigmentation-free heaven. Until it wasn’t.
It took me six whole months to realise that in and amongst testing, trialling and switching up my skincare regimen on the weekly, that my skin was, for lack of a better word, regressing. My breakouts were more frequent, the dark marks they left behind were taking far longer to budge and my skin, which before I would have classed as oily-to-combination skin, was now tight and dry.
A few weeks into that realisation I had the privilege of visiting a well-known dermatologist. I watched her eyes grow wide with wonder - and then worry - as I proudly explained that I am a woman who does a triple cleanse - because a double cleanse doesn’t feel like it's cutting it - that I exfoliate with multiple products both morning and night and I use no less than five serums.
‘Oh my!’ She chuckled, ‘whilst I applaud your efforts, I can categorically say that you’re doing far too much and suspect you’re doing more harm than good. You're actually leaving your skin lacking much of what it needs.’ She said matter of factly. She duly stripped my routine bare and instructed me to go back to basics. ‘It’s funny, a major part of my job now is encouraging people not to fall for every single skincare product they come across online. Less is most definitely more,’ she stated.
Though my draws and cupboards back home, packed full with product, clamoured to disagree, I couldn’t argue with her own beautiful skin. Clearly this woman knew what she was talking about and - I had to be honest with myself here - what I was doing wasn’t exactly working. I decided to put her words of wisdom into practice.
Almost three months on I can't impress enough what a revelation my skincare rejig has been. Now in the morning I cleanse once, apply a serum and my SPF. That's it. At night I double cleanse, apply my serum and follow with a rich night cream. That is it. Add-ons like exfoliation happen on an ad hoc basis, intuitively, when I think my skin needs it.
This less-is-more approach has a few other benefits too. Yes, my skin is thanking me, but so is my bank balance and at-home storage situation too.
No one knows better than me that if you've ever struggled with your skin, whether that was down to adolescent acne, postpartum breakouts, you name it, it can be easy to assume that the answer to great skin and the confidence that comes with that lies in a multitude of fancy skincare products. Trust me, no one needs a twenty-step skincare routine. Dial it down. Strip that routine back. Quit doing too much. Your face will thank you for it.
Shop: The Best New Beauty Releases Of July 2021
New Beauty Products - August 2021
1 of 21Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Elote, £19
Urban Decay's brand new Vice lipsticks have been given a makeover for 2021. There's new ultra-pigmented shades (we're obsessed with the popping coral 'Elote' and the rich berry 'No Parking'), a nourishing new lip-loving formula (think hyaluronic acid and aloe vera) plus they're 100% vegan-friendly, too. Win.
2 of 21TRESemmé Pro Pure Shampoo & Conditioner, £5.99 (each)
TRESemmé's latest collection 'Pro Pure' is formulated entirely free from sulphates, silicones and dyes. Perfect for colour-treated hair, the new free-from range contains naturally derived plant-based ingredients and a pH-balanced formulation for visibly healthy and more nourished-looking hair.
3 of 21NEOM Super Shower Power Body Cleanser, £26
Start your day energised with NEOM's new luxe body cleanser. Super-powered by 100% natural spearmint, rosemary and eucalyptus essential oils, it hydrates as it gets you buzzing for the day ahead.
4 of 21Carbon Theory Day-Lite SPF50+, £18
Come rain or shine, we should all be wearing SPF every day. Which is where Carbon Theory's Day-Lite SPF50+ can help. It's an ultra-lightweight and hydrating SPF, specifically formulated for acne and breakout prone skin. Stay protected safe in the knowledge that your SPF won't cause you breakouts - winner.
5 of 21Fussy Deodrant, Refills from £15 for 3
Shopping for an ecological deodorant? no sweat. Fussy is an effective, sustainable, vegan and cruelty free anti perspirant that is as good to the planet as it is to your underarms. Sunflower wax, coconut oil and shea butter will soften and nourish skin while magnesium hydroxide and sodium bicarbonate eliminate odour. Subscribing gets you the (super cute) case, and plastic free refills in your choice of fragrance.
6 of 21OUAI x BYREDO Leave In Conditioner, £22
Be quick to snap this one up as it's sure to sell out - FAST. Byredo x Ouai is back and this time it's the leave-in conditioner that's had a fragrance makeover. Get ready to leave a trail of fragrance behind every time you swish those locks.
7 of 21SCIENTIA Pure Clarity Deep Clean PHA Cleanser, £24
Where science meets nature, this potent Scientia cleanser targets breakout-prone and textured complexions, helping to decongest, replenish and refine with succinic acid, niacinamide and sacred lotus extract.
8 of 21Jones Road Beauty Miracle Balm, £34
Bobbi Brown's latest beauty company - Jones Road Beauty - is aaaall about those makeup multi-taskers. Say hello to Miracle Balm - the secret of no-makeup makeup. It gives a wash of soft-focus moisture to perfect and enhance skin. Wear alone or layer on top of foundation for an instant refresh.
9 of 21Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum, £53
Instantly brighten and help defend skin against pollution with this powerhouse vitamin C. Hyaluronic acid helps to hydrate while banana powder-inspired pigments give you a glow like no other.
10 of 21Clé de Peau Beauté The Lip Serum, £68
In the market for a fancy lip balm? Say hello to Clé de Peau. Enriched with the brand's cutting-edge skin cell science, it's deeply hydrating and encourages strong, healthy, shapely lip contours for a youthful, plump, pillowy look. This is not your average lip balm.
11 of 21Selfless by Hyram Centella & Green Tea Hydrating Gel Cleanser, £18
Perfect for all skin types - even sensitive skins - this gentle daily gel cleanser effectively cleanses the skin without drying or stripping. Simples.
12 of 21SBTRCT Rejuvenating Night Balm, £32
A world-first, this retinol bar (yep, you heard that right) is the world's first solid retinoid. Enriched with 2% Granactive Retinoid + Squalane, it helps to even skin tone, improve texture and diminish the appearance of fine lines. All while being super sustainable. Win.
13 of 21Coola SPF30 Organic Scalp and Hair Mist, £26
If August is anything like July, we should get ready for heatwaves a-plenty. Protect your scalp with this cooling lightweight mist. It works to protect the scalp and hair without weighing hair down or leaving it looking greasy.
14 of 21DYCHPER Custom Foundation, £28
This seriously clever foundation uses AI to perfectly match your unique skin's shade - and custom-mixes a formula just for you. You can even pick the finish and coverage you want. It's an absolute game-changer in foundation.
15 of 21Vida Glow Natural Marine Collagen Original, £43
Vida Glow's Natural Marine Collagen aims to improve the health of your hair, skin and nails. Made from sustainably sourced fish skin, this gold-standard collagen peptide supplement is activated to boost absorption, meaning your body can quickly put it to use – soon revealing smoother, younger-looking skin, stronger nails and thicker hair. Clever.
16 of 21Glossier Solar Paint, £17
Instant summer skin in a tube, Glossier's Solar Paint is the next-generation of cream bronzers. The whipped gel crème sinks into skin, leaving you with an ultra-natural glow.
17 of 21The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment, £14.99
Healthy hair starts with great scalp care. The Inkey List's new Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment acts as a spring clean for your scalp, instantly sweeping away build-up, balancing your microbiome, balancing oils and fighting flakes to keep your hair follicles happy.
18 of 21Bon Parfumeur Eau de parfum 702, £74
With top notes of incense, elemi, lemon and pink pepper, this half-spicy, half-green fragrance blends floral hints and a touch of French lavender. It's warming, fresh and playful.
19 of 21Aesop Parsley Seed Serum, £55
Hydrate and soothe your skin every morning and night with this lightweight blend of anti-oxidant rich ingredients. Blended within a soothing Aloe Vera base, it nourishes skin from within.
20 of 21The Hair Lab by Mark Hill Bond Repair Internal Bond Repair Cream, £16.99
The high-street's answer to bond-building hair repair, The Hair Lab by Mark Hill repairs and strengthens internal Keratin bonds from inside of the hair. Eliminate frizz and leaves hair physically stronger, smoother and more hydrated.
21 of 21Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid Super Dewy Skin Mist, £50 (£16.58 for members)
This hydrating hero features 6% Hysilk™, HA BT, Fuse-HA, which is a cutting-edge, new-tech, uber moisture molecule that delivers a fusion of the same benefits as Hyaluronic Acid. All you need is a spritz of this lightweight, intensely hydrating skin innovation and you're good to glow.
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