Thinking of overhauling your skincare routine this new year?
Holly, shot by Vera Change, Makeup by Me
The new year has a funny way of making us want a fresh start. New diary, new goals… and very often, a completely new skincare routine. Sound familiar? I know I have!
Before you bin every product in your bathroom cabinet and start again, let’s take a minute. Great skin isn’t about chasing trends or owning the most expensive items, it’s about understanding your skin, respecting its needs, and building a routine that actually works - long term.
As a makeup artist, educator, and someone who sees skin up close every single day, here’s my no-nonsense guide to overhauling your skincare routine the right way.
Step one: get honest about your skin
This is where most people go wrong. We buy products for the skin we want, not the skin we have.
Ask yourself:
Does my skin feel tight after cleansing?
Am I oily but dehydrated?
Do I experience redness, sensitivity or breakouts?
Has my skin changed recently (stress, hormones, medication, age)?
Skin evolves. What worked five years ago might not serve you now — and that’s completely normal. Your routine should flex with your life.
If you’re unsure, strip it back and observe. Skin gives excellent feedback when we actually listen.
Step two: stop overcomplicating things
More products does not equal better skin. In fact, overloading your routine is one of the fastest ways to compromise your skin barrier.
At its core, every solid routine needs just three things:
A gentle cleanser
A moisturiser that supports your barrier
Daily SPF
That’s your foundation. Everything else — acids, retinoids, serums — should be added thoughtfully, not all at once.
If your skin is currently irritated or unpredictable, less really is more.
Step three: introduce change slowly (your skin will thank you)
If you’re planning an overhaul, avoid the temptation to change everything at once. When skin reacts, it’s much harder to pinpoint the cause if you’ve introduced five new products in the same week.
A simple rule:
One new product
Every 2–3 weeks
Patch test first
This approach feels slower, but it’s far more effective — and far kinder to your skin.
Step four: trends are fun, but consistency wins
Skin cycling. Slugging. Glass skin. Barrier repair. TikTok is full of skincare advice — some brilliant, some questionable, and some wildly unsuitable for everyday skin.
Trends can be inspiring, but they should never override:
Your skin type
Your lifestyle
Your ability to stay consistent
The best routine is the one you’ll actually stick to. Glowing skin is built through repetition, not reinvention.
Step five: think like a makeup artist (even if you’re not one)
From years of working on faces under studio lights, backstage chaos, and long wedding days, I can tell you this: makeup only looks as good as the skin underneath it.
Healthy skin means:
Better makeup application
Less product needed
Longer wear
A more natural finish
If your makeup has been sitting oddly, separating, or clinging to dry patches, it’s often a skincare issue — not a makeup one.
Step six: don’t forget the boring bits
The unglamorous habits make the biggest difference:
Clean pillowcases
Removing makeup properly
Not over-exfoliating
Drinking water
Managing stress where possible
Skincare isn’t just what you apply — it’s how you live with your skin.
A final thought for the new year
An overhaul doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. Sometimes it simply means refining, simplifying, and being more intentional.
If this year you focus on understanding your skin rather than fighting it, you’ll be amazed at the difference.