Everything I Put On My Face

To kick off this new series, it’s only fair that we first take a peek into the bathroom cabinet of Best founder, Rebecca Scher. When she’s not literally on Katie Jane Hughes' Instagram (I know!) she can also be found letting her face air dry with a multi-step morning routine. 

How would you describe your skin? 

I have acne-prone skin as a result of PCOS. But thanks to active skincare ingredients (and probably relatively balanced hormones) I manage to keep the acne at bay for the most part. I also have pretty robust skin in the sense that any strong active, like Differin (my holy grail), can be lathered on my skin without it getting too aggravated.

How has your routine evolved over the last few years? And has there been any dramatic changes of late? 

“I used to try many different skincare products based on the cult product at the time or what bloggers recommended, but my skin was never truly happy.”

My acne was at its worst about a year ago. For years I used to take a hormone medication called Androcur for PCOS and it kept my skin almost 100% acne-free for years. Until I was advised that this medication was not a permanent solution with unwanted side effects and so I started to wean off of it. With that came a serious case of cystic acne around my jaw and cheeks (hormonal acne hot spots). I went to see a dermatologist who prescribed Differin and turned my skincare routine at the time on its head (for the better). The skincare I use now is all targeted at clearing acne and calming the skin. I am now acne free (for the most part) and all my gratitude has to go to these products and my esthetician (Sarah Stringer) who I was seeing regularly for peels and a deep cleanse. I probably have to thank my hormones too for calming tf down.

Okay, so breakdown every product in your day and night routine? 

MORNING:

1. Cleanse with pHformula Exfo Cleanse.
2. Let my face air dry to avoid unwanted bacteria that our towels carry onto my face.
3. Press SkinCeuticals Serum 10 (Vitamin C/Antioxidant) into my skin.
4. Press SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective (Calming Serum with Hyaluronic Acid) into my skin.
5. Let that sink in for five minutes while I brush my teeth.
6. Dap some Ole Henriksen Banana Bright eye cream around my eyes.
7. Then I put on my day cream, pHformula VITA B3 Cream, it has Niacinamide in, which helps with redness and pigmentation.
8. I then get dressed while that sinks in a little.
9. Finally, I put on SPF, my most loved is the Heliocare Gel SPF 50 (Oil-Free).
10. All of this creates the best base for makeup to follow.
    
    

EVENING:

I love to do a double cleanse in the evening to get rid of the day's makeup and any other build-up. 

1. I am currently using the Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser to start. You can’t get this in SA but a cheaper (and probably better) product that is next on my list when this finishes is the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. I massage it onto my dry face (and really give myself a massage moment here), emulsify it with some warm water, and then using a gentle damp face cloth I wipe it off.
2. I like to use a gel cleanser for the second cleanse and I use my pHformula Exfo Cleanse.
3. I then wipe my face with Bioderma Micellar water to get off any leftover makeup like mascara, which can be quite stubborn.
4. I alternate each night between a BHA (Obagi Clenziderm Pore Therapy) and Differin (prescription Retinol). This is a potent active combo so if you have sensitive skin, this may not be recommended, try spacing out the days in which you use these!
5. I then use another acne targeting serum, pHformula MD AC Active Recovery.
6. Dab some Kheil's Creamy Eye Treatment around my eyes.
7. I like to use a rich cream and night and I love the pHformula MD POST Recovery Cream.
8. I have seen a major difference in my skin since using an oil after all these steps to lock it all in and prevent any products from evaporating while I sleep. I love a rosehip seed oil for this and The Ordinary is the one I am currently loving. I warm it up vigorously in my hands and press it onto my face. 
   
   

“My boyfriend and I joke that he gets blinded by the reflection of the oil it’s so shiny.”

99% of these products are from Dermastore. It is the biggest blessing for my skin but the worst nightmare for my bank balance.

What's your most prized skincare discovery? 

Oil as the final step to my routine to lock it all in and prevent any products from evaporating while I sleep (my skincare routine makes me weep at the $$ so it better not evaporate). I learnt this from Charlotte Palermino and her skin is basically a real-life porcelain doll.

What's your body care routine?

I wash my body with the most gentle body wash possible (it’s happier this way) and for this, I use Sanex Zero % Sensitive Shower Gel. Straight outta the shower/bath (love showering in the mornings and bathing in the evenings), while my skin is damp, I lather myself from neck to toe in a mixture of La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP + and Bio-Oil. It is the most delectable texture and my body drinks it up. Since using these two products twice a day, my body hasn’t been dry. Once a week I try to give my body a good exfoliation with a dry brush.

Where do you source most of your skincare intel? 

What to use and how to use it can be super overwhelming. Whenever I am looking for some solid (no bullshit) skincare advice I look to either Caroline Hirons or Charlotte Palermino. Both these skincare gurus know a lot about skincare and break through the misinformation that a lot of skincare brands spread. I also love reading Into The Gloss when I am in need of some skincare inspiration.

Do you have any products you use for special occasions only? 

I used to save my fancy body creams (Byredo Gypsy Water) for “special occasions” but as soon as the world felt like it was falling apart (and there were no more special occasions because of lockdown) I’ve started using a pump of it every day, mixed in with my normal body cream to make myself and anyone who gets to smell me, feel better. The smell is so outrageously good that it has that effect. 

Best skincare advice you've ever received? 

As a kid, my mom used to be militant about putting suncream on every day. I used to kick up a fuss about looking like a greasy ghost after putting it on (I’m thankful for Heliocare Gel SPF 50 (Oil-Free) as I type this!) In hindsight now that I am all grown up, I couldn’t be more grateful for it and I too am now militant about SPF. I don’t go a day without it, rain or shine! Hopefully, my future self will thank me again too.

Any go-to tricks when your skin is looking 'blah'?

I am fully in love with Glossier Futuredew but before I had this glow in a bottle, I used to rub a thick cream between my fingers and dab it on the high points of my face where the light hits. It instantly brightens your face and makes you look more alive (another Katie Jane Hughes hack!)