The Skincare Routine I Use and Recommend for Brighter Skin

🌞 Morning Routine: Brighten & Protect

Your morning routine should focus on cleansing, antioxidant protection and shielding the skin from daily environmental damage. This is the skin care routine I use on a daily basis and recommend to my patients as a good starting point for brightening and renewing their skin.

Step 1: Gentle Cleanse

Obagi Gentle Cleanser

Start your day by removing overnight oils and impurities without stripping the skin. A gentle cleanser prepares your skin to absorb active ingredients effectively.

Step 2: Vitamin C Serum

Obagi Professional Vitamin C Serum

This is the serum that has changed my skin!

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to:

• brighten dull skin

• improve uneven skin tone

• stimulate collagen production

• protect against environmental stress

Tip: Apply to dry skin and allow it to absorb before applying moisturiser. Another tip: I suggest starting at 10% for a month and allowing your skin to get used to Vitamin C (if you have never used it before), then I would increase to 15% and then 20%. If you have more sensitive or reactive skin like mine this was a great way for me to introduce this product into my daily routine.

Step 3: Hydration

Obagi Hydrate Lite

Hydration is essential for glowing skin. This lightweight moisturiser supports the skin barrier while keeping the skin soft, balanced and comfortable throughout the day.

Hydrate Lite, I love as a daily hydrator as it is oil-free, and non-comedogenic that calms irritation, reduces redness, and provides up to 24-hour hydration. It also supports a compromised skin barrier by using ceramides and niacinamide, making it a great choice for sensitive ad reactive skin reactive skin.

Step 4: SPF (Most Important Step!)

Obagi SPF

Daily SPF is essential for preventing:

• pigmentation

• premature ageing

• sun damage

• skin cancer

Obagi SPF Matte Mineral is a superior SPF as it protects agaist UVB and UVA ( broad spectrum SPF), it is also recommeded by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

SPF should be worn every day, all year round — even when it’s cloudy.

🌙 Evening Routine: Repair & Renew

Night-time is when your skin naturally repairs and regenerates. This routine supports cell turnover and skin renewal.

Step 1: Cleanse

Obagi Gentle Cleanser

Remove makeup, SPF and impurities so your skin can absorb treatment products properly.

Tip: I always double cleanse.

Step 2: Retinol Night Cream

Retinol PHA Night Cream

Retinol helps to:

• brighten skin tone

• improve texture

• stimulate collagen

• reduce fine lines and congestion

Because retinol is a powerful active ingredient, it should always be introduced gradually.

🗓 How to safely build up retinol:

• Month 1: Use 2 nights per week

• Month 2: Every other night

• Month 3: 5 nights on, 2 nights off

This approach allows the skin to adapt and minimises irritation.

Additional product to your routine - 2–3 Times Per Week: Vitamin C Mask

Obagi Professional C Mask

This mask provides an extra boost of brightness and radiance. I started using this twice a week and built up to 3 times a week. This mask makes your skin feel smooth and soft.

Tip: When applying, wet your finger tips to help spread the product and only go in a single direction: Max twice in the same area.

NEVER scrub the product in: the fine crystals in the product can make the skin irritated if scrubbed to much into the skin (compromising skin barrier).

⚠️ Important tip:
Do NOT use retinol on the same night as the Vitamin C mask if using the mask in the evening. Using too many active products together can irritate the skin.

The mask can be used:

• on non-retinol nights

• or during the day if preferred

Additional Tips for Brighter Skin

• Consistency is more important than perfection

• Introduce new products slowly

• Avoid layering too many active ingredients at once

• Drink plenty of water and prioritise sleep

• Seek professional advice for personalised skincare routines

Every skin type is unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.

Final Thoughts

Bright, healthy skin is achieved through simple daily habits and evidence-based skincare, not quick fixes. A routine that includes cleansing, vitamin C, retinol and SPF can significantly improve skin tone, texture and overall confidence over time.

This is the routine I personally use and recommend to many of my patients at Fine Aesthetic Medicine Clinic.

If you would like a personalised skincare plan or professional advice tailored to your skin concerns, we would be happy to help.