If you’re a skincare newbie, you might feel like you’re drowning in all the possibilities. The number of brands offering skincare products is huge and once you’ve found a brand you feel good about, you’re not even there yet. Choosing a skincare product or an entire skincare routine that suits your skin takes time, as it’s important to get to know your skin and its needs. If your skin is generally dry, the chances are high you’re in need of different products than someone who has very oily skin. You might be wondering which skincare products or ranges can be used if you’re a beginner. The Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® is one of them and in this blog, we’ll explain why.

What does Obagi Nu-Derm® Fx help with?

Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® is one of our most popular and accessible skincare ranges, as the products work wonderfully on every skin type. Whether you have dry skin, oily skin or combined skin: Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® products will help you to get smoother, brighter looking skin. If you’re struggling with hyperpigmentation or dull-looking skin, this is without doubt the best option for you. The Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® System for normal to dry skin contains eight products that work best when used synergistically. With a cleanser, toner, exfoliator, retinol cream, moisturiser and sunscreen, among other products, this skincare system leaves your skin brighter and more radiant. You’ll be glowing your way through autumn and winter 2021. If you have oily skin, it’s best to choose the Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® System for normal to oily skin as this system contains products that help to enhance your complexion without making your skin greasy.

Can Obagi Nu-Derm® Fx be used by skincare newbies?

Whilst some products might contain harsh ingredients that will cause your skin to break out, the products in Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® System are gentle enough to be used by skincare newbies. So if you’re a beginner and are looking to purchase your first skincare products, this is an absolute yes. One thing to take into consideration is that, if your skin is not used to skincare products, it will take some time for your skin to get used to Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® Exfoderm, the exfoliator in the system. An exfoliator removes dead skin cells and increases cell turnover which will reveal newer, brighter-looking skin. An amazingly effective product, but it’s important to build up the frequency of usage if you’re a beginner to skincare. Start off by using the exfoliator once a week to see how your skin reacts and slowly build this up. Once your skin has gotten used to the exfoliator, you can start using it up to twice a day; every morning and evening. And remember: ALWAYS apply a sunscreen or moisturiser with SPF after using an exfoliator!

What Obagi Nu-Derm® Fx products are best?

You might wonder… Do I actually need all of the products in the Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® System? Our simple answer, yes. But we can also understand that if you’re new to skincare, you might want to try out one or two products first, before committing to an entire system. To start off, why don’t you give the Obagi Hydrate®, an all-day moisturiser, and the Obagi Facial Twin Kit a chance? The latter is a small skincare kit that consists of two products: a gentle cleanser and toner. The Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® Gentle Cleanser removes makeup, oil and any other dirt that has been built up on your skin during the day. As the name suggests, it’s gentle enough to be used by skincare newbies or people with sensitive skin. The Obagi Nu-Derm Fx® Toner helps to balance the pH levels in your skin and to reveal clear, smooth and healthy-looking skin. 

As much as we hate to admit it, summer seems to have come to an end and that means we’ll have to slowly prepare ourselves for autumn. Even though in some countries summer is still in full swing, we are fully aware that this will likely change over the next few weeks. The days will get shorter, the temperatures will drop and unfortunately, we’ll have to prepare for a lot more rain. With the seasons changing, we often find our skins to struggle a bit more than usual. It takes some time for your skin to get used to the drop in temperature and it might cause your skin to start breaking out more or get more dry and flaky. Whatever your skin type is, this is how you transition your skincare routine from summer to autumn 2021.  

Why do you need to switch up your skincare routine every season?

You might be wondering why it’s necessary to switch up your skincare routine now that autumn is incoming. Perhaps you’re one of the lucky ones whose skin stays perfectly clear, hydrated and bright the entire year around. We’re envious. But if that doesn’t sound like you, then there’s nothing to worry about, as most people struggle with changes in their skin. Whether it’s due to hormonal changes, seasonal changes or simply bad habits, it’s time to assemble skincare products that work for you. Every skin is unique, which means a unique skincare routine is required for everybody. Before we get started, it’s important to know what skin type you have. After all, you cannot expect a product that is specifically designed for dry skin to work well on your oily skin. And the other way around. If you’re in doubt about your skin type, you can take our skin test that will list your skincare needs based on five simple questions. 

What skincare products are best to use in autumn?

When you think about summer skincare, chances are high that you immediately think of Vitamin C and SPF. These are two essentials that cannot be missing from one’s summer skincare routine. But what about autumn? What products does your skin need when moving into autumn? If you have normal to dry skin, you will most likely start to notice your skin starting to get more dry and maybe even flaky during the colder months. For this reason, it’s important to incorporate a nourishing, deeply hydrating moisturiser into your skincare routine. Obagi Hydrate® is suitable for all skin types and might be the perfect autumn skincare product. The moisturiser provides all-day hydration, without making the skin look too glowy or oily. As Obagi Hydrate® doesn’t block pores, it’s also suitable for those with oily skin. 

Now that summer is over, we’re missing the glowy look we got from the sunshine. If your skin appears more dull in autumn, we recommend using skin brightening products, such as Obagi Nu-Derm® Blend Fx or Obagi-C® Fx C-Clarifying Serum. 

Should you be wearing SPF in autumn?

Now that summer is over, it’s time to store your SPF until summer 2022 begins. Right? Absolutely not! Contrary to what a lot of people think, SPF should actually be applied all year round. Yes, that’s right, even on the rainiest autumn days or coldest winter days. The reason for this is that UV rays are always present, whether you can physically see the sun or not. Don’t forget that the sun is always there, and it will find its way through the clouds to damage your skin. Use Obagi sun protection to protect your skin from any sun damage, helping it to keep it young and healthy. It will only take a little bit of yourself and we are sure your future self will love you for it!

Every year, the same thing happens. The summer holidays seem to go on forever, or at least that’s how it feels. Then all of a sudden, the start of the new school year is just around the corner and, of course, the usual panic sets in. No more lie-ins or relaxed mornings, instead chaos will shortly be resuming once more. 

If the prospect of buttering sandwiches at 100 kilometres an hour, shouting at the kids to get out of bed for the nth time or having to deal with an untimely meltdown as you desperately head for the door, is bringing you out into a cold sweat, you’re not alone. 

The first thing that often goes in this situation is our own self-care. Prioritising everyone else means that we skimp on things like skincare, make-up or even brushing our teeth. Anything to get them to school on time, right?

But there are some things that we can do to make life a bit easier for ourselves. Having a super quick, highly effective skincare routine is one thing you can do. Then, even if you have to leave home without make-up, your complexion will be so naturally radiant, it won’t even matter.

A Quick and Easy Morning Skincare Routine for Mums on the Go

The old adage about cleansing, toning, and moisturising came about for good reason. After all, it really is the best way to keep your skin in prime condition. Add to that a skin care range that uses ingredients which work at a deep, cellular level, visibly changing the appearance of your skin, then you’re onto a winning formula.

Obagi^® are a premium skincare brand with over 30 years of scientific expertise and clinically proven results. Specifically formulated to transform skin from within, these incredibly effective products leave the complexion looking noticeably healthier, more radiant, and the ace card, younger looking. 

The great thing is that Obagi^® skin care products have been designed to accommodate the entire Fitzpatrick skin spectrum and are dermatologist approved and tested for all skin types. Key ingredients including Vitamin C, Retinol and Arbutin target common skincare concerns. So, no matter whether you’re concerned about hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, or spots and blemishes, Obagi^® can offer a solution.

Pure Obagi^® Facial Twin Kit

This is the ideal skincare kit for mums on the run, available in Normal-Dry and Normal-Oily, revealing healthy, glowing skin, and proactively targeting early signs of ageing as well as powerfully defending against further damage.

For those with dry or sensitive skin, Obagi Nu-Derm^® Fx Gentle Cleanser is a remarkably soothing formulation. Natural nourishers like Oat Amino Acids, Aloe, Apricot Kernel Oil and Panthenol are included to calm irritation and inflammation and hydrate skin. It’s also rich in Sage Leaf Extract and Borago Officinalis Extract to remove excess oils and impurities whilst smoothing and brightening the complexion.

Alternatively, for normal to oily skin, Obagi Nu-Derm^® Fx Foaming Gel, effectively removes makeup, oil residue and impurities caused by the everyday environment. It also includes the signature hero ingredients of Oat Amino Acids, Aloe, and Borago Officinalis Extract. Additionally, Chamomile Extract, known to reduce irritation, is included for its anti-inflammatory properties, ideal for those prone to acne, blemishes, or rosacea. 

Ideal for quick, but effective deep cleansing, that you can fit in before the kids wake up, these cleansers will effectively remove oil residue and impurities that have surfaced during the night, leaving your skin purified and radiant. 

Used as part of your evening routine, you’ll also find that they clear away debris caused by the everyday environment and of course, effectively remove make-up, ensuring that follow-on skincare products can penetrate more deeply and work optimally. 

Obagi Nu-Derm^® Fx Toner, is a non-drying, alcohol free formulation that corrects and maintains the skin’s delicate pH balance. Hero ingredient, Witch Hazel, tightens skin and another key component, Aloe is re-known for its highly soothing properties, priming skin for the next step, hydration.

Obagi Hydrate^®

One of the brand’s bestsellers, Obagi Hydrate^® contains innovative, advanced Hydromanil™ technology. Derived from the Tara Seed, an ingredient known for its water retention properties, the molecules form a matrix on the skin’s surface. Not only does this instantly nourish skin, but it prevents further water loss and allows gradual delivery of further nourishment from active compounds for up to eight hours throughout the day. 

For busy mums, you can feel confident that your skin will be thoroughly nourished, hydrated, and actively protected against environmental stressors that cause premature ageing.

Retinol is a powerful skincare ingredient that you’ve probably heard of many times. Maybe you even use some form of retinoid in your skincare routine, which is great, as the benefits and results can be truly outstanding.

However if you’re using a retinol and not partnering it with the correct ingredients, you might be experiencing some frustrating side effects, including erythema (redness), irritation and dry skin. Read our 3 retinol do’s and don’ts to find out which ingredients make the perfect pairing and which should be avoided immediately.

3 Ingredients That Pair Well With Retinol

Peptides

Retinol has some amazing benefits, one of them being it speeds up skin cell turnover, which in turn reduces fine lines and wrinkles. However, in the process it can make your skin feel dry, so loading up on hydrating biomimetic peptides like Hydromanil will make sure you feel the full advantages of retinol without the dryness.

Combat dryness and boost hydration with Obagi Hydrate®. This best selling daily moisturizer contains Hydromanil™, a peptide that forms a matrix on the skin preventing moisture loss, by locking in the moisture from the shea butter, mango butter and avocado oil, all present  in the Obagi Hydrate® formula. This luxury product is clinically proven to provide long lasting hydration for up to 8 hours, making it a definite must-have to use alongside retinol.

SPF

Retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which is why it’s a no-brainer to include both retinol and SPF in your skincare routine. Due to possible photosensitivity it is often advised to apply retinol based products in the evening, before bed. When you wake up in the morning, finish your skincare routine with a high factor UVA and UVB protective SPF.

A great broad spectrum SPF to keep your skin youthful and protected is the Obagi Sun Shield Matte™ Broad Spectrum SPF 50. This product leaves a matte, shine free finish and uses both chemical and physical UV filters to keep your skin from sun damage. By using this product the morning after you apply retinol the night before, you’ll prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastin, pigmentation and wrinkles, helping your skin look youthful and radiant.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide helps to hydrate the skin, which reduces dryness that is sometimes associated with retinol use. Niacinamide also has great pore size reducing properties, as well as the ability to lighten pigmentation and discolouration. It is best to leave a 5 minute gap between applying niacinamide and retinol so that you can be sure the first product is fully absorbed before applying the second.

A brilliant niacinamide infused product is the Obagi Daily Hydro-Drops™ Facial Serum. This powerhouse serum contains niacinamide, omega fatty acids, hibiscus oil and vitamin B3. The addition of the omega fatty acids helps to restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier, locking in hydration, a great attribute when also applying retinol.

3 Ingredients That You Shouldn’t Use With Retinol

PHAs, BHAs or AHAs

You shouldn’t use any acids alongside retinol, whether its alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids or poly-hydroxy acids; they’re all a big no no in the skincare rule book!

Retinol exfoliates the skin, revealing brighter, more even skin underneath. Acids also have powerful exfoliating properties, so using both together will irritate your skin, possibly exfoliating beyond the dead skin cell build up and into the top layers of the skin, causing redness, irritation and inflammation.

Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide kills the acne causing bacteria that lives on the surface of the skin, reducing breakouts. Much like acids, benzoyl peroxide also exfoliates the skin to reduce congestion and blocked pores. If used in conjunction with retinol too much exfoliation will occur and you’ll most likely experience some unwelcome irritation.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerhouse antioxidant that makes a great addition to any skincare routine. However, your skin requires a low pH between 0 to 3.5 to be able to absorb vitamin C. Retinol needs a higher pH level between 5.5 and 6. When layering vitamin C and retinol the pH will balance out, making both products less effective. So although you may not experience any negative side effects, you will not benefit from either ingredients.