What is the ABC+SPF skincare routine? 

Not too long ago I stumbled on this ABC idea of skincare actually on the Beauty Pie site, it was a piece written about how it was the best way to achieve a really good skin care routine and to get your skin at its very best! Oh I thought this is interesting, you know me, I love things like this, I’m going to give it a try! But with a slight twist! I’ll make it a bit more of a challenge by not just getting the best of what’s out there, why not try and find and use the Luxe for Less version! See what they are, if they are even available and if I get any result! There’s no more of a test than on a mature, sun damaged skin🤣😳

So the ABC + SPF skincare formula is made up of 3 ingredients things,

A (Retinol, also known as Vitamin A),

B (Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3)

C (Vitamin C, always known as Vitamins C)

plus and SPF

It can take 6 weeks to see a difference in the skin but more often than not you can see it much quicker than that. As it takes skin cells 6 weeks to travel up from the basal (bottom) layer to the top. If your skin is drab, dry and/or damaged, there is good news, this will get you back on track.

You’ll also need to use a good cleanser and moisturiser too.

Using this ABC SPF system optimises your skin health at any stage of your life. It works on every level of your skin to improve the appearance of sun damage, skin texture, and fine lines, repair of the skin barrier, and it all works synergistically to achieve great results.

Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A. Retinol is a brilliant, potent ingredient that speeds up cell turnover, helping to fade darker areas of skin, and second, it kick-starts collagen and elastin production, in order to replace what’s been lost particularly after the summer months. 

Next is Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3 it works to strengthen the skin barrier, it’s great at restoring harmony to skin that’s really in trouble. It balances the skin and makes it glow too! 

Then there Vitamin C!  Its key benefit is that it’s an antioxidant, which means that it works like a shield to protect skin from environmental aggressors like UV rays, pollution, and blue light. All of these can lead to premature aging, so you want those defenses to be as high and water-tight as possible. With continued use of Vitamin C, you’ll notice that your skin is brighter, your complexion more even in tone, and that existing hyperpigmentation is no longer quite so visible. Vitamin C is also an important component in the formation of collagen, so adding more into the mix means the skin can make more of this firming, plumping protein. Phew! 

Then finally, last but definitely not least! SPF! 
Prevention is always better than cure, which means this is arguably the most important part of your entire routine. Especially when you consider that around 90% of skin aging is caused by the sun. The role of sunscreen is to create a barrier between your skin and UV rays so that they can’t cause any damage. Also, remember that UVA rays are present all year round and can even penetrate through clouds, so you must wear it all day, every day! 

So let’s get down to the nitty gritty, past all the technical stuff and see what we can use! I for one, gave been very cautious of retinol, because I don’t know so much about it? It really wasn’t in my beauty “era”’? and when I first came across it in the mid 80’s, when I was in New York, we had to get clients to sign a medical release in Elizabeth Arden to say if they were using Retinol or not! That’s how strong it was then, and the danger was if they had any facial waxing it would take the skin off with it. I should say too that the only Retinol you could get then was prescribed by dermatologists for bad skins, and then they found out how marvellous good skins could look with it too! 
So because I’m very cautious, have a thin, sensitive, mature, sun damaged skin (sounds awful doesn’t it!) I started my Retinol journey with this! 

So this is what I have been using -  PS... Skin 0.5% Retinol Serum by Primark, in my nighttime routine. Blended with hydrating jojoba and rosehip oils, this nightly face serum is infused with hydrating ingredients that are designed to help reduce the risk of irritation. Retinol features in the formula to help firm skin and smooth the complexion, while the low percentage makes this serum ideal for those just starting out with this popular ingredient. Simply use at night after cleansing and toning. When retinol features in your skincare routine, always be sure to use sunscreen in the morning to help protect the face. 
There are many retinol products out there with lots of different percentages, so do your homework and take your pick!
Now if or should say when I go up a step in strength I’ll go with this superb product with its 2% retinol

Treat: Super Retinol + Vitamin C Night Renewal Moisturizer (1% Retinol Complex) from Beauty Pie £18.50 (non members £40)

So next in line is the Niacinamide.  Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3. As far as skincare ingredients go, Niacinamide is something of an overachiever. Working to strengthen the skin barrier, it’s great at restoring harmony to skin that’s stressed and compromised. If it’s congestion and blemishes that are your complexion bugbear, then Niacinamide will help here too. It does a good job of balancing oil flow so there’s less excess sebum, making pores look smaller and your skin less shiny. Plus, it reduces redness in angry spots. There are anti-aging pros too, as Niacinamide also promotes spring in the skin and helps your glow. 
While you can use a Niacinamide product day or night, I use mine in a night cream, so that I use it at the same time as the retinol. This way it helps soothe any irritation, also helps hyper pigmentation and skin repair, which is definitely me! I’ve been using the Naturally Radiant Night Cream which is formulated with Niacinamide and infused with Kiwi Fruit and Mulberry Extracts to help revive skin's radiance and even out skin tone. This formulation delivers rich and long-lasting moisturisation, whilst helping to refine skin's texture as you sleep, leaving skin feeling smoother and looking more youthful. It’s soft, creamy and luscious! If you want to treat yourself, try this:

Treat: Super Healthy Skin Ultimate Anti-Aging Vitamin Cream V2.0 by Beauty Pie which has 2% of Niacinamide. ‘The high-maintenance moisturiser for low-maintenance people’ £29 members price otherwise £115

Then there’s the Vitamin C. So what does that do?With continued use of Vitamin C, you’ll notice that your skin is brighter, your complexion more even in tone, and that existing hyperpigmentation is no longer quite so visible. Vitamin C is also an important component in the formation of collagen, so adding more into the mix means the skin can make more of this firming, plumping protein. Phew! And being that I have loads of pigmentation due to all the sunbathing I really try and do everything I can! A bit after the horse has bolted, I know! But every little bit makes a difference, it doesn’t matter what age you are! 

So I have been using the  Biovene Vitamin C + Orange Complex Face Serum in the morning, for quite a few weeks now, and then I have been using Hyaluronic serum because the Vitamin C serum makes my skin feel a little tight. I definitely couldn’t use this by itself. This brightening serum, enriched with vitamin C, banana, and orange extract, revitalises any dull, tired skin and it’s Ideal for helping reduce my hyperpigmentation and signs of ageing! It comes in a gel formula so it’s very easy to smooth over my skin and control. You can get Vitamin C in so many different ways, serum, day and night cream, so you can take your choice. 
Treat: Superdose Vitamin C C-Suite Rapid Action Power Brightener £23.50

The last thing you need to wear, after your moisturiser, every morning, is an SPF at least 30 if not 50! You need to use quite a lot to make it work and to protect your skin and you need to apply it and let it settle in your skin. The thing is most people use it like a moisturiser and don’t put enough on, it’s so vital, in order to get the right UVA and UVB protection to really slap it on. I have to admit it’s taken me far too long to get serious about this, it’s only since I saw my self ageing and the pigmentation become really noticeable that I thought, oh bloody hell, I must get better at this! So now of course I’m one of the truly converted, a bit like a smoker who has finally giving up the fags! To be serious for a second, I’ve seen too much skin cancer in recent years and have had a bit taken off the side of my face, it then becomes a bit too close to home.  
Prevention is always better than cure, which means this is arguably the most important part of your entire routine. Especially when you consider that around 90% of skin aging is caused by the sun. The role of sunscreen is to create a barrier between your skin and UV rays so that they can’t cause any damage. Also remember that UVA rays are there all year round and can even penetrate through clouds, so really slap it on! I always use the Solait by Superdrug SPF30, because it’s inexpensive, creamy and sinks in like a dream! which has both UVA and UVB protection, essential to prevent the deep inner skin cells from being damaged (cancer) and the outer skin skin from being burned (skin burn, pigmentation, skin damage) But for a Treat try the La Roche-Posey Anthelios 50 UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid, so thin so invisible! 

So, if this is your thing, like it is mine! Give it a go. It doesn’t have to be the more expensive version, it can be the Luxe for Less and at a lower percentage of active ingredients, which will still show results and give your skin that super, healthy look. I’ve been using this formula for several months now and with super results, so I’m really pleased and will definitely continue. Good luck on your skincare journey!