Skincare Reference
The Plumerian skin guide.
Five plain-English guides to building a routine that actually works for your skin. Choose the concern that fits, and follow through the step-by-step routine, with every product linked so you can add it straight to your cart.
Every skin plan at Plumerian Aesthetics Bentleigh begins with a complimentary thirty-minute consultation with an AHPRA-registered nurse.
Pigmentation & sun damage
Melasma, age spots, uneven tone. What actually works, what to skip, and why sunscreen is never optional.
Acne & breakouts
Teen, adult, hormonal. The four stages of acne and the routine that addresses more than one at once.
Rosacea & redness
How to build a rosacea-safe routine, which triggers to know about, and when to see a GP.
Ageing skin
Fine lines, dullness, loss of firmness. The four ingredients that do most of the work, and the ones that don’t.
Perimenopause & menopause
Oestrogen matters a lot to skin, and its decline shows. The routine that supports skin through the transition.
Crow’s feet & fine lines
Why the eye area ages first, and the small daily changes that make the biggest difference.
Not sure where to start?
The single highest-return move for almost every skin type is a daily zinc oxide sunscreen, applied properly, alongside a low-pH cleanser and a vitamin C. Everything else is refinement on top.
If you would rather talk it through, book a complimentary consultation and we will help you work out where to start based on your skin, not a generic template.
Book a complimentary consultation.
Thirty unhurried minutes with an AHPRA-registered nurse. No pressure to book any treatment on the day.
Frequently asked questions
What order should I apply my skincare?
General rule: thinnest to thickest. Morning is cleanser, water-based serum (like vitamin C), lightweight hydrator, moisturiser, then SPF as the final step. Evening is cleanser (or double cleanse), any active (retinal, AHA), moisturiser, and facial oil if needed. Wait one to two minutes between actives if layering.
How many products do I actually need?
The minimum evidence-based routine is four products: gentle cleanser, moisturiser, retinal or vitamin C, and SPF. Everything beyond that is optional or targeted. Most people do better with four to six well-chosen products than with a ten-step routine of average ones.
What is the difference between AM and PM skincare?
AM skincare protects: antioxidant (vitamin C), hydration, moisture barrier and SPF. PM skincare repairs and stimulates: cleansing, actives like retinal or AHA, and richer barrier support. Retinal and AHAs are night-only because they increase sun sensitivity.
How do I build a skincare routine from scratch?
Start with the four essentials for two weeks: cleanser, moisturiser, SPF, and a hydrating serum. Once your barrier is stable, add one active at a time (usually vitamin C first, then retinal). Give each new product four weeks before judging it. Build slowly.
What is the best skincare for beginners?
The four essentials: a gentle pH-balanced cleanser, a moisturiser with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, a broad-spectrum SPF 30-50, and one active (usually a gentle vitamin C or 0.05 per cent retinal). Consistency for eight weeks is far more powerful than product variety.
How long does skincare take to work?
Barrier repair and hydration improvements are visible within two weeks. Pigmentation, texture and radiance improvements take eight to twelve weeks. Fine lines, firmness and deeper collagen support take three to six months of consistent use. SPF pays off over years.
Do I need different skincare in summer versus winter?
Yes, mildly. In winter, add richer moisturiser, more hydration and a facial oil at night. In summer, use lighter textures and re-apply SPF more often. Actives (retinal, vitamin C, SPF) stay the same year-round.