How to achieve flawless skin without makeup

"I always emphasise that achieving flawless skin without makeup begins with a solid skincare routine tailored to your skin type and your individual needs," Dr Chahal tells us. However, there are five core steps she believes every skin care routine should include.

First, she recommends starting your regimen with a gentle, pH balanced cleanser like Go-To Skincare's Juicy Gel ($39 from Go-To Skincare) to remove dirt, oil, pollutants and maintain the skin's protective barrier.

"This step is crucial for prepping the skin for active ingredients that will come later in your routine," she advises.

Next, she says to exfoliate the skin with a chemical exfoliant containing AHAs (like glycolic acid) or BHAs (like salicylic acid), which can help improve skin texture, unclog pores and promote cell renewal. We recommend sticking to a gentle enough formula like Viviology's Liquid Exfoliant ($55 from Adore Beauty), which you can use every other day without drying out your skin.

"While exfoliation is important, overdoing it — especially with physical scrubs or multiple chemical exfoliants can lead to irritation, barrier damage and redness," Chahal explains.

After you've prepped the skin, you can apply a targeted treatment like a serum. "Incorporate active ingredients like vitamin C for brightening, niacinamide for calming and oil control, and retinoids for improving fine lines, pigmentation and texture," hints Chahal. We like to take the gentle, but effective, route by selecting a single active-packed serum that does the job of many — think: Sophie Carbonari's The S Serum ($480 from April Brodie).

"Proper hydration is the cornerstone of healthy skin," says Chahal, which is why she recommends following your serum with a moisturiser that suits your skin type — "ideally with ceramides or hyaluronic acid to reinforce your skin barrier". Personally, we love Medik8's Advanced Night Restore Moisturiser ($138 from Adore Beauty) for the job. 

However, if you're looking for a day cream option, why not use a hydrating SPF — the final proponent in Chahal's five-step routine. "Daily broad-spectrum SPF50 is non-negotiable," she tells us.

Prolonged sun exposure can accelerate ageing, pigmentation and collagen breakdown — all of which compromise skin clarity.

We always select our SPF based on it's ability to play well with a full face of makeup, and Ultra Violette's Future Fluid Lightweight Zinc Skinscreen SPF 50+ ($52 from Sephora) sits at the top of our best face sunscreens under makeup list.

But of course, you should still always pair your SPF with other forms of sun protection and try to avoid sun exposure when possible.

"There are some great skin-makeup hybrids that can give an instant glow while delivering long-term benefits," explains Chahal. "These products bridge the gap between skincare and makeup, giving you a polished look without heavy coverage."

"I love tinted sunscreens as they offer SPF protection, sheer coverage and often include antioxidants such as niacinamide or vitamin C," she continues. We love Rationale's #3 The Tinted Serum ($204 from Rationale) for evening out skin tone and blurring texture.

Alternatively, lightweight BB and CC creams, or blurring primers with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide can be used to hydrate and even out skin tone. Serum foundations are also great, because they provide sheer coverage, while their formulas include actives like hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, or anti-ageing peptides for an improved appearance over time.

Try: Revlon Illuminance Glow Filter ($34.95 from Priceline) or Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick ($63 from Charlotte Tilbury).

Naturally, in-clinic treatments play a big role in helping to reveal the best version of your skin, but they're also a great way to incorporate a bit of relaxation and much-needed me-time into a busy routine. 

Radio frequency skin needling is a treatment that stimulates collagen production, helping to reduce fine lines, improve skin texture, tightening of skin, and fade pigmentation, Chahal tells BEAUTYcrew.

Depending on your skin type, she also recommends a customised peel, which can exfoliate deeper layers, brighten the skin and target pigmentation or acne. Conversely, LED light therapy uses gentle light technology to stimulate collagen or target breakout-causing bacteria if your skin is more on the sensitive side.

Then there's hydradermabrasion, which combines a deep infusion of hydration and exfoliation, leaving skin smooth, radiant and deeply cleansed, she says, and tailored laser treatments, which can effectively reduce redness, pigmentation and uneven tone.

"These treatments are safe and effective, but should be performed in a controlled clinical setting," Chahal advises. "Certain skin treatments may not be suitable for everyone and can pose risks if not performed correctly or by a qualified professional. For this reason, I always recommend starting with a consultation."

"During this appointment, your skin will be thoroughly assessed, your goals and concerns discussed, and your current skincare routine reviewed," she explains. "This allows the practitioner to create a personalised treatment and skincare plan that aligns with your needs, skin type, and lifestyle."

"A good professional will prioritise long-term skin wellness over short-term results and ensure that any treatment is safe, appropriate, and specifically designed for your unique skin," she assures us.

Image credit: @melaniegrantskin