While each season calls for a small adjustment to your skincare routine (winter + snow = dry skin), there are a few habits everyone should remember. Easy to forget, sometimes we just need a little reminder on how to care for our skin. Keep it beautiful, keep it healthy.
1. Sunscreen is not optional.
Sunscreen (or sunblock) is your best friend ever. Many studies have shown sun exposure is responsible for almost 90% of visible conditions attributed to aging. Wearing sun protection in the form of physical or chemical sunscreens is the largest skin tip you’ll hear from celebrities as well. Get a handle on your skin now and you’ll be thankful in 30 years. Not only will your skin look better, you will reduce sun damage that may lead to skin cancer.
Tip: Rain or shine, wear your sunblock. UV rays can be especially high if you travel by plane frequently. Do some research to determine if physical or chemical sunscreens are best for you. Minimum SPF 30.
2. Take the day off your face.
Especially in the summer heat, the air can be thick, muggy, and humid. Think: bus exhaust, city pollution, and bacterias from subways. Merely walking through your day can result in pollutants in your pores. If you’re wearing a full face of makeup, do not go to bed without washing it off. Do you really want to lay in bed for 8 hours with a dirty face? Clean your face the night before, wake up refreshed.
Tip: Many people forget to do this as often as they should: clean your pillowcase! Your face rests against it every night for hours and hours night after night. Don’t you think it has accumulated bacteria that is harmful or acne promoting? Wash your sheets regularly.
3. Try a Vitamin C serum.
I’ve just ordered mine today, and I am so excited to start using serums. While not necessary to the skin care regimen, it certainly does not hurt to try one out. Vitamin C is not only packed with antioxidants (fights free radicals), but also offers a helping hand in skin protection and helps you get a head start on anti-aging. Vitamin C serum will help brighten my complexion, fade sun spots, and look more awake.
Tip: Not all Vitamin C serums are created equal. Do your research before purchasing.
4. Don’t over do it.
With Sephora Ads promising Glam Glow masks to make your skin vibrant, to natural lines such as LUSH promising soothing, non-irritating, natural skin benefits, it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed. Don’t over do it on the skin care products. Not only will this irritate your skin with all the different products and chemicals, but if your skin acts up, it will be very difficult to determine which product is causing the issue. Cell turnover takes time so often you won’t see results right away, so don’t keep slathering on products hoping for a fast fix.
Tip: A cleanser, serum, moisturizer with SPF of at least 30, a night time cleanser (if needed) and a night cream is all you need. Anything else is excessive. Also, try a DIY mask so you know exactly what is going into it (lemon + honey, cucumber + yogurt, avocado + lime, etc).
5. You can’t cover up a bad diet.
If you keep buying skin care products and diligently wash your face and are left wondering why your skin is still dull, rough, irritated and acne prone, maybe it’s time to reconsider your diet. All the skin care products + make up in the world can’t fix a bad diet. One of the cheapest ways to get beautiful skin is to eat beautiful, healthy, clean food. Trust me, if you are shining on the inside, you’ll shine on the outside too.
Tip: Your skin is the largest organ of the body and is often the last to receive nutrients. So, if you eat well and your skins is nourished and glowing, you know the rest of your body is taken care of too.
6. Drink more water.
The best way to hydrate your skin is not through plumping moisturizers, it’s drinking water! You don’t need to completely give up your favorite drinks, but substituting cold water (perhaps with a wedge of lemon) with dinner will make a difference. Your skin will be more plump, supple, and hydrated. Try to avoid sugary drinks + coffee + energy drinks that drain your skin of moisture. Coconut water in the summer is a great way to feel fancy, and get your daily potassium fix. Beware of unhealthy sugary coconut water drinks posing as healthy alternatives.
Tip: Just having a bottle of water at your side while you do work, watch tv, or in your car on the go will encourage you to drink more water. Trust me, I’ve tried it! Also, buying a pretty water bottle makes you want to have it around you all the time as a part of your ensemble. Whatever you need to do to drink that water. Â
These are some easy tips that really do make a genuine difference. You only have one set of skin, and not only do you want to feel your best in it, you want it to look its best too. Stay beautiful everyone!
Featured image via Anna Shvets on Pexels
Hi,
Thank you for these tips. Whether winter or summer, my skin needs sunscreen and for extra hydration, I always bring with me a bottle of water. Also eating healthy foods is a complement to your skincare products if you want to have a healthy skin. Thanks for sharing.