Skincare tips
The fact is, we all want better skin, however, unless you were born with it, getting there can be a daunting experience, and an expensive one at that.
I have, however, learned a few tips over the years (some the hard way, of course), and I wanted to share them, hoping it helps you avoid some of my mistakes.
With that said, here are some tips I follow, and some I wish I had sooner:
Wear sunscreen.
Yes, this is nothing new — we’ve been told repeatedly we need to wear sunscreen at all times during the day (even on cloudy days, or when inside near windows).
Anything is better than nothing, however, to get the benefits, you must ensure you use a sunscreen that has broad spectrum SPF, as in, the label needs to indicate it protects from both UVA (aging sun rays) and UVB (burning sun rays). This one always comes highly recommended.
Stay out of the sun!
Perhaps the most important tip. There is no other way to put it — the sun is aging our skin. Apart from causing sun spots, worsening hyperpigmentation, etc., exposing our skin to the sun causes wrinkles. Avoid spending time in direct sun, or protect yourself by wearing hats, etc.
Take care of your neck and decolletage.
I cannot emphasize enough how important this is as I learned it the hard way!
The thing is, the way your neck and decolletage look can change your overall appearance, and age you, of course. And no, I have nothing against aging overall, but I’m not trying to do so prematurely.
The neck and decolletage are two areas many overlook, especially when we’re younger, to only realize later that we shouldn’t have (speaking about myself here). You don’t need to do anything fancy, it’s as simple as extending your skincare products to these areas.
Drink water
Hydrated skin is healthy skin (and body). The amount of water one needs differs based on gender and health conditions, so please look into what’s best for you. As with anything, overdoing it can be extremely harmful.
Watch your diet
I’m not here to tell you what and what not to eat, however, it’s proven that some foods have a negative impact on our skin. If you notice that you’re breaking out, or you experience other skin issues after eating certain things, maybe limit or eliminate them? If that matters to you, of course.
Limit or give up alcohol.
It makes you look puffy and it dries out your skin, among other things. But again, you do you.
Hyaluronic acid may be your best friend.
But no, it won’t replace what drinking [enough] water does to your skin. However, the key to hyaluronic acid being effective is applying it to damp skin.
Regular exfoliation will improve texture.
I swear by this tip. I exfoliate daily and have done so for years. I don’t use harsh products; I just use my Clarisonic brush daily for 1-2 minutes to wash my face during my nighttime skincare routine. It’s made all the difference in my skin’s clarity and texture! I wholeheartedly recommend it! Just don’t overdo it as skin sensitivity is different for everyone.
If a cleansing brush is too much for you, try using Glycolic acid no more than once a day (do not use it on broken skin as it can make it worse — please follow directions).
You don’t need expensive products.
I will die on this hill, but you don’t need to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars to have healthy, beautiful skin. My everyday skincare routine involves affordable products that I’ve used for years and years.
I wholeheartedly recommend Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream to anyone — there’s a reason it’s a classic and has been around for so long. Their Super Serum 5-in-1 Renewing Face Serum is also really good! Their retinol line is great but powerful, so introduce it slowly to adjust your skin, before going full-time.
I am forever in love with ROC Skincare products! And I fully stand by their Derm Correxion Contour Cream for Face and Neck — it’s the product that has dramatically improved my neck after years and years of neglect, and I 100% recommend it.
I also find their Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Creme fantastic! These two products are my staples in my skincare these days, but I love most of their products. I say that only because this eye cream started to irritate my eyes after a while, so I stopped using it, but yes, I found it to work for the eye area otherwise.
If you like to splurge on skincare products, however, I tried this brand and loved it! I noticed significant improvements in about two weeks of using their products.
More is not always better when it comes to skincare
You might be helping your skin less if you’re using a lot of products or have a complicated skincare routine. And I say “might” because, for some, this actually works.
However, if you’re noticing clogged pores or dull skin, it may be a sign to simplify your beauty routine. Unfortunately, when it comes to skincare, it can be a lot of trial and error until you find that perfect balance.
Consistency is key.
As with every area in your life, being consistent is what yields results. Be patient and give a product some time to work ( generally one month). Especially with retinol products as those can be tricky (I’m sure we’ve all heard of the purging period with those — it’s the most unpleasant and can make one give up). If you don’t see improvement after a month or so, most likely, that means that the product is not working for you, and there’s no point in continuing to use it.
Be aware, however, that with some skin issues (like acne), you may need longer periods to see results.
I hope you find these helpful!
