10 Skincare Tips That Will Transform Your Skin

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. It is undeniable that the path towards beauty should begin with attaining healthy skin that is clear, smooth, and glowing.

Many of us are aware that a balanced and nutritious diet along with drinking an adequate amount of water each day is vital in maintaining optimal skin health. What about other tried-and-tested skincare tips that will transform your skin?

Read on to discover the useful advice that will empower you to restore health and beauty to your skin. From essential routines to effortless beauty hacks, you can count on this informative guide to help you achieve the perfect skin you’ve always dreamed of!

Choose the right skincare products

Having good skin does not happen overnight. It begins with knowing the condition of your skin and forming a daily routine to take care of it based on what it needs. How do you determine your skin type? It is best to consult a dermatologist.

There is nothing worse than using the wrong skincare items. If you have dry skin, but unknowingly choose products meant for oily skin, you will strip away moisture from your skin and risk triggering breakouts. If you are prone to acne, then you might wish to look out for oil-free products that will help to clear up your skin, instead of adding more oil to clog up pores.

Choosing the right skincare products will address the problems faced by your skin, and accurately target the issues you have, bringing you one step closer to radiant skin that is in tip-top condition.

Learn to layer

Layering your skincare will allow you to get the most of the products, maximizing their effectiveness. By doing so, you allow your skin to absorb the individual benefit of each product.

There are generally 8 steps when it comes to layering skincare products:

1. Cleansing
2. Toning
3. Spot treatment
4. Serum
5. Eye cream
6. Moisturize
7. Face oil
8. Sun protection

For your daytime routine, start with cleansing and toning. This is followed by spot treatment and the application of serum. After that, you can put on eye cream and proceed to moisturize your face. Finish with applying sunscreen, and you are all set for the day.

Your skincare routine at night will differ slightly from the morning. Begin with cleansing and toning. You can incorporate retinol application before putting on serum and eye cream. Skip the use of sunscreen and move on to moisturizing, before locking in the hydration with face oil.

If layering sounds like a chore, consider creating a pampering ritual that will get you excited about implementing your daily skincare routine. Light a scented candle, put on some relaxing music, and take this time to give your skin undivided attention and tender loving care.

Cleanse thoroughly

From the temperature of the water to the frequency of cleansing, the way you wash your face matters when it comes to caring for your skin.

Make it a habit to wash your face every day without fail. Once a day is the bare minimum. If you wear makeup, then you should definitely wash your face twice a day, or consider double cleansing. Take note that excessively high temperatures will damage and dry out your skin, so you should use lukewarm water as much as possible to cleanse your face.

For dry and mature skin, opt for gentler cleansers with hydrating properties. To get rid of dark spots and blemishes, you can try brightening products like a glycolic acid cleanser that works by blocking pigment production while enabling faster cell turnover.

If you have oily skin types that are prone to breakouts, a salicylic gel can remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores. Cleansers with benzoyl peroxide are an ideal choice for minimizing acne as it is antimicrobial, and can quell acne-causing bacteria.

So what is double cleansing?

Stemming from Korean beauty routine, double cleansing brings multiple benefits to the skin and is now a popular technique adopted by many beauty fans and skincare experts around the world.

This method calls for the use of two types of cleansers. Start with an oil-based wash to remove makeup and excess sebum, then follow up with a water-based cleanser in the form of cream, gel or foam, to wash away pore-clogging impurities.

Double cleansing will reveal impeccably clean skin that is primed to reap the benefits of other skincare items, such as a serum, face mask, moisturizer, and facial oil.

Pay attention to your makeup hygiene

We all love what makeup can do for our looks, but makeup hygiene is an area to look out for if we wish to improve our skin health.

Guilty of occasionally heading to bed after a long day out without removing your makeup? It is time to get rid of this bad habit. Sleeping with your makeup still on will clog up pores and even cause premature aging.

Besides removing makeup, you should also wash your makeup brushes and sponges to diminish the amount of dirt and bacteria that can accumulate on the items. Bacteria is one of the main causes of acne and breakouts, so to protect your skin, remember to clean your makeup accessories frequently.

Get hold of baby shampoo or unscented soap to clean your brushes. Swirling them around in lukewarm water will remove dirt and makeup residues. After that, rinse your brushes under running water before allowing them to dry thoroughly.

On top of cleaning your makeup accessories, don’t forget that almost all cosmetics contain preservatives. You should refrain from using products that have expired because out-of-date makeup items might become contaminated.

It is not a good idea to share makeup because this also increases the chance of contamination. Putting contaminated products on your face will result in infection and allergic reactions.

Exfoliation is key

Our skin is constantly renewing itself. Dead cells from the outermost layer of the skin will shed naturally, while new skin cells grow. When implemented correctly, exfoliation can remove dead skin cells and restore a brighter complexion.

There are many ways to exfoliate. From chemical peels to scrubs and electronic brushes, consumers are spoilt for choice nowadays. No matter what you choose, the key is to exfoliate gently and avoid over-aggressive or excessive actions which will end up damaging the skin.

Scrub your way to smooth and silky skin

Physical exfoliation involves the use of washcloths, brushes or sponges to slough off dead skin cells. This method can be used on the face, as well as on other parts of the body.

Microbeads do make for excellent exfoliating scrubs, but the main drawback of using synthetic microbeads is that some of these exfoliating agents end up polluting the environment.

If you prefer using microbeads for exfoliation, be sure to look out for eco-friendly ingredients that are sustainable and biodegradable.

Alternatively, why not try making your own natural scrub from sugar or coffee grounds? One thing to take note of is that physical exfoliation might end up creating small tears on the skin, which is why you should only exfoliate just once a week.

The allure of chemical exfoliation

Chemical exfoliation is quickly gaining popularity amongst the beauty-seeking crowd. Dead skin cells can be safely dissolved through the use of enzymes, retinoids or mild acid. From resurfacing the skin to getting rid of spots, as well as reducing fine lines, chemical exfoliants are effective and convenient to apply.

Common chemical exfoliants include AHA, BHA, and retinol. Each of these substances serves a different purpose when it comes to exfoliation.

• AHA

AHA, or alpha hydroxy acid, is derived from plants. It has the ability to remove dead skin cells as well as reduce wrinkles and pore size. A bonus of using AHA is that it can stimulate collagen production, helping you maintain skin suppleness.

• BHA

BHA is also known as beta hydroxy acid. It can penetrate the skin and unclog pores, leaving the skin purified. This acid also exfoliates calluses and has antibacterial properties, making it perfect for those with slightly oily skin type.

• Retinol

Retinol is actually vitamin A1. It not only minimizes fine lines and wrinkles but also evens the skin tone and promotes collagen production. Your skin will experience quicker cell turnover with the aid of retinol.

There are certain dos and don’ts to follow if you wish to incorporate chemical exfoliation in your skincare routine.

For instance, don’t use chemical exfoliation on sunburnt or damaged skin. After exfoliation, quickly apply moisturizer and sunblock with a high SPF to protect your skin. Last but not least, you should not combine the chemicals unless instructed to do so by a dermatologist.

Quench that thirst

More than 50% of our body is made up of water, which makes hydration a crucial element when it comes to sustaining your skin health and maintaining a radiant glow.

You are what you drink

Drinking sufficient water is the first step towards hydrating your skin from the inside. Water can reduce wrinkles as well as detox the body and clear the skin.

Besides getting 8 glasses of water per day, you can also enjoy herbal infusions and juices. However, not all beverages are good for the skin. If you wish to maintain soft and supple skin, you should definitely skip dehydrating beverages such as those that contain caffeine or alcohol.

To increase hydration, you can also consider upping your consumption of fruits and vegetables. In addition to water, some foods also possess hydrating properties.

Examples of food that are great for your skin include:

• Avocado
• Cucumber
• Walnut
• Sweet Potato
• Dark Chocolate
• Salmon
• Broccoli

The power of serums

Serums contain a high concentration of active ingredients that can be applied to the face before you put on moisturizer. The tiny molecules in serums can penetrate the skin and nourish it from within.

There are different types of serums that target varying skin issues.

• Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can brighten up a dull complexion.
• Hyaluronic acid seals in moisture, making it an ally for those with dry, flaky skin.
• To stimulate collagen production and reduce wrinkles, you can consider peptide serums, which are made up of short-chained amino acids that can give aging skin a boost.

Hydrate your skin with moisturizers

Moisturizing is the best way to hydrate your skin externally. From gel to cream, there is an ideal moisturizer for each skin type.

You are wrong to think that if you have oily skin, you don’t need a moisturizer. Oily skin can still be dehydrated. Without proper hydration, you could end up with skin issues such as premature aging. The solution for oily skin is to opt for a lightweight gel moisturizer that can be absorbed quickly without making your skin feel greasy.

Drier skin requires more moisture, hence a heavier cream works brilliantly in providing extra hydration. For normal and combination skin, you can use lotion, which has a texture that is between a gel and a cream.

It is essential to moisturize twice a day. Use a day cream that can help your skin combat destructive free radicals present in the environment. For night moisturizer, go for a richer cream that repairs and regenerates your skin as you sleep.

Masks are here to stay

Face masks are more than a hype. They are fun, beneficial for your skin, and should be a part of your skincare regime.

• Sheet masks

From whitening to deep hydration, sheet masks come in many forms and can be easily obtained. The advantage of using sheet masks is that they provide maximum hydration within a short frame of time, making them the go-to skincare item for a quick perk of freshness, as well as a staple for enjoying a face spa at home.

• Sleeping packs

Sleeping packs are meant to be used as you sleep, deeply hydrating your skin so that you wake up with an ultra-dewy complexion. This type of mask is marvelous for dry and mature skin. It is also suitable to be used in the winter months when your skin needs more hydration.

• Clay and mud masks

Clay and mud can absorb oil, making them great masks for those with oily or even combination skin. There is no need to apply a clay or mud mask to your entire face if you have combination skin. You can simply target the t-zone. Clay and mud masks also have mild exfoliating properties, so if you like, you can use them occasionally instead of a facial scrub.

Your anti-aging regime starts today

Our eyes, neck, and hands are some of the first areas to show signs of aging. You should not wait until the wrinkles and blemishes appear before using an eye cream or applying moisturizer to your hands and necks.

There is no perfect age for commencing an anti-aging routine, but it is also not too late to start if you have been procrastinating.

Go ahead and add a nourishing eye cream to help you delay the appearance of fine lines around your eyes. Pamper your hands and neck with a luscious botanical oil. Your skin will thank you years down the road.

Indulge in facial massages

Apart from anti-aging products, why not expand your skincare routine to include facial massages?

Besides creating a contoured face and a more youthful appearance, there are many benefits to facial massages, such as:

• Stimulate blood circulation
• Strengthen the facial muscles
• Increase elasticity of facial tissues
• Reduce puffiness
• Prevent wrinkles.

From gua sha to jade rollers, facial massage is a relaxing beauty therapy that can be easily done at home, not to mention that it can deliver results that take years off your looks!

Always wear sunscreen

Sun damages can lead to premature aging, age spots and skin sagging. This is why it is imperative to protect our skin from harmful UV rays. Exposing our unprotected skin to the sun will lead to damages in the long run, and even result in cancer.

When it comes to selecting a sunscreen, you should look for water-resistant products with broad-spectrum protection and a high SPF. Even if your makeup products come with SPF, it is still handy to include sunblock in your skincare routine for extra protection.

SPF is the measure of how much sunscreen can protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen with SPF 30 and above will effectively block out a high percentage of the sun’s rays.

You should apply sunscreen as the last step of your skincare routine. In addition to your face and body, don’t forget about protecting your lips from sun exposure by using lip balms with SPF.

Champion a healthy lifestyle

Alongside a detailed skincare routine, your lifestyle should also be adjusted to support and maintain healthy skin.

Sleep deprivation will affect collagen production, cause your skin to dehydrate, and increase your risk of inflammation. This is why you need to have ample rest each day and make sure you get sufficient quality sleep.

Stress also negatively impacts your skin, lowering the immune system and making it difficult for wounds to heal. If you already face skin issues like eczema and rosacea, you will notice an uptick of occurrences during periods of high stress.

The clothing you choose can also impact your skin, particularly when it comes to garments that have close contact with your body, such as underwear, socks, or bras. Extending your skincare considerations beyond your face and caring for other body parts is essential. This includes paying attention to the clothing you wear. Opting for natural fabrics and seeking out brands that offer organic products is beneficial. For instance, Q for Quinn’s women’s cotton panties is a great option. There are various types of organic materials available, and in addition to cotton, you may also explore bamboo or wool to determine which provides the most comfort for you.

Seek relaxation in hobbies that you enjoy and be disciplined enough to stick to a regular exercise schedule. Exercising brings a myriad of health benefits. It encourages blood circulation which will nourish skin cells, leading to a radiant complexion. Stress and anxiety are lowered through exercise. Your immune system will improve and you will enjoy a more restful sleep.

If you find it hard to motivate yourself to exercise, try gathering your BFFs to join you at the gym or try out a new sport together. From unwinding through yoga to training for a marathon, make working out a fun activity and incorporate it in your daily life.

On a final note

You are absolutely right to think that a holistic and consistent effort is required to achieve beautiful skin. It is not enough to simply invest in high-quality skincare products. You should also focus on building a wellness-centric lifestyle.

Hopefully, our skincare tips have inspired you to formulate a skincare routine that gets you excited and motivated in attaining flawless, healthy skin.

If you have other awesome skincare tips to share, feel free to let us know in the comments below!