With all the lotions and potions available on the skincare aisle, it can be incredibly overwhelming to know where to begin with your skin care routine. The truth is, taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be this super complicated, 27-step process that costs an arm and a leg. In fact, there are several simple, anyone-can-do-them steps you can take that are totally free or low cost that'll boost skin health.
When you whittle skin care down to basics, you might be surprised at how easy it is. A lot of these tips are common sense, but we get so busy in our day-to-day lives that they are often overlooked. With just a little bit of thought, effort and time, you can get into a good routine that will help keep your skin happy and healthy.
Tip #1: Create a skin care regimen, and adhere to it morning and night.
With any daily skincare routine, your goal is to gently cleanse, nourish & repair, and hydrate. The ins and outs of which products you use will depend on your specific concerns and skin type, but generally speaking, simple is better.
If you have sensitive skin, a consistent, gentle daily routine is going to be your ticket to a calm, clear face. The key word here is consistency! Intentionally build your skin care regimen into your day so that you never miss an AM or PM session. Your routine doesn’t need to be long, but it does need to address the BIG THREE: cleaning, treating, and hydrating. Then, all you need to do is stick to it every day.
Start your consistent skincare routine journey today!
Remember, it can take a while to see real results from a new product or routine—up to three to four months. Patience, consistency and happy skin are the three musketeers.
If you're looking for a simple, sensitive skin—friendly skin care system, be sure to check out my Starter Kits. They include everything you need to heal a broken skin barrier and restore your glow at any age.
Tip #2: Drink lots of water.
It’s no secret that water is good for you, but it is absolutely essential for a glowing complexion. Water helps flush toxins out of your body, and is probably the easiest, least expensive solution to your skin woes. Drinking water is key for keeping your skin hydrated and happy, and can even reduce scarring, diminish wrinkles, and help keep acne at bay.
Dehydrated skin is vulnerable to premature aging, breakouts, and extreme dryness. And since the human body is around 60% water, you should not skimp on your H2O. Aim for around 100 ounces of water per day, which is a little more than a half gallon—about 12.5 regular glasses. Not only will this increase skin elasticity for a healthy glow, but drinking an adequate amount of water can help regulate kidney function, enhance digestion, and give you more energy.
PRO TIP: Skip the straw! Although you should be drinking plenty of water, drinking it from a straw can accelerate unwanted upper lip wrinkles.
Tip #3: Change your pillow cases often.
Your bed is your safe haven at the end of a long day, right? For your skin, it might be a different story. Your pillowcase can harbor bacteria and allergens from a buildup of dead skin cells, excess oil, sweat, makeup, and dirt (ew!).
To ensure you’re not undoing all of your careful cleansing and moisturizing by smothering your skin in a dirty pillowcase, aim to change yours out every two days. This can help reduce breakouts and other irritations, especially if you have acne-prone skin.
(Hack: Sleep on one side of your pillowcase for night one, then flip it over for night two. Change the pillowcase on day three.)
"With a few thoughtful, simple steps repeated consistently, you’re well on your way to healthy skin."
Tip #4: Exfoliate 2 Times Per Week.
To maximize the skin care products you are using, you want to make sure that they are absorbing properly. The best way to do that is through regular exfoliation.
Some facial cleansers contain harsh chemical exfoliants, which is not what we're going for, so be sure to check your labels. My favorite way to gently exfoliate is by including SexApeel™ Instant Exfoliation Spray in my morning routine two times per week. sexApeel™ is a gommage exfoliation inspired by a technique that is popular in Korea that leaves your skin free of all the nasty, crusty flakes. It helps boost cellular turnover, and won't strip skin of all its needed natural oils.
SexApeel™ is safe to use on your face and is ideal before makeup application, but can also be used head to toe. The product gently removes dead skin—you’ll literally see it rolling off your body—to reveal the smooth, soft skin underneath. Try it as a pre-shave exfoliant on your legs, as part of an at-home pedicure, and before you use any self-tanning products.
Tip #5: Clean your makeup brushes often.
Dirty makeup brushes are prime real estate for acne-causing, irritation-inducing bacteria. Cleaning brushes is probably the number one most overlooked part of any healthy skincare routine, and it’s actually easier than you think.
I swear by my Tiger's Eye Brush Soap, which cleans makeup brushes quickly without leaving any film or residue on your brushes. Traditional makeup brush cleansers can be harsh and use strong chemicals, which can cause unnecessary skin irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin.
With Tiger's Eye, you can feel confident knowing your brushes are free of any irritating ingredients that will upset your delicate skin. It uses natural disinfectants like honey and tea tree oil, so your makeup brushes will be truly clean and your sensitive skin will remain safe.
Tip #6: Wear sunscreen every single day.
The best, most effective way to prevent signs of aging in your skin is to wear sunscreen and protective clothing. Period, full stop.
Exposure to harmful UV rays and UVB rays is like putting the time machine in fast forward. Daily use of SPF 30 or SPF 50 should occur even in cold weather, and even on days when you think you won’t be going outside. Not only will sun protection decrease your susceptibility to dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, but it could also save you from skin cancer.
Include sunscreen as part of your morning skin routine so that you never forget, and aim to reapply for every two hours of sun exposure. The only exception to this rule is when you’re getting ready and doing makeup to go out after it’s already dark out.
Start your glowing complexion with proper skincare today!
Getting a glowing complexion shouldn’t be a great big mystery. With a few thoughtful, simple steps repeated consistently, you’re well on your way to healthy skin. Hopefully, these skin care basics and best practices help you get in a groove with your routine. Though they may seem small, they add up over time!
