Many of us are guilty of slacking when it comes to looking after our skin consistently in one way or another. Well, we’re not here to judge, we’re all on a journey after all. A journey of looking after ourselves and treating our bodies how they truly deserve to be treated. Skincare is a part of that. If you’re someone who wants to improve their current skincare routine then keep on reading…
1. Commit to cleansing
It almost doesn’t make sense to say that you want healthy skin if you’re going to skip this step. Far too many of us have the naughty habit of going to sleep without cleansing, bringing the day’s dirt straight to bed with us.
Cleansing twice a day in the morning and evening lays a great foundation for a healthy and effective skincare routine. This is because you’re removing all of the debris, pollution and build-up from your skin, which leaves it as a blank, clean canvas to then apply your products onto, allowing them to better penetrate your skin and serve their purpose.
Dirty skin is a recipe for disaster and can often lead to clogged, enlarged pores, spots and skin irritation. Do yourself a favour and give your skin a light cleanse in the mornings, followed by a double cleanse at night.
2. Keep it clean
Following on from our theme of cleanliness, hygiene is going to play a huge factor when it comes to the health and appearance of your skin. Everyday household items such as makeup brushes and sponges, bedding and towels harbour tonnes of bacteria that you cannot see, which can lead to acne breakouts and irritated skin. Be sure to clean your personal care items frequently, avoiding build-up on brushes and sleeping on dirty pillow cases.
3. Always protect your skin
Thankfully, it is now becoming common knowledge to people of all races that sunscreen is truly necessary for skin protection. The next step however, is the knowledge that your favourite SPF isn’t just for you to wear during a heatwave…you should be wearing it all year round. Sunscreen is just as important during autumn and winter. Your sunscreen works to protect your skin from the effects of UV rays. Sunscreen is going to be one of your main products if you care about protecting your skin from cancer, burns and also very important – premature aging. Failing to wear your sunscreen everyday will only exacerbate your current skin concerns of hyperpigmentation, sun spots, fine lines and sagging skin. We recommend always using a ‘broad-spectrum’ sunscreen ideally with SPF 50, but if you can’t do that then SPF 30 should be the lowest you go for.
4. Be consistent
Hands up if you’ve ever been really excited for a new product that you bought, tried it a few times, didn’t see the improvements you wanted, so you just left the product to collect dust on your dressing table? If that’s you then this is your sign to stop right now!
Skincare is very much to do with science and the reality is that scientifically, our skin doesn’t fully transform overnight. It’s more of a process. Getting the results that you desire can take many months believe it or not. Add to the mix that the more we age, the longer it takes for our skin cells to regenerate, which means it can take much longer for you to see the benefits of a particular product.
You also can’t forget that skincare products have directions on the packaging for a reason. When in doubt, follow the manufacturers instructions. If you’re meant to use a product multiple times a week, you’re hardly going to see a difference by using it twice a month, right?
The same goes for over-using a product. This can lead to further complications with your skin, causing it to become sensitised, irritated and inflamed, so try not to overdo it at the same time.
To sum things up, you’ve got to be consistent and stick to your skincare routine. You’ve also got to exercise patience if you’re dealing with a stubborn skin condition.
5. Nourish your skin from the inside
If you’re a skincare addict who loves to buy the latest serums and treatments, we’re not here to spoil your fun, keep on by all means. We do however advocate for investing in your inner body, as much as your outer body. You can do this by being mindful about the kind of food and beverages that you’re consuming. You can also take supplements too, if you’re into that sort of thing. The bottom line is that your diet very much plays a part in how your skin will look long-term, such as its vibrance, collagen levels and elasticity. In a nutshell, try and focus more on whole foods rather than processed foods. Eat foods that are packed with nutrients, antioxidants and essential fatty acids that will aid in the upkeep and repair of your skin cells.