To achieve and maintain healthy, beautiful skin, a consistent skincare routine is essential. Are you aware of the best practices to maximize the effectiveness of your skincare regimen? Explore the following skincare secrets and incorporate them into your routine.
1 Wash Your Hands Before Cleansing Your Face
This step is often overlooked, but it is crucial. Our hands come into contact with various objects throughout the day, and if they are not properly cleaned, bacteria can transfer to your face and negatively impact your skin. Therefore, always remember to wash your hands thoroughly before cleansing your face with your chosen cleanser.
2 Use a Toner Before Applying Other Skincare Products
Not using a toner can reduce the effectiveness of your subsequent skincare products by up to 30%. Even after cleansing your face, your skin may not be entirely free of impurities. Toners, also known as skin balancers, help deep clean your pores, removing any remaining dirt, oil, and balancing your skin’s moisture and pH levels.
3 Avoid Mixing AHA and Vitamin C in Your Routine
Typically, products containing have a pH level of around 3 to maximize their effectiveness. Using these products in conjunction with ingredients like glycolic acid or lactic acid can alter the pH of vitamin C, diminishing its benefits for your skin.
4 Follow the Correct Order When Applying Skincare Products
The correct order for your skincare routine is always: Cleanse – Tone – Serum (liquid before cream) – Moisturizer – Eye Cream – Sunscreen – Spot Treatment.
5 Moisturize and Protect Your Skin with Sunscreen
All your efforts and time invested in your skincare routine will be in vain if you neglect to use a moisturizer or sunscreen. Without sunscreen, your skin is vulnerable to the damaging effects of UV rays, leading to premature aging and other skin concerns. Similarly, skipping moisturizer will result in dehydrated skin, which can manifest as flakiness, dryness, or excess oil production.
6 Re-evaluate Your Skincare Products if You Experience Blind Pimples
If you’re experiencing blind pimples, the first steps are to examine your sunscreen and ensure you’re thoroughly removing your makeup. Improper removal of makeup or using a sunscreen that doesn’t suit your skin can lead to these pimples. Next, check the ingredients of your toner for potential irritants like alcohol, lanolin, silicone, or retinoids.
7 Understand the Limitations of Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are popular for reducing wrinkles and promoting youthful, healthy skin. However, it’s important to understand that peels only help exfoliate the second to fourth layers of the epidermis, enhancing subsequent product absorption, rather than delivering miraculous results as some advertisements claim.
8 Space Out Microneedling Sessions Appropriately
The ideal frequency for microneedling is once every three weeks, maximum. As skin ages, it requires more time to regenerate, so more frequent sessions will not yield better results.
9 Choose the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin
It takes a minimum of 21 days for a moisturizer to show its effects on your skin. If, after 60 days of consistent use, you don’t see any improvement, it’s time to switch to a different product.
10 Don’t Neglect Your Neck and Eye Area
The eye and neck areas are often the first to show signs of aging, so be sure to apply your moisturizer to these areas as well. While there are many options for facial rejuvenation, neck lifts can be incredibly expensive.
11 Incorporate Clay Masks for Large Pores
Clay masks are excellent for deep cleansing enlarged pores, detoxifying the skin, controlling oil production, and providing moisture. For optimal results, aim to use a clay mask 2-3 times per week.
12 Understanding the Stages of a Clay Mask
There are three stages to a clay mask treatment. When the mask is still wet, your skin is absorbing the beneficial ingredients. As it begins to dry, it draws out impurities from your pores. Finally, when the mask is completely dry, it starts to pull moisture from your skin. Therefore, the ideal time to remove the mask is when it is dry to the touch but still slightly sticky.
13 Limit the Duration of Sheet Masks
Sheet masks are most effective when worn for no more than 20 minutes. These masks are composed of 80-90% water and only 20% active ingredients. Leaving them on for extended periods will only lead to dehydration and counteract their intended benefits.
14 Incorporate Anti-Aging Products Early
It is advisable to start using anti-aging products early, ideally from the age of 24 onwards, with a particular focus on the neck and eye areas.
15 Avoid Certain Ingredients in Your Morning Skincare Routine
In the morning, avoid using products containing AHA, BHA, retinol, or tretinoin. These ingredients can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, leading to uneven skin tone and darkening.
By incorporating these tips into your skincare routine, you’ll be well on your way to achieving and maintaining healthy, glowing skin.