8 Skincare Tips That Will Change Your Skin (Yes, They’re Free)
Knowing how you use your skincare is just as important as what you’re using. The skin enthusiast world can be overwhelming, and brands and influencers alike are guilty of selling before educating.
Our skin is our largest organ and has a gentle microbiome balance that’s sensitive to our environment, as such, introducing new products often is rarely the way to go. Happy skin is typically the recipient of lots of TLC and consistency.
Why the switch up?
It’s typically much easier to say someone needs a product to fix a concern or problem. Even worse, sometimes to the detriment of their skin, they’re told to use these new problem fixing products daily if they want the best results.
We’ve all been there.
Let’s get these 8 steps covered for happier skin (judgement free).
1. Cut back
We’ve all been guilty of skincare fomo, but it can lead to over complex routines that aren’t actually helping our skin.
Try cutting out steps that might be duplicated, such as multiple hydrating serums.
Try cutting back for two weeks and monitor how your skin responds.
2. Applying Your Serums to Damp Skin
You don’t need to use a face mist! After cleansing your face, pat your skin partially dry and keep it damp or a bit “water logged” before applying your next step.
When your skin dries out, it feels tight. Tight skin is a sign of dryness, and although we see skin tightness as a sign of cleanliness, it’s a sign our skin is stressed.
Applying your serums (or if you don’t use a serum step, your moisturiser) to damp skin is a great way to lock in the moisture.
Want to know more about why? Click here for further reading on TEWL. AKA why you need to lock water in damp skin.
3. Have Night Routines with No Actives
You don't need to use an active every night (or every morning).
Have nights that are purely skin barrier restoring and hydrating. These nights are essential for your skin to find its balance.
Too many actives are a recipe for a stressed skin barrier.
Do you know the signs of a damaged skin barrier?
They can include redness, stinging, tightness, acne and more. Check out this article 7 Signs You’ve Broken Your Skin Barrier (& The Best Products to Fix It Fast) for more info around understanding your skin’s barrier.
4. Apply Gentle Pressure if You Use a Scrub
Scrubs…aren’t for everyone. I’d even go so far as to say it’s worth putting it aside for a bit to see how your skin responds, or perhaps try cutting back to once a week.
Scrubs shouldn’t be sharp or leave your skin red. A good scrub has granules that don’t irritate the skin and gently buff off dead skin cells.
Still stuck on using yours? That’s fair! Try using it in circular motions with your ring finger and pinky only, to reduce the pressure behind moving the grains over your skin. This should help your skin get the most out of your scrub of choice.
5. What Product/ Ingredient Just Isn't for your Skin Type?
It’s complicated. Not all skin concerns mean the same thing, even though they’re called the same thing. Seems a little unfair, hey?
Check out this post below by @itsthytime, that helps break down the misunderstanding around the word “hyperpigmentation”.
I’ve sent this post to countless people because acne hyperpigmentation (PIE/PIH) is not the same as hyperpigmentation caused by the sun for example.
A common example is that Vitamin C is often advertised for dark spots/hyperpigmentation, so people with acne and pigmented acne scarring may start using a strong Vitamin C serum.
Unfortunately Vitamin C is a tricky ingredient and is often too irritating for acne prone skin, causing significant break outs in the process.
6. Gently Exfoliate 1-2 Times a Week
Daily exfoliation can be harmful to your skin barrier. Yes, even if the product says to use daily (and so many products say use daily!).
Even though 1-2 times a week is a good guide to exfoliate, what you’re exfoliating with matters too. So the key here is gentle. You can increase or decrease based on how your skin responds.
Targeted exfoliating is an option, too!
If the pores in your T-zone are bothering you, but you find the rest of your face fairly smooth and needs less TLC, just target your T-zone during exfoliating sessions.
7. Cleanse for 60 Seconds in the PM
Making sure that you've already removed the grime from the day with a micellar water or first cleanse, so your skin itself can be cleansed. Go for gold with a gentle 60 second cleanse.
The video above changed my skin forever. I highly recommend watching.
8. Remember the Essential Steps in a Skincare Routine
Not feeling too red hot? We’ve all been there. Focus on the essentials which are;
Morning (AM):
Rinse with water
Generously apply SPF50+ (1/2 teaspoon to the face and neck, to be exact!)
Night (PM):
60 Second cleanse
Moisturiser on damp skin
To Sum Up
Achieving healthy and radiant skin isn't about following every trend or using an array of products; it's about understanding your skin's unique needs and responding accordingly.
The significance of simplifying your skincare routine, recognising the signs of a damaged skin barrier, and debunking common misconceptions are invaluable on your skincare journey.
Remember, skincare is a personal journey, and it's all about finding what works best for you. So, go ahead! Embrace a simpler, more mindful approach, and let your skin thrive.