Skincare is amazing. Having a well-thought-out skincare routine can benefit your appearance and help you glow from the inside out. But, even the best skin care routine will only do as much as you let it. If you want to get the most out of your skincare products, whether it be a mask, a serum, or lip balm, taking some extra steps can make all the difference.
These are not major hacks you need to take minutes out of your routine to accomplish. They are simple and easy changes, so there is no harm in trying them out.
Cleanse for 60 seconds
Washing your face is the first step of your routine, but you may not be doing it as well as you could be. Instead of grabbing a blob of cleanser and rinsing it off immediately, think through your hand movements and technique.
You don’t need to tug or scrub at your face. Instead, focus; take some cleanser, add some water, and make small circles with your fingertips while you lather the cleanser onto your face. Add some extra attention to porous and oily areas.
Try to cleanse for at least 60 seconds. Once you’ve finished counting or your timer dings, rinse off the cleanser with cool water. Hot water can irritate the skin and open up pores.
Let everything absorb
You may have heard that you should apply your skincare in order from thinnest to thickest. And you should, but don’t just apply toner, then serum, then moisturizer, and be on your way.
You want to take your time and let everything absorb between steps. If your skin is still moist from your serum before applying a cream, they may mix, which could minimize their effects, or worse, irritate your skin. Instead, let your skin drink up the ingredients before going on to the next. Pressing your skincare into your skin can help speed up this process.
Exfoliate
If you don’t exfoliate your skin, dead skin cells will accumulate on top of the skin. Your skin care has to break through that layer to show the new skin underneath. Not only is that top layer making your skin look dull, but it is making your skincare work harder.
Exfoliating once or twice a week with a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or another AHA or BHA that suits your skin can revolutionize your skincare routine. This will help your skin heal, glow and better absorb your products.
Use sunscreen the right way
You can do everything right. You can spend hundreds or even thousands on skincare, but if you don’t use sunscreen, you might as well forego it all. Sun damage causes premature aging, dark spots and exacerbates previous damage.
Use sunscreen every day, whether you’re indoors or outside. Use about half of a teaspoon for the whole face and dot it around. Don’t forget your lips, neck, and eyelids as well. Use a mineral formula to avoid stinging around the eyes. These areas are very delicate and are even more prone to sun damage.
Side note: try not to rub it into your hands before applying. If you do that, your hands are getting most of the product, which you will wash off next time you use the bathroom.
Also, be sure to use sunscreen last in your skincare product routine (but also before applying makeup). Avoid mixing it with an oil or serum, as this can lessen its effects.
If you do all of these things, the money you spend on your skincare will be well worth it.