Unless your skin is super demanding, sticking to the basics and a diligent routine targeting your needs should be enough to keep things flawless. But now, as skincare gets more challenging than ever with endless products and misinformation driving confusion, just getting the basics isn’t that easy anymore. Rest assured. Here I’ll share some helpful tips I wish I knew before throwing all my money on products that never worked.
Is not only about the skin type
Experts admit skin type matter, and it’s important to consider it when choosing products, but the care regimen doesn’t need to be based only on this. Plastic surgeon Dr. Marko Lens claims “the type of skin indicates whether we should use formulas with more or less moisturizing ingredients and what kind of ingredients. But you should also consider skin problems, such as aging, acne, hyperpigmentation.”
As a rule of thumb, “choose cleanser and moisturizer according to your skin type, and punctual treatments depending on what you need to heal,” says dermatologist Dr. Nick Lowe. Also, it’s important to consider your skin phototype. “The skin phototype indicates how you will age,” adds Dr. Lowe. “Olive or dark skin ages as it loses color, stains, or loses its firmness. White skin is affected by wrinkles and redness.”
Cleanse your face every night
Evening makeup removal is not part of many’s routines — a huge mistake. When makeup goes to bed with us, it wreaks havoc on the skin: it blocks pores, leading to bacteria accumulation. “So pimples appear, skin becomes dull, free radicals are generated, and collagen is affected,” says dermatologist Dennis Gross. Cleansed skin can absorb the products you use in your PM routine more effectively. The best way to cleanse your face? “Massage gently on your skin the desired cleanser and remove the excess,” says beautician Linda Palcic.”
If you feel the need, use a tonic lotion too; residues can remain on the face, and it’s as serious as not removing the makeup.”
Use serums
Why? Because serums have tiny molecules that go right into the skin and they have active ingredients that penetrate the skin, unlike moisturizers that sit on top of the skin. Choose a serum that targets your concerns, and use it diligently two times a day. So, for lack of hydration, go for hyaluronic acid-infused serums, dark spots need brightening vitamin C serums, oily and acne-prone skins can count on niacinamide serums, while mature skin can try a growth factor serum.
Supplements help
It’s great to consider supplements because, with age, we start losing a lot of necessary nutrients for healthy skin, such as collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Don’t know what to take? Look for antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, collagen, vitamin C, and anti-inflammatories. If you want a boost of collagen, try these supplements.
Facial treatments, always beneficial!
Facials have been no longer just a method of cleansing skin but a real instant beauty treatment. “The technology available today is so advanced that it transforms facial treatments into a safe and thought-provoking alternative to more serious interventions, such as cosmetic surgery,” says beautician Linda Palcic. “The benefits are not just on the surface of the skin,” adds Marie Reynolds, an international trainer for Eve Taylor Aromatherapy. “A good treatment increases the level of ATP (adenosine triphosphate: the energy accumulator needed by cells), which allows good energizing and increases serotonin.” She recommends a facial every four to six weeks. If it doesn’t seem achievable, you can only get good results with the latest generation face masks. Try a LED mask.
Use skincare ingredients wisely
Some ingredients are a double-edged sword, like retinol, AHAs, and BHAs. They’re all great, but they can cause irritations and dryness when they’re overly used, especially in case of problematic skin. Besides, because nowadays it’s a trend to mix ingredients in the same routine, be careful with what you combine and how. Our skincare dictionary and ingredients cheat list are great places to keep an eye on all skincare ingredients and learn how you can mix them for dramatic results.
Secrets for flawless skin
First of all, apply the products in the right order. Dr. Gross says that “products with a richer consistency can block the action of other products with lighter textures, followed by gauze, creamy or rich.” Secondly, solve the problems around the eyes. For wrinkles and crow’s feet, you need a product with a soft texture and strong action. This area is very thin, so it should not be aggressed. We can’t get enough of these organic eye creams.
Truths known by any beauty editor
No product can replace a good sleep
Lack of sleep causes stress, and it raises the level of cortisone, aggravates skin issues, or creates new ones. Did you know that during the night, your body temperature is higher? This amplifies the absorption of any product. So, adding a retinol serum that works the night shift, can make you wake up to renewed, glowy skin.
Exfoliation is non-negotiable
Twice a week, exfoliate your skin with chemical acids: AHAs (all skin types) or BHAs (for oily skin). Chemical peelings are ideal at stimulating and revitalizing skin, besides removing dead cells buildup that leads to a dull look and pimples. And, as you already know, removing dead cells gives way to brightness. My skin loves The Ordinary AHA + BHA Peeling Solution.
The products are added gradually
To avoid the risk of irritation, add only a new product to your skincare regimen, and the rest gradually. That’s for a few days until you can see if the product is good for you or not.
Leave pimples alone
I know it’s tempting to pop pimples, but if you don’t touch them, they will disappear in a few days, while the “attacked” pimples can last on the face for more than ten days until they heal. Instead, use a salicylic acid peel 2-3 times a week.
Choose what is already tested
We, beauty editors, are privileged and try everything that is new, but in the end, we stick to the basic ingredients: antioxidants, peptides, retinol, AHAs, hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E, ceramides, niacinamide, CoQ10, and squalane.
The observation is holy
Check yourself frequently, watch for moles, spots, and the overall appearance of your skin. If something seems really wrong, make an appointment with your dermatologist.
