The Best Skincare Tips of All Time, According to Beauty Experts
March 14, 2022
There’s no shortage of articles detailing the latest and greatest skincare tips and tricks. But with so many different opinions, it can be hard to know what actually works. To help you sift through the noise, we dug through some of our favorite complexion-boosting tips we’ve received. From applying sunscreen every day to how to layer products properly, here are 21 skincare tips worth following.
TIP 1: Wear Sunscreen
You likely know that sunscreen is a must for days spent outdoors and excursions to the beach, but it’s equally important to wear broad-spectrum SPF on the not-so-sunny days, too. Despite the way the sky looks, you can still be affected by the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can cause premature skin aging and even some cancers.
To reduce those risks, it’s vital to apply (and reapply) sunscreen as part of your daily skincare routine. Try the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen for Face & Body SPF 100.
TIP 2: Double Cleanse
Do you wear a lot of makeup or live in a city filled with smog? Whatever the case may be, a double cleanse can be your skin’s best friend. When you wash your face in two steps, you’re able to remove makeup and impurities thoroughly.
All you have to do is start with an oil-based cleanser or makeup remover, like the Vichy Pureté Thermale Mineral Micellar Water for Sensitive Skin and follow up with a water-based cleanser like the CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser.
TIP 3: Apply Moisturizer After Cleansing
Cleansing your skin is a great start but without moisturizing it directly after, you’re missing a vital skincare step. When you apply moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp post-cleanse, you’re able to seal in that moisture to help promote all-day hydration. We like the IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Hydrating Moisturizer, which is packed with SPF and anti-aging ingredients.
TIP 4: Massage Your Face While Cleansing and Moisturizing
Instead of a quick lather and rinse, take your time while cleansing and moisturizing your face. When you gently massage your products into your face before rinsing, you’re able to boost circulation and create a fresher-looking complexion.
TIP 5: Apply Products in the Proper Order
If you want your products to have the best chance at delivering their promised results, make sure you’re applying them in the right order. Most dermatologists recommend that you apply your skincare products from lightest to heaviest. For example, you can start with a lightweight serum, followed by a thin moisturizer and lastly a broad-spectrum sunscreen to lock it all in.
TIP 6: Cater to Your Skin’s Needs With Multi-Masking
When you multi-mask, you apply different face masks to certain parts of your skin to cater the products to the area’s specific needs. We especially love pairing a detoxifying mask on the oily parts of our face with a hydrating formula on the dry ones. Try the combo of the Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask and Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask.
TIP 7: Exfoliate Regularly (And Gently)
Exfoliation is a key to glowing skin. When you buff away built-up dead surface skin cells, your complexion will look more radiant. Keep in mind, though, that if you feel like your skin is looking dull, the last thing you want to do is scrub hard. This can be damaging to your skin and won’t get you the results you’re looking for. Try the Lancôme Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Milk Peel for a gentle option.
TIP 8: Never Wear Makeup to Bed
Even if you’re exhausted from a long day of work, make sure to set aside time to take off your makeup. When you fall asleep in your makeup, it can lead to clogged pores and potential breakouts. For that reason, you should always wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities, dirt, bacteria and makeup before hopping into bed.
TIP 9: Use a Facial Mist
If you’ve seen someone spritzing their face midday and want to get in on the skincare trend, know that misting is most beneficial when you use a specially-formulated facial spray. We love the Thayers Rose Petal Facial Mist formulated with a blend of aloe vera and non-distilled witch hazel and rosewater for a dewy glow.
TIP 10: Carry Face Wipes or Micellar Water in Your Gym Bag
Whether you’ve started to head back to the gym or are still doing at-home workouts, it’s important to wipe any sweat off your face post-sweat. When you don’t rinse off immediately, you risk clogging your pores with any dirt, sweat and makeup that’s sitting on your skin’s surface.
We always recommend carrying facial wipes like the Garnier SkinActive Clean + Purifying Oil-Free Cleansing Towelettes or a bottle of micellar water for when you need to cleanse on the go.
TIP 11: Customize Your Sheet Mask
When it comes to sheet masks, one size does not always fit all. You can make your sheet mask better fit your face with a pair of scissors by trimming the edges. Not sure which sheet mask to try? We suggest the Lancôme Advanced Génefique Hydrogel Melting Sheet Mask.
TIP 12: Sleep Well
Depriving your body of sleep can not only negatively affect your productivity but can also harm your skin. A study has shown that poor quality of sleep can actually increase signs of aging and diminish skin barrier functions. To keep your skin looking and feeling its best, try getting the recommended amount of sleep every night.
TIP 13: Treat Your Neck the Same as Your Face
Because the neck is one of the areas of skin we tend to neglect in our skincare routine, visible signs of aging can start to creep up. To help combat this issue, extend the products from your facial routine down below your jaw.
Make sure to moisturize your neck daily and never forget to apply sunscreen on it as well, before heading outdoors. For a cream specifically formulated for the skin on your neck, try SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Neck Repair.
TIP 14: Exfoliate Longer, Not Harder
If you’re trying to give your skin a deep exfoliation, try tacking on a few more seconds to your gentle scrubbing routine instead of vigorously exfoliating your face. Taking a longer and gentler approach with your skin can help remove pore-clogging impurities without irritating.
TIP 15: Relax and Unwind
A self-care Sunday can do your skin some good. A study has shown that psychological stress, mainly in teenagers, can actually increase the risk of acne. Try some soothing, stress-relieving tactics to help calm your nerves. Curl up on the couch with a good book, soak in a bath, listen to soothing music — whatever it takes to help you unwind.
TIP 16: Don’t Lick Your Lips
If you have dry lips, it can be tempting to lick them for relief. Unfortunately, this will only lead to increased dryness. To help soothe chapped lips, keep a nourishing lip balm on hand like the Maybelline New York Baby Lips Dr. Rescue Medicated Lip Balm.
TIP 17: Create a Nighttime Regimen and Stick to It
You should be following a proper skincare regimen at night to cleanse away all of the daily dirt and grime. If you’re a minimalist, a simple five-step routine will do the trick.
TIP 18: Be Mindful of Irritants
If you have sensitive skin, products that are formulated with fragrance, parabens, sulfates and other harsh ingredients may be harmful to your skin. To reduce the risk of irritation, opt instead for products that indicate on the packaging that they are either formulated specifically for sensitive skin or dermatologist-tested.
TIP 19: Use Products as Directed
Don’t use scrubs that are formulated for your body skin on your face. These scrubs are typically not as gentle and can irritate. When in doubt, follow the instructions as listed on the product’s packaging.
TIP 20: Change the Way You Sleep
While sleeping on your back may feel weird to adjust to, it’s better for your skin. Sleeping on your side or stomach can cause compression lines on your face and eventually cause creases and wrinkles to form.
TIP 21: Drink Water
We can’t stress just how important it is to drink enough water. Studies have found that drinking enough water every day helps the superficial look of your skin, so don’t miss out on hydration.
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