9 Ways to Keep Your Skin Looking & Feeling Great
As you go about your day, debris gradually accumulates on your face. Your skin sheds dead skin cells that lead to clogged pores, dryness, and dullness, while the sun’s rays dry out your skin and produce wrinkles. Fortunately, a personalized skincare routine can eliminate debris and keep your skin looking soft and nourished.
1. Mineral Sunscreen
If you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors, don’t leave the house without applying sunscreen. Sunscreen creates a barrier that protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, reducing your risk of squamous cell carcinoma by up to 40%. Using sunscreen also lowers your risk of melanoma and basal cell carcinoma and slows the aging process.
Mineral sunscreen is particularly valuable because its ingredients remain on the surface of your skin, reflecting UV rays. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are common ingredients. When you apply mineral sunscreen, you’ll notice a slight film on your skin that helps you see where you’ve already applied it.
2. Face Mask
Face masks provide an opportunity to relax at the end of the day. Simply apply the mask to your face, relax for 10-20 minutes, then remove the mask and enjoy softer, healthier skin. The mask also creates a pleasant cooling sensation that feels great if you’ve been spending time in the heat.
Some face masks come in sheets that you place directly on your face, then discard when you’re done. Others come in creams that you apply to your face, similar to lotion, and then wash off afterward. Sheets are typically single-use, whereas creams can last for several weeks.
Whatever you choose, each mask has a different set of benefits. Your mask could hydrate your skin, even your skin tone, remove dead skin cells, repair damage, or balance your skin’s ecosystem. This helps your skin recover after hours of sun or pollution exposure.
3. Exfoliating Cleanser
While you can’t see dead skin cells with the naked eye, your skin gradually accumulates them over time. These dead skin cells can clog your pores, resulting in bumps and oiliness. They can also make your skin look dry and coarse, which might make your wrinkles stand out. Exfoliating your skin removes this layer of dead cells to reveal the fresh, healthy skin underneath.
To exfoliate your skin, simply apply a cream, serum, or mask with mild abrasion that gently removes skin cells, dirt, and impurities. Leave it on for a few minutes as directed, then wash it away with a soft towel. Too much exfoliation can damage your skin, so don’t use these products more than a few times a week.
4. Moisturizer
Dehydrated skin is one of the biggest contributors to wrinkles and signs of aging. When your face feels dry and tight, moisturizers hydrate your skin with natural ingredients, such as shea butter, olive fruit oil, and honey extract, to restore firmness and plumpness. You’ll apply moisturizer in the morning to get your skin ready for the day, then reapply it in the evening for overnight hydration.
5. Skin Tightening Cream
As you age, your skin gradually loses its firmness, resulting in sagging and wrinkles. Firming face cream aims to address this issue by firming and moisturizing your skin with various ingredients, including plant collagen, antioxidants, and amino acids. If you apply this type of cream twice a day, you might enjoy firmer, plumper skin within a few weeks.
6. Restoring Serum
Restoring serums tackle various issues, including wrinkles, dark spots, sagging, sun damage, and dullness. To minimize the number of products you use, add a restoring serum to your routine and regularly check your skin over the next few weeks. Some serums also protect your skin from the elements and promote a healthy glow.
7. Eye Recovery Gel
The skin underneath your eyes is especially prone to wrinkles and dark circles. To prevent sagging, apply eye cream in the morning to protect your skin, then apply more eye cream at night to refresh the area. You don’t need to use much, and this easy step could keep your eyes looking firm and healthy as you age.
8. Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a water-retaining substance that your body naturally produces to lubricate your joints and keep your skin plump and elastic. As you age, your body starts producing less hyaluronic acid, which results in drier, stiffer skin. Hyaluronic acid products make up for this loss, making your skin look soft and moisturized again.
Some clinics inject dermal fillers with hyaluronic acid directly into your face. If you’d prefer a topical treatment, you can choose from creams, serums, gels, and masks. Many products contain additional ingredients, such as vitamin C, aloe vera and grape water that balance and nourish your skin.
9. Brightening Cream
Dehydration, sun damage, dirt buildup, and other issues can lead to dull skin. Brightening creams use extracts and botanicals to reduce the appearance of dullness and dark spots, making your skin look brighter and healthier. Typically, you’ll apply these creams twice a day as needed. If you’re still struggling with dull skin, try adding sunscreen to your routine and drinking more water.
What’s Your Skin Type?
To find your skin type, wash the products from your face and examine your skin after letting it air dry. If your skin looks tight or flaky, you probably have dry skin. Shiny patches indicate oily skin. Many people have combination skin with dry and oily patches, while others simply have naturally clear skin. Whatever the case, finding a product regimen that works for you is the key to treating your skincare concerns.
xoxo
