As someone who wasn’t born with picture-perfect, effortlessly gleaming acne-free skin (and honestly, barely anyone is), my journey with skincare has been nothing short of interesting. I’ve probably spent more money on skincare than anything else, from classic drug store brands to luxury items, that I probably shouldn’t have made such a splurge on.
While I have gradually figured out what products work for me and which ones don’t and have finally found a routine that is most beneficial, the one thing that made the most difference for my skin did not come inside a bottle or wrapped in a box. It was something I came across on Twitter: the 60-Second Rule.
But no, it wasn’t from some random influencer who posted before and after acne-pics for clout. The rule is pretty self-explanatory: wash your face for a full minute and really let the product seep into the skin and do its job. Most people wash their faces for 10 seconds maximum, which defeats the whole purpose of cleansing and often leads to their skin not being fully cleansed, leaving makeup, debris and oil clogging their pores and promoting a dull, acne-prone complexion.
The 60-Second Rule prevents all of that, giving the cleanser time to break down products and grime. Not only that but taking a full minute to wash your face also makes you pay close attention to your skin and remember to wash areas that are usually neglected such as the jawline, chin, under the nose, hairline and neck.
Courtesy: Pinterest
The cleansing method comes from Nayamka Roberts-Smith, a licensed esthetician who frequently tells her Twitter and YouTube followers to wash their faces for 60 seconds straight to let the ingredients penetrate the skin. She goes by @LaBeautyologist on Twitter and her rule has gained much influence and was game-changing for so many people that it even merited its own hashtag (#60secondrule) and a mass media following.
At first, it sounded too good to be true but with a face filled with hormonal acne all over my jaw at the time, I decided to give it a try. I pumped a generous amount of my favorite Youth to The People: Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser and gently massaged it all over my face while literally counting down a minute in my head. It’s that simple.
After about a month of strictly washing my face twice a day according to the 60-Second Rule, I honestly noticed a huge change in my skin. I had a softer skin texture, a significant decrease in pimples, an even complexion and a definite glow! And the best part about it? It’s totally free and only costs 50 more seconds of your time, clear skin does not have to break the bank!
The 60-Second Rule is not a magic spell that will instantly clear your acne and perfect your skin overnight but when done consistently and followed up with a good skin-care routine featuring acne-fighting properties and soothing moisture, I guarantee you will see a huge improvement in your skin.
Not only is it good for your skin but it’s a super necessary moment of stress release and self-care. Especially as women in college, it is important to take time to take care of yourself and not neglect your well-being. After a long day at school and on the go, I look forward to doing my skincare routine as a way of unfolding, relaxing, getting ready for bed and just to enjoy 10 minutes of time purely dedicated to me.
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