Not too long ago, one of my fellow Miami writers wrote a great article about some life-changing skincare products, so I thought this week I would give some more tips to help create a simple skincare routine. I am no expert on skincare, but one of my absolute favorite influencers is!
You’ve probably heard of him, but Hyram Yarbro is a skincare specialist who has blown up in popularity on both TikTok and Youtube this past year. Most of his content involves reviewing popular products, as well as correcting skincare routines. All of the tips I’m about to give you are 100% Hyram-approved, so you won’t have to go through hours of youtube videos (like I did) to perfect your skin!
- Use cleanser, not makeup wipes
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Cleanser is one of the most important steps in a skincare routine and it can often be damaging if done incorrectly. Hyram recommends both Cerave and Youth to the People as cleansers. However if you wear makeup, it is extremely important to double cleanse in order to avoid lingering makeup residue.
Why not face wipes? Wipes can be damaging to our skin due to the intense tugging motions used to remove all the makeup, especially in the sensitive eye-area. Hyram recommends a liquid makeup remover, like a gentle micellar water, before going in with that facial cleanser. It’s better for both your skin and the environment!
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Use a chemical exfoliant, not a facial scrub
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The term “chemical exfoliant” can sound scary, but it is actually a great way to remove impurities from the skin, preventing breakouts and blackheads. Salicylic acid, AHA, and BHA are just a couple ingredients to look for when it comes to chemical exfoliation. Hyram approves the Ordinary formulas, as well as Paula’s Choice.
Physical exfoliation on the other hand, is usually ineffective and can have damaging effects on your skin. Avoid facial scrubs, especially those with coffee, as they can create microtears in your skin’s surface. Also be sure to avoid peel off masks, blackhead suctions, and brushes, as they can also do significant damage.
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Do use a hydrating serum, don’t overdo face masks
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Hydrating serums are a crucial step to maintaining moisture within the skin. Hyaluronic acid is by far one of the best ingredients for this, while Vitamin C is also very popular! The Ordinary has serums for both; just remember not to touch the dropper directly to your face to avoid impacting the formula.
Face masks, especially those for exfoliation, have no place in a daily routine. Use these once a week at most to avoid drying out the skin. Also, always moisturize right after use!
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Do use a moisturizer, don’t DIY (basically ever)
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Moisturizers, like serums, are incredibly important to fight dryness and aging, but are often skipped during skincare routines. Use moisturizer at least once a day, and twice if you have dry skin. Cerave has a good, simple moisturizer, but your preference may vary depending on your skin type. Definitely avoid any with fragrance or essential oils in the formula, though.
Despite everything we were taught by old school Youtube beauty gurus, we should never try any DIY skincare hacks. Aside from the fact that many of them are downright damaging, almost all of them are pointless and show little results. This is because, as Hyram explains, scientists take these natural ingredients found in our DIY concoctions, and formulate beneficial ingredients in high concentrations for their skin care products. They also leave out the harmful ones, so essentially everything you find in the store will be safer and more effective than that lemon-sugar scrub from Five Minute Crafts.
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Always use sunscreen!
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That’s right, the best way to take care of your skin is to use sunscreen! Hyram firmly believes that your skincare routine is completely useless unless you protect your skin from the harsh effects of the sun. Sunscreen prevents aging and reduces risk of other issues such as skin cancer.
This applies to POC too! Many people assume sunscreen is only necessary for white people, but everyone needs protection from the sun. If you are a POC and concerned about sunscreen leaving a whitecast (white tint) on your skin, don’t worry because Hyram has you covered! Many Korean sunscreens and chemical sunscreens do not leave a whitecast. Make sure you use a high SPF and apply two fingers worth to keep your skin looking young and healthy!