Over the quarantine period, I got inspired to focus on self care, which started with revamping my skincare routine. After discovering skincare experts such as Hyram on Youtube and Abbey Yung on Tik Tok, I learned more about which products to incorporate into my routine and certain brands and ingredients to stay away from. Below are some of my tips and tricks that have led me to a new and improved skincare regimen.
Serums
Adding serums into your routine is a great way to get a higher concentration of active ingredients. The Ordinary has recently been trending on social media and is known for being a great environmentally friendly option. Plus, they have a wide variety of serums with varying ingredients so you can find what works best for your skin type. Plus, the website is super user-friendly so you can easily determine which formula works best for your skin type before purchasing. I personally tried out the Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% (Vitamin C) and Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and they have been amazing for hydrating and brightening my skin!
SPF
This is arguably the most important step you can add into your skincare routine! Whether you use a moisturizer with SPF, or you buy it alone to apply in the mornings, its an incredibly easy transition in your regime. I used to only use SPF during the spring and summer on days when I would be directly in the sun. However, it is important to use it everyday regardless of the season. Not only does it prevent skin cancer, but it also prevents premature aging, improves skin complexion and creates overall healthy skin.
Micellar Water
I used to be a big fan of using makeup remover wipes every night, but never realized that they can be somewhat irritating for sensitive skin due to their harsh ingredients. Although they are sometimes helpful to quickly use when feeling extra tired or lazy, I decided to switch to using micellar water daily which is much more gentle and easily removes all eye makeup with just one cotton pad. I have been using Garnier’s micellar water, but there are lots of other options such as Bioderma or Burt’s Bees.
Moisturize Daily
This is a great way to hydrate and protect your skin everyday. I never used to apply moisturizer before doing my makeup (shocker, I know) and then realized how important it is as the base of your makeup. It is best to apply both morning/night and leaves skin feeling rejuvenated. If you are going for a simple routine and want to use minimal products, cleansing and moisturizing are essential.
Read the Ingredients!
One of the main things I learned from skincare research is that the ingredient lists on each of these products are essential. Even if a product has claims on the packaging, it is best to read the label and see what actually goes in it. A rule of thumb is that the less ingredients and more simple it is, the better. In my highschool years I religiously used Clean and Clear, but after seeing the ingredients, I realized that I wanted something more gentle. Brands such as Cetaphil or CeraVe are sworn by on social media because they are dermatologist recommended, inexpensive and clean ingredients.
Most importantly, remember that skincare is specific to each person because everyone has different skin types and routines! These tips and products worked well for my dry skin, but it may be different for someone else. The best place to start would be doing some more research, checking social media bloggers reviews, and browsing your own local drugstore to see what works best for you. Happy shopping, and you’ll be one more step closer to glowing skin!
Sources: Into the Gloss, Kate Somerville, The Courier blogs