The Skincare Habits I Swear By

Hey folks, it’s been awhile since I last chatted with you all about the importance of a skincare routine here on the blog. Even with spending the majority of my career in the beauty industry, I rarely choose to write about it…because I just have so much I want to cover here on this blog of mine. From here on out, I’m making it a priority to change things up around here. Each month I’m going to try my hardest to write a beauty related post for you all, to help you all improve your skincare game, or just simply show you my latest beauty favorites. Today I’m going to share with you a few skincare habits that have changed my life, since learning a thing or two about proper skincare.

Skincare Habits That Changed My Life

Always Double Cleanse

If you’re a makeup wearer like me, you know how difficult it is to remove mascara, long-wear foundation or simply eyeliner. It’s such a pain in the a** to remove it at the end of the day, and who has the time? When I was younger, I opted for makeup wipes, just a swipe and I *thought* I had it all off, and under control. Little did I know years of endless makeup wipes, and not really washing would comeback to haunt me with horrible acne and dry out my skin. Now that I have a system in place, my skin feels cleaner, and looks healthier as a whole. If you’re someone who spends a fortune on makeup remover wipes, let me introduce you to a godsend: the double cleansing method. First, pick up a trusty oil based cleanser, I recommend Trader Joes Oil Cleanser ($6!) it’s just as good as any oil based cleanser found at Sephora or Ulta. The reason you want to use an oil based cleanser first, is to breakdown oil, dirt, and makeup left on your skin at the end of the day. Oil based cleanser is basically magic, when applied to dry skin, it will remove any type of makeup, first. After oil cleansing, use your regular cleanser to revive and wake up the skin. This two step method has been a GAME CHANGER for me!

Keep it consistent / Make it a routine

In order to see changes in your skin, you MUST be consistent and diligent when using products. If you’re someone struggling with hyperpigmentation, or dullness, you have to practice patience and be consistent when trying out new products. The cycle of a skin cell is about 28 days, so you must simply be patient when waiting for your skincare to do it’s job. If you’re someone who constantly is cycling through new skincare products and your skin is just out of whack, chances are that could be why.

Exfoliating 2x a week

Simply washing, and moisturizing is not enough to keep that youthful glow alive. Growing up, I always thought I struggled with severely dry skin, my makeup was always patchy looking, my skin felt rough, and in the winter months, my skin looked dull and lacked any sort of brightness. Little did I know, in order to keep your skin soft and glowing, you must utilize an exfoliator to remove dead skin. If you’re not sure if you need to exfoliate, try this at home test:

1. Find clear Scotch Tape
2. Rip off a piece and rub it on your forehead for a minute, remove
3. Look at the tape, if there are flakes, you should exfoliate!

You can use a chemical exfoliator or physical, the easiest one to use is a physical exfoliator that can be purchased pretty much anywhere. The texture may be gritty, but not rough on the skin. By exfoliating 2x a week (depending on your skin type) you skincare can effectively do it’s job, and your makeup will lay flat on the skin.

Protect with SPF

We all grew up hearing it…you must apply sunscreen, even if you aren’t going outside. Skin damage can happen so fast, even if you’re not careful. Even if you’re using skincare products to lighten and brighten your skin, from age spots, to post-acne marks, none of that will matter unless you are preventing the issues. Your best bet? Always wearing sunscreen each morning, regardless of what you’re doing. The best way to protect your skin from skin cancer, age spots, and dull skin is by prevention, which starts by protecting your skin, by utilizing the right products. If you’re unsure of what type of SPF to use for your specific skin type, utilize helpful guides on the world wide web, or head on over to your local Ulta or Sephora for personalized recommendations.

In the beauty world, beauty “tips” can be subjective. Not every tip or trick is going to work for everyone, especially because we all have different skin types. Over the years, I’ve realized what works for my friends, doesn’t always work for me. Working in the beauty industry, I’ve come to one solid conclusion: you MUST find what works for you, and stick to it, especially when it comes to skincare. Today I have rounded up a few solid tips I live by, when it comes to taking the best care of my skin possible. Remember, not all of these tips may work for everyone, these are just personal to me.

Skincare Tips to Live By

• Always double cleanse
• Never fall asleep without washing your face
• Always apply eye cream, regardless of your age
• Moisturize 2x daily
• Clean your pillowcases often, to remove built up dead skin/dirt
• Invest in your skin by investing in your skincare
• Visit an aesthetician who can recommend skincare products for your unique skin type
• Exfoliate 2-3x weekly to remove dry, dead skin on the surface
• Pick foundation suited best for your skin type
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
• Use SPF daily on your skin
• It’s never to early to begin using anti-aging cream
• Wash your makeup brushes weekly to prevent breakouts
• Never scrub at your skin, always be gentle
• Store skin mists in the fridge for an added pick me up
• For tired eyes, opt for an eye cream infused with caffeine
• For an added treatment to your skin, use a mask weekly to detox, smooth, and brighten

What are some beauty tips you SWEAR by? Share with me in the comment below!