We’ve all done good and bad things to our skin throughout the years – and we probably rarely thought about how much it would matter in the long run. How you treat your skin in your early years affects how your skin will look and feel in your later years – and I definitely wish I knew the tips I know now. Here’s what I would tell my 20-year-old self about skincare.
Always remove your makeup before bed
This is a step that I’ve become more diligent about over the years. I always make sure to remove my makeup before bed to give my skin a chance to breathe at the end of the day. Sleeping with makeup on can lead to clogged pores (which can lead to breakouts), result in dull and dry skin the next morning and block your nighttime anti-aging efforts. The skin renews itself while you sleep – producing that collagen and elastin that start to appreciate more and more as we get older – so not removing your makeup before bed will prevent that from happening. I make sure to include this step in my nighttime skincare routine so I never forget. You can use micellar water, cleaning oils or balms or an old-fashioned makeup removing wipe. Whatever works best for you!
Invest in a good facial cleanser
Washing your face removes any buildup from the day, maintains the right level of hydration and helps your skin from seeing any new breakouts – but when you wash your face with a cleanser that isn’t formulated for the face, you can mess up your pH balance and dry out your skin. So instead of using generic soap that’ll dry out and irritate my skin, I like to use a sensitive facial foaming cleanser that matches my skin type and addresses my skin concerns.
Wear sunscreen every day
Old me would’ve either forgotten this step in my skincare routine or just skipped it thinking I’d get a nice tan – but this is a step I’ve been diligent about the older I get. It’s SO important to wear sunscreen every day! UV rays are the number one cause for premature aging. Without proper sun protection, overexposure to UV rays can lead to sunburn, wrinkles, dark spots and leathery skin. So make sure to apply (and reapply) a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Use a vitamin C serum
Vitamin C is one of the best hydrating, brightening and firming antioxidant ingredients for your skin. It protects skin cells from free radicals and lightens any hyperpigmentation and dark spots caused by overexposure to UV rays. Which is extra helpful if you’re always out in the sun! I like to apply this in the mornings after I apply tone and before I moisturize.
Don’t pick at acne
We’re always so tempted to pick at your acne but DON’T! Popping a pimple can spread bacteria to surrounding pores, delay your body’s natural healing process and create acne scars. Which can take a long time to heal and carry on into your adult years. Whenever I start breaking out, I like to use an acne spot treatment or overnight pimple patches.
Don’t stop at the face
When you think of skincare, you mostly think of your face – but don’t stop there! This is more of an anti-aging trick, but starting early is key. When I’m going through my skincare routine, I like to use any leftover product on my hands to moisturize my “portrait” area, which is from your bust to your chin. The neck and chest area are especially important because they’re two places a lot of people forget to apply sunscreen. You also can’t forget about your hands!
Skincare routines don’t have to be expensive
You might have a few splurge-worthy items in your beauty cabinet, but a skincare routine can be created within any budget. Don’t let the prices of some creams and serums put you off from taking care of your skin! Everyone has different skin types and concerns, so it’s important to find products and brands that work best for you. You can find a lot of clean beauty brands at drugstores, and they have products with simple ingredients that do the job. And they can be pretty affordable!
If you could turn back time, how would you have treated your skin? I’d love to hear your best skincare tips and habits!
