Glow Up: Simple Skincare Concepts
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I’ll start by saying that in general I’ve been blessed with good skin genes. Though I jokingly blame my parents on a few unfortunate physical features (wonky teeth pre-braces — I’m looking at you Dad 😉) my parents, my sister and I all have remained relatively unscathed by skin concerns throughout our years.
However, I do have sensitive skin and have adapted various practices over time that enhance my overall skin health and wellness. Below are my top tips that I’ve accumulated through Podcasts, web articles, Dermatologist visits, facials, esthetician textbooks (that I read for fun), etc.
Note: I’m a female in my late 30s, have light to tan skin with freckles, tend toward dry skin and live in a dry climate.
products + tools
Utilize red light: this can be a bit of a time commitment, but it’s made a difference in my fine lines and dark spots. I plan to document a full experiment with before and after results soon!
Warm products up in your fingers before applying: this enables better absorption and requires less product.
Apply eye products using your middle fingers: pat gently around your orbital bone (avoid rubbing in the product).
Cycle products: avoid sticking to the same routine daily. Introducing variety minimizes your skin's adaptation to products and maximizes nutrient absorption and benefits.
Incorporate free days: 1-2 days a week I use only a basic moisturizer (and SPF in I’m going outside). If I feel or see my skin getting irritated, I give it a breather.
Moisturize consistently: I apply face lotion night and day no matter what. After every shower and face wash, no matter what.
process
Use face towels 1x: wash face towels after every use and avoid using your hand towel to dry your face. I bought a set of ~20 face towels so that I have enough for AM & PM every day of the week.
Wash your hands before applying facial products: to mitigate the spread of germs (a recurring theme!).
Avoid touching your nose and then your eyes: this is something I learned in an effort to mitigate eye styes and is applicable to washing, drying and product application. I rinse my face in a strategic manner, pat my face dry all at once rather than moving my face towel around and apply eye cream before any products on the rest of my face.
Clean products often: Even if you always use clean hands, bottles/containers are prone to spillovers, germs, etc. I wipe the exterior of all my products with an alcohol solution about 1x / month.
Test new items independently: this is key for anyone with sensitive skin. When you get a new item, test it on it’s own for a few days (if possible) or in conjunction with things you already use without issue. Do not add more than one product into your routine simultaneously — if you have a reaction, you won’t know which product caused the irritation. Ideally test the new item independently for 1-2 weeks to confidently assess potential reactions.
Keep a product log: not only to track what you like / dislike and results, but also for independent or combination reactions. For example, a toner on its own may be fine, but when used after an exfoliator may cause an unsavory reaction.
other
Be cautious of layering products: some ingredients do not play well together. Read product instructions and warnings, and do research to see what can and should be used together.
Stay up to date on skincare news: read articles, watch videos, etc. for expert guidance, new products, trials, etc. Cassandra Bankson is one of my favorite resources.
Avoid trends: aim to buy things based on your skin type and needs (e.g., a product targeting oily skin is not something that would benefit me), not because they are popular. Also, just because something is trendy or luxe does not mean it is superior than a more affordable, basic option (often expensive products contain extraneous ingredients and are less effective).
bonus
Sweat + exercise: this may only be applicable to me — but I find that regular exercise benefits my skin. Any time I do moderate to intense exercise, or am in extreme heat situations (e.g., a sauna) — my face turns bright red (I presume this is a genetic reaction as my mom and grandfather have the same affliction). It’s a curse in that my face will stay unnaturally red for a LONG time (cue several people asking me if I’m “okay”), but a blessing because the redness supposedly pushes nutrients to the surface of the face resulting in improved skin health. Either way, exercise probably won’t hurt 😇
I hope you find some of these tips insightful, easy to implement and beneficial.
The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only. I am not a skincare professional or expert, and the content shared here is based on personal experience, research, and opinion. I do not accept any responsibility for any adverse reactions or consequences resulting from the use or misuse of the information provided on this blog. All skincare routines and products should be used at your own risk.
