“May I tell you a secret?!” I despise that question. Of course, I want to know the secret, but then that means that I have to keep that secret, well, a secret. Right? That’s when the anxiety kicks in. What if this information might benefit someone else? What if the secret isn’t really that big of a deal, so it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I shared it? The “what if” scenarios start spinning until I wonder why I agreed to hear the secret in the first place.
Secrets are tricky things. But secrets that shouldn’t be so tricky? Skincare secrets. My friends and I happily gossip about our skincare regimens, and now gentle reader, it’s time to let you in on the scoop. The good news? You don’t have to keep these tips to yourself.
The sun just isn’t that into you
You know that lovely, warm, glowing feeling you get when you’re basking in the sunlight? How your skin just seems to toast like a marshmallow? Guess what, the sun is not your skin’s friend. In fact, the sun just isn’t that into skin — period. “What about the Vitamin D that you get from the sun? What about my tan lines?” You may be asking yourself these very questions right now. Well, permit me to tell you a little secret, nothing is more harmful or aging for your skin than leaving your skin unprotected when out and about in the sun.
Sunscreen truly is the closest thing to the Fountain of Youth that you can actually use to help slow down the process of skin aging due to sun exposure. When shopping for skincare products, be sure to look for items that offer broad-spectrum protection, a minimum SPF of 30, and water resistance — a not-so-secret secret because we all sweat, so make sure your skincare products are water-resistant.
The question then becomes: how do I incorporate sunscreen into my current skincare routine without having to drown myself in lotion? Quite easily, if you shop at Best Beauty Finds, that is. Find products that have SPF in them. Take JayJun Cosmetics, for example. JayJun’s Illumination Cushion Liquid Compact Foundation provides a dewy finish for a polished glow, all while protecting your skin with SPF 50.
Now that we’re heading into Fall, having a killer summer tan may be less of a priority for you; however, if you want to look like you spent an afternoon or two at the pool without the inconvenience of having to put on a bathing suit, Manuka Doctor has the gel for you. Their ApiBronze Anti-Cellulite Bronzing Gel with Manuka Honey is meant to help reduce the appearance of cellulite and give you a natural-looking tan. For a truly even looking tan, be sure to exfoliate your skin in the shower before your sunny application — Le Royal’s 24K Gold Infused Glowing Body Scrub works wonders — dry yourself off and apply the gel to completely dry skin for a beautiful, natural-looking all-over tan.
It’s easier to maintain than to repair
Beauty Secret Number 2: have you ever heard the saying that it is easier to maintain than it is to repair? This contracting tidbit is true for skincare, too. This secret involves a couple of steps, though, and it all starts with washing your face.
When choosing a cleanser and toner, think about your skin type and your skin goals. I have oily skin — like, we could drill for oil on my T-Zone rather than in Alaska oily skin. When I select a cleanser, I look for one which is specifically suited for oily skin and has an exfoliant to help clear some dead skin cells. Tria Beauty offers a Positively Clear Foam Cleanser which washes away oil and dirt and is BPO-free, so it’s gentle on your skin.
Be sure to wash your face when you wake up, after a workout where you’ve been sweating something fierce, and before bed. It’s incredibly important to gently cleanse your face using lukewarm water, as this will help remove excess makeup and grime, such as smog, smoke, and even dirt. When washing your face, be gentle. It’s the only face you have! Don’t exfoliate too hard, as scrubbing can actually irritate your skin.
After drying your face, be sure to moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize some more. If you’re dealing with acne or oily skin, it might seem counterproductive to add more moisture to the situation, but moisturization is the key to keeping your skin youthful, healthy, and strong. Moisturizing is also important in fighting the aging process as it helps to keep your skin hydrated.
If you’re battling skin-issues, try a light-weight lotion-like Youth Diamond Lotion, which is designed to brighten, plump, and hydrate your skin without leaving a heavy-lotion feel. If you’re using this for your morning-lotion, wait for a full five minutes before applying your makeup after putting your moisturizer on to ensure full absorption.
At the end of the day, adding one more thing to your skincare routine might seem a bit difficult, but moisturizing at night is just as important as moisturizing in the morning. Nighttime is the perfect time to use a heavier moisturizer because you’re sleeping while the moisturizer does all of the hard work of repairing your skin. Serenade Beauty Sleep Repairing Night Cream by Serendipity Cosmetics helps to restore dry and damaged skin while helping you maintain a soft and hydrated complexion.
Stress less, smile more
The last skincare secret is perhaps the hardest one to follow — stress less, and smile more. In our busy, breakneck-speed world, it can be so hard to not feel simply overwhelmed. How can you worry about moisturizer when you have hundreds of unread emails?! How do you squeeze in skincare time when you barely have time for basic self-care? While making time for yourself may feel like an impossibility, try multi-tasking! Put on a face mask while you answer emails or eat your cereal. Let your face serum soak in while you brush your teeth. Add a Bath Bomb to your evening soak for a bit of relaxation. Make your routine work for you.
Treat your skin to the occasional face mask to get a fresh complexion. Premier offers an Age Smart Mud, Seaweed, and Honey Mask to help refresh oily skin with some of nature’s most nourishing ingredients. Or try Martinni’s Diamond Illuminating Collagen Mask, which helps to enhance your skin tone and facilitate the regeneration of skin cells. When you finally do climb into bed, put on a bit of Bee Venom & Pro-5 Collagen Regenerating Eye Mask under your sleepy eyes to help hydrate and reduce puffiness under your eyes.
By pampering yourself just a little bit, you can help reduce stress, which is unbelievably important for your skin. Stress can cause all kinds of flare-ups for you, like acne, eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea. Then, if you have a flare-up, you’re likely to stress out even more! So stop the stress cycle before it begins. Take care of you, take care of your skin. Drink lots of water, don’t smoke, keep calm, and get your skincare game on.