While I am not a dermatologist or beauty professional, I’ve picked up some basic skin care tips throughout my adolescence and adulthood. Other skin care tips have also been handed down to me by earlier generations of my family. Although I’m all about affordable fashion, I believe that women should invest both time and money into their skin (as stated in #4 here). You can return clothes, but you can’t return your face. Here are my top nine skin care tips.
1. Remove Your Makeup Before Going to Sleep
If you go to sleep with your makeup on, all of the day’s residue gets left on your pillow. Gross. Unless you want to rub your face against dirty makeup night after night, take the three minutes to wash your face. Since I have sensitive skin, I use Olay’s Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin. After washing, I remove any left over makeup with Olay’s Toner for Sensitive Skin which leaves me feeling oh-so-clean.
2. Night Cream
After removing my makeup, I apply Night Cream which is different from Day Cream or regular moisturizer. Night Cream helps rejuvenate and tighten the skin as well as keeps it looking young. I recommend women over 25 to start using a Night Cream daily. Since I do want to stay looking young and fresh as long as possible, I splurge on Clinque’s Turnaround Overnight Radiant moisturizer.
3. Eye Cream
Every night, I also apply night cream to reduce puffiness and dark circles as well as reduce fine lines. I’ve been experimenting with night creams for the past two years. So far my favorite is Clinique‘s All About Eyes. My grandma has been using Clinique skin products since I can remember, and at 78, her skin is as soft and tight as a baby. Side Note: I recently strayed and used Olay’s Regenerist Eye Serum Roller. After three days, my eyes puffed up and I had red spots under my eyes. Use with caution!
4. Get Some Rest
This statement is more “do as I say and not as I actually do” since I am not the best when in comes to sleep. In fact, I probably should be sleeping right now instead of writing this post. With that aside, sleep is important when it comes to your skin especially under the eyes. So, be sure to get plenty of it (I promise to do the same).
5. Exfoliate
Exfoliate is a fancy term for scrubbing the heck out of your face. This process removes dead skin and lets the new skin shine. Since my skin is sensitive, I don’t do this everyday, but I do try to exfoliate a few times a week. For this, I use St. Ives Apricot Scrub for Sensitive skin. I love how this product makes my skin feel!
6. Moisturize for the day
Before I put on my makeup and start the day, I use a Day Cream. Different from Night Cream, Day Cream does not have the ingredients to tighten skin, but does have SPF to protect your face from the sun’s harmful UV rays. I use Olay’s Complete All Day Moisturizer for sensitive skin.
7. Use Natural or Hypoallergenic Makeup
I’m a strong believer of not applying harsh chemicals to your precious face everyday. For this purpose, I invest in quality makeup that is usually Clinique (most because their products are hypoallergenic). There are many other brands like Bare Minerals and Origins. For a more affordable route, Almay offers fragrance free and hypoallergenic products at drug store prices. I love their eye shadows and wear them often.
8. Get a faux tan
A glowing tan always looks nice, but laying out in the sun is your face’s worst nightmare. To accomplish the look of a tan without worshiping the sun, use a tinted moisturizer. Gradually, the moisturizer adds a natural glow that will have you looking relaxed and well rested. Clinique makes the Surge Tinted Moisturizer with SPF.
9. Drink lots of Water
Besides being plain ol’ good for ya, water is essential to skin health. I am adamant about fulfilling my recommended daily water intake (in addition to my unfortunate Diet Coke addiction). When I don’t drink enough water, it almost immediately shows on my skin. Be sure to drink your eight eight-ounce glasses a day!
I’d love to know what skin care tips you have and what products you use. Please share them!
J9