As women, the topic of skin and skincare can be intimidating. There are so many confidence-killing, #nofilter having, unrealistic expectations we sometimes feel we need to live up to. But our skin is a living, breathing organ and it should be healthy, not perfect! These are a few rules I follow to keep my skin feeling and looking its best.
My skin and I have a very interesting relationship. Some days she is my absolute best friend and others
she can be beyond frustrating. I try my best to treat her right, tend to her and give her nothing but the
absolute best….and still, she's unpredictable. However, throughout our relationship I have learned to appreciate and listen to her, after all she does protect me from life-threatening microorganisms and regulates my temperature so I suppose she has the right to act up every now and again, right?! But, thankfully, I've discovered a few things that are sure to keep her, not perfect, but healthy and happy. I call these my top five skincare rules. I live by all five of these rules in addition to following my skincare routine (#comingsoon) and testing out the latest lotions and potions from time to time. Whenever I notice my skin becoming a bit temperamental I ask myself if I have been adhering to these top five rules:
Quick disclaimer: A bit about my skin….it’s combination (leaning normal most days) and, like most women, I have hormonal acne typically on my jaw line and chin. My main concerns are hyperpigmentation, hydration and occasional acne. Also, I am not a dermatologist, these rules simply work for me and are all my opinion.
1. Water, water, water- Drink lots of water, I can’t say this enough! Adult bodies are made up of nearly 60% water. But what does this mean for our skin? Our skin, or epidermis and dermis, is our body’s largest organ. And our organs are made up of cells, cells simply need water to flourish and operate properly, therefore our skin needs and craves water. When our bodies do not have an adequate amount of water it can show in our skin. If we are dehydrated we may notice our skin feeling tight, dry, flaky and just darn uncomfortable. Not to mention when our skin is dehydrated it may overcompensate by producing more oil, which can cause more clogged pores and/or acne. I am not saying drinking tons of water will cure all of our skin problems, but it definitely won’t hurt. Simply put, let's drink our water ladies!
Tip: add lemon or your favorite fruit to your water and try drinking at least your body weight in ounces a day (ex. If you weigh 150 lbs, drink at least 150 oz per day)
2. Choose your acids like you choose friends! Incorporating an acid into your routine will change your skin game for the better, trust me. There are so many acids to choose from and they are all not created equally. The most common type of acids are: alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), beta hydroxy acid (BHA), ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and the list goes on and on. I swear by AHA and BHA combination serums, particularly Drunk Elephant Glycolic Framboos. The TLC Framboos AHA/BHA blend contains glycolic, tartaric, lactic, and citric acids which can help to “exfoliate built-up dead skin cells, resurfacing dull uneven skin for a smoother, brighter, more even-looking complexion” (drunkelephant.com). I can personally attest to all of these claims. Ever-since I started incorporating this serum into my skincare routine I’ve noticed my skin is consistently baby smooth. Also, I love love vitamin c serums! I have trouble with hyperpigmentation, whenever I breakout a dark spot is sure to show up at my pimple's funeral- beyond annoying! But vitamin c has made a world of difference, be sure to use it in the morning with an SPF!
Tip: serums can be a bit pricey brands like The Ordinary and The Inkey List offer great affordable options
3. Say buh-bye to dairy- I know, I know, this is a very strong take, but cutting dairy* out of my diet has made a world of difference. Simply put I have fewer breakouts and I'm less “puffy” overall. However, research exploring the connection between dairy and acne is relatively limited and somewhat inconclusive, so I won’t get into the science of why or why not dairy can cause acne. This rule is very personal and subjective so I would say if you are struggling with your skin and haven’t tried cutting dairy, do your research and go on and give it a try girl. See if it works for you! (*Note: please consult a licensed medical professional before excluding an entire food group)
Tip: if you love dairy try switching out one product at a time, every step is progress (ex. try non-dairy creamer in your morning coffee or use vegan oil/butters when cooking)
4. Wear SPF…no matter what! Sun protection is the key to thriving skin. SPF helps to protect all skin, even deeper complexions, from the harmful UVA and UVB rays which are known to cause skin cancer. When used as directed “regular daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen can reduce your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by about 40 percent, and lower your melanoma risk by 50 percent” (skincancer.org). I wear SPF every single day, 365 days a year, like every day, even if I don’t go outside or if the sun isn’t out, I wear my SPF. :)
Tip: if you have acne-prone or sensitive skin consider using physical (mineral) SPFs, chemical SPFs can be a bit irritating
5. Use hydrating products! In addition to drinking it, I like to ensure my skincare products are packed with tons of water. When I was younger I thought my skin didn’t need hydration because I had a more oily skin type, but when you know better you do better. More oily skin types should use gel based hydrating products which can ultimately help to balance out the skin’s oil production, while drier skin types can use cream based hydrating products which often help to seal in moisture. I use a combination of both since my skin has become less oily as I’ve aged. Regardless of skin type, we must hydrate our skin. I love to use hydrating products at every step of my skin care routine. Using hydrating cleansers (these are typically cream based), facial sprays, toners, eye creams and moisturizing cream/gels will help to lock in moisture.
Tip: I love to add hyaluronic acid to my moisturizer to give it a little boost
Zinc...the honorable mention- I know I said these are my top 5 skincare rules, but I had to mention incorporating a zinc supplement. Zinc is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and can help boost the immune system. The science related to zinc and acne isn't entirely conclusive or fool-proof but it is known to potentially have a positive impact. Like always, be sure to discuss taking any supplement with your licensed physician and do your research.
Hope these rules help!
What are your skincare rules? Can't wait to hear, be sure and comment below!
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