With so many skincare products on the market, it can be hard to know where to start when taking care of your skin. Do you need all those serums and setting sprays? And what’s the deal with double cleansing, anyway?
Realistically speaking, your skincare regime doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. Here are three simple skincare tips every woman should know:
Wash Your Face Every Morning and Night With a Gentle Cleanser
We all know we should wash our face, yet many still don’t do it regularly. If you want clear skin, establish a twice-daily facial cleansing routine using a gentle cleanser. This will remove impurities without taking away your skin’s natural moisture. A gentle cleanser helps to remove dirt, oil, and makeup. It also helps unclog pores and prevent breakouts.
Choose a cleanser based on your skin type. Look for a hydrating cleanser if you have dry skin or a mattifying cleanser if you have oily skin. For sensitive skin, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic cleansers work wonders. Having a different race is another factor to consider when choosing a cleanser.
If you are a Filipina, your skin might not be suitable for the same cleanser as someone Caucasian. Choose a cleanser for your skin type and ethnicity. If the product you need is unavailable where you are, you can send money online to the Philippines and have someone order and deliver it to you.
The double-cleansing method has recently gained popularity, using an oil-based cleanser and then a water-based cleanser afterward. This two-step process will remove makeup, dirt, and any remaining impurities.
Double cleansing is optional, but it’s a good idea if you wear a lot of makeup or live in a polluted environment. If you decide to double cleanse, use different products for each step. For example, you could use a cleansing oil followed by a foaming cleanser.
Exfoliate Two to Three Times a Week
Exfoliation is key for keeping your skin looking bright and radiant. When dead skin cells build up on the surface of your skin, they can cause your complexion to look dull and lackluster. By exfoliating two to three times a week, you’ll remove those dead skin cells and reveal healthy, glowing skin underneath.
Why You Should Not Exfoliate Daily
You might be tempted to exfoliate daily, but that’s a bad idea. Over-exfoliating can damage your skin and lead to irritation, redness, and sensitivity. So stick to two to three times per week, and you’ll see the best results.
There are two main types of exfoliants—physical and chemical. Physical exfoliants include scrubs, brushes, and sponges. On the contrary, chemical exfoliants include acids and enzymes. You can use either type of exfoliant, but choose one suitable for your skin type. For example, if you have sensitive skin, you might want to avoid physical exfoliants because they can be harsh. Chemical exfoliants are best for people with oily or acne-prone skin.
How To Exfoliate Properly
When using a physical exfoliant, be sure to use gentle circular motions. Don’t scrub too hard—you don’t want to damage your skin. On the other hand, you should use chemical exfoliants after you’ve cleansed and toned your skin. If it’s a liquid, apply with a cotton pad; if lotion or gel, use your fingers. Apply an occasional-use rinse-off exfoliant peel to your cleansed skin, then rinse off after several minutes. If irritations occur, talk to your dermatologist.
Use Sunscreen Every Day, Even When It’s Cloudy
By now, we are all aware that sunscreen inhibits the harmful effects of UV rays on our skin. But did you know that you should wear sunscreen every day, even when it’s cloudy outside? That’s right—up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays can penetrate through clouds! So if you want to avoid premature wrinkles and sun damage, apply sunscreen every morning before leaving the house.
The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) number on a sunscreen bottle helps you predict how long the product will guard your skin against sunburn. For instance, you are not wearing sunscreen, so you start to experience sunburn 10 minutes after sun exposure. If you wore sunscreen with an SPF of 30, that would give you 300 minutes of safe burned-free time in the sunlight (10 minutes x 30SPF).
Applying sunscreen can be tedious, but plenty of makeup products contain SPF. For example, many foundations, BB creams, and tinted moisturizers have SPF built in. So if you’re worried about looking like a ghost, don’t be—plenty of options will give you a natural-looking glow.
Achieve Flawless Skin Now!
Taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive—sometimes, the simplest tips are the most effective. Just remember to wash your face twice a day, wear sunscreen daily, and exfoliate twice or thrice a week, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving flawless skin.
