As an avid skincare junkie, I've amassed a sizeable amount of information from the internet, magazines, books etc. So here are the top 10 skin care tips that I've discovered which are easily incorporated into everyone’s routine!
1. Cleanse, Tone, Moisturize
The 3 step miracle wonder. While not everyone needs toner, this 3 step simple routine can and will work great for everyone.
2. Picking the right products
Always pick the right products suitable for your skin. The 5 main groups are Oily, Combination, Normal, Sensitive, Dry. However, many people find that their skin tends to be slightly different in different periods. So be attuned to the condition of your skin and adjust your skincare routine accordingly. If you have been using oily skin products for some time and you feel your skin getting dry, then ease up on those products for awhile or switch to a milder form of those products but still made for oily skin.
3. Switching skin care products too often
Before you exclaim that your skin care products don’t work and switch for another more appealing product fresh on the shelves, you must remember that your skin needs time to adjust and warm up to new products so give it a good few weeks to test out your products. Also, once you find a winning formula, stick to it until you really see a deteriorating effect. Switching products too often will often make the skin sensitive and irritable.
But of course if you try something and you have a bad reaction to it, stop using it immediately.
4. Don't touch your face
Your fingers are dirty even if they look clean to the naked eye. You touch door knobs, keyboards, lift buttons etc daily; all of which have a ton of germs. So if you can help it, don’t touch your face!
This extends to resting your face in your palms etc, things you probably aren’t conscious of doing yourself. Make this a habit and this will definitely save you from unnecessary breakouts.
5. Dirty Pillowcases
In line with the earlier point, your face comes into contact with your pillow daily so ensure that your pillow case is clean. Weekly pillowcase changes are best. Also, remember that any make up or hair products will transfer to your pillow and this means more bacteria and dirt that can come into contact with your face and cause breakouts.
6. Clean your handphone
If you are a fan of gossiping sessions with your friends or have daily romantic talks with your boyfriend, remember that your phone also comes into contact with your skin so be sure to wipe it down once in a while with an anti bacterial wipe! Also, office phones are notorious for the amount of bacteria that can be found on it. I’ve read a study that found more bacteria on an office phone that the toilet seat!
7. Temperature of water
As far as possible, use lukewarm water to wash your face. The best formula is to use lukewarm water to soap up and cold water to rinse it off for a tightening effect.
Most of us enjoy hot showers after a hard day of work but exposing your face directly to such hot water can lead to broken capillaries and irritation.
8. Let your skin breathe
Try to give yourself a few days off makeup a week. This helps the skin to breathe.
9. Take off your make up religiously
Nothing is worse than sleeping overnight with your make up on. There is no excuse! Use make up wipes or all in one cleansers if you are rushing for time!
10. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is possibly the most important skin care product in one’s beauty arsenal. However, I admit that I am often too lazy and go without. A simple solution is to pick a moisturizer or make up products that incorporate SPF so you have no excuse to forget.
