When the world shut down due to the pandemic last year, we had to quickly adjust to our new lifestyles. We were faced with new fears and anxieties, both big and small. Though as a whole, our concerns were much greater than our newly disrupted beauty routines, our inability to visit spas and salons left many people wondering how to maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails without the help of professionals.
DIY beauty concerns led to the revelation of a little secret skincare aficionados have known about forever: not only is treating your skin at home possible; it’s imperative to achieving your best results. Just like you’re not going to get a six-pack from exercising one time, you’re not going to get your best skin from one spa treatment. Healthy, glowing skin takes effort and consistency.
Cleansing is an essential first step in any skincare routine. Make sure you’re using a gentle cleanser to remove makeup, dirt, and bacteria from your face before applying any products. Once you have that step down, here are three essential tips for youthful, radiant skin at home.
SPF, Always
Sunscreen is hands down the best preventative skincare, no matter your age. Protecting your skin anytime you’re outside (or even near a window!) can stop future sun damage in its tracks. Not only can the sun’s rays be harmful to your health; they can cause all kinds of skin issues. I always recommend applying SPF as your last step in your morning routine, separate from your moisturizer. When using a combination SPF/moisturizer, it’s nearly impossible to get the amount of coverage your skin actually needs. Your sunscreen should be at least SPF 30, offer protection from UVA and UVB rays, and it should be applied every morning. If you’re going to be exposed to the sun all day, you should retouch your sunscreen every two hours. If you’re makeup free, go ahead and reapply the same sunscreen. If you’re wearing makeup, look into options like powder or spray SPF for touch ups.
Get Acquainted with the ABC’s of Skincare
Vitamin ingredients are an important feature of a good anti-aging routine. You may find that your skin thrives using a combination of topical vitamins, or that using just one vitamin product is enough for your skin.
Vitamin A: If there is one anti-aging ingredient everyone should have in their arsenal, it’s a retinoid, which is a blanket term for ingredients derived from Vitamin A. One of the most well-researched skincare ingredients out there, retinoids have been shown to increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen growth. AKA - they can make your skin look plump and healthy. If this is your first experience with retinol, you’ll want to start low and slow. Look for a product that is for beginners, and apply a pea sized amount to clean, dry skin at night. Retinol can be drying and irritating, which is why introducing it slowly and letting your skin adjust is imperative.
Start using your retinoid once a week, and increase slowly to three to four times each week, just about every other day. Be sure to stick with this ingredient long term. It can take three months or more before results become noticeable. Because it can also increase sensitivity to the sun, here’s another reminder to wear SPF, always!
Vitamin B: There are several types of vitamin B used in skincare, but let’s focus on the heavy hitter of the category: niacinamide. This ingredient is increasingly buzzed about in the world of beauty for its efficacy and versatility. Niacinamide is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that works to protect and soothe skin. It’s known to boost hydration, combat hyperpigmentation, and regulate oil protection. And on top of that, it boosts collagen protection over time, leading to more youthful looking skin. What a powerhouse! Niacinamide plays well with other ingredients and can be found in a variety of serums and moisturizers, making it a great add to your routine.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is another powerful ingredient with well-researched skin benefits. It’s a great add-on to your routine if you struggle with hyperpigmentation, dullness, uneven skin tone, or fine lines and wrinkles; all common signs of aging. Because it’s a powerful antioxidant, using a product with vitamin C can improve the appearance of your skin while protecting it from future damage. It’s also known to boost the effectiveness of SPF, which makes it great for morning use. Vitamin C can be found in a variety of moisturizers, serums, and eye creams.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
As we age, our skin loses moisture and hydration. Moisture refers to the skin’s oil content, while hydration is about water content. You may notice your skin getting drier and more dehydrated, and it’s important to address both. Thankfully, there’s plenty of products to replenish lost moisture.
To replace lost water in your skin, look for an ingredient like hyaluronic acid: a hydrator that attracts and traps water. To address oil loss, try upgrading to a thicker, richer moisturizer and topping it off with a facial oil. You may be wary of using oil on your face, but there are many different formulas for all different skin types. Facial oils work to trap moisture in your skin while giving you an instant youthful glow. Moisturizers and oils should be used as a part of your daily and nightly routine. You can also touch up throughout the day if you’re feeling extra dry. Keeping your skin moisturized feels luxurious and boosts your radiance at the same time. What’s not to love?
Whether you never step foot in a spa again or you resume occasional visits to a professional, making these three steps a consistent part of your routine is key to keeping your skin healthy. The Spa Curator boxes allow you to supplement your daily skincare with effective, luxurious products to keep you looking and feeling your best without even having to leave home. Treat yourself to your twice daily skincare routine and your at-home spa sessions on your own schedule, whenever you have the time.
The stressors of life can wreak havoc on your skin, but taking a few minutes to yourself each morning and night can be restorative. Think of skincare as selfcare. Consistent use of effective products can give you wonderful results and a confidence boost. Meanwhile, consistent devotion to caring for your skin can be an act of self love. The way you care for your skin is personal and intimate, and prioritizing a twice daily routine is a kindness you can only provide for yourself.
And you deserve it!