skincare series: #tuesdaytips

Jul 9, 2019
4 min read

Updated: Jul 24, 2019

Hi loves! I'm back at it again with part 2 of my skincare series. Today's blog post is an exciting one...

...I've put together a complete guide packed with my personal

best tips & tricks to achieve healthy, happy, glowing skin.

Let's just dive right in, shall we?

Minimal makeup is key

I know, I know — makeup is great & all — but trust me on this. Wearing a layer of makeup all day every day can clog your pores and even lead to skin issues. Especially if you're working up a sweat. When sweat mixes with makeup, it's a recipe for blackheads, breakouts, stained workout towels, even eye infections. Your skin literally can't breathe because it's too busy absorbing the cocktail of bacteria, sweat, and makeup on the surface. Seriously. If you don't believe me, ask Vogue.

Don't! touch! your! face!

This one's easier said than done, but lemme tell ya, it's crucial. Touching your face throughout the day transfers germs and bacteria onto your skin. This just increases the likelihood of blemishes. Avoid touching the "T-zone" (your nose + forehead) as these places are especially prone to breakouts. And if you absolutely must . . . use your non-dominant hand!

Find the right formula

Another well-known fact that we often forget: there's many different types of face wash. Countless brands, each one with an infinite amount of products. How do you choose? How do you know what's right for your skin? How do you find something that's affordable, yet still gets the job done?

Honey, I've gotchu. I've tried so many different facial cleansers. And although I do have my personal faves, I've discovered that there is no "#1 cleanser." Skin care is not one-size-fits-all. It depends entirely on your skin type.

My best advice:

Find a company that sells non-comedogenic (i.e. it won't clog your pores), dermatologist-recommended (not just tested by dermatologists), paraben-free, sulfate-free, and oil-free. My personal favorites are St. Ives and CeraVe. You can find these anywhere — Walmart, Target, drugstores, etc.
Research products + find one that suits your skin type! (dry, oily, combination...)
Opt for a gentle micellar water. Believe it or not, you can use micellar water for many things: it triples as a face cleanser, makeup remover, and toner — Can you say "bang for your buck"!? Invest in a good one and you've got a quality 3-in-1 product! Try one that's vegan, free of harsh chemicals, and infused with vitamin C — like this one or perhaps this one.
Be sure you have a normal face wash and an exfoliating face scrub. You don't want to exfoliate your face every single day . . . use a gentle cleanser during the work week. Scrub away on the weekend!

#Hydration

For this next key point, I want to stress how vital it is to DRINK WATER. (And yes, I know this "drink water" skincare tip has become somewhat of a joke, but it doesn't make it any less true.) Sugary drinks are notoriously bad for your skin.

But hydration isn't just about drinking lots of water. Moisturizers are important too. Some types are oil-based while others are water-based, so it's important to know which type of moisturizer is right for YOU.

Also, I want to share a little secret weapon with you: hyaluronic acid. It's naturally-produced in the body, and all the best skincare regimens include products with hyaluronic acid. Why? It spreads moisture and it promotes collagen synthesis. In other words, it makes your skin supple and resistant to signs of aging.

"Girl, wash your face"

If you're still here — this is by far the most important tip. I'm sure we all do this daily (or at least I hope) but I still want to touch on washing your face because it is both an art & a science. I don't want to tell you how to wash your face, but if you want to know what you're doing wrong, click here.

I always try to double-cleanse a few times a week, and these "Ten Commandments of Cleansing", although I'm guilty of breaking a couple. Reading these Ten Commandments inspired me to share my own process! Because my personal routine is, well, kinda detailed.

So here it is, y'all. My golden rules** — complete with a step-by-step walkthrough:

Start a warm (not hot) shower
Hot water will dry out your skin & make it more sensitive post-shower
Wash hands while waiting for the water to heat up (why? the steam will help open up the pores in your face so you can clean deeper)
Use clean hands to wash face (with a face wash that's non-comedogenic, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and dermatologist-recommended!)
Massage the cleanser into skin with fingertips.
DO NOT squint or scrunch up your face while washing and/or rinsing — this creates nooks & crannies that won't be clean! — just gently shut your eyes.
Make sure the towel you're about to wipe your face with is fresh and clean!
If it's not......air dry your face.
Please, dear God, don't use a dirty towel on your face.
You can also pat dry if you need, but never rub your face with a towel... that can lead to breakouts (and wrinkles too, if you're concerned about that)
Before exiting the shower: splash cool or lukewarm water on your face (why? it feels refreshing + helps close pores. Remember, you don't want hot water on your face)
[Optional] Double-cleanse with another face wash, if needed.
Apply a face moisturizer immediately after shower (helps retain moisture!)
If your face feels tight, your skin is dried out & you've waited too long, dear

** For maximum results, follow this routine this each & every night (or morning — whenever you shower). Of course, it's more important to wash your face in the evening. But washing your face in the morning has its benefits! Especially if you have oily or combination skin. Plus, if applying makeup is part of your morning routine, remember, it's best to apply makeup to fresh, clean skin.