2020 has been one heck of a ride. 

 

When you’re focused on all the craziness of life, it’s easy to lose track of how important it is to take care of yourself. 

 

If most people only see you with a mask on, you may be more inclined to skimp on your regular skincare routine, not to mention the risk of the dreaded mask acne (or “maskne,” as many call it). Even so, people may notice when you stop putting effort into your skincare routine. Even if it’s only on a Zoom call, your family members notice if your complexion is looking a little dull or damaged without your normal glow.

 

We’re here to show you how to restore that healthy, radiant complexion you deserve.

 

The Right Way To Wash 

 

Everyone knows to wash their face, but not as many people know how to wash it properly. Here are a few tips for doing it correctly:

 

Wash often, but not too often!

 

If you wash too often, you wash your skin’s protective moisture barrier down the drain. Not often enough, and the oil and dead skin cells build up on the surface and cause breakouts. Plus, did you know that there is actually a tried and true technique for washing that’s recommended by dermatologists? Read on to learn more about it. 

 

Get the temperature right

 

Another thing most people don’t know is that water temperature matters. You should use room temperature water to wash your face, as warm water opens your pores. But make sure it’s not too hot, as that will dry out your skin. 

 

Wash your hands first

 

Be sure to wash your hands beforehand, so you don’t rub oils or dirt from your hands into the pores on your face!

 

Take your time

 

Use your fingers to gently massage the cleanser onto your face, under your jaw, and down your neck for one to two minutes. Finally, rinse everything off and pat your face dry with a soft towel. 

Sunscreen

 

It’s hard to overstate the benefits of sunscreen. When you’re planning to go outside, slather on that sunscreen, rain or shine. Even if you’re going to jump in a pool or the ocean, reapply your sunscreen often.

 

The sun is a wonderful thing, but it can be harmful, especially if you go out without any protection on your skin. Plenty of companies are coming out with makeup products that contain sunscreen in them, so it’s less of a hassle for you and the complexion you’re trying to protect.

 

However, we know that sunscreen is one more thing to try and remember, on top of everything else in your life. Maybe you got a bit of a burn after a tanning session outside, and now you’re regretting it. 

 

When this happens, you’re most likely itchy and red, which is no fun at all. We recommend products with aloe vera to soothe your reddened skin and cool you down. Avoid scratching it, even when it hurts, because that will just irritate your skin further and potentially leave permanent damage.

 

Even Things Out 

 

You might also be concerned with the occasional dark spot.  Although there are no known health risks from naturally occurring dark spots, we know they’re annoying. 

 

Dark patches on the skin is a condition known as hyperpigmentation, and it can happen to anyone, though we usually start to notice the spots becoming more prominent after age 40. They are caused by many things like trauma to your skin, popping a zit before it’s ready, scratching a bug bite, hormonal changes, or even just your genes. Either way, you most likely want to reduce these spots as soon as possible to restore your smooth, even-looking skin.

 

Here are a few ways to reduce the appearance of sunspots:

 

Vitamins A, C, and E have all been recommended by dermatologists as beneficial when it comes to evening out your skin tone and boosting your skin’s overall health. 

 

If you don’t have the time or money to spend on expensive treatments at your dermatologist, try home remedies to even your skin tone. Try apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, lactic acid (from milk or buttermilk), licorice extract, or green tea bags, which you apply directly to your skin to reduce and smooth out those patches of unwanted hyperpigmentation.

 

Exfoliating 

 

Though many people use these terms interchangeably, exfoliating is different from normal washing. Many people confuse the two words, but exfoliation is a deeper cleanse. Exfoliating is either done mechanically or chemically and not only helps to remove dead skin cells but also traps the oils and other grime that are hiding beneath the surface of your skins so that you can wash them down the drain. 

 

However you choose to exfoliate, remember not to do it too often. While you should wash your face once or twice a day, you shouldn’t exfoliate that often because it will dry out your skin and cause small abrasions called micro-tears.

 

Dry skin is at a higher risk of being sunburned. If you already have a sunburn, you should not exfoliate, as it will irritate your skin further. If you do choose to gently exfoliate, you might consider using a product that includes vitamin C and aloe to soothe your skin and restore the evenness of your complexion after the burn fades away.

 

Mask Up 

 

We’re not just talking about your protective mask for the current pandemic; we’re talking about pampering your skin with a soothing and rejuvenating facial mask. Like exfoliation, wearing a face mask isn’t an everyday activity. 

 

It’s usually recommended to use a face mask once a week. Monitor your skin, and then increase to two or three times a week, maximum. Using it more often, like exfoliation, might dry out your skin. But if you use them in moderation, face masks provide your skin with amazing benefits.

 

It’s all about the ingredients. Vitamin C, soothing clay, aloe vera, and turmeric are just some examples of all-natural ingredients that are advantageous for every skin type. 

 

Face masks include special natural clays that absorb the grit and grime of the day. These clays differ mainly by how gentle they are on your skin. Some are more absorbent, while others are more soothing.

 

The good news is that face masks don’t take a huge chunk of time out of your day. Even if you can only spare 10 to 15 minutes, that’s enough time to apply the mask, wait for it to dry, and then rinse it all away. Face masks suck out the impurities that lie beneath your skin, lock in the moisture, and then infuse your skin with other key ingredients to boost its appearance and health

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Some enterprising people even make their own face masks using oatmeal, honey, and mashed up fruits like bananas or apples. The oatmeal exfoliates to scrub the impurities out of your skin while honey protects its natural moisture. All the while, the fruit infuses your skin with vitamins. 

 

But if you’re less of a DIYer, there are ready-made face masks from great companies, like Gleamin, who are committed to using all-natural ingredients, which are suitable for all skin types.

 

Hydration Is Key 

 

When you come back in from being out in the sun and working hard all day, you may feel thirsty. It’s a good idea to listen to your body and to savor some refreshing water. 

 

But staying hydrated doesn’t just mean bringing a cute bottle with you when you go out and about. It also means finding a hydrating moisturizer for your skin. 

 

Especially during the winter months, dry air and heating suck the moisture right out of your skin. Even if you don’t usually incorporate a moisturizer into your skincare regimen, consider doing so during the winter to keep your complexion looking youthful.

 

If you have excessively oily skin, look for a moisturizer that is lighter or non-comedogenic. This means that there is less oil in the product, so it’s less likely to clog up your pores and cause acne. 

 

If you’re already struggling with acne, you still need to moisturize your skin, so your sebaceous glands don’t work overtime. 

 

The most common type of skin is called combination skin, which means that some areas of your face, like the T-zone, have the occasional breakout and are on the oily side, while the areas around your cheeks and jaw are somewhat dry or flaky.

 

Make Up With Your Makeup

 

Sometimes makeup is just too heavy on your skin. We know it’s hard when you’re simply exhausted and just want to fall into bed, but you should always take your makeup off before you go to sleep. You don’t want to spend eight hours of your beauty rest grinding the remains of your makeup into your skin.

 

If you’re thinking about taking a break from makeup, do it! You are naturally radiant, and you don’t need to cover that pretty face up every day, so give your skin a breather every once in a while. 

 

Additionally, be sure to wash your makeup brushes every seven to ten days. We’re probably all guilty of skipping this step. But if bacteria gets trapped in there, as it will transfer to your face. 

 

In Summary

 

When it comes to maintaining a beautiful complexion, you should know all the tricks. Your face is impacted by various factors, but it doesn’t have to be complicated to look your best. You may have skincare products that you already know and love, but it’s never too late to experiment with new methods. 

 

Try a morning face wash to wake you up, start your day, or one at night, along with a self-massage to de-stress and settle down for bed. 

 

The skin is your body’s biggest organ, so we have to handle it with a little TLC. Keep your choices simple and natural, and give your skin a little pampering to ensure a smooth, glowing complexion that makes you look and feel your best.

 

Sources

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/face-washing-how-to#Do:-Experiment-with-your-routine

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3663177/

 

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1468-2494.2008.00432.x