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28 practical tips to support long-term skin health
Last month we completed the 28-day Love Your Skin Challenge. For 28 days we shared one practical tip or habit you could incorporate into your routine to give your skin some love. And while the challenge may be over, practicing these habits daily can help you get healthier skin and reach your long term skin goals.
Don’t compare your skin to anyone else’s.
Your skin is beautifully unique and your skincare journey will be unique as well What worked for your friend won’t work for you and vice versa. Focus on building and maintaining a good skincare routine that gives your skin what it needs, set practical expectations for yourself and be patient with the process.
Wear sunscreen everyday.
Sunscreen is the final and most important part of your daily routine. Sunscreen helps reduce signs of aging, minimizes the appearance of dark spots and reduces your risk of skin cancer. It’s a MUST when it comes to maintaining healthy skin. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours and should be worn EVERYDAY, even in the winter.
Toss all products past their expiration date.
Expired products are less effective and can lead to bacteria buildup and breakouts. Most skincare products will list the expiration date on the back or the bottom! Check for a specific date or the open jar symbol with a number and letter “m” representing month, i.e. 12m. Even if a product hasn’t reached its expiration date, be sure to check for changes in color, smell and texture. If you notice a change in your products it’s time to throw them away.
Clean your makeup brushes regularly.
With daily use your makeup brushes accumulate oil, impurities, dust, product, dead skin cells and bacteria. You should be cleaning your brushes and sponges at least weekly and multiples times a week if you’re acne prone.
Cleanse daily and double cleanse at night.
Cleansing serves as a long-term anti-aging step in your routine. Double cleansing at night is a two part process. Start with a cream or oil cleanser to breakdown the oil, dirt, makeup and sunscreen that’s been on your face all day. Follow this with your second cleanser for a targeted, thorough cleanse. Need help finding a cleanser for your skin? Let’s connect!
Fight free radical damage with antioxidants.
Antioxidants are molecules that contain an extra electron that they donate to a free radical without making themselves unstable. They protect the skin and reduce the oxidation reaction caused by free radicals. Antioxidants are vital in supporting healthy cellular function and preventing premature aging. They promote collagen production, enhance elasticity, and help minimize UV damage.
Exfoliate for smoother, brighter skin.
There are two main forms of exfoliation: physical/mechanical and chemical. Physical exfoliation is the process of using a textured material to slough off dead skin to reveal brighter skin underneath. Chemical exfoliation uses fruit or plant enzymes, hydroxy acids or retinol to penetrate the skin and break down the glue that holds dead skin cells together. Be mindful about the type of exfoliant you’re using and that you don’t over-exfoliate. You can cause micro-tears, irritation, and a compromised skin barrier.
Get a skincare routine and stick to it.
Your morning routine should focus on preventing sun damage and protecting the skin. It should consist of a gentle cleanser, a serum, a moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen, applied in that order from thinnest to thickest. Your evening routine should focus on helping your skin recover and repair while you sleep. It should consist of a cream or an oil cleanser used for your first cleanse, a gel cleanser for your second cleanse, a serum, and a moisturizer.
Use the “ABCDE” method to check for cancer.
Skin self-exams can help you find skin cancer early. If you notice a spot that differs from the others, or one that changes, itches, or bleeds, make an appointment to see a dermatologist. You should also be visiting your dermatologist annually for skin exams. Use the “ABCDE” method when conducting your self-exam and monitoring any moles you have. Check for changes in the Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter and if your mole is Evolving.
Take your products down your neck and chest.
When doing your skincare routine, please don’t forget your neck and décolleté. Because this area has fewer oil glands than your face, it tends to show signs of aging sooner, making it more susceptible to sunspots, fine lines and wrinkles. Treat this area as an extension of your face, so take your serums, moisturizers and sunscreen down to your neck and chest!
Make seasonal skincare swaps.
What works well in the summer might not work well for winter. During the cold months it’s easy for your skin to feel dry and become dehydrated but incorporating, hydrating mists, heavier moisturizers and balms can provide some relief. In the summer, your skin may feel more oily so lighter, water-based moisturizers can help balance the skin.
Remember to apply SPF protection year-round.
Remove your makeup every night.
The skin renews itself while you sleep, and when you leave makeup on, you’re slowing that renewal process. A lot of makeup is oil based, so sleeping in your makeup can clog your pores contributing to breakouts. If you’re not already doing it, the proper way to remove your makeup, is to double cleanse. Start with an oil or cream cleanser to breakdown makeup, oil and dirt and follow with a gentle gel or foaming cleanser for a deeper clean.
Incorporate AHAs & BHAs in your routine.
AHAs help dissolve the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together helping to speed up the cell turnover process to reveal brighter and smoother skin. In addition to helping exfoliate the skin, AHA’s can help target and improve certain skin conditions.
Beta hydroxy acids work similarly to AHA’s in dissolving the glue between dead skin cells. Salicylic acid is the most common BHA that goes into the pores to help unclog them. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties so it works well for treating oily and acne-prone skin as well.
Write down three things you love about your skin.
Take some time today thanking your skin for all it does. Write down three things you love about your skin and keep this near as positive reinforcement every time you look in the mirror.
Your skin is worth loving no matter what!
Invest in high-quality skincare products.
High-quality products provide unique formulations that contain nourishing and skin transforming ingredients at higher concentrations. While these products often come with a higher price tag, they last longer because you don’t need as much, saving you money in the long run. Quality ingredients yield quality results.
Maintain a balanced diet for skin health.
What you eat is as important as the products that you put on your skin. Certain foods can trigger acne breakouts and other skin conditions. As a general rule of thumb a well-balanced nutrient-dense diet that’s high in protein, healthy fats, and vitamins is recommended to support all aspects of health, including your skin.
Hydrate your skin.
When we talk about hydration, we’re talking about water and your skin’s ability to retain it. The skin’s protective barrier is made up of oil, sweat and water and it protects the skin from irritation and water loss. When this barrier is compromised or damaged, it leads to breakouts and dehydration. Incorporating products into your routine like hydrating toners, serums and sheets masks are a great way to give your skin a much needed hydration boost.
Take care of the skin on your body.
Though your face is what the world sees, the skin on the rest of your body is just as likely to experience moisture loss and sun damage. This makes it vital to practice good skin care everywhere. A simple body care routine should include cleansing, exfoliating 2-3x a week, moisturizing daily, and applying SPF.
And don’t forget your hands. The skin on your hands is thinner than the skin on your face which means it’ll show signs of aging sooner.
Incorporate specialized serums.
Serums contain highly concentrated performance ingredients that penetrate the skin to target specific skin conditions and skin types. Like most skincare, serums come in various formulations and should be incorporated into your routine based on what your skin needs.
Get your beauty sleep in at night.
Your skin works its hardest at night. While you’re sleeping your body is in a state of recovery. Getting enough sleep helps your skin cells to regenerate and allows you to wake looking and feeling refreshed.
Check in with a dermatologist regularly.
A dermatologist is licensed to diagnose skin disorders or diseases. They may often prescribe specific medications and are licensed and trained to perform procedures, from removing cysts and growths to performing skin biopsies.
Reduce stress levels.
When we feel stressed our brain releases cortisol – a stress hormone. When this hormone is released our bodies experience various reactions including increased inflammation, impaired wound healing and excessive sebum secretion.
Get an esthetician.
An esthetician is your skin's best friend. They help you learn more about your skin and what it needs to be healthy to achieve your skin goals. Your esthetician is licensed to help you improve the appearance of your skin by understanding the role that lifestyle habits and home care play in the overall health of your skin. Schedule your virtual consultation and let’s achieve your skin goals together.
Change your sheets and pillowcases regularly.
Your skin comes into contact with various bacteria and germs every day. Along with the oil, sweat and dirt that builds up throughout the day and any makeup you may be wearing, your pillowcase can become a breeding ground for acne and skin irritation.
Generally, washing your pillowcases or changing them once a week is a good idea. If you struggle with acne, you might consider changing your pillowcases multiple times a week.
Get regular facial treatments.
Facials are not just an opportunity for you to relax, they are a chance for your esthetician to get an up close look at your skin, assess what your skin needs and make a targeted treatment plan to maximize skin health. Treatments are recommended every 4-6 weeks, but based on your unique skin concerns, visits may be more frequent.
Show your lips love too.
Your lips should not be overlooked and need the same love and care the rest of your face gets. Your lips are delicate and thin, and can easily get chapped and dried out, especially during the winter. Treat your lips once or twice a week to an exfoliating sugar scrub and keep them healthy and supple with daily use of your favorite hydrating lip balm, followed with a lip SPF.
Moisturize daily, even if you have oily skin.
The skin has a protective barrier that is made of oil, sweat and water. When that barrier is compromised the skin loses water and becomes dehydrated. Moisturizers help support that protective layer, preventing moisture loss and shielding the skin from harmful external factors while helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Even if you have oily skin, you need to moisturize! When you skip this step it can cause the skin to respond by producing more oil to compensate which can trigger breakouts.
Be patient and don’t expect immediate results.
Getting and maintaining healthy skin is a journey, not an overnight success. Being consistent and maintaining good habits is what will make the biggest difference in the long run. Real, visible results take time and patience and depending on your specific skin concerns it can take a few months or more to see improvements. Taking photos is a great way to help monitor your progress.
Schedule your virtual consultation with me to start your healthy skin journey or to get back on track!
Remember, be GOOD to your skin and it will be GOOD to you.
Your esthetician,
Tanali
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