You can achieve radiant skin without splurging on super expensive skincare products or high-end beauty treatments.
Good skin starts with your daily skincare habits, and a few smart swaps to give you the coveted glow. You can get a brighter and healthier-looking complexion with these handy tips…
Start With The Basics A Simple Routine That Works
Keep your skincare routine short but consistency. Focus on three main core steps everyday; cleanse, moisturize and protect.
Choose a skin cleanser for your personal skin type. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, pick a gentle foaming or gel cleanser. For dry or sensitive skin, use a creamy and hydrating cleanser.
Make sure you moisturize both morning and night to support healthy skin. Lightweight lotions work well for oily skin, whereas thicker and richer cream formulas will help drier skin to stay hydrated. You can apply your moisturizer whilst your skin is slightly damp, to lock in moisture.
Never skip on sunscreen, use it every morning, even if it is cloudy outside. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, to protect against sun damage which dulls your skin’s radiance.
Add in simple skin treatments if needed. If you have uneven skintone or dullness, consider a product with Vitamin C or gentle chemical exfoliant once or twice a week, starting slow to see how your skin reacts.
Weekly exfoliation treatments can boost your skin’s glow. Physical face scrubs can be too harsh for the skin, so go for a mild chemical exfoliant instead.
Cleanse Gently Without Stripping Your Skin
Choose a facial cleanser that matches your skin type. Look for cleanser formulas that are marketed as being gentle, hydrating or non-foaming, to avoid harsh surfactant ingredients that will remove natural oils. Natural cleansers like mild oil blends or cream cleansers can cleanse the skin, without it feeling tight or stripped.
Wash your face with lukewarm water, and never hot water. Hot water strips oils from the skin, and can make any redness or irritation worse. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel, instead of rubbing.
Limit your cleansing to just twice a day, and once a day at night, if you have dry skin. Over-washing your skin removes the skin’s protective barrier, and can cause more oil production and breakouts. If you wear sunscreen or makeup, you can use a micellar water first, to gently lift away the products before going in with cleanser.
Exfoliate your skin sparingly, and choose milder exfoliants. Chemical exfoliants (like a low-strength AHA/BHA) one or twice a week, or use a very gentle physical scrub if your skin can handle it, but too much exfoliation thins the skin’s barrier and increases sensitivity.
Smart Ways To Use Serums Without Buying Five
Choose one or two serums that target your biggest skin needs. For example, choose a vitamin C for brightness and a hyaluronic acid for hydration, to keep your skincare routine and cuts cost.
When you’re applying your facial serums, apply the thinnest, water-based serum first, and wait for 30 seconds before applying a thicker serum, allowing each layer to absorb, to give you glowing skin naturally, without mixing too many active ingredients.
You can blend a drop of your serum with your moisturizer to stretch it, and reduce any irritation. Avoid combining strong active ingredients like retinoids and vitamin C at once, trying to rotate them by day and night instead.
Face Massage And Gentle Lymphatic Drainage
Daily facial massage can reduce puffiness and make your skin look fresher. Use gentle, rhythmic strokes that move toward your neck and the large lymph nodes near your jaw and ears.
Make sure you have clean hands, and use a small amount of facial oil for smoother gliding. You can use rosehip oil for extra nourishment or aloe vera gel, if you want a lighter and non-greasy option.
Always use a light pressure, that is enough to move your skin, but not press into it. Working from the center of your face outwards in slow, repeated motions for 3 to 5 minutes.
Jade rollers can increase circulation and feel cooling, whilst your fingers do most of the lymphatic work.
You can pair your facial massage with a DIY face mask to boost your skin’s hydration, and soothe the skin. Masks containing calming ingredients will support your skin’s elasticity, and make your massage more effective too.
