Looking and feeling your best is a priority for many, especially during the holiday season. Our appearance can say a lot about who we are as individuals and how we feel. Keeping up with your appearance can be taxing and time-consuming, but it’s an investment that can provide long-lasting benefits inside & out. We all have our own personal struggles when it comes to having clear skin. Whether you’re struggling with pimples, dry skin, or another condition altogether, it’s never easy keeping up with your appearance in addition to the day to day life stresses & constant work, life, family balance.
The good news is spending & making time on your appearance can help balance other areas of your life too. When you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin everything else can feel easier to handle. So that said lets get to spending & making time for our skin!
Having great skin isn’t just about what products you use or how much time you spend getting ready in the morning; it’s also about what you eat, how much sleep you get every night, and how stress-free your life is. In this blog post we are going to give you some of the best tips that will have you glowing from head to toe.
Morning moisture rituals
A great way to start off your morning is by cleansing and moisturizing your skin. Cleansing will remove all of the impurities that have built up during the night, leaving your skin fresh and clean. This will also allow your pores to open up and be ready for the rest of your skincare routine. Remember cleanse then water (hydration) first so water toners/ toner masks /essences/ ampoules and serums with high water/ moisture retention content should come first (think hyaluronic acid, propolis, glycerine & ceramides). Your moisturizer will be the last step in evening out your skin tone and texture, providing a protective barrier for your skin from the sun and any toxins or impurities in the air. So what are some of the best moisturizers to choose from? Well, it really depends on the issues you’re currently dealing with. If you’re struggling with dry skin, you’ll want to find a moisturizer that has a high oil content to create a protective (and perhaps slightly occlusive) barrier, such as shea butter, olive , coconut oil etc.. If you tend to get oily skin, look for a product that is oil-free, gel and watery creams with high water content. For mature and dehydrated skin you can also add a facial oil like Rosehip oil (high in Vit C.) or for scarring & wrinkles you can try Tamanu Oil. (If you have acne-prone skin patch test facial oils– if & when needed).
Exfoliation & Cleansing
Exfoliation is a great step in your skincare routine as it will help remove dead skin cells and impurities that have built up on your face. You can do this with a face scrub, pore brush or loofah, or you can also opt for a chemical peel treatment. However for sensitive and acne-prone skin we recommend gentle exfoliation with mud/ clay masks with centella (cica), green tea & Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris) ingredients that may help soothe, heal and cleanse oil & sebum. Don’t overdo cleansing as healthy amounts of oil & sebum are necessary to keep skin hydrated & supple.
Basic non stripping cleansing can be done twice a day to keep your skin pores unclogged and pores clean, this helps prevent breakouts and blackheads from forming – remember to use the moisture rituals above afterwards. You can also use toner for a double cleanse to remove any build up of impurities left behind after cleansing – or more popularly (the Korean method) use a toner to cleanse & re-hydrate the skin.
When choosing a cleanser, make sure it’s non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores. The best cleansers are usually made with salicylic acid, lactic acid (AHA, BHA, LHA, Vit. C, papaya, pineapple etc.), which can help clear up your skin and prevent breakouts. However do watch out these acids can also be very stripping and will need SPF care. BHAs may have some sun-protective properties, so they may work best in the mornings, while AHAs make your skin more sun-sensitive so perhaps should be used more towards the evening.
Acne-fighting tip
This is possibly the most suggested skin-care tip by dermatologists and skincare experts. It is often overlooked, but can have a profound effect on your skin. This is because vitamin B3 (niacinimide) contains a chemical called nicotinic acid, which can reduce the amount of oil produced by your sebaceous glands. High levels of oil on your face can lead to acne and blackheads, so reducing this can go a long way in reducing the amount of blemishes you see each week.
While B3 is commonly found in many foods, it’s often in small amounts. You can get a much larger dosage by taking a vitamin B3 supplement (we have a full range multivitamin here). These are available at most drug stores, and many online skincare retailers. Please note that niacinimide can cause skin to purge and may take some time for the skin to adjust to higher percentages so try building up your tolerance. For acne skincare you might also like to try hydrating the skin with homemade rosewater face-masks, centella & tea-tree products and spirulina powder washes (has lots of nutrients +zinc).
Don’t forget to moisturize again!
Yes, we’re serious. We know the importance of keeping your skin hydrated, but many of us forget to moisturize continuously. When the weather starts to get cooler, the air becomes dry, which can cause your skin to become itchy and flaky. This can make you look older than you actually are, which can be avoided with a simple moisturizing routine. The same can happen when your are de-hydrated in the summer. When choosing a moisturizer, make sure it’s non-greasy and consider SPF built in. This will help provide protection from the sun and keep your skin hydrated. If you have very sensitive skin make sure it’s fragrance-free, as some scents can cause irritation.
Try a Small Facial Roller (Massager etc.)
If you’re looking to get your skin ready for the holidays and want to brighten and tighten your skin, a vibrating facial roller / Gua sha / LED electroporation device is a great way to do so. This device will really make you feel lifted and firm by gently massaging the skin and encouraging, relaxation, normal blood circulation, lymphatic drainage (can help reduce bloating) and aid skincare absorption. You can find facial massagers at most beauty supply stores and online retailers. Facial rollers are great for cooling / reducing acne, encouraging less wrinkles with facial oils, and possibly help your skin heal faster. You can find both inexpensive and more expensive versions on the market, so finding the best facial roller for your budget is easy.
Diet is Key
You might not have considered this, but your diet can have a huge impact on your skin’s health. Eating the right types of foods can help your body produce enough oil to keep your skin looking hydrated and clear. Clean eating can also ensure that you get your daily intake of nutrients and vitamins (use the eatwell plate), which are essential to keeping your skin looking healthy and glowing. Some foods that are good for your skin include eggs, fish, beans, avocados, tomatoes, broccoli, and almonds (you can also add skin glowing natural ingredients like watermelon powder & teas to your breakfast or snacks). However, you should avoid consuming too much sugar and sodium, as both can negatively impact your skin. Consistent hydration through the day is also key to good clear skin which works against wrinkles – grab yourself a mobile drinking bottle now!
Get your beauty sleep
When you’re getting enough sleep, your body and skin go through many changes that are essential to keeping you looking and feeling healthy. When you’re sleeping, your body releases the HGH (human growth hormone) that is responsible for repairing your skin and strengthening it. You should aim to get around eight hours of sleep every night in order to keep your skin healthy and strong. A lack of sleep can cause your skin to become dry and pale, so this is especially important if you want to avoid looking tired and worn out. Our sleep cycles and time are also very important, as some Asians & Korean cultures rightfully call it beauty sleep is around 10pm ( this can depend on where you live + your day & night times – simply put – keep a tab of sunrise and sunset as we are part of the earths natural beautiful cycle and sleep when its dark!).
Bottom line
The holiday season is a great time to take care of your skin and build up healthy habits & routines, whether you’re looking to prevent breakouts, wrinkles or help fade scars and pigmentation. Getting your skincare routine down and building new lifestyle habits can go a long way in not only keeping your skin looking healthy, but boosting your self-confidence as well. When you feel confident in your appearance, it also radiates to others and your own work & life. So remember to make & spend time on your skin & health – don’t leave it till later, because life stresses can wait till your feeling better & more confident to take on those challenges! Go get that glowing skin!
P.s. Check out our free 10 step Korean Skincare Guide here (psst.. there is a secret 10% off coupon for our engaged readers only!).
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