I’m going to share 5 more habits of people with great skin. So grab a pen and take notes, because these 5 tips are just as essential as the first 5!
1. Moisturize Every Night(No Matter What!) - If you have dry skin, you already know moisturizing is a must. But for sensitive or oily skin, it’s doubly important! I know, I know, you don’t want to make your skin even more oily, but with the correct moisturizer, it won’t be! First, let me reassure you by breaking down the facts behind needing to moisturize your oily skin at night(cuz science!).
People who have oily or acne prone skin tend to use products that contain ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, and/or mattifying products like toners and primers, all of which are very drying. As a result, the dry skin works extra hard to produce the oils that are stripped from it, resulting in even more shine and more acne by clogging up your pores. So it’s important to find the right moisturizer for your skin to balance the oil production.
People with sensitive skin generally have gotten skin like that due to improper care and the acid mantle in the skin becoming compromised, making anything you put over it feel uncomfortable or irritating, or even making you not use anything on it at all! Skin like this needs the most care, and moisture too! Think of it like this: when your hands or cuticles get super dry and cracked in the winter, it kind of hurts when you put lotion on them, but eventually soothes your fingers, right? Well, it’s the same with sensitive, compromised skin on your face, only it’s not one day out in the snow, it’s months or years of improper care. So research ingredients and try to separate trends from science, moisturize nightly, and you are highly likely to have less issues with your skin. Ideal for all skin types due to the quality formula and ingredients, The Water Balm($49) by Sonia Roselli Beauty is available www.soniaroselli.com
2. Get Sweaty - This is exactly how it sounds. Exercising and the sweat produced by it is a signal to the body that the warm up phase is over and you’re entering the performance zone. During this time, the sweat regulates your temperature and signals your body’s ability to hydrate. The reason that this is a good thing is that sweat is actually good for your skin because minerals and salt are naturally exfoliating, water hydrates, and uric and urea acid help fight dermatitis and dry skin. Sweat also helps to purge the skin of dirt, oil, impurities, and most importantly: bacteria! The ideal pH factor for skin is the same as that of sweat, however, it is equally important to cleanse your skin of all the impurities that will stay on the surface of your face after a good sweat-inducing workout. Bioderma Sensibio H2O Wipes(starts at $9.90) is available at www.bioderma.us
3. Cleansing The Skin Properly - I’ve written extensively in a two part article on proper skin cleansing techniques, products, and practices.
4. Suppressing That Sweet Tooth - This one is a hard one for me, considering all 28 of my teeth are all sweet teeth! However, balancing one’s sugar intake is an essential to good skin. Between the added sugars in the foods we already consume, and the sugars we tend to add to drinks like coffee or iced tea and foods like toast and fruit(HELLO NUTELLA!), the average American consumes about 270 calories of added sugar each day...that’s almost 17 teaspoons of sugar! While you may bask in the gloriousness of that post dinner slice of chocolate cake, it’s wreaking havoc on your skin while you sleep. The reason for this is that sugar is an inflammatory food, which goes directly to your gut, is processed, and then enters your bloodstream, leading to inflammation. For those with acne prone skin(like me...*cries*), this is a no no. Too much sugar is also problematic for people with skin issues like rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis...plus it accelerates the aging of your skin by increasing the breakdown of collagen fibers in a process called glycation.
However, that doesn’t mean you need to say goodbye to all your beloved sweets! There are differences between added sugar and just sugar(like the ones found in fruits and vegetables)...you just need to pay attention to where it’s coming from, and how much you’re consuming. It’s best to choose getting your sweet fix from naturally occurring sources. For healthy and clear skin, it’s processed and added sugars you want to avoid, though you don’t have to be too strict about it either. So long as you’re paying attention to your intake and lowering the processed and added sugars in your diet, you should be fine sneaking in that last mini cupcake in the breakroom.
5. Hands OFF! - This is a no brainer when it comes to having(and keeping!) beautiful skin, as well as for major health reasons. It is estimated that people touch their faces without realizing it up to 23 times an hour! When you touch your face often, you can transfer many different bacteria and germs which take up residence in your mucous membranes, leading to a myriad of problems including infection as well as respiratory issues. While some of us do this subconsciously, others do it willfully by picking at our faces, whether it’s to pop that zit that appeared right in the middle of your nose like a bullseye, or those pesky just under the surface blackheads. Picking at your face not only allows the bacteria to get really in there due to the exposed skin, but it also causes scarring. But, there are a few tips and tricks you can do to help prevent yourself from touching your face so often:
- Recognize what triggers you to reach for your lovely face. It will be easier for you to resist the temptation when you are more conscious of when you do it, and what tell tale signs to look out for that cause you to do so. Identifying the causes will go a long way in helping you keep your hands off your face.
- Keeping a box of tissues handy helps too. When you feel the urge to itch, rub or even adjust your glasses, try using a tissue to do so instead. This limits the amount of bacteria spread from your fingers to your face, so your skin and body will thank you!
- Using a scented soap or lotion also works, because when you bring your fingers to your face, smelling the fragrance has the likelihood of making you more aware of your actions, like a scented reminder!
6. Bonus Tip: Cleaning Your Brushes Properly - Regardless of your skin type or how often you do your makeup, if you use your brushes even once and leave them to sit until the next time you do your makeup, bacteria leftover from your face on the bristles is multiplied on it. So I always recommend deep cleaning your makeup brushes at least once a week. However, what you use to clean them with is just as important as how often you wash them. Shampoo or dish soap is what I find a lot of my clients and friends use, but this will only clean them to the naked eye. To truly get the deep clean you need in order to have great skin(and also prevent serious skin issues), you need a product that not only cleans, but also disinfects. I, like many other professional makeup artists, like to use Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap. I recommend this product to everyone, since it’s great for even the most sensitive skin types, and comes in many different scents, as well as an unscented version. Made with organic oils and concentrated formula, as well as being biodegradable and and 100% recyclable, this organic and effective formula can get out the deepest of stains. Plus, you can use it for almost anything, like face, body, hair, dishes, laundry, mopping...the list goes on! The company does recommend diluting it for these tasks, although when it comes to cleaning your brushes, I never do. I just pour some in a shot glass and get to it! Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap(starts at $3.19) is available at www.drbronner.com