As someone who was hit hard by puberty, I know how important it is to be careful about what you put on your skin. At the age of 13, my face went through a yearlong acne-breakout, and I was embarrassed to even go to school because everyone around me would constantly remind me that my skin wasn’t perfect.
Over the last few years, I have learned that it’s alright to have acne or pores that make your skin look different. Although I have stopped creating a fuss about pimples and acne and pores, I always make sure that my skin is well taken care of, and I am always on the lookout for ways to treat it gently and with love.
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There are numerous skincare tips that you come across on a daily basis. You might even think that I’m here to offer you yet another set of tips that you are already tired of implementing. But I promise not to disappoint you because these tips have brought about a huge change in my skincare regime. And the best part is that they don’t take a huge chunk of your time.
So, without much ado, let’s get started with the best skincare tips that I bet nobody has ever told you about:
1. Gua Sha Is More Important Than You Think
When I first saw my roommate using Gua Sha, I thought it was overrated. I didn’t see any benefit in rubbing Gua Sha and Jade rollers on my face only to realize it later that I had been wrong all along.
Over three years ago, I began using a Kansa wand to massage my skin after applying face oil. And the benefits of it could be seen within a few days. Eventually, I switched to Gua Sha and Jade Rollers and saw immense benefits after using them the right way.
Gua sha isn’t just an instrument to massage your skin. It’s something that helps reduce the appearance of cellulite and improves blood circulation in the areas that are treated with it. Not only does it help your skin relax but also tightens the contours and restores skin elasticity.
I have switched to using a Gua Sha comb now because it can be used on the face, body and hair. And needless to say, this is the best thing that I have invested in.
2. Do Not Wash Your Face More Than Twice A Day
If you are somebody who washes their face too often, you are probably making a huge skincare mistake. Washing your face too often can strip the skin of its natural oils thereby causing dryness and making the skin feel itchy. And on the days you are staying indoors, washing your face just once a day is enough.
Speaking personally, I wash my face twice a day – once while taking a bath in the morning and then while doing my nighttime skincare routine. I often cut it down to just once a day in the morning when I am travelling and don’t get to follow my night skincare regime. In that case, I just splash some water on my face at night, pat it dry and go to bed.
Make sure that you are using a good-quality facial cleanser and a gentle facial cleaning brush to rid your skin of the dirt that is probably clogging the pores. I always recommend using a cleansing brush to clean your face because it helps ensure that you don’t leave a dash of makeup and dirt on your skin that could be a cause of acne breakout or pimples.
Having tried cleansing brushes of all shapes and sizes, I have recently started using this silicone facial cleanser which is sleek enough to reach every curve and contour of my face. There are numerous facial cleansing brushes available across the internet for you to choose from. Make sure that you test and choose the one that suits you.
3. Use Ice Treatment For Face Lifting
This was yet another skincare tip that I overlooked for a long time. While rubbing your face with ice cubes may seem like an unnecessary task, it does wonders for your skin by enhancing the flow of oxygen in your face. It also reduces inflammation and instantly gives your face that youthful glow that you would like to carry all day long.
Instead of using ice cubes for facelifting, I use these silicone ice molds to massage my face. I usually just put some cucumber slices in the mold and fill it up with water before leaving it to rest in the freezer. In the morning after taking a bath, I just take the cap off the mold and rub it across my face before placing it back in the fridge. Easy, Peezy!
4. Moisturize Your Face And Body Within 3 Minutes After Bathing
We all know how important it is to keep your body and face moisturized. But did you know that you should always moisturize your face and body within 3 minutes after taking a bath? Moisturizing on wet skin helps ensure maximum absorption of the moisturizer in your skin.
Moisturizing on damp skin allows for easy application of the product and also prevents product wastage (Dry skin needs more moisturizer than damp skin).
5. Double Cleansing Is A Must If You Wear Makeup Frequently
No matter how good a product you have been using to remove makeup, always make sure that you double cleanse your face – first with an oil-based cleanser or micellar water and then with a gel-based cleanser.
I usually just put my oil-based makeup remover on a disposable makeup remover pad and gently rub it across my face. Then I wash my face with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. Lately, I have started using a CeraVe cleansing balm to remove makeup and find it just as effective as the oil-based makeup remover.
6. Give Your Skin A Break Every Now And Then
My skincare routine used to take a backseat when my mom was battling cancer. Amid the hospital visits and an irregular routine, I didn’t pay much heed to how my skin looked. Slowly and gradually, I came back to my regular regime but there were days and nights when I just wanted to give my skin a break.
Taking a break from skincare routines has taught me the importance of letting your skin breathe for a while. And trust me on that. It doesn’t hurt your skin to take these breaks. You just have to recognize the right time to skip your skincare routine. It might just be a lazy Sunday that you want to spend at home or someday when your skin hasn’t been exposed to sun rays or pollutants.
7. Avoid Taking Hot Showers
As someone who had been a huge fan of hot showers, I have experienced first-hand the damage it causes to the skin. I have struggled with dry skin for a really long time because I hated taking lukewarm or cold showers. I also ended up making my scalp suffer because of dryness and itchiness by head-washing with hot water.
Exposing your skin to hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils thereby damaging it over time. Always opt for lukewarm or cold showers to make sure that your skin stays at the top of its game.
8. Always Sleep On A Clean Pillowcase
Your pillowcase is the most dust-prone object in your bedroom, more so if it’s made of cotton. Now imagine the amount of dust you expose your face and hair to by sleeping on a dirty pillowcase.
So even if you are a pro at cleaning and wash your clothes very often, make sure that you pay special attention to your pillowcase.
And if you want to take this thing out of your list of worries, go for a satin pillowcase like I have. I have been sleeping on this satin pillowcase for over a year now and find it to be a very effective skincare tip. Satin pillowcases are gentle on the skin and don’t let dirt settle in as quickly as cotton pillowcases do. I have personally experienced a lot less hairfall by switching to a satin pillowcase and can’t imagine going back to the ones made of cotton.
9. Exfoliate Your Lips
Most people follow an entire skincare regime very religiously but ignore their lips in the process. You must know that your lips are also exposed to dirt, sunrays and pollutants just like your face and they need to be treated just as well as your facial skin.
Exfoliate your lips with a gentle lip exfoliator twice a week. Personally, I avoid using readymade lip exfoliators and go for a homemade one (mix sugar cubes with honey and rub the mixture on lips).
Also, make sure that you use an SPF infused lip balm to protect your lips from the harmful effects of sunlight and air pollutants.
10. Use Micellar Water When Washing The Face Isn’t Possible
If you are heading to your office straight from the gym or are just too tired to double cleanse your face, keep micellar water in your handbag to wipe your face off. Just pour some micellar water on a clean cotton makeup remover pad and gently rub it across your face. This simple step will help ensure that the pores of your skin don’t end up getting clogged with sweat, dirt or makeup.
So there it is! I hope these skincare tips turn out to be a gamechanger in your skincare regime. If there are other tips that you think can be added here, feel free to drop a comment below, or write me at richi@askmisswhimsical.com.
