With an overabundance of new skincare launches every other day, it can be hard to stand your ground and not give in to your add-to-cart-instincts. And when it comes to beauty advice, cutting through the fear-mongering and fads to figure out a routine that best suits you can also be a task. For the most part, we can all agree on one thing: We all want the inside intel on how to get the healthiest skin of our dreams — hopefully, without breaking our banks. Fret not, we’re here to share with you our top skincare tips that do not include buying any beauty products. Wondering what we mean? Scroll ahead…
Simple skincare
The best beauty tip of all time? If you struggle with being consistent with your routine, simplify it. Cleanse well and apply a serum to add antioxidants that rejuvenate your skin. Then moisturise and protect with sunscreen (during the day). Skip the urge to add a bevy of products to your arsenal, especially if you are just starting out. Instead, just cover the basics and you’re all set.
Treat your skin gently
Resist the urge to wash your face with hot water (it can make your skin excessively dry by stripping skin of its natural oils) and then rubbing it vigorously with a towel. Instead, rinse your face with lukewarm water and pat it dry gently with a clean washcloth. Also, stay away from harsh skincare formulas (skincare isn’t meant to burn!), and avoid committing to an unsustainable routine. Consult your dermatologist and use only the products you need.
Eat well
When it comes to skincare, one thing we often skip doing is taking a holistic approach. What you eat and do has a major impact on how your skin looks now and in the long run. Your diet affects your hormones which regulate many skin-related functions including sebum production and inflammation management. Make sure you load up on locally available and seasonal vegetables and fruits like bottle gourd (rich in fibre), sweet potato (rich in antioxidants) and teasel gourd (rich in iron).
Get enough sleep
Sleep is the most valuable component of your skincare routine and for multiple reasons. When you’re asleep, your body is at rest and your skin gets a chance to repair itself. Lack of it causes under-eye circles and eye bags, lowers skin barrier function (think dryness, redness, and breakouts), and loosens skin.
Change your pillowcase
No matter how much money you spend on your skincare products, all of it is a waste if you don’t practise good hygiene. Changing your pillowcase every three days or every time you wash your hair is a good practice to follow as it is a hotspot for bacteria from the daily deposition of sweat and dirt.
Wipe your phone screen
Every single time that your phone screen touches your cheeks, it deposits a layer of bacteria on it. Think about all the places it’s been: your kitchen, car seats, the toilet, etc. If this doesn’t motivate you to wipe your phone every day (or twice, for fellow germophobes), nothing will.
Keep your haircare products away from your face
Hairstyling and haircare products tend to be creamier and heavier than your skincare ones; these can clog the pores near your hairline and forehead, causing breakouts. For the same reason, try to make sure they don’t come in contact with your back to avoid bacne. This is another reason why dermatologists recommend washing your face and back after you’re done washing and conditioning your hair as that gets rid of all pore-blocking residue.
Boost circulation
You can do this either by massaging your face with some face oil using your fingers. Another way of doing this is by hanging your head off the edge of your bed for two to three minutes a day. This will boost blood flow to your face and revive dull skin.
Don’t touch your face
This is the cardinal rule for any and everyone who cares about their skin. Find a wallpaper for your phone and set an alarm that reminds you to not touch your face or pop that zit. Every time you touch a surface, you take with yourself a layer of (sometimes) invisible dirt and grime. Dropping it on your face will do you no good!
Focus on relaxing
Probably easier said than done but try relaxing. No really, get that meditation app, journal or talk to a friend but do what you can to take daily stressors down a notch. Stress and tension can aggravate various skin conditions like psoriasis and cause dullness and oiliness, leading to acne.