Summer is here and it’s the time of year we all love to feel a little freer. The air is breezy, the water’s warm, and there are fewer layers of clothes. It’s also the perfect time to wear a few less layers on your face and allow your natural, healthy glow to shine through.
Lucky for you, the beauty editors over at Daily Makeover have compiled a huge list of tips, tricks, and secrets for clearer, healthier skin. Check out 5 of our favorite skincare tips below, plus some bonus info on how to take your skincare routine to the next level!
1. Clean that screen!
It may be easy to overlook, but that phone screen you’ve been poking at with your dirty fingers all day? It’s the perfect way to transfer lots of bacteria right to your face. Don’t believe us? Check out your phone in direct light with the screen off. Chances are it’s filled with oily finger prints, smudges of foundation from your face, and who knows what else—and every time you pick up your phone, you’re directly putting your skin in contact with that bacterial cocktail.
Tip: Keep “eyeglass wipes” in your purse! They’re typically saturated with alcohol and are an easy way to quickly remove gunk from your gadgets.
2. Hydrate from the inside out
You know that $80 ultra-moisturizing tube of cream you splurged on? It’ll work even better if you’re also hydrating your entire body. The good news is that is easy as grabbing a glass of water. You should be drinking water throughout the day to aid in healthy digestion and skin function.
Tip: Half the battle of proper hydration is remembering to drink, so pick up a cute reusable water bottle you can keep with you throughout the day.
3. Pay attention to expiration dates
Try treating your cosmetics like a carton of milk. We don’t mean you should start taking your tea with a splash of moisturizer, but you should be tossing makeup and skincare products past their expiration date unless you want an unpleasant surprise. Bacteria can accumulate in your products, causing a load of problems down the line.
Tip: If throwing away a half-full bottle of expensive cream makes you want to cry, start buying smaller sizes. You’ll eventually get a feel for how much of each product you are able to use before they expire.
4. Exfoliate with a gentle hand
Exfoliation is a very important part of a good skincare routine, but you know what they say about too much of a good thing. Avoid over-scrubbing and stick to a gentle but thorough exfoliation between one to three times per week, depending on how sensitive your skin is.
Tip: Your face will be touchably smooth after exfoliating, but stop touching it! You’ll be able to maintain your healthy skin longer if you avoid transferring acne-causing bacteria to your face.
5. Take a hard look in your fridge
“You are what you eat” may be one cliché we can get behind. Adding more leafy greens, avocados, and omega-3s to your diet can help promote skin health. Equally important is looking at what you need to scale back on, namely alcohol, sugar, and dairy.
Tip: Try starting your day with a skin health smoothie containing kale, apple, kiwi, celery, and citrus. Your skin (and your tastebuds!) will love you for it.
Bonus: An Expert Touch for Beautiful Skin
While maintaining a good skincare routine and staying away from skin-damaging habits can make a world of difference, sometimes you need a little extra help. If you’re interested in medical-grade treatments and products, the skincare team at La Jolla Cosmetic Medical Spa would love to meet with you to evaluate your skin, listen to your concerns, and design a treatment plan that will leave your skin happy, healthy, and well-loved. Your consultation is always free, so give us a call today!