Let's put 2020 behind us with a new skin care routine.
2021 is here, and that can mean only one thing – it’s time to start those New Year’s resolutions. But instead of swearing off chocolate, why not try a different kind of goal this year? Yes, that’s right, we’re talking about starting some New Year skin care resolutions. How did you guess?
Having clear, blemish-free skin is something that we would all love. It’s undeniable. Yet often it can feel like “the chosen ones” have all the luck of great genetics, while others of us struggle to find products that suit our skin. But never fear, help is at hand. Just by taking up a few good skin care habits, those of us with problem-prone skin can gradually wave goodbye to our skincare woes.
Out with the old.
The simple and fastest way to improve your skincare is to give your bathroom cabinet an update. Now, it's important to state first and foremost that we are not suggesting that you throw everything away indiscriminately so that you're starting out with a clean slate. Yes, this may make you feel like you're starting completely fresh, but it's also going to create a lot of waste - which is exactly what we want to avoid. There's no point creating waste in order to minimise waste..
That said, there may be SOME items which will not survive your "cabinet Cleanse!" For example, any skin care products that are so old you can’t remember buying them, you might want to consider recycling. Beauty products, unfortunately, don’t last forever. Most should have a printed expiration date or a ‘Period After Opening’ (PAO) date on them, which might be something like ‘24M’, meaning 24 months. If you can’t find the expiration date, as a general rule, if it’s changed colour, changed smell, or indeed changed the texture (gone a little furry?) - it’s time for it to go!
In the spirit of renovating your skincare, during your "cabinet cleanse" have a look at the products still in date – they could contain ingredients that you might want to avoid. Products that contain ingredients such as parabens, sodium lauryl sulfateare (SLS), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and retinol should be removed from your bathroom never to be seen again.
Go Green
With all the old and furry products removed (and recycled where possible) from your possession, you’ll need to do a bit of a restock. To guarantee that you won’t be filling up your beauty bag with more products that use chemicals and plastic, why not make the switch to natural, organic beauty instead?
With more people than ever making small changes to live more sustainably, the interest in organic, vegan skincare is growing. And with good reason. Green beauty is not only good for the planet, but it is also good for our skin. Made from natural ingredients, you can rest assured that you will be treating your skin to only the good stuff, with no hidden nasties in sight. And remember, you don’t have to be a vegan to opt for vegan skincare. Sometimes it’s just nice to know that you aren’t rubbing beetle juice or fish scales on your face
EXFOLIATE, PEOPLE!
Exfoliation is a process that occurs naturally when the dead epidermis cells (your skin cells) shed to be replaced with the newer cells underneath. Although this process happens naturally, as we age this process become less effective, leaving an excess of dead skin cells. Exfoliating products help this natural process, preventing a build-up of dead skin cells and revealing a brighter, more youthful complexion beneath. But some shop-bought exfoliators can be irritating to our skin and contain ingredients like microbeads. Microbeads are now banned in the UK (hands in the air emoji!) but not globally – so stay vigilant! Instead, opt for natural, gentle exfoliators that will exfoliate your skin without being too harsh.
Natural exfoliators also vary a lot in texture, so have fun experimenting! Exfoliants like coffee and milled oats are on the softer side, whilst sugar and rice are on the grittier side. Find out what works for you – and get messy!
UNDERSTAND YOUR PRODUCTS
To make sure you are cultivating healthy skincare habits, it’s vital that you understand what each of your beauty products does. This may sound like common sense, but there are a lot of beauty myths and misconceptions out there. For example, it’s a common misconception that moisturisers moisturise. In fact, moisturisers work by helping to hold in your skin’s moisture, instead of replacing any lost hydration. They work as a barrier, holding the moisture in while protecting our skin from the elements, pollution and the sun’s rays.
This is why you need face serums in your life. Serums, particularly those created from natural oils like rosehip oil, hydrate your skin and replenish lost moisture, helping your skin stay soft and supple. This is why they go under your moisturiser, as the moisturiser helps to lock the serum in, giving your skin a greater chance to absorb all those lovely nutrients.
STAY HYDRATED
Here’s one of the most well-known healthy skin care habits –– drink more water. As much as we love coffee, even we’ve got to admit that water is the way forward for flawless skin. You should be drinking at least two litres of water a day to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. If you are not a fan of drinking plain water, why not try coconut water, fruit-infused water or herbal teas. More flavour, more hydration.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT
It’s an old saying but it still stands true – you are what you eat. As your biggest organ, in many ways, your skin acts like a massive mirror reflecting the state of your health. By staying active and eating a balanced, healthy diet, you will help your body look and feel its best. This will give your skin the best chance to show off how amazing you are to the world by feeding it lots of nutrients and keeping your body working at its optimum level.