Skincare 101 - Easy Tips That Anyone Can Do

Happy Monday!

Over the past few years, I have been shocked at the amount of girls who have told me they usually just wear last night's makeup to cut down on their getting ready time the next morning. I will admit that in high school and early college, I was one of those girls. I cherished sleep as much as the next girl and would forsake important steps in my beauty routine in exchange for a few more minutes of snoozing.

However, my skin suffered the consequence and I would pay for it when I did have to apply my makeup. My skin would be drier than normal and I would have far more breakouts to try to conceal.

There are other corners you can cut when getting ready in the morning (or at night), but skin care isn't one of them. I wanted to share a couple easy ways to implement skin care into your daily routine. These really are so simple; anyone can do them!

Steps that everyone should take at night and in the morning:

1. Remove your makeup (at night)

Removing your makeup doesn't have to be a daunting task. There are so many facial wipes on that market that are specifically for removing makeup. I really like the Neutrogena Face Wipes. They make the task so quick and simple - and your skin will thank you!

2. Cleanse

While the face wipes are great for removing makeup, they aren't meant to replace your facial cleanser. They will remove the first layer (mostly makeup) but you still want something to give you a deeper cleanse to remove the dirt and grime. (Gross, I know... but it's there!) There are plenty of options out there to target your skin type and budget. Find one that works for you and use it.

3. Moisturize 

I know you lucky girls with oily skin (yes, I said lucky) probably cringe at the idea of moisturizing, but it's a step that no one should skip out on. It's obvious that those of us with dry skin are lacking hydration, but often times oily skin is a sign that your skin is dehydrated. Your skin is likely over-compensating and producing more oil to rehydrate. If you find a good moisturizer (it doesn't have to be too thick), you will most likely notice less oil being produced throughout the day.

 

If you are a dry skin gal like myself, I covet the thickest, creamiest, oiliest of moisturizers to smother my face in overnight. My favorites are Mario Badescu's Caviar Night Cream (I've noticed a huge difference in the texture of my skin since using this) and Josie Maran's Argan Oil (I use this when my skin feels extra thirsty, and my skin is glowing by the next morning). 

If you are like I used to be, washing and moisturizing your face are probably last on your to-do list before turning in for the night. When you apply your moisturizer and immediately lay down, you are most likely wasting product on your pillow and sheets (especially if you're a crazy sleeper like me!) or maybe even by snuggling up with your honey. 

Tip: Try cleansing and moisturizing at least an hour before you lay down for the night. 

This will give your products, especially the moisturizer, a chance to absorb into the skin and do what they're meant to do! I work hard for my money, and I hate the idea of a skincare product going to waste by being absorbed by my pillow instead of my skin!

Tip: If you are budget conscious and are skeptical about trying higher end products, Sephora and Ulta have sample sizes near check-out that you can try before committing to a full size product and its full size price. There are also great options at the drugstore!

I hope you will give this a try and make skincare an important step in your beauty routine. You will notice a difference in your skin as you incorporate these steps and make them a habit.

If you have any specific skincare questions or topics you'd like me to cover, let me know below or contact me.

Sneak peek: We'll be chatting about this guy on Wednesday... Check back then!