Sam Klein, Editor

How often do you go to the gym? How about meditate? Read a self-help book? Go for a walk? Chances are at least one self-care regimen is a part of your everyday life as a result of societal expectations for physical and mental health. While it is important to foster healthy habits for the outside, as well as what is within, how about what lies on the surface… literally. 

Practicing proper skincare isn’t solely for older women trying to reduce wrinkles or beauty influencers encouraging you to buy your next product. It is important to treat skincare as a part of a self-care routine for you and prioritizing taking care of your skin as equally as other physical and mental health components. I partnered with Hannah Kowanes, a Pre-PA Surgical Medical Assistant and scribe for Fayetteville Dermatology, to compile a list of “dos” and “don’ts” when it comes to properly taking care of your skin. Let’s get glowing!

Do!

Keep it simple 

Do not be fooled by the ad you saw on TikTok claiming you need the latest Drunk Elephant Serum or that the Korean collagen mask redefined what it means to have “glassy” skin. Although these products might be effective, they are not a necessity to a skincare routine. Kowanes instead recommends a simple three step routine: cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Adding too many products into a routine can have reverse effects and instead of helping the skin, it can irritate it. You can slowly build spot treatments, serums and different kinds of cleansers into your daily line up once you are familiar with your skin’s reactive tendencies. When deciding what brands to use, Kowanes states that CeraVe, La Roche Posay, Cetaphil and Neutrogena are safe and effective, as recommended by her practice. 

Be consistent 

A simple, three-step routine is also an effort to keep beginners consistent. If every skincare routine was treated like an hour facial or day at the spa, it would be hard to stay disciplined after a long day. Therefore, the easier the skincare routine, the better. Consistency builds habits and overtime your skin will reap the benefits of long-term habitual skincare efforts in ways such as preventing bacterial growth that can cause breakouts, according to Kowanes. 

Turn skincare into a self-care regimen

Conversely, however, skincare can be used as a way to treat yourself when you have spare time to donate to a more in-depth process. There are numerous ways to amplify the skincare experience while simultaneously still using your everyday products. Implementing gua shas, ice rollers, and jade rollers can enhance your skincare experience, as well as provide additional health-related benefits. For example, ice rollers can reduce inflammation of the skin, furthermore, reducing stress. Similarly, jade rollers and gua shas are intended to create a sense of calm, relaxation and potentially strengthen the muscles in the face (in terms of gua sha), according to Kowanes. Ice rollers can simply be put in the freezer until used and rolled onto the skin, similar to the jade roller. To properly use a gua sha for best results, click here. 

For an even more serene experience, Kowanes recommends an alternative light source such as a dimmed, warm-toned light, when practicing skin care. 

Sunscreen is your best friend 

Arguably the most important step in any skincare routine is sunscreen. While many people might have annoying memories of getting Coppertone spray in their mouth at the beach or having to wait for it to dry before swimming, we are here to assure you that your mother was always right… you need your sunblock. 

“Sunscreen is the only way to prevent sun damage, premature aging, wrinkles and sunspots (solar lentigines),” Kowanes says. 

She continues to say how it is hard to undo the effects of the sun and that no skin tone is immune. Therefore, it is best to use an SPF of 30+ in order to prevent melanoma, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. 

Sunscreen doesn’t have to be this nagging reminder and smell of nostalgic waterlogged swim goggles but can be implemented as part of a makeup routine, according to Kowanes. 

“[Sunscreen] is the most underrated skin care product… It’s the only product that moisturizes, prevents aging and, if tinted, can be used in your makeup routine,” Kowanes says. 

Do NOT do! 

Avoid TikTok trends/trendy products without having conducted proper research prior to usage 

It is easy to get swept away in Sephora, buying products that your favorite influences swore cleared their skin up in hours. Unfortunately for you, however, your skincare is simply money in said influencer’s pocket who doesn’t care about your pores, rather their personal profit. Therefore, it is best to not be easily convinced by whatever is trending without having conducted prior research. If you do not know what is good for your skin in comparison to what could be potentially hazardous, download the app Yuka. Yuka scans product barcodes for free and analyzes product ingredients, ranking a product as “poor,” “good” or “great” on a scale from one to hundred based on the number of hazardous ingredients. 

Things to avoid- fragrance, brands that focus more on the package than the product 

One potential ingredient Yuka will flag a product for is fragrance. Kowanes states that fragrance within a product can become “more of an irritant than a transformative part of your skincare routine,” insinuating fragrance-free alternatives are more effective. 

Additionally, product packaging is an eye-catcher, as it is designed for that very reason. Marketers target product packaging as a way for consumers to be drawn towards their product with flashy colors and unique designs, in comparison to neutrals and less novel packages. Kowanes advises skincare beginners to be wary of companies who spend a lot of money on product packing, as it could potentially be a sign of compensation for an otherwise poor product. While this isn’t always the case and brands can have both an excellent product and package design, it is something to keep in mind. When in doubt, use dermatologist recommended products such as CeraVe, LaRoche Posay, Cetaphil and Neutrogena. 

Skincare can differ- what works for one person doesn’t work for everyone

Men and female skincare differ. Female to female skincare differs. Male to male skincare differs. Yours might be the same as your neighbors, but different from your moms. The point is everyone is different. As a result, Kowanes recommends a few simple suggestions for various skin types to enhance your skincare routine: for oily skin, double cleanse your face; for dry skin, try an oil-based cleanser. 

While this list is meant to be helpful and is targeted for “beginners” aiming to start a skincare regimen, it isn’t extensive or all-knowing. If you have a skincare concern consult a local dermatologist and do not use any product without doing extensive research or are granted permission from a doctor. 

Happy holidays and happy self-care! Find the time to take care of yourself this holiday break, and please, wear your sunscreen ❤