I've been pretty into skincare since my late teens, but now that I'm thirty-[redacted] years old, I've started to take it even more seriously.
Within my friend groups, skincare has become a frequent topic of discussion, and I'm always so interested to hear what other people are trying and what's working for them.
So in that spirit, I asked the BuzzFeed Community to share their favorite skincare tips, tricks, and advice that they absolutely swear by.
Everyone had great things to share, but obviously, I can't confirm they all work because everyone's skin is different! If you're looking for serious medical advice, definitely contact a professional.
1. "Double cleansing, hands down! Made a huge difference in my breakouts."
2. "I grew up with the oiliest, most acne-riddled skin and spent so long trying to get rid of the oil, when the trick is really...to add more."
"When you remove the oil, your skin keeps on over-correcting and over-producing, so give it what it wants! I now slather CeraVe Moisturizing Cream after washing my face, and it has never been better. I'm also on Spironolactone (a blood pressure med) which has a bonus effect of regulating periods and tackling hormonal acne. The adjustment was rough, but it's helped so much!"
3. "If you have acne (especially cystic) and have access to acne laser treatments from a dermatologist or laser technician, it works! I wish I wouldn't have spent years and thousands of dollars on products. It may take a few sessions, but they virtually destroy the overproducing oil glands. No down time."
4. "Witch hazel is NOT toner. Yes, even if it says it on the bottle! If you have oily skin, and you are using witch hazel (which is an astringent), then you are quite literally making your face worse. Get a real toner (the first two ingredients should be water and glycerin) and watch how quickly your skin transforms."
5. "An underrated game-changer: silk pillowcases! They don't trap moisture and oil in them like cotton, meaning they keep your skin hydrated and don't soak up all the oil you will sleep on again tomorrow."
6. "Charcoal micellar water. I struggled FOREVER with acne and spots, and just decided to try it one day because it was cheap. Besties, it's life-changing. Now, I get maybe one or two acne spots around my period, if that. It's maybe five dollars a bottle, and it lasts me about three or four months."
7. "Cutting out dairy. People told me for years that my skin would clear if I cut out dairy from my diet, but I thought it was a fib. Then, I had my son who is allergic to cow milk, so we removed everything dairy from our diets, and my skin has literally never been better! Glowy! Rosy! Clear as a baby!"
8. "I use Noxzema every night to cleanse. Been using it since I was 9 years old, and I'm 60 now. Very rarely had a breakout of any kind, even during my periods as a teenager."
9. "DRINK WATER. Everything else you do skincare-wise comes secondary to that. I've had eczema all my life, and when I started drinking at least two liters of water daily in my 20s, it practically disappeared. I'm not saying drinking water is a cure for eczema, but hydrated skin is happy skin."
10. "If you tried absolutely everything for your adult acne and it didn't work, reduce sugar. I was addicted to sugar — it's everywhere! I gave up sweets, and my skin has never been this clear. First two weeks without sugar is hard, though."
11. "Wear sunscreen every single day, never fall asleep with your makeup on, and change your pillowcase every few days. I’m 42 years old, but my skin makes me look 22."
12. "I never thought I’d be one of those people with a five-step skincare routine, but here I am. LOL. I start with an exfoliating face wash, then I use a toner (usually rose water), apply a serum of your choice (anything with vitamin C is great!), moisturize, and finally apply a couple drops of face oil to seal in the moisture."
13. "Vanicream face wash! It’s always fun to have the frou-frou fancy sounding stuff, but this face wash literally has the bare minimum in it. It makes my face feel so much cleaner because it doesn’t leave the residue that fancy sounding, trendy 'cleansers' do. And it’s WAY cheaper! Takes off makeup just as well (if not better), too!"
14. "Stop using face wipes. They're an environmental nightmare, and they don't clean your skin properly. Instead use flannels (washable, exfoliating, recyclable) with a cleanser to suit your skin type."
15. And finally, "Stop looking in the mirror so much! I used to obsess over looking 'perfect' at all times, and I forced myself to stop looking at myself every time I was in a bathroom or near a mirror."
