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1. First up: We're talking sunscreen and REAPPLYING sunscreen. When spending the day inside, you only need to apply once in the a.m. and right before leaving for an errand. But if you're feeling daring and spending time in the sun, you should reapply every two to three hours. We recco La Roche Posay oil-free sunscreen since it's great for both oily *and* sensitive skin, it's got SPF 60, and it won't cause maskne breakouts.
And for a great base layer for makeup application, Tatcha SPF 35 sunscreen is your splurge-worthy option. It works as both a primer to blur pores and uneven skin tones, plus leaves your skin feeling baby bum soft thanks to Japanese wild rose and loquat leaf extract. Just peep the difference below to see how well this must-have works:
2. Combat blemishes powerfully and discreetly with clear acne patches. Less temptation to pick pimples means less scarring, so you can get on with your day knowing that a lil' sticker is doing all the work and you don't have to lift a finger. (Except for when you have to remove it and ~satisfyingly~ see all the gunk that gets sucked out!)
3. Dot a small amount of eye cream with your ring finger from the inner corner of your under-eyes to your brow bone instead of rubbing with your index finger, that way you avoid putting too much pressure on delicate skin. If you're new to eye creams, look for something that has a combo of properties that moisturize and hydrate.
4. Familiarize yourself with your acne — connecting ~the dots~ is easier than ya think. Think: pesky whiteheads need salicylic acid and hormonal (under-the-skin) cysts can be treated with sulfur-based products. Before you can take any action, you need to know what you're dealing with!
5. Drench a cotton pad with an exfoliator that contains basic acid groups: alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), beta hydroxy acid (BHA), and polyhydroxy acid (PHA). Glossier Solution receives cult status since it uses all three to target impurities and sweep away dead skin. Plus, reviewers swear by its acne-fighting ingredients that work with every skin type to deliver a smooth, blemish-free canvas.
Acids at a glance? Study up on them here:
6. Unite natural remedies like apple cider vinegar and Aztec Secret clay mask if you have regular cystic blemishes, aka the bullies of the underground acne scene. Tons of users have integrated this superpower duo into their routine, which does a deep dive into clogged pores.
7. Learn to practice patience when it comes to skincare — some prod's are going to take their time to show results (like salicylic acne face washes), and we're OK with that! But there could be times when it's just not doing what it's supposed to, and it's important to decipher between the two. For instance, something like Dr. Jart's ceramide cream works miracles in minutes.
8. Introduce a few drops of retinol, vitamin A's formal moniker, to improve your skin's texture, elasticity, and hyperpigmentation. And if you've only overheard of this at a dermatologist's office, don't let that intimidate you since there's a ton of over-the-counter options to choose from to get you going.
9. Get your geek on when it comes to beauty ingredient definitions. You're going to want to ensure you can target your skin concerns accurately, so the sooner you do this, the sooner you can be on your way to achieving your #goals.
10. Tackle unexpected zits with the wave of a blemish-fighting wand, like this e.l.f. spot gel stick. It contains powerhouse ingredients like salicylic acid, witch hazel, camphor, tea tree, green tea, and aloe to reduce swelling and inflammation as well as gently treating the affected area.
11. Don't be afraid to indulge in your picky side when it comes to selecting the right toner for you — it's def not a one-size-fits-all deal! Take Kiehls calendula herbal extract toner, for instance, which balances out pH levels for oily complexions while ensuring the skin's barrier doesn't dry out like the Sahara. And then there's Mario Badescu's aloe vera toner that is great for irritation and nourishes the skin with its mild formula.
12. Or! Diminish redness and irritation with the ever-popular Thayer's Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Toner, which takes dry and inflamed skin under its wing. You can expect to see a more even-toned complexion and overall brighter reflection after just a couple of weeks.
13. Differentiate between the terms *dry* and *dehydrated* skin. I.e. If your skin is red and shedding flakes reminiscent of a White Walker, you have dry skin (which you can treat with skin-soothing creams). If its looking a little lackluster, it's most likely dehydrated (which you can tackle with moisturizing products).
An easy way to settle this common question is to gently pull at the back of your hand. If it bounces right back, your skin is hydrated. If it takes a few seconds to lay back in place, your skin is probably dehydrated!
14. Incorporate a nonabrasive face wash, like Bliss peel exfoliator, which features papaya and pineapple enzymes, two to three times a week. This is an important step to resurface your skin cells — the manager of this new operation (you) deserves a promotion because glowing skin is finally achievable thanks to plant fibers that vacuum up impurities.
15. Reduce the appearance of the oil slick that appears on your T-zone every afternoon with a budget-friendly exfoliant from The Ordinary. With a trio of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid, it only needs ten minutes to rejuvenate, resurface, and decrease congestion caused by the overproduction of sebum.
16. Level up your routine by introducing a jade roller at the end of each day. When coupled up with a nourishing serum, it essentially hits the accelerate button on your product's usual qualities. It's also just a soothing way to ensure all the formula is fully absorbed and leaves a lasting glow.
17. Put an end to the slew of nights going to bed with a full face of makeup with this, a lazy-person approved makeup-removing cloth. Seriously, it couldn't be simpler to swipe off foundation and lippy — all you need is this magic wipe and *water*. Ding ding, bonus here! You'll even notice a reduction in the amount of breakouts you get once you remove your all-day look.
18. Organize your skincare ritual by item — there's a proper order for application for everything (your face can tell, even if you can't). For example, dollops of serum come *before* moisturizer and after toner.
19. Nourish scaly, painful lips with a soothing formula from Lanolips. This ointment uses lanolin, aka the ingredient that would take the lead in a high school play to swoop in and save the damsels in distress (your dried-out lips and cuticles). Throw in some supporting actors in the form of coconut oil and vitamin E and you've got a well-rounded production — and a soft, plump, hydrated pout.
20. Recognize whether your skin is breaking out or "purging" when introducing new products. Purging = skin cell turnover, but hit the fast forward button x2. So when we initially use retinoids, BHAs and AHAs, for instance, they can create more dead cells on your skin's surface, which can lead to clogged pores and cause dormant pimples that were underneath to come to ~a head~. Rest assured, these only last a few weeks and it's usually in the form of small, red, tender bumps with whiteheads. So if you notice cystic bumps, that's more than likely a regular breakout.
21. Spritz your face with a toning mist anytime it starts to feel dull and dry. This'll hydrate and hit the refresh button on skin that looks like it's ready to take a nap. Plus! It will control excess oil and any redness that might pop up throughout the day.
22. Know that not every face mask is going to be a match. In fact, most are infused with ingredients that target very specific skin types (i.e. dry, acne-prone, etc.). Take our quiz to connect your concerns and complexion with the best mask for you!
23. Oh! And there's also a skin-identity quiz where you can learn what works best for your complexion and avoid any ~risky~ trial-and-error. It'll take things like your age, typical routine, stress levels, and even diet into account to see what your skin needs most.
24. Adapt your routine based on the time of year. You do it for your wardrobe — so your precious skin deserves the same, if not better, treatment! When summer and spring roll around, cleanse with a light exfoliating face wash (sweat has entered the chat, sorry). As colder weather hits, hy-👏-drate by using a moisturizing serum *pre* face cream application.
25. Make cleaning your makeup brushes a less dreadful task with a handy finger scrubber board. Try to do this once a week, because your trusty tools are a breeding ground for yucky, zit-causing bacteria.
26. Read up on how your complexion can take full advantage of facial oils — each one aids you on your journey to either brighter, firmer, clearer, or more hydrated skin. There's even something for oily complexions — yep, it might sound weird to douse your face in *more* oil, but with the right formula, you *can* reach an equilibrium.
27. Master the highly celebrated Korean skincare routine to address any and every skin concern, from healing annoying breakouts (enter: clarifying toner) to brightening skin (oh hello, illuminating sheet mask). It may look daunting, but each step brings *whoa-worthy* results — that a bog standard face wash and moisturizer simply cannot.
28. Rid your skin of sweat immediately post-workout (or if it's just unbearably hot outside) to stop body acne in its tracks. A once over with ShowerPill hygiene wipes packed with aloe vera, vitamin E, and witch hazel, and you'll kick sweat-causing bacteria to the curb.
29. Up 👏 your 👏 water 👏 intake. We know you know, but if you can, aim for eight glasses a day. H2O is your skin's *best* friend for more elasticity, energy, and an overall brighter complexion. Flush those toxins, baby!
And don't fret, my parched friend, because this extra-large water bottle is here to help. It's designed to keep you on track by noting your progress morning 'til night with little markers, so staying hydrated is a less arduous task.
30. Elevate the benefits of your usual face wash by deep-cleansing AND exfoliating your entire face with the pulsating marvel that is the Foreo Luna Mini 2. If flaky skin is a massively annoying problem you've been dealing with or you just decided to wear a full face of makeup for the first time in months — in just one minute, you can buff away dead cells and impurities to reveal brighter, just-stepped-out-from-a-facial looking skin.
31. Defeat the scars of backne's past with an exfoliating towel. This basically helps your skin shed the layers keeping your scars present, but it's also just a great solve for anyone who wants touchably softer skin.
32. Instead of using your grubby fingers (yes, yours) to pop pimples, gently bring whiteheads up and out with a warm washcloth. Ok, hear me out, you can do this while you're watching your weeknight movie — just apply pressure to the area and in a few mins you'll be able to slide the whitehead off with the cloth. Zero energy. Zero scarring.
33. Try taking baby steps to improve your overall skincare regimen. These won't take much of your precious time, we promise, just some things to keep in mind. A simple start: using a lavender spray on your bed pillows to kill acne-causing germs. And! As an added benefit, this'll help you nod off so you might actually be able to get those eight hours, and *in turn* lead you to better skin health. Full circle, folks!
Your pimples when you finally learn how to fight back:
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