Have you found that, lately, your skincare routine hasn’t been working? I think a lot of us could answer “yes” to that question.

Just by looking at social media, you can see that everyone nowadays has a *very* detailed skincare routine. Studies show that women use an average of 16 skincare and cosmetic products daily! Over 85% of women surveyed said they apply a minimum of 16 products a day to their face before leaving the house.

So, we all have skincare routines. But how many of those routines are actually effective? How many people actually make proper changes to accommodate their skin routine? Those with great skin! In this article, let’s learn about 4 major changes you can make to make your skincare routine work better.

 

4 Changes To Try If You’re Skincare Routine Is Not Working

 

1. Before Even Touching It, Make Sure You Understand Your Skin Completely

 

When developing your skin care routine, you probably watched a lot of Youtube videos or read articles about the most popular and “effective” skincare products. Then, you went out a bought whatever products your source of intel recommended… But this can be quite counter-productive!

What worked for someone else might not always work for you. Sadly.

Hence the first step in creating any effective skincare regime is properly determining your skin type. It’s the most important step because you need to choose the products that are designed for your specific skin type. That’s when you’ll start seeing real results.

The moral: You aren’t benefiting your skin if you chose products just because they worked for someone else. Get to know your skin first, so you can address its needs.

 

Which Products To Buy According To The Skin Type?

 

Normal skin usually loves:

⦁ Cleansers labeled as gentle;
⦁ Products with low-intensity skincare acids and vitamin c;
⦁ Moisturizers with SPF.

Dry skin usually loves:

⦁ Moisturizers and cleansers labeled as hydrating;
⦁ Gentle cleansers that are fragrance-free;
⦁ Moisturizers with oils such as almond oil or jojoba oil.

Oily skin usually loves:

⦁ Oil-free moisturizers;
⦁ Gel or foam cleansers;
⦁ Exfoliator once a week;

Combination skin usually loves:

⦁ Use of a retinol serum;
⦁ Moisturizer designed for all combination skin types;
⦁ Simple balancing toners;

Sensitive skin usually loves:

⦁ Products labeled fragrance-free and hypoallergenic;
⦁ Moisturizers labeled as suitable for sensitive skin;
⦁ Gentle enzyme exfoliants.

 

2. Does Your Skincare Routine Feel Like a Chore?

 

Okay, you have the products, now what do you do? Learn how to properly use your skincare products by reading 25 Simple Things To Do For Stunning Skin and How to Properly Layer Your Skin Care!, of course. Just please – don’t overdo it.

There is a common trend among people developing skincare routines – they buy the products, go home, use them once, and don’t get the results they’re looking for. Then, instead of sticking with the routine for a longer period of time for it to be efficient, people get excessive. They buy a million other new products or wash their face more than twice a day trying to see the results they crave.

Skincare shouldn’t feel like a chore or something you have to do multiple times just to see a difference. It’s a slow process. Your skin has to adjust and respond to the ingredients in the products in order to improve.

Here are a few things that might be sabotaging your skincare routine:

• Mixing and Matching a ton of different Brands

Most skincare products come in a bundle (take the Neutrogena Rapid Clear Line for example). All these products were made with the same intention: to quickly clear your skin. Using the Rapid Clear Scrub with a moisturizer from a different brand will lower the efficiency of the scrub since they weren’t made to work together. If your skincare products come from a certain line or bundle, use the entire bundle. Skincare Companies design their products to work with one another, not the products of their competitors.

• Using Products Too Often or Applying Too Much
  

The recommended usage on the back of your skincare products is there for a reason. Companies know that overusing the product can lead to dry skin, inflammation, and severe irritation. When it comes to skincare, doing more isn’t necessarily better. Stick to the recommended usage and only differ if you are directed by your health care provider to do so.

• Giving Up On Your Skin Care Routine Too Soon
  

Again, clear skin doesn’t happen overnight. You’re making a skincare routine so make sure you’re forgetting the most important step: consistency. Follow your skincare routine every day for at least 4-6 weeks to look for improvement. If nothing has changed, you can start to consider switching products.

 

3. Clean Up Your Diet

 

It’s said that “your skin is a reflection of your total body health.” So, if you have a healthier diet, your skin should reflect that and the same could be said for a poor diet. Practices like having balanced meals, taking your vitamins, and following national food guides can help to improve your skin significantly.

What about dairy?

Recently, there has been a lot of talk in the news about the artificial hormones in cow milk having a link to acne. Scientists say that most evidence supports this theory and cow milk can indeed irritate acne. Removing dairy from your diet can possibly make a big difference to your skin, but it does not apply to everyone. You have to try it to see if it helps your skin in particular.

I have personally cut diary out of my diet and used almond milk as a substitute. I haven’t seen any significant difference in my skin, but I felt healthier overall. If this is something you are interested in, please do so at your own risk and consult a nutritionist first, to be sure it’s a healthy choice for you.

 

4. Avoid Common Washing & Drying Mistakes

 

Washing and drying your face when cleansing may seem pretty straightforward… However, there are certain techniques and tricks you can implement to get the most out of face cleansers and prevent irritation.

• When Washing

Try washing your face without wetting it beforehand. I know this might sound weird, so let me explain. Water acts as a dilutant. It mixes with your cleanser and lowers the concentration of the active ingredients. By putting your cleanser straight onto your dry face, you are allowing your skin to soak in all the good ingredients before you dilute (lessen the concentration) with water.

• When Drying

Have a separate towel for your face. Don’t use the same towel you shower with as a face towel because that transfers bacteria that you don’t want on your face. In addition, don’t share your face towel with anyone else. It’s just another way to spread bacteria.

When it’s time to dry your face, use a patting motion. The patting motion will allow your skin to soak up any residual cleanser ingredients as well as decrease the skin irritation that comes with rubbing. It’s a great idea to use hypoallergenic laundry wash for face towels too.

 

A Recap!

 

In conclusion, four simple changes that can complement or improve your skincare routine are:

1. Determining your skin type correctly;
2. Paying attention to the recommended usage instructions;
3. Cleaning up your diet;
4. Washing and drying your face properly.

By doing these steps alongside a fitting skincare routine you are bound to achieve clear and happy skin soon!

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