Are you facing persistent breakouts, dullness, or skin that won’t glow, no matter what you try? You aren’t alone, but the solution to your problems may be way more simple than you think. Even with a full skincare routine, these issues may persist if your skincare fundamentals aren’t right.
We’ll give you five actionable tips in this blog that could be the game changers your skin needs. These tips are grounded in science and easy to follow. They also apply to all genders and all skin types, so everyone can benefit from them.
Think of your skin like the rest of your body—when overwhelmed, it reacts. Keep your skincare routine minimal. While your shelf may be full of serums and cleansers, that is not necessarily the key to resolving your skincare issues. You may be using too many products, which can irritate your skin barrier. We recommend keeping it simple.
Focus on three essentials: a good cleanser, a hydrating moisturiser, and an SPF. You can gradually add treatment products for your particular skin concerns after a while. If you have acne-prone skin or face concerns such as dullness, you may benefit from products with ingredients such as salicylic acid or niacinamide.
It’s super important to choose a gentle cleanser that is non-stripping. This will clean your face while keeping your skin barrier intact. Harsh face washes or soaps can cause damage to your skin barrier. This can lead to problems such as dullness, inflammation, and overproduction of oil.
Avoid using cleansers with fragrance and stay away from abrasive scrubs. Also, look for a cleanser with a low pH (less than 7) so the natural pH of your skin is not disrupted.
You can cleanse up to twice a day using a gentle cleanser. Wash it off with lukewarm water after gently rubbing for about a minute.
Gently pat dry before following up with your moisturiser!
To summarise, a good cleanser doesn’t leave your skin squeaky—it leaves it calm and clean.
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the outermost layer of the skin. This improves skin texture and cell turnover. It helps reduce dullness and breakouts. There are both chemical and physical exfoliants.
Chemical exfoliants include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). AHAs include glycolic acid and lactic acid. A common BHA is salicylic acid. While AHAs work mostly on the skin surface to improve texture and brightness, BHAs are oil-soluble and penetrate deeper into the pores of the skin. They can thus be especially helpful for oily and acne-prone skin.
Physical exfoliation can be done using products such as konjac sponges. These exfoliate through friction or movement without the use of chemical exfoliants. They can be beneficial, but again, avoid using harsh and abrasive scrubs.
Daily exfoliation may be too harsh for your skin, so you should start by exfoliating 2-3 times a week. Over exfoliation can damage the skin barrier and cause breakouts. So, make sure you patch test an exfoliating product before incorporating it into your routine to see if it suits your skin.
Here’s how to pick the right exfoliant: you need to consider your skin type, particular concerns, and sensitivity level. If your skin is oily or acne-prone, then a BHA like salicylic acid may be best for you. It can penetrate deep into pores to unclog them. For dry, dull skin, a gentle AHA like lactic acid will be great as it exfoliates your skin while also hydrating it. If you have sensitive skin, you should choose mild chemical exfoliants and avoid harsh scrubs.
Hydration is important for glow, elasticity, and reduced breakouts. Topical hydration can be done by using products with humectants like glycerin and panthenol. Moisturisers with urea can also be a great option. Urea is part of the skin’s natural moisturising factor (NMF). It helps the skin stay hydrated. Studies have shown that topical application of urea is effective for treating dry skin, among other skin issues.
While topical hydration is important, so is internal hydration. You must ensure that you drink enough water so your skin remains hydrated. Dehydration can cause rough texture, flakiness, or more visible lines. Glow starts with water, both on your skin and in your system.
Sunscreen work by protecting your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UV rays). Sun damage can lead to hyperpigmentation, premature ageing, skin cancer, dark spots and wrinkles. Sunscreen is a must for everyone, regardless of your skin tone. You should be wearing sunscreen even if you’re indoors, and yes, even in the winter!
We recommend using a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher (bonus points if it’s SPF 50). Look for sunscreens that are lightweight and non-comedogenic so they don’t cause you to break out and don’t feel heavy on your skin.
To sum up: the most powerful anti-breakout, anti-dullness product is sunscreen.
Final Thoughts:
To recap, glowing and clear skin is about consistency, not complexity. You don’t need a 10-step skincare routine or expensive products to get healthier skin. Often, breakouts and dullness can be traced back to simple mistakes such as overdoing it, skipping sunscreen, or even not drinking enough water. It’s important to listen to your skin and stick to the basics. Skincare doesn’t have to be a struggle. Trust your skin, be patient, and don’t underestimate the effect that good skincare and eating habits can have!
