Want clearer skin? Younger skin? Smoother skin? We all want to know the best beauty hacks to improve our complexion. Unfortunately, the beauty industry is overwhelming! Serums, masks, treatments… where to begin? Believe it or not – sometimes simple and effective beauty hacks can make all the difference.
That’s where we come in. We’ve collated some tried-and-true skin care beauty hacks that can help you achieve clearer and younger skin. So check through and make sure that you’re doing each of these hacks!
1. Stay Hydrated
The most important (and overlooked!) beauty hack is hydration. By staying hydrated, you can improve the health of your skin barrier. This means that well-hydrated skin directly impacts skin elasticity and suppleness.
Ensure that you drink an adequate amount of water daily. Maybe get yourself a nice water bottle to keep with you throughout the day? Aside from water intake, use a hydrating moisturizer suitable for your skin type. When picking a moisturizer, look for a product that is non-comedogenic to ensure your pores do not become clogged. As an optional extra, you might also like to use a hydrating serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
Find out more about skin hydration here >>>
2. Sun Protection (SPF)
The most effective anti-aging beauty hack is sun protection. That’s right! SPF or ‘sunscreen’ plays a massive role in protecting your skin from harmful UV rays. By applying SPF each morning, you counteract premature aging and maintain skin clarity through a healthy skin barrier. Even if it’s a cloudy day or if you’re staying indoors, you still need to apply SPF.
When choosing a product with SPF, look to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Similar to moisturizing products, ensure you opt for a non-comedogenic product that won’t clog your pores. You might find that ‘mineral’ sunscreens are gentler on the skin and more moisturizing than traditional ‘chemical’ products. A special mention to anyone using products that increase sensitivity to the skin – WEAR YOUR SPF DAILY!
3. Cleansing
We all love cleansing our skin and getting that ‘clean feeling’. Although, this beauty hack calls for balance and gentle cleansing. When cleansing your skin, be careful not to strip all the natural oils. Harsh cleansing negatively impacts the health of your skin barrier. This also includes harsh scrubbing and over-washing! It might feel like you’re scrubbing away dirt, but you’re actually irritating the skin and disrupting its natural balance.
When selecting a cleanser for your skin, find a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type. If you decide to use stronger cleansing products, try to implement them every couple of days so that your skin barrier has time to recover. Also, get to know the ingredients in your skin care products. It might seem overwhelming at first, but even a little bit of knowledge can go a long way in helping you select the right products for your cleansing routine.
4. Exfoliation
Regular exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells that might clog pores and contribute to skin dullness. However, this beauty hack is also a little bit specific. Your skin doesn’t need to be exfoliated every day, and there are different exfoliants that might benefit your skin type. Over-exfoliating your skin can lead to irritation and increased facial blemishes. So take care of your skin with a consistent gentle exfoliation routine.
For the best results, choose a gentle exfoliant and use it 1-2 times per week to reveal smoother and brighter skin. Remember that exfoliants can be physical, chemical, or both. So be careful not to accidentally over-exfoliate using particular skin care ingredients or products.
Find out more about skin exfoliants here >>>
5. Retinoids
One of the biggest anti-aging beauty hacks, retinoids can drastically improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Retinoids are available in a variety of different forms that range in strength. For instance, retinol is somewhat easily accessible in cosmetic serums, creams, and other products. On the other hand, tretinoin is a stronger form of retinoid which can be prescribed by a doctor. The main purpose of using retinoids is to promote cell turnover and collagen production, resulting and firmer and more youthful-looking skin.
When starting to use retinoids, start with a lower strength or ‘concentration’ and then look to build up tolerance. Balance is also key, so apply retinoids only once or twice a week to allow skin time to recover. If using retinoids regularly, moisturizer should also be applied on top of the retinoid once it has settled into the skin to help counteract dryness. Since retinoids make skin more sensitive to the sun, SPF must be applied every morning for protection.
6. Adequate Sleep
That’s right, this beauty hack is simple – get your beauty sleep! Getting adequate sleep is crucial for skin rejuvenation and repair. The most important part is getting into a ‘deep sleep’. Your body enters into a ‘deep sleep’ state after about an hour of uninterrupted sleep. Unfortunately, you don’t stay in a deep sleep state all night long. Sleep occurs in a cycle so you will shift in and out of deep sleep throughout the night. Since the deep sleep state is the most restorative for our skin, we want to make sure we get a good amount of quality uninterrupted sleep.
Aim for 7 – 9 hours of sleep per night. Everyone has slightly different sleep needs, but this amount will ensure you get enough sleep cycles and time spent in ‘deep sleep’. Getting enough sleep will decrease systematic inflammation, create a stronger skin barrier, and improve a youthful appearance.
7. Diet and Lifestyle
It’s no secret that what goes into your body affects the outside. Your skin is susceptible to both your diet and general lifestyle choices. A healthy diet is not so much about limiting foods, but instead about eating in a balanced manner. By ensuring a variety of food is consumed, you can help improve both your overall health and skin health.
More specifically, look to have a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids which supports skin health from within. You can get these nutrients by incorporating fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains into your meals. Similarly, your lifestyle should be balanced in a way that reduces stress. You might not realize, but stress can contribute to skin issues like acne and premature aging. Healthy relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation can help decrease stress levels and improve your skin.
8. Customization
Skin care isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Even these beauty hacks should be customized to best suit your skin type and needs. When changing your skincare routine, pay attention to how your skin responds and adjust accordingly. For any specific concerns or conditions, it is best to consult with a dermatologist or other skin professional.
To further customize your skin care, consider implementing skin treatments.
Find out more about facial skin treatments here >>>
Final Thoughts
You can have brighter, clearer, and younger-looking skin through a simple combination of habits. Remain consistent when using these beauty hacks and reap the benefits! Most importantly, stay in tune with your own personal skin needs so that you can nurture yourself for years to come.
Simple beauty hacks used consistently can make a major difference in your skin. Don’t wait – get started today!
