7 Easy Hacks to Up Your Skincare Game
Have you ever heard a skincare tip or learned a skincare hack that totally transformed your skin and/or how you care for it? I’ve been lucky enough to pick up a couple over the years, and I’m hoping to pass them on to YOU in case it might be helpful. Below, I’m sharing 7 hacks that can totally improve your skincare routine and skin. Let’s dive in!
Add AHA to your body skincare routine (and throw it in a spray bottle!)
It’s well-known that AHA works wonders for textured skin as it helps “unstick” dead skin cells, allowing them to be shed, and revealing your fresh, smooth skin underneath. And just as it works on the face, AHA can work on your body as well.
Regular use of AHAs can improve skin texture by diminishing rough patches and unevenness, resulting in a more even and radiant appearance. It can lead to more hydrated and plump skin by enhancing the skin’s natural moisture barrier. And it can even help prevent clogged pores and ingrown hairs by removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover.
Extra tip: One trick to make it easier to apply the AHA solution to larger areas of the skin is to put it into a spray bottle. This helps with both faster application and more efficient use of the product!
Extend your face skincare routine to your neck, chest, and hands
The skin on your neck, chest, and hands can show signs of aging and sun damage just like your face. In fact, the skin on your neck and chest is thinner and can show signs of aging more quickly than the skin on your face. I’ve heard more than once that these areas are the true revealers of age because most people forget to take care of this skin.
Extending your skincare routine to include your neck, chest, and hands helps keep the skin supple and well-hydrated, and minimizes wrinkles and sagging. It also helps maintain a consistent skin tone and texture across all the exposed areas of your skin so that there is less of a noticeable difference between your face and these areas, which can be particularly telling of your age and skin health.
Extra tip: If you’ve ever put too much toner on your face, or if you have extra toner left in your toner pad, you can use the excess for your hands or other parts of your body that need the hydration.
Switch to silk pillowcases
If you’re like me and sleep on your side or with your face in your pillow, we’re unfortunately not doing our skin any favors. Sleeping with your face pressed against your pillow can cause wrinkles or stress on your skin. Silk pillowcases can help lessen the effects of this.
Because silk is smooth, it creates less friction between your skin and the pillowcase compared to cotton. This can help reduce the chances of developing sleep lines or wrinkles, as there’s less tugging on your skin. It can also be gentler on sensitive skin and reduce irritation caused by rougher fabrics, which can be beneficial for those with conditions like inflamed skin or acne.
Additionally, silk is less absorbent than cotton, which helps prevent your overnight skincare products from being absorbed by the pillowcase, ultimately helping you maintain skin hydration.
Only use facial cleanser once a day
Some people have skin types that don’t need multiple washes a day. Cleansing too frequently, especially with harsh products like acids or exfoliants, can strip your skin of its natural oils and imbalance your skin’s natural barrier, making it more prone to problems like sensitivity and inflammation.
If you’re experiencing this, using a cleanser only once a day can be a gentler / more suitable option as it helps prevent over-exfoliation or too much disruption of your skin barrier. Cleansing only at night removes makeup, dirt, and pollutants accumulated throughout the day, allowing your skin to repair and renew overnight. And in the morning, your skin is generally clean enough to benefit from the rest of your skincare routine without needing another wash. A simple rinse with water could do.
This allows your skin’s natural oils to stay on your skin throughout the day and helps maintain your skin barrier, maintaining hydration and protecting against environmental stressors.
(Note: remember to do what’s best for YOUR skin and environmental conditions. Some people may need cleansing both morning and night, so it’s important to pay attention to your skin and adjust your routine as needed.)
Wet your face before applying hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it attracts and holds onto water. If your skin is already damp prior to applying hyaluronic acid (HA), it can more effectively draw moisture from the environment and the HA can penetrate more easily and evenly into your skin, leading to better hydration.
Applying hyaluronic acid to damp skin can also help reduce any sticky feeling that might occur when applying it to dry skin. This helps the product to spread more evenly and absorb better.
Apply your toner in multiple layers
If your skin is particularly dehydrated, applying multiple layers of toner can help amplify the nourishing effects. It depends on the type of toner you're using. For example, if your toner is hydrating or has soothing ingredients, layering can enhance its benefits and boost hydration. On the other hand, if your toner is more astringent or contains exfoliating acids, layering might be too intense and could lead to irritation. It’s important to learn what your skin can handle and adjust as needed.
To apply multiple layers, start with a small amount of toner on a cotton pad or your hands, and gently press it into your skin. Allow each layer to absorb before applying the next.
Note: If you’re looking for some gentle, and extremely hydrating/moisturizing toners, check out: 5 Moisturizing Toners for Dehydrated Skin
Wash your face (and body) AFTER rinsing out your hair conditioner
Hair conditioners contain oils and other ingredients that can sometimes leave a residue on your skin when you rinse out your conditioner in the shower. This can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, or even irritated facial skin if the residue is not properly washed away. It may also negate any body or facial cleansing if the conditioner residue stays on the skin that you just cleansed.
Therefore, washing your face and body after rinsing out your conditioner ensures that no conditioner remnants are left on your skin, allowing for truly cleansed skin, and prevening potential irritation or skin reactions.
And there you have it - 7 easy hacks that can up your skincare game. Applying any (or all) of these hacks can help you attain that bright, hydrated, and youthful skin that we’re all shooting for. And the best part is that they can easily be incorporated into any routine.
I hope this was helpful 💙 And remember, sharing is caring. So if you have any skincare hacks that have worked for you, please feel free to share them so that I can try them out as well!