Dermatologists are oftentimes a go-to option for people who are seeking tips and information on how to take care of their skin. But while dermatologists might represent a goldmine for official advice, there are a couple of secrets that your derm might forget to tell you, intentionally or not.
We gathered a series of game-changing skincare hacks that you will soon be able to rely on when you feel that your skin might use a bit of boost. Now, we would love to hear from our readers if these hacks are exactly what you need or not, so please don’t hesitate to share your experience down in the comment section!
Use hyaluronic acid on damp skin
Hyaluronic acid has been rising in trends lately, and rightfully so: more and more people turn to this moisture-binding humectant in an attempt to boost their skin’s hydration levels. So the fact that hyaluronic acid is a superstar when it comes to hydrated skin is undeniable, but we still need to be aware of how it works.
Hyaluronic acid pulls in any moisture that surrounds it and gives this to the skin. For example, if you apply it to dry skin, there won’t be any moisture on the surface of your skin for the ingredient to fully bind to it. Instead, it will draw up moisture from deeper within your skin.
Naturally, this still hydrates the surface of the skin, but all the deep cells also need moisture. The first skincare hack will help you prevent this: make a habit out of applying hyaluronic acid to dampen the skin. This gives it easy access to extra water molecules, resulting in a series of layers of your skin feeling quenched.
If you’re not using this ingredient yet, you should check out available hyaluronic acid serums. Most of them have a series of hydrating ingredients that will protect and nourish your skin!
Moisturize after using a hand sanitizer
The use of hand sanitizer increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. Ever since then, lots of people have continued to use it. It has basically become a habit. While it’s undeniable that a hand sanitizer helps keep germs away, there’s also no getting away from how the majority of hand sanitizers severely dry out the skin.
They can also contribute to hyperpigmentation. One way to get around this, other than simply cutting back on your use of hand sanitizer, is to slather the hands with an antioxidant-rich cream every time you sanitize them. This way, you will be fully replenishing any lost moisture while also keeping your skin feeling protected against discoloration.
Try switching up the order of your skincare routine
Every single dermatologist will tell you that your skincare products should be applied in a very specific order, and they’re right to say that. As a general rule, you need to start with your lightest product and work your way up to the thickest.
This allows for full penetration of each product. But the rules are sometimes worth breaking, and that’s exactly what so many skincare hacks are all about. Even if we’re not telling you to apply your moisture underneath the serum, you should consider experimenting with applying your toner at different stages of your routine.
For instance, besides applying it before cleansing, you should give your face a once-over with your toner before you apply your moisturizer, and then again before you use SPF. Why? Some toners are made to be extremely hydrating. If you apply this in between your other products, you will give your skin extra layers of hydration, which will definitely benefit you later on.
Start your day with topical antioxidants
Hopefully, you already follow a skincare routine every morning. But if the products that you are using aren’t quite brimming with antioxidants, you are definitely missing out. As antioxidants can’t really compare to SPF when it comes to keeping the skin fully protected from the sun, they still play a huge role.
They will fight the appearance of free radical damage, which your skin not only experiences after UV exposure but also when it comes into contact with environmental pollutants. In an ideal world, antioxidants should be squeezed into every single stage of your skincare routine.
This way, your skin receives it in layers. If your skincare routine is quite short and sweet, you should add a skin tone SPF cream. It’s a moisturizer that doubles up as a sunscreen, which makes it ideal for a quick morning skincare routine. The best part is that it’s rich in antioxidants, including the unique and potent polyphenols that come from green tea extract.
Invest in a neck and chest mask
The wide majority of skincare hacks, along with people’s skincare efforts focus mainly on the face. The neck and the chest are usually neglected. They are also treated in the same way as the skin on the rest of the body, with people failing to comprehend that this is a mistake.
The problem is that the skin on the neck and chest is super thin. It has way more in common with the skin on your face than the skin of the rest of the body. As a result, it has to be included in your facial skincare routine if you want to prevent the appearance of wrinkles and sagging from taking a toll.
If you haven’t been giving your neck and chest the attention that it needs, you should make up for all this time by constantly treating your skin to a neck and chest mask.
Cleanse your skin immediately after a workout
Staying active and constantly exercising is definitely wonderful for your skin. But allowing your sweat to linger on your face after a workout is definitely not. Allow your sweat to sink into your skin and you might be prone to developing clogged pores and breakouts.
You could also experience redness and inflammation due to bacteria gathering on your face. One of the most efficient ways to give your skin a rapid cleanse is to use a mousse cleanser right after working out. If you can’t do this, swipe off your sweat with a cotton pad and some micellar water, or just use a facial wipe. This should be enough to properly clean your skin.
Add instant radiance with a facial massage
The next thing on the list of skincare hacks is all about giving your skin the glorious glow it really deserves. There are many ways to add radiance to your skin, but one of the easiest is to do it with a facial massage.
It’s a wonderful way to increase microcirculation in your skin. It has the effect of giving your skin cells way more of the vital components they need, while also speeding up the rate at which toxins are removed. The result will be a brighter and healthier-looking complexion.
Be super gentle when you remove eye makeup
The next thing on the list of skincare hacks focuses on the thinnest and most delicate area of the skin, which is the eye area. Over half of the population of the USA wears eye makeup on a daily basis. There’s really nothing wrong with this, as long as the makeup is thoroughly removed at the end of each day.
People are very aware of this, which is also why they go all out when cleansing their eye area, scrubbing and tugging their skin to make sure that all traces of makeup are gone. Even if there’s no doubt that it’s very important to remove all residue from your makeup, it’s just as important to be gentle with your skin.
This is especially the case with the eye area, which is quite fragile. Being rough with your skin will weaken the protein fibers that also keep it firm and smooth. This might leave your eye area even more susceptible to the signs of aging.
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