Skin. We all have it, along with all the problems that come with it. A little bump here, a few zits here, and maybe some dry patches that just won’t go away. It’s okay. We’ve all been there, and it’s completely normal to go through a whole range of skin issues. I’ve been through it, with some of my fellow classmates calling me “pizza face” once they saw a glimpse of my forehead. I can assure you, I soaked my face in Clearasil (although that did absolutely nothing but dry out my skin, yikes!)

Here at EmpowHERto, we want to give you the best practical advice you can incorporate into your daily routine as a way to gradually reach a healthy, glowing complexion just in time for spring! Don’t expect perfect skin overnight. It takes time, but you will see that incorporating these tips will be sooo worth it.

Hydrate

Drink water, moisturize, just give your skin something to drink! Yes, even if you have oily skin, you still need to moisturize.

Try vitamin C serum

I never used this when I was in my late teens or early 20s, and I sure wish I did. According to Healthline, “Vitamin C is touted as one of the best anti-aging ingredients on the market — and the key to maintaining a smooth, even, and glowy complexion.” What I love about vitamin C serum is how it leaves my skin feeling hydrated and brightens up my complexion. As a bonus, it even helped keep my eczema under control! If you are interested in trying out a vitamin C serum, I highly recommend these affordable choices from NU BEAUTY and CeraVe. 

Eliminate alcohol

Avoid any products, especially toners, that use alcohol. It dries out your skin. Instead, try out this toner from Mario Badescu, or if you have oily skin, this one from Kiehl’s. 

Wash your face

You wash your body every day, so you might as well extend that courtesy to your beautiful face. I recommend washing your face every day and using a gentle cleanser that doesn’t dry out your skin. Exfoliating is also a good habit to have. Some people do it weekly, whereas I personally do it when I need a good deep cleanse every couple of weeks. Check out these DIY facial scrubs from Byrdie to get some ideas. 

Use sunscreen

If there is one tip you take from this list, please let it be this one. I cannot stress enough the importance of applying daily facial sunscreen. SPF 30 is good enough. The sun’s rays are known for damaging the skin and making you look older. Make sure you apply sunscreen as the final step in your skincare routine. Not sure which one to pick up? This article from Allure should help. 

Watch what you eat

“You are what you eat” is not just a phrase. I notice my skin tends to look particularly awful if I’ve been pigging out on any foods containing refined sugar. When you eat refined sugar, it raises your insulin levels and causes inflammation. This produces enzymes that will break down the collagen and elastin in your skin. Others have claimed to see random pimples show up if they consume too much dairy. I recommend fueling your body with nutritious whole foods, rich in antioxidants, which will help protect you from free radicals (those awful things that damage your beautiful skin). Check out this YouTube video by Fairyland Cottage for more info.  

Get your beauty sleep

Ever notice that your skin looks really nice and plump in the morning? I’ve always wondered about this, and it turns out that having a good night’s rest is one of the best things you can do for your skin. According to Samaritan Health Services, a study in the journal Clinical and Experimental Dermatology found that “people who slept seven to nine hours a night had skin that was more moisturized and that could protect and heal itself better after being exposed to ultraviolet light compared to those who slept five hours or less.” So start getting that beauty sleep! You’ll be glad you did.

Sleep on silk

Remember Blair Waldorf’s bedroom? She had an entire silk bedspread with silk pillowcases. That wasn’t just for show– it’s actually better for your skin (and hair!) to sleep on a silk pillowcase. You can find tons of colour options from Amazon. Healthline explains that “sleeping on a rough cotton surface can irritate your skin and compress your face for long hours at a time, resulting in wrinkles.” Silk is a soft and delicate material, perfect for your skin, as you spend eight hours sleeping. According to Good House Keeping, “Friction from tossing and turning causes creases in the skin, but a silky smooth surface can reduce that effect in the long run.”

Be kind to yourself. You only have one beautiful face –treat it with the love and pampering it deserves. 

Check out our social posts all month long to get even more great beauty tips @empowherto!