Hello,
This is Martha Thomas, head of customer care for Tree of Life Beauty, and I want to welcome you to our blog where we discuss important ways to age gracefully, "how-tos" for keeping skin vibrant looking as you age, and so much more.
This week we will discuss “Good Skin Care Habits." If you missed any of our past blog posts, please check them out here on our website.
Because our goal is to offer incredible skincare for our customers, but we do not know you personally, we hope you will consult with your doctor or a dermatologist if you have any medical or personal care questions relating to your skincare regimen. Because we are not doctors or dermatologists, nothing we say or write should be taken as medical advice in any way.
***
Maybe you’ve got a favorite moisturizer, a daily sunscreen, and a routine that works for you -- great! Or maybe you are at the beginning of your skincare journey, and you’re here trying to learn how to take better care of your skin as you age. Either way it's important to establish good skin care habits in order to keep our skin feeling vibrant and youthful, and today we will discuss a few of these habits.
1. Be consistent.
Morning and night, day in and day out, once you have found a routine that works for you follow your routine. While you might have different routines for morning/night, and even on different days of the week, it’s important to stick to the schedule you’ve set for yourself. Depending on the product, it can take anywhere from 30-60 days to really start seeing a change in your skin so be patient and know that it may take time to find a routine that works best for you.
On this note, remember that some things which may work in moderation may not work as well every day. In general, for instance, we don't recommend using an exfoliator every day unless your skin can tolerate it or there is a reason for using one every day. Using one a few times a week, however, can help "refresh" the look and feel of your face by deep-cleaning and removal of dead skin cells. Finding your regimen may take a little trial and error, but once you have found one that works for your skin, stick with it.
2. Know yourself.
Skincare can be fun, and a great form of self-care. It can also be really overwhelming when you’re coming home late and you’re too tired to even think about your nighttime routine. Find a routine that fits your habits and your schedule so it doesn't become a chore, but instead becomes something you are looking forward to and are able to consistently adhere to longer-term. Don't make your skincare routine something you dread!
Also, once you've found what works for you be willing to try new things, but remember what your skin seems to like and go back to it unless you find something your skin likes better. One of the great misunderstandings about skincare is that there is a "one thing" that will work for everyone... your skin is unique to YOU, and finding what works best for you will be a bit of trial and error (don't let someone else tell you otherwise).
3. Wash your face before bed.
One simple thing that many of us can benefit from -- at night, removing any makeup you might be wearing, washing your face, and moisturizing. Many of us are guilty of sleeping with makeup or not washing our face before bed. Even if your face does not feel dirty at the end of the day, it has actually accumulated a lot of dust and grime you will be transferring to your pillowcase... on this note, you should probably wash your pillowcase on at least some sort of a set schedule so that you are not putting a clean face onto a potentially oily pillowcase.
Another thing to consider is keeping a package of makeup wipes on your nightstand, or some SPF in your purse. Like we mentioned before, know yourself. If you know that some nights you’re just not going to make it to the bathroom sink, that’s okay-- just get your makeup off or refresh your face while laying in bed. And if you’re often forgetting to apply sunscreen? Have some with you for on-the-go application.
Even though having a full skin care routine can be important, it is better to do even small things then nothing at all when you can.
4. Apply your sunscreen every day.
It’s a well-established fact that wearing sufficient sunscreen if you are going to be in the sun (and sometimes even if you are going to be in the shade) can help protect your skin long-term. It may not be pleasant to apply sunscreen, and often it may be easy to forget, but it is true. Sunscreen can help you in the long run, but only if you use it. Excessive exposure to the sun has been shown to cause sunburn (which is not good for skin), premature aging in skin, skin cancer, and more.
5. Beauty Sleep.
While we’re on the subject of prevention, don’t discount the importance of your beauty sleep! The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of sleep per night for most adults; and while that might sound like something out of a fairy-tale, it is very important for our well being as well as for our skin.
We all know that person who "looks older" than they are due solely to their lack of sleep, and as proper sleep can add so many other positives to your life, it can also help your skin long-term.
6. Don't touch your face.
Avoid touching your face throughout the day. Whether you are applying your makeup or putting your chin in your hands, your fingers are covered in oils and, sometimes, foreign particulates (dirt, dust, etc.) that may cause breakouts. So keep your hands off your face to help keep your skin clean and clear.
7. Clean your makeup brushes regularly.
Your brushes host a lot of bacteria, dust, and even dirt that can be transferred to your skin, causing irritation. Keep your brushes clean to lessen the chance of issues when applying makeup for smoother application.
8. Drink water.
Skin hydration starts from the inside out. Add fruit slices to your water to add flavor if you just don't like the "taste" of water, but drink water! Citrus water is a great way to hydrate your body, which can lead to a more radiant and glowing face.
On this note, use moisturizers in your skincare. Hydration is key in helping your skin long-term, and it is one of the foundational secrets to the "youthful look and feel" many of our customers ask us about, which is why so many of our products contain so many incredibly hydrating ingredients. You will see that many of our focused serums (Retinol Serum, Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Vitamin C Serum) contain many other ingredients as well... it is because hydration is KEY, even when focusing on a specific ingredient in general.
While there are many things to try and do for your skin, developing a few good skin care and lifestyle habits can make an incredible difference in the long run.
Products: