The 10 Commandments of Skin Care

Taking care of your skin can seem like an overwhelming amount of work…but, it doesn’t have to be that way. By incorporating simple skin care habits—applying sunscreen, drinking water, and moisturizing your skin— your routine can become second nature, making it easier to get and maintain clear, glowing, and gorgeous skin. Below, our ten commandments of skin care to help jumpstart your routine and remind you of the necessities.  

Whether you’re hanging out in direct sunlight, shoveling snow, or sitting in traffic on your morning commute, wearing sunscreen is a necessary step in any and all skin care routines. Unprotected sun exposure can lead to premature signs of skin aging (fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, oh my!) or worse: skin cancers. So, apply and reapply often, because we won’t remind you again—just kidding, we totally will.

Moisturizing and sunscreen are the two golden rules of skin care—which is why they’re at the top of our list. Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, aging skin, and so on, never leave the house without applying moisturizer not just to your face, but to your entire body. Always apply moisturizer after cleansing, to help lock in hydration and restore any moisture that may have been stripped away with your face wash or during your shower. Reach for moisturizers that were formulated for your specific skin type so you can get the most out of them.

As we age our skin becomes less elastic, causing it to appear loose and saggy with more pronounced lines and crevices. As one of the first spots on our bodies that start to show signs of aging, taking care of our necks from the get go can help slow down the appearance of skin aging. Apply moisturizer and sunscreen to your neck daily—just like you would your face—and don’t be afraid to use other anti-aging products that you use on your face, like retinol and vitamin C serum, below your chin as well.

Health and hydration go hand in hand, and not just when it comes to our bodies. Dehydration can show up on our skin, as dullness, dryness, or an uneven tone. Drink a healthy amount of water each day in order to keep your body and your skin hydrated. Not the biggest fan of plain old H2O? Perhaps one of our 3 spa-inspired fruit waters can do the trick.

Skin Care Commandment #5: Remove Your Makeup and Cleanse 

We know you’re tired and your makeup is stubborn, but these aren’t good enough excuses to go to bed with your makeup still intact. Removing your makeup and cleansing your face can reduce your chances of clogged pores, breakouts, and blackheads—all of which are all-too-familiar side effects for those who have fallen victim to the sandman before we’ve cleansed. Washing your face each day—morning and night for some skin types—is necessary if you want clear skin.

Lots of sugar is not great for the waistline or your quest to maintain healthy-looking skin. Making smart food choices—and incorporating some of those raved-about superfoods into your daily meals or snacks—can help promote a glowing complexion from the inside, out. So, the next time you go to grab a sugary treat, think about your skin. 

Smoking, not getting enough sleep, and drinking one too many margaritas one too many nights in a row, are few of many bad lifestyle habits that can wreak havoc on the skin. Kicking these bad habits to the curb can help you go for the glow!

Like our necks, our hands can be one of the first places on our bodies that show our age—or at least the premature signs of it. Fortunately, there are some precautions that you can take in order to offset the effects. Keep your hands covered when using cleaning products or other harsh chemicals, don’t use nail polish remover more than twice a month, moisturize often, and apply sunscreen religiously.

Exfoliating your skin helps to remove dead skin cells that build up on its surface, causing everything from dull complexions to clogged pores. As we age, the natural exfoliation process of our skin slows down, so giving it a helping hand—being careful not to overdo it—is necessary. 

If you spot a pimple or a blackhead, it is strongly advised that you avoid picking your skin at all costs. Not only can popping or picking a pimple cause the clogged pore to become more irritated and inflamed, it can also spread the bacteria from said pimple to other areas of your face—which may result in more breakouts. Resist the urge and apply a topical spot treatment to the troubled area while you wait for it to go away. If you absolutely must address a pimple right away, consult with your dermatologist before going near it.