1. Remove Makeup Before BedThoroughly removing your makeup every night before hitting the sack is a crucial step for maintaining healthy-looking skin. But don’t just take our word for it—even the derms agree! “You have to keep your skin clean,” says board-certified dermatologist, and Skincare.com consultant Dr. Michael Kaminer. “Not removing your makeup is a recipe for a problem.” Specifically, keeping cosmetics on your skin overnight can clog your pores, which can lead to breakouts and blemishes. No thank you! Think of it this way: what’s applied onto your skin in the morning must come off at night. It’s a simple step that can make a huge difference in the overall look and feel of your skin.To that end, be sure to cleanse your skin with a gentle face wash morning and night—regardless of whether you’re wearing makeup that day. Up the ante by following up with a toner to ensure that every last trace of makeup, dirt, and impurities are whisked away and all you’re left with is a comfortably cleansed complexion.2. MoisturizeAfter cleansing your skin, it’s extremely important to follow up with a moisturizer. Why? Because some cleansers can strip the skin of the natural oils it needs. To help keep unwanted dryness at bay—and promote soft, smooth skin—be sure to hydrate your skin immediately post-shower or post-cleansing while skin is slightly damp.But soft and smooth skin isn’t the only byproduct of a good moisturizer. Some formulas can help reduce the appearance of visible signs of aging—think: fine lines and wrinkles—and plump the appearance of the skin so it appears more youthful. Since moisture loss is a concern many people deal with—especially as they age—hydrating daily can be extremely helpful. Choose your moisturizer based on your skin type. If you have combination skin, a lightweight moisturizer may do the trick, whereas someone with dry skin year-round may benefit from a heavier formulation. 3. Snooze on a Clean PillowcaseYou may not have thought about it, but if you haven’t washed your pillowcase for some time, chances are it’s laden with dirt, oil, bacteria, lingering bits of makeup and dead skin cells and more. You don’t want all that touching your skin for hours while you snooze, do you? Of course you don’t! If those impurities transfer onto your skin, blemishes can result—even if you cleansed your skin before bed. Be sure to wash your pillowcases every other week (at minimum). If you took a nap with product in your hair or on your face, flip the pillowcase over to a fresh side, swap it for another, or wash it before bed that evening.4. Sleep Well (and Enough)Speaking of snoozing, we’re willing to bet that most gals with near perfect-looking skin get the recommended number of hours of shut-eye per night. Sleeping too few hours at night can lead to puffy bags under your eyes and more pronounced dark circles and wrinkles upon waking.Hit the snooze button? You don’t have to tell us twice! Sleep is so important for skin’s natural self-repair. Don’t be silly and strip that time away.Want to learn more about how a lack of sleep can take a toll on your skin? Read this!5. Protect Against UV RaysDid you know that sun exposure is one of the main causes of skin damage and visible signs of aging? That’s right. The sun may be your best friend when you’re feeling cold, but it’s not doing your unprotected skin any favors. Trust us on that one.Before heading outdoors—whether it’s over 90 degrees or pouring rain—protect your skin by applying Broad Spectrum SPF 15 or higher and reapplying at least every two hours. If you’re on your way to the beach or anticipate prolonged sun exposure, be sure to cover up with protective clothing, UV-safe sunglasses, hats and more, and seek shade where possible beneath an umbrella or covered awning.6. Stick to a Skin RoutineMany skin care products take time to do their job. It’s important to find a skin care routine that works for you and then stick to it to allow your products enough time to perform. We know how tempting it is to try every last product under the sun, but be wary of switching up your skin care products too often. Doing so can actually do more harm than good, especially if you use a formula that doesn’t jive well with your skin. 7. Disinfect Your CellphoneWe take our cell phones everywhere— on public transportation, to the gym, and even into bathroom stalls— and then we put them up to our faces to accept a call. Sounds gross, right? That’s because it is, and it can cause bacteria and dirt to easily transfer onto our skin.Before you panic, know that we’re not suggesting you abandon your communication devices altogether. Instead, wipe down your cellphone with a disinfectant wipe to help remove impurities that can be lingering before taking a call. This will ideally reduce the risk of pimples arising along the sides of your face and chin. 8. Drink Water Hydrating from the inside out is key. Instead of drinking just when you feel thirsty, make a conscious effort to drink the recommended amount of water per day to stay hydrated (rather than dehydrated). If plain water is too bland for you, infuse your favorite fruits and herbs into it to add some extra flavor. We share a few spa water recipes that are too good to pass up, here!9. Visit a DermatologistWe know, most people don’t visit the dermatologist every single day. But a key step for ensuring flawless-looking skin is making regular visits to a dermatologist. This is important for a few reasons. For starters, a dermatologist can easily answer any of your skin-related questions beyond what a product package or Internet forum can provide. They can also make recommendations that are specific to your lifestyle, your skin, and your concerns. Dermatologists know better than anyone else what your unique skin needs, and can clue you in on the best practices to take.In terms of yearly skin checks, your dermatologist can help examine any abnormal-looking moles or lesions, which is a crucial step in early detection of some cancers. The earlier skin cancer spots are found, the easier they are to address.
