if nothing else, do this: skincare edition
Skincare is a daunting topic, especially with all the information available out there. TikTok and Instagram are jam-packed with beauty hacks, tips for clearing breakouts, and the general dos and donts of skincare. Unfortunately, a lot of it includes expensive products and extensive routines. I probably don’t have to tell you this, but obviously not everyone can afford to pay $30 eight times over for a “complete” skincare routine. Nor can everyone dedicate 15 minutes each morning and night to do these routines.
So, hopefully I can help. There are a few things that I consider to be absolute game changers when it comes to a skincare routine, and all of them can be found at a drugstore.
Stop using makeup wipes.
I know, their convenience can’t be beat. But honestly, they’re not really cleansing your face. They’re taking off that initial layer makeup, but they’re also disrupting your skin’s natural PH and leaving behind a lot of pollutants and makeup clogged in your pores. Not to mention all the harsh rubbing that comes with using makeup wipes (you’re on the fast track for a face full of wrinkles by the time you’re thirty). They’re also horrible for the environment, each one taking a hundred years to breakdown, literally. Think about how often you’re buying new packs of makeup wipes, and then think about them all sitting in a dump somewhere. Obviously, we can’t all be perfect pillars of sustainability, but this is indisputably one of the easiest ways to reduce your waste. If all that wasn’t enough convince you, let this drive it home: once I stopped using makeup wipes, the discoloration and irritation around my eyes got considerably better. In turn, that reduced the amount of time I spent trying to conceal and re-conceal the discoloration throughout the day. Your eyes are the most sensitive part of your face, so you should be especially gentle when removing eye makeup.
Despite all their evils, makeup wipes are great in a pinch, especially when you have no other option or after a night out (anything beats sleeping in your makeup). Other than that, it’s a no from me.
2. Two words: double cleanse.
Okay, so if no makeup wipes, then what? This is where double cleansing comes in. The first time you cleanse, you’re getting off all your makeup and sunscreen. For this, I like to use Garnier SkinActive Micellar Foaming Face Wash. It’s super gentle and takes off all my makeup (even mascara!!!!) without harsh scrubbing. The second time you cleanse, you want to use something super gentle that will moisturize your skin as well as remove dirt and pollutants. I use CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser and absolutely swear by it. I’ve been using it since I was like, 18, and the only thing I have to say is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Scent free, doesn’t foam, and the first ingredient is purified water, which is always a good sign.
If your skin isn’t super problematic or oily, and you only wear makeup on occasion, double cleansing every day probably isn’t necessary. If you have super dry, sensitive skin or have rosacea or eczema, you also probably want to avoid double cleansing. If you do decide to double cleanse, pretty please make sure you follow up with a good moisturizer (like Eucerin Q10 Anti Wrinkle Face Cream or CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion). Hydrated skin is happy skin!
3. The holy grail of skincare.
The devil works hard, but sunscreen works harder. If you want to keep using makeup wipes and skip the moisturizing, fine, it’s your face. But please, I’m begging you, wear sunscreen. I don’t care if you live in a barren wasteland that’s devoid of all sun in the middle of winter (like me), ultraviolet radiation is doing its darnedest to reach your skin, and trust me, it will. A good SPF is going to prevent premature aging, reduce your risk of skin care, eliminate some blotchiness and discoloration, and overall enhance your skin’s health. It’s also not that hard to find a sunscreen that doubles as a CC Cream to even out your skin tone. This shouldn’t come as a shock, but I’ve been loving Supergoop! Glowscreen. This is one of the few products in my skincare regiment that isn’t drugstore priced, coming in hot at a whopping $38. To me, it’s worth it. There’s no pilling, it’s SPF 40 (the sweet spot), and it gives my skin a dewy glow. It looks stunning under my foundation, but truthfully I’ve been skipping foundation completely because of it. Before Glowscreen, I used CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion or CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen (are you sensing a theme here?). The AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion did pill a little bit, but it got the job done. Don’t forget to reapply throughout the day, especially if you don’t wear foundation or yours doesn’t have an SPF in it!
I’ve been made fun of my whole life for being fair, even in the depths of summer. My friends are always gorgeously tanned and bronzed, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to expose my skin to UV radiation for the sake of a good tan. I slap on some Jergens Natural Glow Tanning Mousse and call it a day.
So if your skincare regimen needs a little zhuzh-ing, start here. Ditch the makeup wipes, double cleanse, and wear your damn sunscreen (bonus points for moisturizing, I literally don’t know how you can live without it). You don’t have to spend a fortune and you hardly need to add in any extra time to your daily or nightly routine.
To Vi-approved skincare,
Lo
P.S. if you’re wondering who Vi is, yikes. check out her insta here, she’s the best.
let’s start a convo, via this cameo
of my pal keydy.
do boys have skincare routines?
