Self Care , Self Love

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and is a reminder to do something nice for yourself and those you love.  Skincare is a wonderful way to help build healthy habits for beautiful, radiant glowing skin.  Consistency is essential and quality over quantity.

How to develop your skincare ritual:

1. Commit to consistent cleansing. Determine if you have combination skin, oily, or dry and choose your cleanser based on your skin type. If you wear make-up, it is best to remove your make-up first and then clean it afterwards.  Sometimes a double cleanse may be essential.
2. Eye Care: never forget the delicate skin around the eyes. The eye does not have the ability to hydrate the skin as the rest of your face.  If you suffer from dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles, or dark circles find a hydrating eye cream like MZ Skin Hyaluronic Brightening Eye Cream.  If, however, you have puffy eyes, find an eye cream to help reduce hydration to the area, to detoxify the lower eyelid and create an even appearance.
3. Treat your skin with serums targeting specific concerns. If you have pigmentation issues (like I do) find products with ingredients like Vitamin C, Tranexamic Acid, Arbutin, and Licorice extract to name a few.  If you have sensitive skin, look for soothing actives like niacinamide or amino acid oils.  If you have blemish-prone skin, look for BHAs and retinol.  This step is essential for a targeted approach to your skin concerns.
4. Hydrate the skin with moisturizer. This can be in a lotion or cream form and its consistency can be based on what you like for your skin.  If you feel dry, try a richer formulation.  If you are oily, perhaps a lotion will be better suited for you.
5. SPF is your BFF: I have so many favorites like Elta MD Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Tinted & Isdin FusionWater SPF 50 but remember the best SPF is the one you will use every day.

And of course, if you want to add a little something to elevate your everyday skin routine, adding at-home treatments like LED face masks can add both skin and mental health benefits.