The 5 Skincare Rules I'm Living by this Year

Who doesn’t want to have better skin?

This year, skincare is one of the areas I’m putting my energy into perfecting. We’ve all heard the classic tips: “drink a ton of water”, “always wear SPF”, and “get quality sleep”. We know that these are basically mandatory in order to gain access to the great skin club. However, if you’re stopping there, you might still be missing out on a whole new level of even-toned, glowy gorgeousness.

I’ve always considered myself a skincare enthusiast and I’ve essentially done DIY facials at home since I could walk. Taking care of my skin is nothing new to me. However, I have noticed in the past that during a particularly busy or stressful season in my life, I tend to let self-care take a backseat. Unfortunately, I don’t catch on until my lips are cracking, my T-zone is breaking out, and my two eyebrows can easily be confused as one.

Last year when we were going through wedding planning season, working our full-time jobs, expanding my blog, and traveling, I truly had no other option but to teach myself the importance of self-care. I was determined to feel beautiful on our wedding day and I didn’t want my skin to suffer. So, I made it a priority even with all of our other obligations and I invested my time, energy, and hard earned cash into finding quality products.

Now that we have moved onto 2019, one of the biggest things on my mind is scheduling time in my calendar every day, even if only for a few minutes, to take care of my skin (and as a result: my mental state). Rather than waiting until my skin needs a complete overhaul, I am now adding in preventative measures into my daily routine to keep me feeling confident and beautiful.

Without further ado, today I’m sharing the 5 skincare rules I’m living by to make this my best skincare year yet:

1. Take your makeup off before bed

Duh, I know. It seems so simple and yet I used to be careless about actually doing it after a long day. Listen, I am by no means doing a 10-step Korean cleansing routine before bed every night. But, at the bare minimum I am grabbing a Neutrogena makeup-removing wipe and gently removing the surface-level dirt and oil off my skin. It is literally the least I can do to prevent premature aging and breakouts.

Forgetting to take your makeup off before bed can lead to clogged pores, flare ups in hormonal acne, a dull-looking complexion, and blemishes popping up as quickly as the next morning.

When I’m not feeling so lazy, I use the Neutrogena wipe then cleanse with a warm water-soaked face towel, followed by my Daily Peel Wipes, Vitamin C Serum, and a mixture of oils (more on those below).

2. Use a silk pillowcase

I truly cannot believe that I am so late to this skincare must-have. I got a silk pillowcase from Amazon during the holiday season last year and I can’t imagine going back. It is the most luxurious and relaxing feeling, and it actually makes me want to hop into bed rather than falling asleep on the couch.

For the longest time, I believed the myth that silk pillowcases were really expensive and that they were only a luxury that celebrities and skincare professionals could afford. Writing that actually makes me LOL now because it could not be more false. After a quick search that could have been done 2 years ago, I found a gorgeous pink one on Amazon for $23 and the quality to price ratio is insane.

Not only does a silk pillowcase benefit your hair (it reduces bed head and split ends), but it also helps your skin retain moisture, and lessens skin creasing, tugging, and pulling, thus reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Your face has more contact with your pillowcase than any other fabric, so if you want to keep your face looking refreshed, your choice in pillowcase is really important. *Remember you should be washing it at least once a week according to skincare experts!

3. Apply a Vitamin C Serum in the morning and at night

I’ve learned that this is absolutely crucial in my skin’s appearance. Consistently using a serum that contains Vitamin C ensures that my skin is brighter, smoother, and more even-toned.

Vitamin C Serum has been popping up all over my feed recently as the newest “must-have” product, and for good reason. The benefits: it stimulates the production of collagen, reduces the appearance of sun spots, diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, refines skin’s texture, and plumps dehydrated skin. Needless to say, using a Vitamin C Serum is a life-saver year round, but it is especially necessary for my dry Winter skin.

A couple weeks ago on Instagram stories I talked about the specific brand that I use but, in case you missed it I’ve linked it in this post as well! I have been using Heladerm’s Vitamin C age defying serum with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E, and Aloe. The difference between this serum and others on the market is that Heladerm’s is formulated with a stable Vitamin C that is thicker and richer than most serums, providing instant benefits of smoother, healthier looking skin. It also provides enhanced protection against UV exposure. Another reason I stand behind this specific brand is because they are cruelty-free and use natural and organic ingredients.

It is easy and quick to use; all you need to do is put a few drops on your face and massage it in with either your finger tips or a facial roller (I love my jade and ice roller for this). If I’m in a major rush in the morning, I simply add a few drops to my makeup primer and massage it into my face that way!

Shop mine here (you can buy it on Amazon with an extra $2 off instant coupon!): Heladerm Vitamin C Serum

4. Do an at-home Steam Facial once a week

One of my favorite ways to participate in self-care Sundays is by doing an at-home steam facial. This is another one of those products that I mistakenly thought was only for beauty professionals or celebrities. To my surprise, I discovered that you can find great quality facial steamers for under $50 on Amazon.

Since I got mine in December last year, I have been using it weekly as a way to take care of my skin and calm my mind for 10 minutes or so. It almost puts me into a meditative state when I am steaming my face at home because I have no choice but to sit still and relax for 10 minutes. Try lighting a candle, slipping into your coziest robe, and putting on your favorite playlist while you steam. It will be the highlight of your week in no time!

Even if you don’t suffer from acne, facial steaming is a great way to take your skin to the next level. Steam helps rid toxins from your body through sweat, and opens up your pores to help them loosen any buildup of dirt for a deeper cleanse. Opening up your pores also softens blackheads, making them easier to remove.

After my steam facial, I use my Dr Dennis Gross Daily Peel Wipes and finish with a thin layer of Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask.

I always find that my face is much smoother and absorbs the moisture of my beauty products better after I steam.

5. Don’t be afraid to moisturize with oils

One huge beauty mistake I used to make was keeping my face as dry as possible during a breakout. I thought that if there was no oil or moisture, the breakout would dry up and disappear. Later, I would learn that I was actually causing my own breakouts by doing this.

It wasn’t until last year while listening to a beauty podcast that I finally accepted the fact that I was wrong all along, and I decided to add facial oils into my daily routine.

"Our body produces oil naturally, but as we age that production decreases significantly," says Ling Chan, celebrity facialist and founder of Ling Skin Care. "The skin needs oil to maintain a healthy balance, otherwise, it gets too dry which can cause breakouts, fine lines, and wrinkles. Using a facial oil helps keep moisture in the skin while protecting it from the environmental damage," she explains.

Adding oils to your skincare routine can be super beneficial year-round, but especially in the Winter. Oils seals in moisture while helping to keep toxins out. It also promotes a healthy glow, protects skin from harmful pollutants, and helps makeup go on more smoothly.

I have tested out a few popular oils on the market, ranging from expensive to drug-store, and the one that I love most is by Drunk Elephant. I have been massaging a few drops of the (travel size) Night Bright Duo into my face and neck with a jade roller after my Vitamin C Serum to lock in the moisture and ensure that my skin is glowing when I wake up.

Photos by Jade Nikkole Photography

Want more beauty inspiration? Read My Everyday Makeup Routine and Pre-Wedding Beauty Routine.

Do you follow these 5 skincare rules? Comment on the last photo on my Instagram feed and tell me, or tag me in your favorite skincare selfie!

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xo Anna Elizabeth