Another one of these? Look, I know. I am not a dermatologist or an aesthetician, but sometimes we just need to be reminded of the basics. Puberty did my skin dirty. After Accutane (abuse), extreme vitamin A topicals (retinal) and time, my skin cleared up and I could finally focus on maintaining my complexion, while reversing the reminder of scars.

Understanding Your Skin

Nowadays we have access to so much information it is overwhelming! My first tip for starting a regime is knowing your skin type – you will be better able to filter products that were made for you and your skin care needs. A lot of clear complexions are a result of trial and error, so knowing your skin type can expedite your success.

Less is More

Pretty self-explanatory. When working on your routine, start with the basics: cleanser, moisturizer, SPF. Stay clean, hydrated, and protected from the sun. Don’t bombard your skin with a million new products trying to keep up with your favorite bloggers! Your skin may become inflamed – hurting more than helping.

Micellar Water

The key for all skin types! Micellar water is made up of tiny cleansing balls that are attracted to dirt and oil. Lose the makeup wipes and invest your $7 on micellar water and cotton rounds to gently remove your makeup without all the skin-pulling.

Double Cleanse

This method was derived from geishas in Japan who would double-cleanse to remove all traces of heavy makeup. Double cleansing also removes pollutants, dead skin and excess oils from the day. Start with an oil-based cleanser, followed by a water-based cleanser. Thank me later.

SPF

If you want to age gracefully and live a long healthy life, protect your skin from broad spectrum ultraviolet rays (UVA/UVB). Look for the natural sun-protecting ingredient zinc-oxide, that creates a protective barrier while reducing inflammation and breakouts.

I read somewhere that if you simply walk to your mailbox every day without wearing SPF, at the end of your lifetime, your skin will have the damage that is equivalent to laying in the sun for an entire year – crazy!

My go-to sunscreen is Elta MD tinted broad spectrum SPF 46. The tinted formula is great alone or as a foundation primer and promotes a hydrated protection, especially sensitive for acne-prone skin.

Bring it to Your Tits

In 2019, we have to take care of our necks! Don’t make the mistake only applying leftover product down your neck and chest. Make it a point to buy and apply products for your face and décolleté. Bring it down to your tits! No signs of tech neck here…

Change Your Pillow Case

Honestly, satin pillowcases have changed my life! I find that standard cotton sheets cause too much friction to both my skin and hair, while silk absorbs a lot of my face products. Satin is affordable, less absorbent, and still maintains the natural oils of the hair, with less friction to the skin. On that note, make sure you’re washing your pillowcases regularly!

Beauty Sleep

We all know how sleep can affect our appearance, but how are you sleeping when you’re getting your beauty sleep? My best advice is to wear your hair up and away from your face. Most of us aren’t washing our hair as much as we wash our face, so don’t contaminate your cleansed, healing skin with the dry shampoo and shine mist from Saturday night.

Drink More Water

Water is important AF! Make sure you are consuming at least 80 ounces of water per day. That is enough water to keep you hydrated even if you work out! I like to go the extra mile and drink a full gallon (128 ounces). Trying to live out my youth, okay? Long story short, water helps your body moisturize from the inside out. If you drink more water, you pee out more toxins, and in turn you have cleaner cells and a more productive, clean, moisturizer from within.

Invest in Your Skin

If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably just as obsessed with having a clear complexion as I am. Whether you’re sleeping more or treating yourself to a facial for a refresh, your skin will thank you. I have lived in LA for only a month and have reintroduced my favorite (but expensive) antioxidant to protect my skin against free radicals (like pollution), and had two custom facials (with my next two booked). Invest in your skin and never look back!