From eating a healthy diet to practicing gratitude, we previously covered how Dr. Sanjay Gupta stressed that activities like these are vital for taking good care of our mind. While they are indeed pillars of mental wellness, there's another practice that's usually overlooked: Following a skincare routine.
The Mental Benefits of Skincare
More often than not, skincare is seen as an act of vanity. However, taking care of your skin goes beyond just looking good, as it plays a key role in promoting our mental health. First, following a skincare routine will add structure to your life, and therefore keep stress at bay. In fact, CNN reports that sticking to a normal daily rhythm resulted in boosting one's mood and cognitive functions, while also decreasing the risk of developing depression.
Also, adhering to a skincare routine is a wonderful way to practice some much-needed self-care. Whether it's finishing your tasks at work or making sure everything at home is in order, life can get quite hectic, to say the least. But devoting around 15 minutes at night where you get to pamper your skin with nourishing products could help you reconnect with yourself. Alternatively, a daytime skincare routine can make you feel like you woke up on the right side of the bed.
Lastly, a study published in the Dermatologic Therapy journal found that adults with acne worry about being judged due to their blemished appearance. The study also found that they would avoid having their photos taken or post on social media. Taking care of your skin is far from superficial. In truth, a good skincare routine is key for feeling truly comfortable in your own skin. Simply put, when you look good, you feel good.
Top Tips for Building a Skincare Routine
There's more to following a skincare routine than just simply applying any product, since your skin deserves to be treated with some TLC. If you're not sure where to start, here's what you need to know to get started:
Know Your Skin Type
From dry and oily, to normal and combination, knowing your skin type will help guide you in finding the right products for your routine. For instance, if your skin is dry, you'll need products that will help you build more moisture like Lab Series' Age Rescue Face Lotion. Meanwhile, those with oily skin should focus on products that combat excess oil. Overall, understanding the needs of your skin can make all the difference for achieving a clear, glowing complexion.
Strip Back Your Routine
Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to have an elaborate (and expensive) routine. Instead, you should invest in products that provide a lot of benefits for mostly the same price. Pretty Me’s review of the Asian favorite Vitamin E Cream highlights how it’s popular for a reason — it has a laundry list of benefits. From dealing with stretch marks and loose skin, to helping improve the appearance of wrinkles and pimple marks, the product’s many uses means you get more bang for your buck. All in all, simplifying your skincare routine entails doing your research and knowing full well what you need. From there, you can experiment with different products until you find the ones that work with your skin the best.
Wear SPF Regularly
Chances are, you only apply sun protection when you're spending time at the beach or the great outdoors. But did you know that wearing SPF regularly is a crucial component of good skincare? This is because it reduces the appearance of pesky brown spots, discoloration, and blotches. Plus, it protects your skin from developing wrinkles and premature skin aging. On that note, Allure's guide to their favorite Korean skincare products notes that Lagom Cellus Sun Gel is lightweight, making it a great addition to your skin arsenal.
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Hopefully these tips help you start or maintain a healthy skincare routine. Your body and mind will thank you!