Here’s a little skin secret: Learning how to get better skin comes down to three simple factors. The first is understanding the basics of skincare, the second is setting specific goals to create momentum and excitement, and the third is taking time to develop ingrained habits you’ll stick with.
According to behavioral experts, it takes about two months to form a habit, so developing a skincare routine might initially feel a little tricky.[1] Consistency will pay off, though, so stick with it. We’re teaching you all the essential skincare tips so you can set those concrete, achievable goals and work toward them day in and out.
Whether you’re here to dig into beauty routine basics or you’ve nailed skincare 101 and are ready to graduate to incorporating new ingredients, we’re positive you’ll learn something new today.
Related: How to Wash Your Face: The Cleanser vs. Face Wash Guide You Didn’t Know You Needed
Confidence in a Cleanser
IT COMBINES THE POWER OF A CLEANSER + THE HYDRATION OF A SERUM!
Bye Bye Dark Spots Niacinamide Serum
IT’S 8 WEEKS TO MORE VISIBLY EVEN SKIN TONE!
Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Triple Antioxidant Brightening Serum
1 NIGHT TO GLOW. 4 WEEKS TO TRANSFORM.
Confidence in a Cream Anti-Aging Hydrating Moisturizer
IT’S THE SKIN-TRANSFORMING SUPER CREAM THAT DOES IT ALL!
What Are the 3 Basics of Skincare?
No matter your skin type, it’s important to establish a consistent skincare routine. It doesn’t have to be super complicated, either. Once you’ve established the basics, you can always incorporate additional targeted skincare products into your regimen.
- Follow this skincare routine order: Start with a cleanser, then apply either an antioxidant serum in the morning or an evening-specific treatment product. Complete your routine with a moisturizer. Remember, while we talk about facial skincare a lot, don’t forget about your neck and décolleté.
- Exfoliate weekly: Exfoliating helps buff away dead skin cells from the skin's surface, notes the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).[2] A gentle-yet-effective product to reduce the appearance of dull skin and visibly improve skin health is Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream. This two-in-one product combines the power of an anti-aging serum with the soothing care of a cream in just one step.
- Use sunscreen every day: This step is easily the most important when it comes to knowing how to take care of your skin. It protects against skin cancer and prevents premature signs of aging, including wrinkles, dark spots, and laxity. The AAD says to shield your skin from the sun’s strong UV rays by applying an SPF 30+ daily, then reapply as needed throughout the day.[3] Did you know our CC+ Cream Full Coverage Foundation has SPF 50+ in its formula?
Related: What Type of Skin Do I Have? Here’s Your Definitive Guide
Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover
BYE BYE MAKEUP. HELLO HYDRATED SKIN!
Bye Bye Pores Glycolic Acid Serum
IT’S 1 WEEK TO VISIBLY MINIMIZED PORES!
Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream
GOODBYE WRINKLES + HELLO RESULTS!
Graduate from Skincare 101
If you’ve got the basics down pat, consider branching out a bit more with these skincare tips. You don’t have to do everything on this list, but the more you can incorporate into your face care routine, the more beautiful your skin will be!
- Double cleanse: Double cleanse on days when you wear heavy makeup or have been sweating a lot. This method involves using a gentle, oil-based cleansing balm first, then following up with a secondary cleanser.
- Layer serums: Knowing how to layer serums is sort of like a skin and beauty superpower. It allows you to incorporate more skincare products into your regimen, which visibly improves the overall health and beauty of your complexion.
- Add a retinol: Along with using sunscreen every day, many dermatologists will tell you that retinol is an essential skincare product. Curious to learn more? Check out this Beginner’s Guide to Retinol Cream—and remember that it’s not an ingredient that plays nicely with others.
- Skip the hot water: Hot water can strip skin of important oils, explains the Mayo Clinic.[4] This can ultimately lead to flaking, itchiness, dullness, and rough texture.
- Bolster your skin barrier: Give your skin a solid foundation by strengthening your skin barrier with ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid. When your barrier is strong, skin looks and feels hydrated, healthy, and glowy.
- Avoid Picking Skin: We know it’s tempting, but do your best to avoid touching/picking at your skin or attempting to pop pimples. The AAD explains that this introduces bacteria and can potentially lead to pimples, worsening breakouts, and scarring.[5]
Related: The Different Types of Acids for Skincare & Our Favorite Products to Try
Brush Bath Purifying Solid Makeup Brush Cleanser
Bye Bye Lines Hyaluronic Acid Serum
IT'S 2 WEEKS TO PLUMPER SKIN AND VISIBLY SMOOTHED LINES!
Confidence in a Cream Anti-Aging Hydrating Moisturizer
IT’S THE SKIN-TRANSFORMING SUPER CREAM THAT DOES IT ALL!
Advanced Skincare Tips for Beauty Enthusiasts
Ready to take your beauty game to the next level? Incorporate any of these lifestyle habits and beauty tips into your skincare routine.
- Add facial massage to your routine: Ahh, nothing feels quite as good as a massage. Taking an extra 30 to 60 seconds to massage your face as you apply skincare products is both a self-care moment and a way to make your skin glow. There are studies that show it can have a lifting and tightening effect on skin.[6] To start, massage your fingertips from the center of your face and to your ears. Work up to your forehead and down your jaw from there.
- Clean your makeup brushes weekly: Cleaning makeup brushes perhaps isn’t as enjoyable as a facial massage, but the payoff is totally worth it. Your makeup will glide on more smoothly and this hygienic step can help keep pimples from showing up.
- Try “slugging”: On evenings when you’re not using active ingredients, try “slugging.” Simply apply a hyaluronic acid serum followed by a moisturizer, then apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly. Wait about 30 minutes, go to sleep, and wash in the morning.
- Utilize virtual beauty services: We’ve got so much technology at our fingertips, so take advantage of it when you can. Check out our digital skincare services, which include everything from digital try-on technology to skin analysis tools that connect you with the best products for your skin type.
- Embrace active aging: Aging isn’t just inevitable—it’s a privilege! From a beauty perspective, you can embrace growing older and wiser by being proactive with your skincare routine and sticking to the beauty basics. Also, be gentle with yourself, and try to avoid obsessing over the fine lines and spots that are likely to pop up over time. Mature skin is beautiful, too.
Read Next: Our Favorite Skincare and Beauty Products for Mature Skin
Sources:
- Lally, Phillippa, et al. “How Are Habits Formed: Modelling Habit Formation in the Real World.” European Journal of Social Psychology, vol. 40, no. 6, Oct. 2010, pp. 998–1009. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.674.
- American Academy of Dermatology. How to Safely Exfoliate at Home. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home
- American Academy of Dermatology. Sunscreen FAQs. https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen.
- Mayo Clinic. “5 Tips for Healthy, Glowing Skin.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/skin-care/art-20048237.
- American Academy of Dermatology. “Pimple Popping: Why Only a Dermatologist Should Do It.” https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/skin-care/popping.
- Okuda, Itsuko, et al. “Objective Analysis of the Effectiveness of Facial Massage Using Breakthrough Computed Tomographic Technology: A Preliminary Pilot Study.” Skin Research and Technology: Official Journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI), vol. 28, no. 3, May 2022, pp. 472–79. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.13152.
Shop This Post
Confidence in a Cleanser
IT COMBINES THE POWER OF A CLEANSER + THE HYDRATION OF A SERUM!
Bye Bye Dark Spots Niacinamide Serum
IT’S 8 WEEKS TO MORE VISIBLY EVEN SKIN TONE!
Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Triple Antioxidant Brightening Serum
1 NIGHT TO GLOW. 4 WEEKS TO TRANSFORM.
Confidence in a Cream Anti-Aging Hydrating Moisturizer
IT’S THE SKIN-TRANSFORMING SUPER CREAM THAT DOES IT ALL!
Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover
BYE BYE MAKEUP. HELLO HYDRATED SKIN!
Bye Bye Pores Glycolic Acid Serum
IT’S 1 WEEK TO VISIBLY MINIMIZED PORES!
Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream
GOODBYE WRINKLES + HELLO RESULTS!
Brush Bath Purifying Solid Makeup Brush Cleanser
Bye Bye Lines Hyaluronic Acid Serum
IT'S 2 WEEKS TO PLUMPER SKIN AND VISIBLY SMOOTHED LINES!
