Skincare routines are the perfect place to spend a little extra time on yourself, and focus on selfcare for at least a small portion of your day. Here are 5 simple ways you can elevate your skincare routine using minimal resources!
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Use a cleansing oil or cleansing balm to instantly melt and gently remove makeup, sunscreen, and dirt. Not only is this method gentler on your skin compared to makeup removing wipes and micellar waters used with cotton rounds, it also helps prevent dryness and irritation.
Take time once a week (or as frequently as you like) to massage your skin with a cleansing oil and help promote radiance and some extra exfoliation. The Golden Rx on YouTube has a great guide explaining the benefits of oil cleansing, and how you can use it in your routine!
Use a gua sha or a facial roller to help move lymph fluid through your face, neck, and body. Lymph fluid isn’t pumped through the body like blood. It drains when pressure is applied, whether by more lymph fluid, inflammation, or massage. By using a gua sha, facial roller, or even your fingertips, you can strategically reduce the puffiness of your face, neck, and body. Lymphatic drainage massage is simple and can have other benefits including allergy relief and decongestion. This YouTube video does an excellent job explaining how to massage your lymphatic system, and can be used as a starting place for using gua sha and facial rollers. I recommend pairing this part of your routine with a lightweight facial oil, or a cleansing oil to reduce irritation from rubbing!
Check out Humble Bee and Me’s lovely selection of oil cleansing recipes here!
Moisturize your body after showering. By applying a moisturizer to your skin while it’s still damp, you can reduce dryness and dehydration; the water is trapped by the moisturizer and can be better absorbed by your skin. For extra dry areas like elbows and knees, you can apply shea butter, cocoa butter, and other occlusive ingredients for extra protection. Look for products that include ceramides, peptides, and occlusive butters to help restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Use an exfoliating cream on your feet. Chemical exfoliators are typically acids that gently and effectively exfoliate the skin. My favourite exfoliator for feet is lactic acid, which is not only an exfoliator but also a humectant–meaning it pulls draws water into your skin. Alpha hydroxy acids work on the surface of your skin to help break down the bonds between dead skin cells and promote the natural skin renewing process. I love this lactic acid moisturizer by Amlactin.
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