Can You Guess The 3 Steps to Flawless Skin?

Although we see skincare tips and tricks all over the place, there are only 3 true steps you need to know to achieve flawless skin.

CLEANSE

You must cleanse you face daily, regardless of how tired you are or where you've decided to rest your head tonight. Cleansing your skin morning and night will keep your face clean and help to unclog pores caused by dirt, grime, and makeup. Do not use harsh cleaners or scrubs that tear at your skin (hello St. Ives), because doing so can cause more damage in the long run. I would recommend using gentle cleansers from brands such as: Origins, Dr.Bronners, Cetaphil, and One Love Organics. If you use an oil-based cleanser, be sure to a microfiber cloth to remove all traces of the cleanser. Always rinse off with lukewarm water (not HOT!), do a final rinse with cool water, and gently pat dry the skin. #skincarebasics

TONE

You may think applying a toner is optional. Well, it's not, and here's why. Toners help to rebalance the PH level of the skin after washing your face. It also cleans off any leftover residue and dirt that your cleanser may have missed. Whether you use a herbal water or witch hazel, toners is that much needed next step that will refresh the skin and get it ready for your next skincare step. If you exercise, be sure to use a toner afterwards because sweat can clog pores and lead to acne. I recommend using Micellar Water, Rose Water, or an ACV/water mix. #tonetheskin

MOISTURIZE

One of the most important steps to achieving flawless skin. What you put on your face (and leave on) can make or break your skin. Everyone needs moisture-- regardless of skin type. A good moisturizer helps to keep skin youthful, supple, and healthy. You should know your skin type in order to make sure you are putting the right stuff on your skin! #nourishedskin

• Normal/Combination: Lucky you! You only need light lotions and serums because your skin is balanced and doesn't need heavy creams. If you're combo, you're still safe, but me sure to test out products to see how you T-Zone likes it before fully committing.

• Oily: You need gel-based moisturizers or oil-free moisturizers. Try using serums instead of heavy creams because your skin will overproduce oil and cause breakouts. I recommend using Vitamin C serums so you get the best of both worlds -- nourishment & glow.

• Dry: We got you sis! You get to try out all the luscious hydrating creams and lotions. If your skin is super dry due to eczema then you need a rich moisturizer that should be used immediately after washing your face/body. Be sure your surroundings stays moist by using a humidifier -- especially during the winter months.

• Sensitive: You'e not alone. Many people have psoriasis, rosacea, and dermatitis. Although I am not a doctor, I do recommend doing patch tests on any products you buy for the skin. Avoid HOT baths as this can irritate the skin. You thick moisturizing creams that contain apricot, rose hip, wheatgerm, calendula, marshmallow, and aloe vera to soft the skin.

• Mature: We all age, but the goal is to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. Choose your skin type above, and use your skincare products morning and night. Also be sure that you are using an SPF sunscreen DAILY to combat free radicals that damage the skin from sun exposure. I would recommend using eye creams to slow down the wrinkles around the eyes, and consuming lots of fruits, veggies, and Omega-3 foods.

TIP: Stop putting coconut oil on your face! Especially during the winter time. Have you ever seen coconut oil solidify during the cool winter months? Yea, that's happening in your pores.

Now that you know how to care for your skin, here are just a few more tips to keep you going!

Weekly masks help to deep clean and nourish the skin. Weekly exfoliation removes dead skin cells and stimulates the reproduction of new cells. Lastly, SPF sunscreen should be used daily by everyone (regardless of skin color) because we all spend most of our day outdoors. The UV sun rays will find you, and we definitely do not want premature aging or skin damage.

Stay Beautiful xo

#skincarebasics #skincarelol #cleanse #tone #moisturize #skintype #findyourskintype