The first (and most important) part of any skincare ritual is taking the time to get to know your skin and what it needs. Guides are great, but following somebody else’s perfect routine will only get you so far. Is your skin oily? Is it sensitive? When does your skin look the best? What makes your skin breakout? It can be easy to get overwhelmed by products and tutorials, but remember - even if you’re a skincare novice, nobody knows your skin as well as you do.
Rituals aren’t just items to check off a to-do list. Rituals are regularly-practiced habits and activities that ground us, fulfill us, and energize us. Rituals take into consideration how you want to feel instead of only want you need to accomplish. A skincare ritual might mean giving yourself a short facial massage as you apply eye cream to reduce inflammation, or it could mean putting on your favorite music every morning as you get ready for work to set the tone for your day. It should feel like a part of the day that you look forward to - not a chore. Skincare rituals allow us to be proactive with skincare instead of reactive, so that you can focus on keeping your skin happy and healthy for years to come.
3. If it's not good for your body, it's not good for your skin
When we talk about taking care of our bodies it’s often in terms of fitness or nutrition and skincare is often placed separately in the “beauty” category. But skincare relates directly to the body… our skin is our largest organ! Because our skin is such a large, sensitive organ, it also can be an excellent indicator of what’s going on in the body. When we’re sick, our skin looks pale and dull. When we’re well-rested and relaxed, our skin looks plump and vibrant.
A good rule of thumb is; if it’s not good for your body, it’s not good for your skin. High stress, lack of sleep, lots of processed foods, and dehydrating drinks (like alcohol or caffeine) have as much of an impact on your skin as your body and overall mood. Just like everything, find a balanced approach that best supports your needs.