20 Ways to Boost Your Skincare Game

We’re setting the tone for this ghoulish month with some wickedly easy ways to boost your skincare game so you can ward off all the bad skin juju. No witch’s potion needed.

Eat your Way to Better Skin

1. Beta is better. Foods high in beta-carotene are powerful antioxidants that protect against cancer and aging, just be sure to eat these foods with those good fatty foods to help absorb the beta goodness.

Foods high in beta-carotene:

• Carrots
• Dark leafy greens
• Butternut squash
• Cantaloupe
• Peas
• Broccoli
• Dried apricots
• Sweet red peppers
• Sweet potato

2. Cut the cow. Consuming dairy is not only bad for the calves (the baby cows, not the body part...) that aren’t getting the nutrition they need, but it’s also not meant for human consumption, and our body knows it. Although it’s not fully understood why, milk products have been to be directly linked to acne. If you’re having a hard time battling it out with your acne, be aware of how much dairy you’re having.

3. Enjoy your tea. Iced green tea can ward off inflammation and help soothe your skin. Notice we’re saying ICED because hot beverages can actually make redness worse and aggravate symptoms of rosacea.

4. Get the right kind of fats. You’ve probably heard about Omega-3 fatty acids, but did you know that these fats also carry anti-inflammatory properties so if you’re dealing with eczema, rosacea, or redness from acne, make healthy fats a part of your diet.

Healthy fats include:

• Avocado
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Walnuts
• Flaxseeds
• Chia seeds

5. Water you drinking? It better be water. Yes, we know you’ve been beaten over the head with this but it’s for a reason. Hydrate your body and keep your cells nice a plump with your daily dose of H2O

Say Goodnight to Bad Skin

6. Unchap your lips. They’re not just unpleasant to kiss, but you can also get an infection from severely chapped lips. Use Vaseline or coconut oil to prevent chapped lips and exfoliate with a lip scrub or toothbrush and use your favorite lip balm. A humidifier can also alleviate chapped lips and do more for your body’s overall health.

7. Catch your ZZ’s before they catch you. Daydreaming is not enough! You need quality sleep for improved concentration, a mood boost, and preventing those dreaded under-eye circles. Avoid your phone any electronic devices that emit that addictive blue light an hour before bedtime to help you fall asleep faster.

8. Make your case. If you continue to see breakouts no matter what you try, it might be time to change your pillowcase. Think about it, your hair and face leave behind oils and dead skin while you sleep which can add up over time to create a cesspool of nasty things.

9. Keep the wipes nearby. You can take wipes with you wherever you go, but keeping a clean stack by your bed minimizes the chances of you falling asleep with your makeup on… and you know that’s a big no no, right?

Feel Good Habits

10. Get a massage. This ones not so much about stress relief (although that’s a huge contributor to clear skin) as it is about overall well-being and good blood flow, getting good blood circulation keeps your skin elastic and glowing. A facial massage is a great way to keep the blood flowing in all the right places, wherever you are. 

11. Sweat, baby, sweat. The name of the game is blood circulation. The more blood flow you get throughout your body, the better condition your skin will be in. It relieves stress, helps your skin glow, and obviously helps you feel better because you’ll look better. Wash your face before and after a good sweat session to keep your face clean.

12. Use mineral-based sunscreen. Okay, so you need sunscreen but it’s irritating the crap out of your skin. What’s a glowing beauty to do? Look for chemical-free ingredients like titanium oxide or zinc oxide to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. SPF 50 is as high as you can go before you’re doing unwanted damage.

13. Go naked. Take a break from your usual makeup routine to give your skin a chance to breathe. Give your face a good cleaning and lather on some moisturizer for a fresh face. Groomed eyebrows and some lip color can give your fresh face some life, if you’re not quite ready to go bare cold turkey.

Shower with Purpose

14. Drop the soap. Soaps tend to have ingredients that strip skin of the oils that keep it soft. Sodium laureth sulfate is a common culprit that’s also used in shampoos and other household products. Opt for a gentler cleanser free of any sulfates to use on your face and body.

15. Double up on the face wash. If you’re dealing with oily skin and tend to be acne prone, try doing a double cleanse in the evening to remove all the layers of buildup.

16. Deep steep. Tea isn’t only for drinking; you can also bathe in your favorite tea to feel the benefits both inside and out. Boil Chamomile, Echinacea, or any other soothing type of tea and add it to your bath. No bubbles necessary.

Get Under Your Own Skin

17. Understand your skin as it changes with the seasons. You already know how we feel about changing seasons, but we keep mentioning it because it’s a pretty big deal for your skin. Once you know how the changing weather is affecting your skin you can take the necessary steps to giving it what it needs. 

18. Improve your application techniques. Facial masks are mandatory for any spa day, but the way you’re applying it can be doing more harm than good. Scrubbing products in an up and down motion can stretch and damage skin; instead, use an upward and circular motion as you apply cleansers, masks, and eye care products.

19. Add a glycolic acid exfoliator. Exfoliating makes it easier for skin to absorb topical products like retinol and keeps your skin clear of any dead cells (do you need any other reason to exfoliate?). Exfoliate up to three times a week before you moisturize.

20. Anticipate Acne. Add a cleanser with salicylic acid and/or benzoyl peroxide to your routine to treat acne-prone skin on a daily basis. Don’t wait until you feel that little sneak creeping up on you!