Finding the proper skincare routine can be a challenge. From figuring out the correct order to selecting ingredients that work together, it can be like the tortoise and the hare: slow, steady wins the race! Sun spots, acne scars, and uneven tone can all benefit from incorporating brightening products into your routine.
Exfoliate Daily
Dull skin is caused by a combination of factors, including aging, sun damage, and decreased skin cell turnover. Regular exfoliation can help revive the appearance of dullness by sloughing off dead skin cells, brightening your complexion, and smoothing the skin’s surface.
You can use a physical scrub (something that contains particles such as beads or ground walnut shells) or a chemical exfoliator (like an acid serum) to exfoliate. We recommend using either daily, depending on your skin type.
For example, oily skin may require 3x per week, whereas drier skin may only need to be exfoliated 2x per week. When you regularly exfoliate, the skin becomes more receptive to the brightening products for your skin. This means that when you apply your daily cleanser, toner, and hydrator, the products can penetrate the pores more efficiently without dead skin cells blocking their path.
Additionally, when you have smooth skin, makeup is less likely to cake or flake on the face, which makes it look more radiant. Regular exfoliation can also help make your pores appear smaller by clearing out all the gunk trapped in them.
Apply a Moisturiser
As anyone who’s ever added a new skincare product to their routine knows, it takes time to assess skin goals and patience as you wait for results. Much can be done to keep your skin looking bright and healthy all year round. Adding a face brightening cream to your regimen will help your skin look even, smooth, and radiant.
This is especially important for those who struggle with dark spots or sun damage, and it’s a great way to wake up dull winter skin. When choosing a brightening moisturizer, look for one that contains hydrating ingredients like shea butter or hyaluronic acid. Also, check if the formula has active brightening ingredients, such as licorice extract or turmeric.
These are both great for lightening pigmentation, as well as other skin issues like psoriasis and acne. In addition to brightening products, you can boost radiance by drinking plenty of water and getting some light exercise. Staying hydrated will also help your skin retain its elasticity and brightness.
Remember to apply your skincare in the correct order so that it can absorb all of its benefits. Start with a cleanser, followed by an essence or tonic, serum, and moisturizer. Lastly, you can seal your products with a sleeping mask and top it off with SPF.
Apply a Sunscreen
Brightening is loosely used to describe various skincare products and can mean anything from softly fading age spots to harsh bleaching in some countries. However, adequately selected brightening skincare can tone the skin, help block and lift pigment and dark spots and increase cell turnover to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and crow’s feet.
Sunscreen is essential to any anti-aging routine, as prolonged exposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays prematurely ages the skin and leads to fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and sagging. Adding sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher containing a physical block, like zinc oxide, can help prevent this damage while protecting the skin from oxidation and irritation.
If you have sensitive skin, consider using chemical sunscreen or minerals. It’s essential to apply your sunscreen after your lightest product as they are formulated to penetrate the skin deeply, while denser or creamier products can block them from doing their job. For this reason, most prefer a serum-style or milky essence consistency sunscreen as it is easier to layer over makeup and won’t leave a white cast or cakiness.
Apply a Serum
Using face serums is a skincare step that should be included. A serum is a thin liquid concentrate that delivers powerful ingredients like vitamin C, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and peptides that address specific skin-related concerns. The suitable face serum can help fade spots and blemishes, boost hydration, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and even out skin tone.
Serums are usually applied after cleansing and toning and before applying your moisturizer. They’re silky, smooth liquid formulas with either a water or oil base. Because they are thin and packed with active ingredients, they can be absorbed into the skin faster than thicker creams or oils. They also make the perfect base layer for other skincare products that you want to add in, like a face mask or spot treatment.
When it comes to incorporating new skincare products into your routine, remember that the order in which you apply them makes a difference in how they work and how effective they are. Using serums first helps ensure the product is absorbed fully before adding other ingredients.
A serum should be gently massaged into the skin, promoting circulation and lymphatic drainage. Using a small pea-sized amount on clean, dry skin is best. Then, wait about 60 seconds before adding the product, such as a moisturizer or face mask.
