Skincare & Social Media
To show your best self on social media, you need to update your skincare routine.
The health of your skin matters more now than it did before we all started carrying 12-megapixel-cameras around in our pockets. These hyper-detailed lenses can capture the individual veins of a leaf, the mist of a wave breaking on the shore, but also, unfortunately, the darkened, over-sized pores you need a filter to blur away.
It’s no surprise that companies like ULTA have opened 100 new stores this year1 or that smaller innovators Rodan and Fields announced more than $1.5 billion in earnings in early 20182. In this digital era, photos take a magnifying glass to the imperfections that are less noticeable in public.
Adding the 3 quick steps (5 minutes, tops, I promise) to your skincare routine can make a noticeable difference in your skin and your digital presence.
To find out why you need, toner, serum, and moisturizer in your life, read on.
Your Face Isn't Clean Without Toner
Toner should come right after cleansing in your skincare routine. Toners remove the excess product and oil left on your skin after cleansing. This prevents residue from blocking pores and causing acne. Without it, your skin just isn’t clean.
This picture shows my used cotton ball after I had already applied makeup remover and washed my face with a gentle cleanser. If you aren’t using toner in your skincare routine, all that oil, product and grime stays on your face. From there, it seeps into your pores.
Toner has come a long way since the 1990’s astringents like Noxema and Sea Breeze that we religiously applied to our skin, despite the burn and irritation. For one, most formulas contain far less alcohol, if any at all. Their main ingredients typically include water, glycerin, plant extracts, and active ingredients like acids, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories. It all depends on the toner you choose.
Your goal with toner is to restore the skin’s pH to a natural level and prep the skin for the rest of your routine. Because toned skin doesn’t have to work overtime to reach a healthy PH, this step inhibits oil production. Toner is non-negotiable. Even if I’m dead tired or running late, I never skip out on toner.
Toners promote gentle exfoliation, and when used long-term, can shrink your pores. They also aid the skin in moisture absorption. Applying toner before serum, moisturizer, or a face mask allows the product to penetrate the top layers of skin, boosting its effectiveness. In a pinch, toner can even be used in lieu of washing your face (like on an overnight flight) or as an aftershave.
How to Apply Toner
Toner works best when used immediately after cleansing. You can either apply toner to the hands and pat it into the skin, or you can apply toner to a cotton ball to wipe all over your face and neck, including under the eyes.
Use toner twice a day.
Recommended Toners
- Mario Badescu Witch Hazel and Rosewater Toner ($14) provides a clarifying foundation that fights blemishes while providing antioxidants to the skin
- The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Toner ($15) removes excess makeup while softening the skin
- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner ($16) helps skin retain moisture even in dry environments
- Clinique Clarifying Lotion ($16) comes in a variety of formulas for dry, oily, or combination skin
- Exuviance Moisture Balance Toner ($32) helps skin better absorb moisture while containing anti-aging ingredients
Concentrated Serums Make a Noticeable Difference
After toner, serum should be the next step in your skincare routine. Despite their promotion as a luxury item, serums carry more bang for your buck than moisturizers. They contain a much higher dosage of purely active ingredients and very little filler material. Some of the larger companies like Lancôme and Estée Lauder have run studies that demonstrate the effects of their products. Nevertheless, even serums without hefty price tags carry some valuable benefits.
It all depends on what you’re looking for. Think of serums like a juice bar for your skin: you know they’re all healthy and taste good too, but you might prefer a juice higher in antioxidants or maybe one that promotes weight loss. In order to find the right serum for your skin, you need to think about the issues that plague you.
Some serums target dark marks and uneven tone. Others promote collagen production, which helps grow new skin cells. New growth means fewer wrinkles and fine lines. Some serums even combat and prevent acne. All serums moisturize and firm the skin, in addition to minimizing pores.
If undereye circles and wrinkles have you relying on photo filters, choose an eye serum. These lightweight formulas brighten the undereye and smooth fine lines. When they contain retinoids, they can even remove milia—the white keratin bumps that sometimes take months to disappear.
How to Apply Serum
Apply serum to your cleansed face and neck after toner. I usually apply my eye serum first to avoid cross-contaminating this sensitive area. Start from the outer edges and work your way in. Make sure to use toner (yes, even under your eyes) before serum. You don’t want to trap oil beneath your sensitive under eye skin.
For face serums, gently pat or press the product into your skin with clean hands. You don’t want bacteria from that week-old hand towel to cause trouble for your skin.
If your serum choice costs too much for both morning and night application, you can cheat by adding a few drops to your moisturizer for some of the same benefits.
Recommended Serums Include
- Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum ($45) improves texture, complexion, and fine lines while moisturizing the skin
- Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum ($65) replenishes and maintains moisture for both aging and dehydrated skin
- Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II ($68) hydrates while diminishing the signs of aging
- Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Serum ($78) reduces signs of aging by boosting skin’s elasticity, radiance, firmness, tone, and smoothness
- Strivectin Tightening Face Serum ($99) firms the skin and improves elasticity and resiliency while nourishing the skin with antioxidants
Moisturized Skin Produces Less Oil
Dryness leads your skin to produce more pore-clogging oil to counteract it. In this way, daily moisturizing prevents breakouts. Massaging the skin while you apply moisturizer encourages circulation, boosts skin cell growth, and helps your skin look younger.
The same goes for other bump-prone areas of the body: the chest, back, and the backs of the arms. Be sure to choose an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer.
Many major brands carry light-weight gel formulas in addition to creamy moisturizers. Gels work better if dryness isn’t your major concern or if using a thick layer of moisturizer tends to break you out. This will help seal in moisture without clogging your pores. I prefer lightweight formulas, especially during the summer months.
If your skin gets flaky during the day, a cream formula may your best bet. Most of us could benefit from applying a cream moisturizer at night during the winter months. Central heating really dries out the skin and heavier formulas form a barrier to keep moisture in.
Moisturizers, like serums, should be selected based on your skincare needs. If you can’t decide, choose an anti-aging formula if you’re in your late twenties or older.
If your budget affords it, choose a daily formula with SPF and a nightly formula without.
How to Apply Moisturizer
Apply moisturizer to your face and neck with clean hands after serum. I can’t stress this enough: if your moisturizer comes in a jar that you have to stick your fingers into, make sure your fingers are clean. Seriously. Don’t introduce bacteria into your moisturizer!
When applying lotion to the body, apply after showering when your skin is still damp. This will help your body retain moisture.
Recommended Moisturizers Include
- Philosophy take a deep breath ($14) provides skin with moisture while fighting pollutants and adding nourishing antioxidants to the skin with a light-weight gel cream formula
- Kiehl’s Ulta Facial Cream ($29.50) provides up to 24 hours of deep moisturizing
- Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion or Gel ($39) provides long-lasting moisture with anti-aging ingredients that strengthen skin
- Murad Hydro-Dynamic™ Ultimate Moisture ($75) moisturizes for 24 hours while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Lancôme Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Day Cream ($99) moisturizes, lifts and tightens the skin while providing SPF 15
Make your skincare routine non-negotiable
I can tell when I skip a step in my routine. I spend the next few days regretting my laziness while I apply clarifying and nutrient-rich masks. Starting a 3-step skincare routine had such a visible effect on my skin that I even got my husband on board. It also helps that the process takes him about 5 minutes and that he has his own skin issues to worry about.
Healthy, moisturized skin just feels different. It’s softer, smoother, and less prone to imperfections.
What’s more—it looks different. Pores become smaller and less noticeable. Dry spots give way to a visible smoothness. Dark spots start to blend into the rest of your skin. The thought of taking a makeup-free selfie with an iPhone XS becomes a lot less intimidating.
Not only can using toner, serum, and moisturizer help you look better now, but choosing anti-aging formulas can also prevent some skin issues that come on with age. Following these steps can help rid your face of dark spots, fine lines, dull skin, and wrinkles. I’d recommend using these products before you feel like you really need them.
Remember: it’s easier to prevent damage than to reverse it. If you’re in your twenties or early thirties, make the investment now. Fine wrinkles become deeper with time. Skin loses elasticity and resilience with age. Adopting a nourishing skincare routine now can help you age gracefully.
It’s amazing how many women do not have a good skin care routine. I make most of my own cleansers and serums with non-toxic products.
I have to start adding a toner to my skin care routine. Thanks for the reminder.
These are all such great suggestions to add in my skin care routine! Never used face serums before.