Skincare is, of course, an individualized process. We all have different skin types – some of us are dryer than others, some of us have excess oil, some of us have what they call a more “normal” complexion – so in the middle of oily or dry – but may be sensitive to certain products or practices. I have a few rules of thumb that apply to everyone, and then it will take some experimentation with different products and skincare rituals to find the exact correct regimen for you from there. Here are my universal tips:
1. Do not put on your body what you would not put in your body. You are truly absorbing the things that you put on your skin, which is the first barrier of entry into your body and your bloodstream, so make sure that the things you are putting on your skin are things you want in your system (that you could safely and happily ingest). This is why I think the movements of CBD and goat milk skincare are so awesome because we are putting on our skin what we traditionally have thought of as ingestible healers, but which can really balance us from the inside out AND the outside in tandem.
2. SPF! It is imperative all year round that you protect yourself from the sun. Your skin is a vitally important organ, as discussed in point #1, and sun is its number one cause of harm. My first recommendation is not to lay out in the sun too much, if you can help it. Beyond that, natural sun products like Beekman 1802’s Milk Primer (SPF 35), Hello Sunshine sunscreen (SPF 30), and Hello Sunshine lip balm (SPF 15) are great ways to take care of your skin in the summertime without exposing it to harsh chemicals. I would also throw in their after-sun soap to soothe the skin after a day in the sun – the summer is prime time to just pay extra attention to skin and self-care.
3. Exfoliate once a week and wash your face every night. Keeping your skin clear of the external elements that accumulate on it all day is my number one recommendation for preventing breakouts – all you need is water, really! Although if your skin isn’t super sensitive like mine and you like a daily cleanser, I would use something gentle like the Milk Cleanser. Then, once a week, use an exfoliating mask, scrub, or peel like the Milk Peel. Really a matter of preference which method you choose (again, experiment around what works for you!) but this will really brighten up your skin.
4. Moisturize every day. You can go with a lighter moisturizer in the summer, but this really is an essential ingredient to healthy skin as it gives it an extra layer of protection against the outside world.
5. Get enough sleep! This is a big one.