Skincare: Explained in the Same Amount of Time it Takes to Watch a TikTok

2020-06-09T21:35:00.000-07:00

If you're anything like me, TikTok has shortened your attention span. So, when I discovered the ~skincare~ side of the app, it was a GIFT (manifestation is real, ladies). Instead of watching a 25 minute YouTube video or reading an entire article (imagine!), I could learn about AHAs, BHAs, niacinamide, and retinol in 3.

Biig shoutout to @skincarebyhyram and @bondenavant (follow them on TikTok :)) by the way--truly lifesavers.

I learned, unfortunately, learned by doing when it comes to skincare. 2018 me had F L A W L E S S skin, until I started getting breakouts and (gasp) popping them, picking at them, anything else you can think of. I even self-proclaimed myself an esthetician for a hot minute and bought my own blemish extracting tool.

So, during quarantine, I decided to revive my 2018 complexion and dug deep into skincare research. Here's the scoop:

ROUTINE

Daytime

STEP 1: Cleanse

STEP 2: Active Ingredients

STEP 3: Moisturizer

STEP 4: SPF (**a must**)

Nighttime

STEP 1: Double Cleanse

STEP 2: Niacinimide

STEP 3: Retinol

STEP 4: Moisturizer

STEP 5: Eye cream

STEP 6: Face oils (not necessary, but if you want)

Rules of Thumbs:

Apply from thinnest (water-based) to thickest (oils) products

The ideal skin pH is 4.5-5.5. So, the lower pH the product (AHA, BHA, vitamin C), the better absorption into the skin. The higher pH (retinol, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, jojoba oil, rose-hip oil) the product, the more skin barrier friendly.

COMBINATIONS THAT JUST WORK

BRIGHT & HYDRATED: vitamin c + hyaluronic acid

BRIGHTENING: azelaic acid + vitamin c

FOR SENSITIVE SKIN: (niacinimide helps dilute retinol): retinol + niacinimide

EVEN SKIN TONE: niacinimide + vitamin c

PROTECTION: vitamin c + vitamin e + ferulic acid

DIGGIN DEEPER INTO THE DETAILS

REPAIR DAMAGE/REDNESS: Niacinamide

What it does:

Reduces redness/sensitivity
Brightens skins, fades dark spots and hyperpigmentation
Controls excess oiliness/sebum production
Gentle but effective on skin

How to add it to your routine:

Can be used day/night
Can be layered on anywhere between skin routine

ACNE/CHEMICAL EXFOLIATION: BHA (Salicylic acid)

What it does:

Exfoliates dead skin/excess oil out of pores
Good for acne
Oil-soluble, so penetrates deeper into skin than AHAs

How to add it to your routine:

Can be used day/night, every other day

SKIN TURNOVER: Retinol (Vitamin A)

What it does:

Repairs damaged skin (acne scars, fine lines, aging, dark spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)
Sensitizing to skin

How to add it to your routine:

Use at night
Introduce to your skin slowly: 1x every 2 weeks —> 1x a week —> 3x a week (max!!)
Apply on dry skin

CHEMICAL EXFOLIATION: AHAs (Glycolic, Lactic, Mandelic, and Malic acid)

What it does:

Gets rid of dead skin cells on surface skin
Supports smooth/glow skin look & brightening
Water-soluble
Strongest AHA is glycolic acid

How to add it to your routine:

Use at night (2x week)

BRIGHTENING/EXFOLIATING: Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)

What it does:

Antioxidant benefits, protect skin during the day
Brightening dark spots
Preventing/decreasing aging
Unstable when exposed to light—lookout for/avoid browning in product

How to add it to your routine:

Recommended to use in the day
Not recommended mixing with other products

Hope you can put my little "cheat sheet" to good use!

C You Later

Skincare: Explained in the Same Amount of Time it Takes to Watch a TikTok

ROUTINE

Daytime

Nighttime

Rules of Thumbs:

COMBINATIONS THAT JUST WORK

DIGGIN DEEPER INTO THE DETAILS

REPAIR DAMAGE/REDNESS: Niacinamide

ACNE/CHEMICAL EXFOLIATION: BHA (Salicylic acid)

SKIN TURNOVER: Retinol (Vitamin A)

How to add it to your routine:

CHEMICAL EXFOLIATION: AHAs (Glycolic, Lactic, Mandelic, and Malic acid)

What it does:

How to add it to your routine:

BRIGHTENING/EXFOLIATING: Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)

What it does:

How to add it to your routine: