10 Tips To Revolutionize Your Skincare Routine

A solid skincare routine is the key to reaching all your beauty goals. From smooth skin to a JLo inspired natural glow, the way your makeup looks depends on the quality of your skin.

Let’s be honest, we all wish our skin looked half as flawless as Blackpink’s Lisa or Mamamoo’s Hwasa. And while it may seem impossible, the magic lies in their skincare routine.

It should come as no surprise that the Korean 10 step routine has exploded across the beauty community worldwide. Kpop and Korean film stars are renowned for their stunningly flawless and glowy skin which they attribute to their extensive skincare routines.

Unfortunately, figuring out what will work for you specifically is often trial and error. However, there are a few things we should all be doing regardless of our skin type.

1. Double Cleansing

Take cleaning your skin to the next level by implementing the double cleanse method. The technique involves washing your face twice using two different cleanser, usually an oil cleanser followed by a foaming or gel cleanser.

“It is extremely important to remove makeup, dirt, and pollutants that have accumulated on your skin,” explains Shari Marchbein, a dermatologist in New York City, to Allure about the benefits of double cleansing.

2. Use Sunscreen

One of the most important products in a skincare routine is sunscreen. Sunscreen provides protection against UV rays which cause skin damage and increased ageing. Thus to truly see results in your routine, you should be wearing sunscreen with at least an SPF30 everyday and reapplying it every 2 hours!

"Many people feel they only need to protect themselves on sunny days or when visiting the beach. But the truth is that we need to protect our skin even when we're driving a car, flying in an airplane, or running errands. It's the daily UV exposure that contributes to the visible signs of aging." says Dr. Palmer.

3. Listen To Your Skin

Board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry is a firm believer in listening to your skin's needs. She relies on an intuitive approach to her skincare.

"I like listening to my skin's needs on a daily basis and adjusting as needed. Your skin's needs can change based on your microenvironment — however, I do have some mainstay products," says Michelle.

4. Moisturize Twice A Day

To maintain a healthy skin barrier, it is important to keep it moisturized. Opt for lotions that do not have fragrances and are gentle on the skin.

"The best times to moisturize are right after you get out of the shower and right before you go to bed," explained Dr. Janet Prystowsky M.D., an NYC-based dermatologist.

5. Keep It Simple

"Fad products and fancy ingredients are fun to try, and sometimes they work well. But usually they're off the shelves just as quickly as they're on them." says Dr. Prystowsky.

Find a cleanser and moisturizer that you know work for you, and keep them at the core of your routine. Board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner agrees with this approach. He explains he does “not have the patience for a multistep routine" but can look after it with just a few simple steps that he knows he can stick to.

6. Sleep Well

Our skin is sensitive and benefits from a full eight hours of sleep. However, aside from the length, the quality of sleep and the type of bedding you use can also affect your skin.

Many specialists like Jesleen Ahluwalia, M.D., a dermatologist from Spring Street Dermatology in New York City recommend using silk pillows because “the material glides easily and prevents creasing and wrinkles.”

7. Start Using a Retinoid Cream at Night

“Retinol enhances the recovery of the skin at a DNA level—and by using it at night when your skin is in recovery mode, you’re best able to enhance its natural processes and get the best results,” explains Dr. Jeannette Graf, a New York-based dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Retinol shows results after 8 to 12 weeks of use. Some benefits of retinol include a more even skin tone and reducing the look of lines and wrinkles. It also encourages elasticity and firmness.

8. Exfoliate

"We lose 50 million skin cells a day, and without a little extra nudge, they may hang around leaving the skin looking sullen," says Dr. Gohara.

Thus to achieve a natural glow, it is important to exfoliate the skin including your body. However, over-exfoliation can cause your skin to dry out so keep a close eye on how your skin is reacting and stick to exfoliating only once or twice a week.

9. Protect With More Than Just SPF

SPF is not the be-all and end-all of protecting your skin. Using makeup with an SPF and combining it with sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats will also make a huge difference.

"Preventing sun damage is a million times better for your skin than treating it after the fact," says Dr. Prystowsky.

10. Don’t Touch Your Face

Finally, an age-old skincare tip that will revolutionize your skin is: stop touching your face. Resist the urge to pick and scratch your skin.

Dr. Tzu explains that is very important to avoid touching your face as picking the skin causes the spread of bacteria that leads to breakouts. Picking your skin also causes scarring, increases wrinkles, and can spread viruses as well.