Are you anticipating a major event in the upcoming week (a Valentine’s Day date, anyone?), or maybe you simply want to jumpstart your new skin care routine? Here’s a great seven-day skin care regimen for you to try.
DAY 1
Clean your makeup brushes. It’s a great goal to clean your makeup brushes at least once a week, so you might as well get your week off to a good start. Clean your makeup brushes thoroughly with a specialized makeup brush cleanser, a bar of organic soap, or some mild baby shampoo. Then, let them air dry with the bristles oriented upward to preserve the brush’s natural shape. Be sure not to use extra hot water because this could melt the glue that’s holding your brush together.
Wash your pillowcase. You should also aim for washing your pillowcase every week or two to minimize how much dirt and oil rubs against your face at night—one surprising cause of acne. Start your week off right with a clean pillowcase. One good rule of thumb is to wash your pillowcase every time you do laundry. You might even keep a white zippered satin pillowcase underneath the decorative pillowcase of the pillow that you use at night (the satin will help minimize face wrinkles), and then when it’s time to sleep at night, you can slip off the decorative pillowcase in order to use only the satin one. Then, you need only worry about washing the satin pillowcase frequently.
Grab a fresh face towel. It’s a good idea to have a small stash of face towels so that you can start with a clean towel at the beginning of every week. Throw the towel you’ve been using in the laundry bin and grab a clean one.
Disinfect your cell phone. Your cell phone is another surprising cause of breakouts. Disinfect your phone with an alcohol wipe to get rid of residue dirt and oils.
Clean your glasses. If you wear glasses, be sure to clean and disinfect these with an alcohol wipe as well; otherwise, you could see a breakout on the bridge of your nose.
Remove all of your makeup at night and cleanse thoroughly. Remember this one because you’re going to have to do it daily. When in doubt, opt for a milder cleanser than the one you’ve been using. Follow up with toner if necessary.
Exfoliate your face. This is another thing that you’re going to be doing daily. One great option here is to use a gentle oscillating brush like the Clarisonic facial cleansing brush with your favorite cleanser (thus exfoliating as you cleanse). You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg for a facial cleansing brush, either—you’ll find much more affordable versions at your local drug store.
Keep your face moisturized. If this is something you haven’t been doing, you’ll want to start now. Look for a mild, lightweight sunscreen for daytime wear and for a gentle night cream for night.
DAY 2
Now you’re beginning to fall into a routine. Be sure to do the five things that you’ll need to be doing daily:
- Disinfect your cell phone.
- Clean your glasses.
- Remove all of your makeup.
- Exfoliate your face and cleanse thoroughly.
- Keep your face moisturized.
Then, if you feel your skin needs it, try rejuvenating face mask. Many like to use a face mask once every week or so to maintain glowing skin.
DAYS 3–7
Now, all you have to do is continue with the routine you’ve set in place:
- Clean your glasses and cell phone.
- Remove all of your makeup.
- Exfoliate your face and cleanse thoroughly.
- Keep your face moisturized.
OTHER GUIDELINES
Here are a few extra guideline’s you’ll want to keep in mind as you go about your week:
- Take your vitamins.
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables and take in less sugar and salt.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Get enough sleep.
- Don’t touch your face.
- Try not to stress.
And just like that, you’re well on your way to achieving better skin!
