Taking Care of Your Skin is About Self-Care
Taking care of your skin is not being superficial. Skin is the largest organ of your body, and therefore, taking care of your skin is like taking care of your health and well-being. It is more than just looking young and beautiful. It is about self-care. By taking a look at our skin, we can learn so much about our overall health. So how do you take care of your skin? It starts with a proper skincare routine, just like how you have an exercise routine for physical health, along with a healthy lifestyle. Here are three pillars of skincare I learned from K-beauty as well as some beauty tips along with them!
As a Korean growing up in Korea, taking care of our skin was a normal part of our lives. Then I learned later after moving abroad that taking care of your skin was a huge thing in Korean culture to do so. I was stunned to learn that in many other parts of the world, skincare routines and beauty tips were not very well taught. There is no wonder that K-beauty has swept the world. It seemed like people all around the world started to realize that Korean beauty and skincare products were working so well for them! I was very happy to see Korean culture having a positive impact on the world.
Beauty tips & more for Newbies to Skincare
However, as complete beginners, many seemed to be overwhelmed by the number of products they encountered as they came into this K-beauty world of taking care of your skin. There are toners, serums, essences, creams, eye creams, gell creams, spot creams, sheet masks, and the list goes on. What are all these for, and how do you pick one that you need?
You don’t have to get intimidated. Fear you not. I’ve broken down the skincare routine into simple three pillars for you – sunscreen, moisturizer, and cleanser. That’s it. These are the most crucial parts of skincare routines, and once you get the hang of it, you can expand from each pillar. I’ll explain further below what each one is for, why they are important, and some beauty tips along with it.
Sunscreen: Your Skin’s Clothes
When it comes to skincare, there is nothing more effective in anti-aging than sunscreen. It’s not just a seasonal product for the summer when it’s scorching outside. It should be a vital component of your daily skincare routine. Here are compelling reasons why you need to wear sunscreen regularly.
You need sunscreen more than you might think.
1. Anti-Aging by Protecting You from Harmful UV Rays
Have you heard of the term Photo-Aging? It’s a type of aging you get from getting UV rays. And it is one of the biggest reasons for premature aging. To stop yourself aging quicker, you need sunscreen as the first thing to apply on your skin in the morning.
Sunscreen shields your skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the sunlight. Prolonged exposure to UV rays from the sun can cause skin damage, sunburn, premature aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer. Among many different types of rays in sunlight, there are UV type A and UV type B. UVA, the UV type A, is what causes premature aging and wrinkles. It may also play a role in some skin cancers. You need to wear sunscreen all year round for this reason – UVA makes up most of the sunlight, which means any kind of daylight can cause aging and wrinkles on your skin. Then there is UVB which is responsible for the tan but can also burn your skin and damage the DNA or destroy the skin cells. If you get too much sun for too long, there is a significant concern of skin cancer.
2. Preserves Even Skin Tone
Have you noticed how dry your skin felt after getting sun tan at a beach on a summer day? I remember one summer day at a beach swimming as a young kid, I got sunburn all over my body. My skin where hit by the sun the most like the shoulders and the nose were peeling, and even my back which I thought was safe got so incredibly dry after coming back from the beach. Sunlight could make your skin dry, uneven, and rough. Sunscreen can help prevent the development of uneven skin tone and redness, which may occur due to prolonged sun exposure. It can also help prevent and reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure, melasma, or post-inflammatory changes.
Beauty Tips
• When you wake up in the morning, wash your face with water. Gently remove the skincare products on your face during the night, some dirt, and oil you have produced while sleeping with water. Dab water out of your face, and you can wear sunscreen on the clean canvas.
• Experts say that you need 1 to 2 grams on your face for 100% protection from the sun. That is as much as a size of a coin of sunscreen. It’s almost impossible to wear that amount on your face. But do keep in mind that you need to wear more than what you normally wear to protect yourself properly.
Moisturizer: The Essential
My goodness, how could there be so many different types of skincare products? There are toners, serums, creams, and there are gel types, watery types, cream types… You could get so confused if you are new to finding skincare that don’t even know where to start. But it all comes down to one thing – moisturizing. All these different types of skincare products and their consistency and ingredients have one main purpose: moisturizing your skin.
Hydration, hydration, hydration! Drink plenty of water and apply moisturizer for healthy and plump skin.
1. Hydration
Moisturizers provide much-needed hydration to the skin. Moisturizers contain water and other ingredients that help lock in moisture, preventing the skin from becoming dry, flaky, or dehydrated. Proper hydration is key to maintaining skin health. There was one analogy that I heard a long time ago. When you hang-dry your clothes after washing them at night, what happens? It will be dry overnight. The air usually takes away the moisture from everything, so your skin is also getting dry and takes moisture out in the air. Wear your moisturizers and lock that hydration on your skin.
If your skin is not well moisturized, you could get dry skin. Dry skin can be uncomfortable and itchy. Moisturizers soothe and relieve dryness, reducing the urge to scratch and potentially damage the skin further.
2. Barrier Function
The skin’s outermost layer, the stratum corneum, acts as a barrier to protect the body from environmental factors. Moisturizers help strengthen this barrier, ensuring it functions effectively. A well-maintained barrier prevents irritants and pollutants from penetrating the skin. When the barrier is not well-protected, it can cause wrinkles. Think about it, your skin is the barrier! Regular use of moisturizer can help maintain skin elasticity and firmness, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Therefore beauty tip for you is to use moisturizer regularly before it gets dry.
3. Balancing Oil Production
Moisturizers usually contain both oil and water, so wouldn’t you get more oily on your skin if you wear moisturizer? Contrary to common belief, moisturizers actually can help balance oil production in the skin. That is because when the skin is dehydrated, it may overcompensate by producing more oil, potentially leading to breakouts. Using a moisturizer suitable for your skin type can help control excess oil. However, here’s another beauty tip for you: if you have oily or acne-prone skin, try light moisturizers that have less oil.
4. Nourishment for body and mind
Many moisturizers contain nourishing ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that provide essential nutrients to the skin, promoting overall skin health. But not only for the skin, you can also get some sense of relaxation for your mind from your skincare.
Beauty Tips
• Make applying moisturizer a self-care routine. Find a moisturizer with a relaxing natural scent and apply it as you massage. Applying moisturizer can be a soothing daily ritual that promotes mindfulness and well-being.
Cleanser: Preping the Base
Last but not least, we will discuss the importance of a cleanser. There is a saying in Korea that says cleansing is more important than wearing skincare. That’s because even if you find the best sunscreen and the best moisturizer, your skin won’t be able to benefit from it unless your skin is clean. If you apply whatever skincare on top of dirty skin, your skin will only get clogged and never be able to absorb good nutrients from the moisturizer.
If you want your skincare to work its magic, you need to prepare a clean base for it.
1. Removes Impurities and Promotes Good Hygiene
Throughout the day, your skin accumulates dirt, sweat, oil, environmental pollutants, and makeup if you wear one. The dirt and environmental pollutants are especially true if you live in a polluted city. A cleanser effectively removes these impurities, preventing them from clogging your pores and potentially leading to breakouts and other skin issues.
Therefore, using a cleanser is an essential part of good hygiene. It helps you maintain clean and healthy skin, reducing the risk of skin infections and promoting overall well-being.
2. Exfoliates and Renews
Choose a natural and mild cleanser that can effectively cleanse any impurities while not irritating your skin. As we age, our skin struggles to slough off dead skin cells. Milnd cleansers can help this process, promoting a smoother and more radiant complexion. Regular exfoliation can improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of dullness.
3. Enhances Absorption of Skincare
Cleansing your skin provides a clean canvas for you to work within your skincare routine. It allows other skin care products, such as serums, creams, and other treatments, to work more effectively on your skin. This maximizes the benefits of your entire skincare routine. If you have carefully chosen your skincare, you’d want your skincare to have its maximum benefits! So cleanse your skin, and provide a clean surface for your skincare to do its magic.
Beauty Tips
• If you wear makeup, you need a double cleanse. Makeup is usually oil-based, therefore you need an oil cleanser to start off to melt away the oil-based makeup. Then you need a water-based cleanser to clean your skin, such as a foam cleanser and water cleanser. If you are not wearing makeup, you can wash your face gently with a water-based cleanser.
Summary
So we have gone through the three pillars of skincare that I have learned growing up in Korea and its beauty culture. But this applies to any skincare routine, of course! I hope you found this helpful and start your skincare journey step by step. Try to find one good sunscreen, moisturizer, and a cleanser each. You don’t need 12 skincare products like they advertise in the beauty industry. You need good skincare products that will cover these three pillars. Start with those three, then explore to add and subtract from your skincare routine. Excessive skincare is not only bad for your skin but also bad for the environment.
And set these three pillars as a daily ritual. You will see that your skin transforms for the better and will be amazed. I once owned a K-beauty brand and I have witnessed so many transformations while working in the beauty industry. I am excited to share more of this kind of information with you on this blog. So keep following!
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