Due to all the content and information on the Internet regarding skincare, it’s easy to get fooled into thinking the people who “care the most about” or “work the hardest on” their skin will have the best skin. After all, that logic can be applied to a lot of other fields. The hardest working researchers are more likely to come across groundbreaking findings, and the hardest working business owners are more likely to develop a profitable business.

However, as far as having a good skincare routine, sometimes less is more. Using skincare product after product, doing multiple facial masks a day, and constantly touching your face (washing is included in this) is simply not good for your skin. If you’re constantly interfering with your facial skin somehow, you could be disrupting its acid mantle. The skin’s acid mantle is a thin layer on your face that pretty much acts as its first line of defense against bacteria and irritants. It preserves your skin’s microbiome, and it’s there on your face naturally.

If you disrupt your skin’s acid mantle, this could allow that bacteria and bad stuff to get into your skin and cause breakouts. Disrupting the acid mantle could also increase the pH of your skin, which is associated with a variety of skin diseases. Read more about this from the Indian Journal of Dermatology, linked below.

https://ijdvl.com/acid-mantle-what-we-need-to-know

Consistency is Key

I can understand the urge to wash your face just one extra time. It can be tempting to constantly rinse your face, as it may give you the sense of security that you are doing as much as possible for your skin. But take a moment to consider the way that athletes train. They don’t lift weights all day, everyday, because that would result in no muscle recovery. They don’t run all day, because that would result in too much fatigue and put them at a heightened risk for injury. 

Instead, what most athletes do is plan out their workouts, complete them, and move on. They know that going into the gym with no plan will result in no progress. They need to recover, and they know they’ve maxed out what they can demand from their body that day. You should treat your skin the same way; develop an effective and doable skincare routine, and stick to it. Make changes as needed, but don’t switch it up on a whim. Giving yourself time with a certain regimen will allow you to learn and notice things about your skin, which is unique to you, like a snowflake.

This doesn’t mean that a skincare routine is the only thing you can do for your skin. Again, think of the daily habits of athletes. Though they may have finished their workout, they do other things to help them be better at what they do. This can be stretching, watching film from one of their games, or reading about the sport. Likewise, the next time that you feel tempted to indulge in “skincare” outside of your skincare routine, there are a variety of things you can try. Try and reduce your stress levels through meditation. Drink plenty of water. Read an article on skincare. Take a walk if it’s a nice day out – Vitamin D is important! These are things that will help your brain and body, and in turn, your face.

Conclusion

Less is more in skincare. Wash your face twice a day, moisturize if you have dry skin or you are in a dry environment, and leave it at that. Our facial masks can provide additional benefits, like hydration and a bright complexion, and can act as a substitute for other products that you may have in your routine. For example, after months of using our Nourishing Facial Mask right after I shave, I realized that I could actually eliminate using aftershave entirely, as any razor bumps or discomfort I had after shaving were eliminated with consistent use of the facial mask. 

If you have no actual health conditions and are purely dealing with acne or discomfort with your skin in some other way, I would say that you don’t need more than a face wash, a moisturizer, sunscreen, and perhaps one of our Facial Masks. Take our 1-2 minute quiz today to find out the best face wash, moisturizer, and sunscreen for you. Best of all, you’ll get a recommendation for the Facial Mask that is best suited for you, and a 35% cash back code!