Imagine the following scenario: you and your best friend both have the same skin type and use the same cosmetics. However, the outcomes of using the skincare products on either one are rather dissimilar. How in the world is that even a possibility? To be honest, the methods are the most important thing to focus on here. Yes!! You did hear that correctly.
Today, at Foxtale, we are going to reveal a few techniques to use your existing skincare products in a way that they work even better without making you spend an extra penny. If you’re ready to take your skincare game to the next level and don't mind learning a few tips and techniques along the way, keep on scrolling!
10 Tricks to maximize your skincare product’s performance
1.Cleanse your skin right
The importance of properly cleansing one's skin cannot be overstated; it’s a game-changer. If you have ever felt that your face was “squeaky clean” after washing it or if you have been vigorously cleansing your skin with a foaming face wash for either ten seconds or ten minutes, then you are not washing your face properly.
The best way to cleanse your skin is to wash it with a gel-based cleanser instead of a foaming face wash. A gel-based cleanser is a lot more gentle and hydrating on your skin and doesn’t strip the natural oils of your face. A great pick would be our Foxtale Daily Duet Face Wash. It is made with mindful and hydrating ingredients such as Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Red algae extract, etc. Its hydrating formula gives you a deep cleanse and naturally glowing plump skin.
Another thing to incorporate is the ‘60 second rule’ with your face washes. The idea behind the method is as straightforward as the name suggests; rather than giving your face a hasty rinse that doesn't reach all of its crevices, you wash your face for exactly one minute. This allows all the goodness of your face wash to penetrate your skin.
2.Layer your skincare correctly
It doesn’t matter how incredible the quality of the skincare products is, the only way for them to deliver the results they promise is for you to apply them correctly. Your skincare should be used based on their consistency- thinnest to thickest. Here’s the right order to layer your skincare- cleanser, treatment, toner, serum, eye cream, moisturizer, facial oil, and lastly sunscreen in the daytime.
Some products are most effective when used on the skin that is only slightly damp, but others demand that the skin be completely dry in order to provide its full potential. Here’s a simple way to understand what to use on damp vs dry skin:
- Oil-based cleansers/Micellar waters- Dry skin
- Water-based cleansers- Damp skin
- Active ingredients (AHA, BHA, Retinol, Vitamin C)- Dry skin
- Hydrating serums- Damp skin
- Moisturizers- Damp skin
- Facial oil- Dry skin
- Sunscreen- Dry skin
3.Exfoliation is key
Standard cleansers clear out pores by removing dirt and oil, but if you really want to see a significant boost in product absorption, you need to exfoliate your skin with the help of enzymes or acids. When dead skin cells are removed with chemical exfoliators like AHA and BHA, any skincare applied to your skin will be absorbed more effectively. It's basically a way to make your skin’s surface more receptive. Look for gentle, lower concentrated chemical exfoliators if you’re just starting out.
4.Switch up your morning & night skincare routine
Some skincare products need to be used at certain times. This is why you should have different skincare routines in the morning and evening. Since cell turnover is at its peak at night, this is the best time to sort of fix/repair your skin's barrier and bring back its glow. Treatments like Retinol, AHA, BHA, sleeping masks, and lip masks should only be used at night. During the day, on the other hand, protecting yourself from the sun, dirt, pollution, and free radicals should be your top priority. Make sure that you use your vitamin C serum and sunscreen every morning as part of your morning skincare routine.
5.Marry the right ingredients
Just like Ryan Renolds and Blake Lively, some things go better together when they are married. Using the right combinations of ingredients will have a big effect on your skin. Putting your sunscreen and antioxidants together is a good place to start.
While a vitamin C serum works to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and acne scars, sunscreen acts as a shield and prevents any further sun damage. Both these when used in the same routine even fight off early signs of aging. If you’re looking to add these two notable ingredients to your skincare, and are tired of searching for the right ones, you are in for a treat. Our Get That Glow Combo consists of an effective and powerful 15% Vitamin C serum along with a creamy, moisturizing sunscreen. Get your hands on it and thank us later!
Other few ingredients that work like magic are Peptides and Antioxidants, Retinol and Hyaluronic acid, Salicylic acid and Niacinamide, Retinol and Niacinamide, Vitamin C and Vitamin E, and Ceramides and Fatty acids.
6.Avoid using cotton pads to apply toners
In the olden days, people used to use an astringent toner to remove a few last bits of their makeup with the help of cotton balls/pads. Fast forward to today, toners are all for giving hydration and exfoliating your skin. This completely eliminates the need to use a cotton pad to apply a toner. Cotton pads absorb some of your product and applying such expensive toners with it seems like a total waste! To avoid this, just use your clean hands to do the job. Pour some product onto your hands, warm it up slightly and pat it on your skin very gently.
7.Apply your sunscreen deliberately
If you were to take home just one trick out of all those we’ve listed today, it should be this one. Use your sunscreen correctly every single day, and reapply it every 2-3 hours if you’re out in the sun for long hours. Your sunscreen acts as a shield against those harmful UV rays and if you’re not using your sunscreen correctly, all the other skincare is of no use!
Some people suggest applying 1/4th teaspoon worth of sunscreen on your face while others suggest using 2-3 fingers worth of sunscreen for the face & neck. We find it utterly confusing as the finger rule does not apply to different textures of sunscreen. Hence, we found the best method to apply sunscreen. Just take a dollop of sunscreen, dot it all over your face, and then massage it. This will ensure an even and smooth application and that every inch of your face is covered!
8.Lock it all in
Applying a thick and heavy cream on top of your skincare regimen at night is one of the most effective strategies to increase absorption. The best occlusive agents are- thick ointments and lotions containing significant volumes of petrolatum, butter, oils, and waxes. The general rule of thumb to follow here is to lock all your humectants like Hyaluronic acid, Aloe vera and the like with occlusives such as Ceramides, Shea butter, etc.
The idea is to hydrate your skin well first and then create a barrier on top of your skin to seal in the moisture beneath. It is extremely beneficial to avoid TEWL (Transepidermal water loss). This trick is best suggested for people who have skin that is exceedingly dry and inflamed, as well as those who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema. Always make sure your occlusives go as the last step of your night skincare routine so that it has time to soak into the skin and work its magic.
9.Don’t overwhelm your skin
Ever heard of the saying- "Less is more"? With regards to skincare, this is accurate.
The best advice we can give you if you really want your skincare to work is to avoid overdoing it. It's the most effective when you don't overcomplicate your skincare and instead keep it simple. Since there are so many exciting things currently available, it's tempting to feel you should try them all out at the same time. But simplicity might at times be superior.
Avoid using too many exfoliants at once. Use it every other day or at a different time each day. Use vitamin C serum in the morning and retinol at night, for example. Use only those products that your skin needs. Customizing your skincare products to one concern at a time improves their effectiveness.
10.Give your skincare time to work
Our final tip for you to make your skincare work at its best is to give them time. Before you discard your products in the trash, make sure you've given them a fair chance to make a difference in your skin. It takes about 30 days for your skin to regenerate new cells, which is why a month is a benchmark to test a product.
Stop using a product altogether if you notice that it causes breakouts on your skin. But make sure to understand whether you're purging or breaking out due to that product.
It's possible that a month from now, you'll be thanking yourself for the present that you gave yourself in the past.
