Changes That Your Beauty Regime Needs

Sometimes, we all need a change.

Your beauty regime is one of those things that is unique to you. You have chosen your selected products, you know the order to use them in and the end result you expect from your makeup. If you have found a routine that works for you, it can be difficult to convince yourself to do something different.

A new year is just around the corner, as has been mentioned previously. While I don’t think resolutions are the greatest of ideas, there is something you can do to mark the beginning of 2017: shake up your beauty regime a little.

You may be wondering why I think this is such a good idea. The answer is relatively simple: things change. The beauty and skincare industries are switching things up, innovating, bringing out new lines and new ideas all the time. It’s rarely static, so why should your beauty regime be so?

Below are a few of the ideas that I think make a great change without too dramatic a difference. Hopefully, you’ll find something that suits!

Go Cruelty-Free

It’s no secret that I think cruelty-free is an essential, but it does mean you might have to miss out on some influencer brands. There’s an ethical issue here of course, but also bear in mind that cruelty-free brands can help you too. You’ve probably heard that parabens can cause a problem for many skin types; well, you’ll rarely find parabens in confirmed cruelty-free products. So do something for the world and for you at the same time, even if it does mean losing a few brands from your makeup bag.

Try A Natural Switch

Speaking of parabens, they’re not the only nasty lingering in your cosmetics. Even if you have normal skin, there are still many disturbing things going into the things you put on your face and wear every day. I’m not a cosmetic scientist so I won’t try and explain all of the issue-causing ingredients, but plenty of places do just that. If you want to know more about alternatives for these ingredients, I found a great resource, beautyproductwarnings.com, to help you decide. You may find the easiest approach is to make a switch to more natural products as these don’t contain the vast majority of the problematic ingredients.

For example, using an oil for your first cleanse has become increasingly popular. Try switching it to something like sweet almond oil, a naturally-occurring oil that will also be cheaper than high-end cleansers.

Throw Your Old Makeup Out

The longevity of your makeup is not great, in real terms. If you dig through your stash, you’re probably going to find items that you’ve had for years – and you’re wise enough to know not to use them.

A mascara that is a year old is easy to know to throw out, but what about three months old? That’s the accepted age for a mascara, after which it will begin to degrade and lose its sterility. And considering it goes right near your eyes, that’s a big concern.

Make the promise to yourself that in 2017, you’re going to throw all of your cosmetics out when you should. This also has the added benefit of making you use a product after it’s been opened. If you’re anything like me, you have a thousand and one different items, most of which you forget about in favor of the same reliable everyday products. If you know something is going to be due for the garbage shortly, you’re more likely to make the most of it!

Learn To Squeeze Acne Properly

 

You’ll hear the suggestion that you should never squeeze zits often on articles about beauty advice. But let’s face it: it’s satisfying as hell. It’s also necessary sometimes if the zit in question is painful – squeezing its inner contents is the only way to find some relief.

You don’t have to stop squeezing zits, but you do have to learn to do it correctly. As a baseline guide, follow this approach:

• Only ever squeeze when your spot is ready to be squeezed. That means it has crowned; you can clearly see a white, bulbous protrusion from the center of it. If that’s not yet appeared, then you should leave well alone.
• Squeeze with a sterile implement such as tweezers – don’t use your fingers.
• Put pressure on the skin around the spot, rather than the spot itself. Push down as well as together, in a pinching motion.
• If necessary, use a sterile tool to prick the center of the spot prior to squeezing. This will help it clear out quicker.
• Dress the wound after you’re done – because, yes, it is a wound! You’ve just burst through the outer layer of skin, and you need to take that as seriously as it sounds. Apply a little Neosporin and cover it with a Band-Aid at least overnight, so the skin has a chance to knit back together. This will also reduce the risk of scarring.

Switch To Chemical Exfoliation

We’ve all been told that exfoliation is an essential part of a good skincare routine. Except… it’s not good for the skin. When you exfoliate (either with a dry cloth or using a product with an abrasive substance), you’re removing the outermost layer of skin. It’s not good for you.

So – what, am I suggesting you go through life with dull, dead skin on your face? Not at all. Explore chemical exfoliation, which you swipe over your skin as you would a toner. Some products even double-up as toners, so you don’t even need an extra step in your skincare routine. The chemicals in the product dissolve the skin cells and are wiped away with ease, rather than harsh abrasion on the surface of your face. It might feel like nothing is happening, but within a few weeks, you’ll begin to see the changes – and you’ll never go back to a face scrub again.

I hope you enjoyed the post!

Thanks for reading, as always <3

Xoxo, Rae