6 Golden Rules For Taking Better Care of Your Skin

We know there are a dizzying number of opinions and articles on skincare—with some trying to market a “miracle” product at the same time—and it can be hard to sort through all the noise. We’re here to tell you that taking better care of your skin comes down to some fairly simple steps that can be easily incorporated into your daily life.

Why skincare is so important

Great skin isn’t necessarily a reflection of your genes—this means that if your mom has an epic complexion, don’t expect that your skin will be just as awesome without effort. Your daily habits actually have a big impact on what you see in the mirror. And, importantly, what you’re doing to your skin now will affect how your skin looks and feels as you age. Incorporating basic skincare habits into your daily life will allow you to maintain your skin health for the long term. These habits are deeply personal because your beauty routine is an opportunity to zone in on your skin, become aware of any changes within yourself, and love yourself enough to do something about them. It’s not about creating perfection, but rather tuning into your body and its needs, which ultimately helps your complexion function at its best.

1. Always use sunscreen

Seriously, just do it. Sunscreen is, hands down, the most essential anti-aging skincare secret. If you’re a basics babe and don’t do much of anything, at least do this. We all know skipping the sunscreen is common if we forget to rub it on in the morning or bring it with us when we leave the house. But the best thing we can do for our face is protect it—especially from the sun because it can cause the most damage.

If there’s one habit we want to emphasize when it comes to beauty, it’s to make sunscreen a part of your daily routine. Regardless of the weather or whether you’re spending time outside, you should always wear sunscreen. Consistent use helps to prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles, textural imperfections, and changes in the appearance of pores over time. And, as we all know, it can also help prevent the development of certain skin cancers.

There are many ways to layer sunscreen on your face, so experiment with products to find what works best for you. Many tinted face moisturizers include SPF protection, as do BB and CC creams and makeup primers. Finding a dual-purpose product like face moisturizer with a built-in broad spectrum SPF of at least 30 is the easiest way to build this step into your routine. Use a nickel-size dollop to cover your face, and reapply sunscreen every two hours if you’re in the sun.

Try these vegan and cruelty-free sunscreens: Juice Beauty SPF 30 Tinted Mineral Moisturizer or Andalou Naturals Perfectin BB Beauty Balm Natural Tint SPF 30

2. Remember to moisturize

Just like wearing sun protection is critical, moisturizing your face is also essential year-round and no matter your skin type. This is because your skin naturally loses moisture as you age and is also affected by changes in temperature—from hot and humid days to cold and dry days. While everyone needs to moisturize, the texture of your skin will differ depending on your skin type, so be sure to use the appropriate vegan moisturizer product that offers the hydration level you need. For oily skin, go for a gel product; and for dry skin, use a thick cream. Got combo skin? Go for a classic light cream or lotion.

The best time to apply it is within a few minutes of exiting the shower before your skin starts drying out post-wash. It’s also important to apply moisturizer after you exfoliate. Incorporating a good night cream can also eliminate dryness, especially during the winter months. Dab a dime-sized amount of moisturizer on your face using your fingertips and lightly rub it in a circular motion until it’s evenly distributed and all absorbed.

Try these vegan and cruelty-free moisturizers: The Jojoba Company Ultimate Day Cream or Bareminerals Skinlongevity Long Life Herb Night Treatment

3. Pay attention to your diet and lifestyle

Taking better care of your skin isn’t just about the products you put on top of your skin. Your skin also mirrors what’s going on inside your body, so eating a healthy and balanced diet can nourish your skin from the inside out. The old saying, “You are what you eat” applies here.

Here at Kinder Beauty, we’re big advocates of a whole-food vegan diet because it’s better for our health and the animals—and going vegan benefits your skin, too. Plus, the antioxidants, minerals, and other essential nutrients that veggies, fruits, and whole grains help us feel our best.

4. Use the right products for your skin type

Before investing in the latest skincare trend, it’s important to find vegan and cruelty-free products that work best for your skin type. Because skincare isn’t a one-size-fit-all kind of thing (although it would be easier if it was!), you’ll need to take the time to discover your skin and its needs by first figuring out which general category you fit: normal to oily, normal to dry, or sensitive.

Not sure where your skin fits? There are certain characteristics to look out for to determine your skin type. This goes a long way in helping you know what to search for in skincare products.

5. Don’t neglect your eyes and lips

It’s possible you’re already paying attention to your skin and its needs, but do you take extra care around your eyes and lips? The skin in these areas is thin and delicate and can cause specific concerns like dark circles or puffiness. Taking care of these fragile areas now can also help reduce problems as you age, like fine lines and wrinkles—and the sooner you start paying attention to these areas, the more benefits you’ll see.

Choose products made specifically for your eyes and lips that are moisturizing and made for your specific concerns if you have any, like dark circles or puffiness. And be sure they are vegan and cruelty-free, too.

Our fave vegan and cruelty-free eye cream: 100% Pure Super Fruit Oil Nourishing Eye Cream and Andalou Naturals Age-Defying Deep Wrinkle Dermal Filler

6. Always remove your makeup

We all know that washing your face is the most basic and essential step of any skincare routine. But while face cleansers help wash away the environmental pollutants, dirt, and oil or sweat, it doesn’t necessarily do the best job of getting off all your makeup—especially if you’re wearing waterproof mascara and eyeliner.

We are familiar with feeling so tired at the end of long days or extra wild nights that the last thing you want to do is think about removing your makeup, but it really is vital to maintaining skin health. It’s akin to skipping a shower after playing in the dirt. The easiest way to ensure your face is clear and ready for bed is to take it off using a makeup remover product, which is often a clear gel that can be applied with a washcloth or cotton pad.

Final thoughts

Master skincare comes down to implementing a few key steps, and we hope these tips will make taking better care of your skin a breeze. All skin can be, and is, beautiful, but your skin will benefit if you take the time to understand what it needs. Ultimately, we want you to give your skin the love it deserves.

Nicole Axworthy is a Toronto-based writer and author of the vegan cookbook DIY Vegan.