If you’re an avid BeautyTok scroller, at this point , you’re practically a derm yourself (hey, congrats!). But one thing even bona fide skin experts can’t always control is the wild curveballs that come with, well, life, and that can make sticking to a skincare routine challenging. Repeat after us: this is OK!
On truly chaotic days where you Just Cannot Deal, try to lean into as many of the following steps as possible. And when the whirlwind subsides (because it will!), and you reclaim your self-care time, take comfort in the fact that you’ve upheld a solid foundation to build upon and don’t have to start from square one.
Ahead, we break down the things women with great skin always do (or avoid). Notepad at the ready!
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skincare, simplified...
Never, ever go to bed with makeup on
No matter how exhausted you are, or how late it is: Take. It. Off.
“Removing your makeup can make the difference between beautiful, glowing skin and a complexion that looks dull and has clogged pores,” says dermatologist Debra Luftman. Plus, while you’re sleeping, “makeup can get pushed deeper into your pores, leading to acne,” explains dermatologist Francesca Fusco.
Another factor you might not take into account: Some dead skin cells are meant to shed every day, but having makeup on 24/7 can cause them to stick to the skin’s surface. “This can also lead to breakouts and exacerbate fine lines,” explains Dr Fusco.
Use a ton of TLC to remove eye makeup
“The skin around your eyes is the thinnest, most delicate skin on your face,” says Dr Fusco. So if you tug too roughly when removing your eye makeup, your skin can stretch out over time and fine lines can become more noticeable.
Use light downward motions to wipe away your shadow, liner and mascara, and opt for a non-greasy eye makeup-removing formula that won’t irritate skin and contains ingredients known to soothe skin, such as vitamins B5 and E.
Drink plenty of water, day to night
And not just when you’re hitting the gym or super thirsty (if you get to that point, you’re most likely already dehydrated).
Hydration—inside and out—is key to keeping your skin healthy. Wondering how much to drink? Eight 250ml glasses is still the recommended daily minimum, according to the Mayo Clinic’s website, so drink up.
Clean your phone—daily!
And don’t press it directly against your skin when talking either. “Your phone is a breeding ground for germs,” explains Dr Fusco.
Never, ever lie in a tanning bed
Hitting a booth, even a few times, can have irreversible effects, including DNA damage to skin cells. Your risk of forming melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, increases by 59 per cent from using tanning beds and gets higher with each use, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
“Tanning beds accelerate the ageing of skin through the breakdown of collagen and are proven to increase the risk of skin cancer,” explains Dr Fusco. “Women who are trying to achieve great skin should never tan.” If you desperately crave that backfrom-the-beach glow 24/7, try a self-tanner.
Don't pick at your skin (duh)
Leave that pimple/blackhead/bump alone. As tempting as it can be, unless you’ve got a clear whitehead (that you can use two tissues to gently press out), it’s more likely that you’ll either drive bacteria further into skin, making it more inflamed, or add more dirt and bacteria to the area from your fingers and nails.
If you have a blemish that is red and raised, hold an ice cube on it at 20-second intervals for a few minutes to bring down the inflammation, and then apply a dot of a salicylic acid spot treatment and cover with concealer on top.
Wear sunglasses all year round
“Sunglasses have multiple important protective effects,” says dermatologist Julie Karen.
“Not only can they protect your actual eyes from UV-inflicted damage both acute and long-term, but they also protect the fragile surrounding skin against fine lines and brown spots.”
Plus, the less you’re forced to squint, the less repetitive muscle movement in that area. The result: no crow’s feet.
Always sleep on a clean pillow case
“Your skin can pick up dirt and bacteria, traces of makeup, dead skin cells, saliva and hair product residue from a pillowcase that hasn’t been washed,” explains Dr Karen.
So flip your pillow over once a week and wash it every two to avoid a build-up of these pore-clogging substances.
Get ample sleep
Put your devices to bed (preferably in another room) an hour before you tuck in.
“The goal is to try to unplug, shut down any connection and just allow yourself to sleep and fully, fully rest. Ideally, get eight hours of sleep uninterrupted,” Dr Karen says. “You want to enter the deep sleep that allows your mind, body and skin to repair.”
Get a skin check once a year
Skin cancer is curable if caught early, so it’s recommend by skin cancer experts to see a derm or doctor once a year for a full-body exam.
If you’re at higher risk—such as if you have used tanning beds, have fair skin (though all skin types are at risk), have experienced sunburns, spend a lot of time in the sun, or have a lot of moles—go more often.
Related: The Case For Syncing Your Skincare Routine To Your Menstrual Cycle
