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The old filter on TikTok changed my life because it made me realize it was time for a skincare routine. Do you remember where you were last summer when the old filter took Tiktok by storm? Are you even on TikTok? The filter slowly ages you until what looks like about 100 black years old to show you what you will look like over time. Let's just say I was not pleased with my result, which led to a deep dive into skincare for beginners. I have been implementing a skincare routine for the last year, and here is my journey to help you achieve your skincare goals.
Before we get into it, this is my PSA to women in their early 30s: If you still need to start a skincare routine, the time is now! Taking care of your skin will help you age gracefully, and who doesn't want to do that? Not to mention, it can be your tiny dose of daily self-care as a mom.
Skincare routines are not exclusively for celebrities or influencers. It is for everyday women. As we age, our skin needs extra attention. Skincare is not about vanity but wellness. Here are the benefits of implementing a basic skincare routine.
Your skin is an organ and, therefore, needs hydration. A good skincare routine starts way before you apply any products to your face. It starts with your water intake. It's hard to combat dry or dull-looking skin without hydrating from the inside out. The products we use in our skincare routine should further add to the moisture that is already there. A hydrated face appears more youthful. So, Drink up! Outside of drinking enough water having a basic skincare routine will allow you skin to be more hydrated. Hydration gives your skin a more plump and youthful appearance.
Skin cell turnover is one of the essential factors targeted in anti-aging products. This is when dead skin cells shed and are replaced by new ones. The natural occurrence of this turnover slows as you age. Anti-aging products with retinoids, peptides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, alpha hydroxy acids, and beta hydroxy acids boost cell turnover.
A 2019 study showed that participants who implemented a skincare routine reported less rough skin, smaller pores, and skin brightness. The idea of a skincare routine is not to turn back the hands of time but to come alongside the skin that has taken care of you.
When we put more effort into our well-being, we can expect to feel the impacts. How could you not feel more confident when your skin looks more hydrated, plump, and bright? Starting a skincare routine is entering into "living my best life" territory—who doesn't want to be there? So now, let's reveal the foundation for a routine you can start today.
Cleaning your skin is an integral part of the process. I am ashamed to admit this, but I used Proactiv on my skin up into my 30s. For some reason, I thought a harsh cleanser would scrub all the dirt off my skin to help prevent the bacteria that causes breakouts, and I was wrong. Your skin has a barrier, and gentle cleansers are great at penetrating the surface and helping pull those things out of your skin without damaging it.
Gentle cleansers I like are Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser:
Although I have never used it, I have also heard great things about Vanicream.
Toners are necessary because after we have disrupted the skin to rid it of all the bacteria, the toner comes in to help restore the pH balance. It helps remove any remaining dirt from your face and, over time, helps tighten and improve the appearance of your pores. It's essential to find a toner that is water-based and not high in alcohol. Alcohol-based toners are known for drying out the skin.
My pick for an affordable toner is the Byoma Hydrating Toner.
I like this product because of its polyglutamic acid and cica ingredients. Polyglutamic acid is a humectant, drawing moisture from the air and pulling it into your skin. It has been known to hydrate your skin more than products with hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is something your skin naturally makes. As you age, the production of hyaluronic acid slows down and, therefore, leaves your skin looking duller. Polyglutamic acid is derived from soybeans, making me feel more comfortable putting it on my skin. And lastly, Cica addresses skin irritation and dryness, making this a powerful combination of ingredients.
Vitamin C was a new one for me in my routine. I was unaware that I needed to put on a vitamin C serum; therefore, until now, I hadn't. As I took a deep dive, I realized that vitamin C is less cut and dry than I like things to be. Selecting a good product can be challenging because you must understand a little of its chemistry. Apparently, Vitamin C does not have a long shelf life and can oxidize faster than other products, which means it loses its effectiveness. Due to this, it's essential to know which form of vitamin C your serum is using. The benefits of using vitamin C are reduced wrinkles, protects against sun damage, brightens skin, reduces hyperpigmentation, and protects collagen and its production.
If wanting to splurge on vitamin C serums, I would suggest Dezi Perkins Claro Que C.
Naturium's vitamin C super complex formula is another solid pick if you are on a budget.
Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum $12 @ Target
Once you have completed all the steps, it's time to lock in that moisture. A moisturizer is essential in your basic skincare routine because it prevents dryness. Remember when your grandma used to cover your face in Vaseline? In the winter, I still put Vaseline on my daughter's face, but its purpose is to protect the skin and keep it from drying out. That dry feeling can be uncomfortable and does not support a healthy skin barrier. Some prefer a thicker moisturizer in the winter, and a lighter in the spring/summer. You can also use a thick moisturizer all year round if you choose not to mix it up.
My all-year-around moisturizer choice is Natrium Plant Ceramide.
Naturium Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream $25 @ Target
Contrary to popular belief, black people need sunscreen. I know, I know, I didn't want to believe it either, but it's the truth. Our melanin helps us protect our skin from the sun by absorbing UV rays before they can damage the DNA of skin cells. But it's not 100% protection, and we can still experience sun damage. This is a big reason why those pesky dark spots won't ever fade: their exposure to the sun. Wearing sunscreen helps promote a more even skin tone.
Did you know that although skin cancer is less likely in people with melanin, having melanin also increases our risk of dying from skin cancer if we develop skin cancer due to late detection? So don't be silly and put on some sunscreen.
The first sunscreen I used, a good staple, is Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30.
Now that you know what goes into a beginner skincare routine, you can begin trying to implement one into your daily life. As a mom, I know life gets busy. Some mornings, you wake up to the sounds of cries and jump straight into the action. Remember that skincare routines don't have to happen first thing in the morning to be effective. If you have to get kids fed and a morning activity started before you start your routine, that's ok. All is not lost if it isn't one of the first things you do. Also, know that the routine can flex to the type of day you are having.
If you find yourself pressed for time, shorten the routine using a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. If you go outside, throw on some sunscreen before you go. On days when you have a little more time and want to pamper yourself, walk through the entire routine. Perfection is never the path when trying to start a new journey. Be gentle and patient with yourself, and see where the journey takes you.
A basic skincare routine is a form of self-care. Taking a moment to show up and say I matter can positively impact how you feel. As mothers, we bear the weight of a lot of responsibility. Ensuring everyone has everything they need, the home is in order, schedules are aligned, and all the tiny details in between are taken care of. It all piles up, and we often feel like if we could get to these tasks, then we can take a break and focus on ourselves. But what ends up happening is that we never get done that long list of things and we never focus on ourselves. Just writing the words to focus on ourselves feels somewhat selfish. But we must remember when our kids grow up and leave, and the dust settles, will we be happy with the person we are? I dare to say if, over that long course of time, we didn't make small deposits towards ourselves, the answer would probably be no. So do this for future you. She needs it.
