5 Skincare Rules The Experts Want You To Know

Source: Jabulile Nadia Newman/ Project #ShowUs/ Getty Images

If you’re anything like us, four months ago you made loads of resolutions – stop ordering pizza twice a week, quit makeup wipes; you know, the usual. How’s that going? We kept most of ours until Feb, then life kicked in, and we forgot what we promised ourselves!

So, we reached out to the pros to find out what their skincare rules that they absolutely must stick to are. And they’re paying more attention to everything – and we mean everything – that comes in contact with their skin. Here are their five skincare rules they’ll be following all year round!

Rule 1: Stop Avoiding Bacteria

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“My 2019 mantra is ‘bacteria is good for you.’ I will cleanse using my Shiffa Aromatic Facial Cleanser, $80, which contains bacterial ferments that help you age backwards, I will be vigilant about taking probiotic tablets (think of them as feeding the good bacteria in your gut), and I will throw away all my antibacterial liquid hand gels.” – Dr. Lamees Hamdan, founder and CEO of Shiffa.

Probiotic skincare is becoming a popular new trend. It’s not just about getting your good bacteria in your tummy anymore, it’s about putting it on your skin too. Check out this post about why probiotics are so insanely good for your skin.

Rule 2: Don’t Fear Retinol

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“When I first launched Drunk Elephant, I put retinol (Vitamin A) on my ‘no’ list. Like many, I was confused and scared by the ingredient. I thought retinol exfoliated the skin – it doesn’t. I thought you couldn’t use it during the day – you can. I thought you couldn’t mix it with AHA – you can. I now know that it’s a powerhouse of an antioxidant that teaches skin cells to act better, and I can’t imagine my line without it. With retinol, you don’t need a lot and like many formulations, A-Passioni, $74, can be mixed with other products before applying, allowing your skin to ramp up to a happy tolerance at its own pace. I used 1% pure vegan retinol and some other nutritious superfood extracts (like passionfruit, apricot, kale, and winter cherry), and threw in peptides and fatty acids too. It’s a comforting, silicone-free formulation that I think skin of any age can benefit from and fall in love with.” – Tiffany Masterson, founder of Drunk Elephant.

We love that retinol is amazing for basically all skin types (it can be too strong for sensitive skin). Retinol can do almost everything from lowering oil production, which leads to tighter pores, to fighting against fine lines and improving hyperpigmentation. Check out our full guide to understanding and using retinol here.

Rule 3: Develop a Skincare Ritual

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“A simple ritual is a daily reminder that taking good care of yourself will make your confidence soar and it will make the biggest difference in your skin immediately. I like focusing on the little things: add dry brushing before the shower, use a skincare focused bar of soap (like my Ritual Bar, $22), in the shower instead of whatever is in there already, do a sheet mask at night, and spend two minutes day and night massaging the face as you apply your skincare products. The massage and lymphatic drainage will keep you de-puffed and the sheet mask will keep your skin hydrated, even though it’s so dry outside.” – Joanna Vargas, celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Salons and Skincare Collection.

Check out our skincare routine using all drugstore products here or the essential products every routine needs.

Rule 4: Get More Fruits and Veggies From Your Skincare Products

This year, we’ve already seen a ton of fruit and veg-focused products emerge, like the Sweet Chef Serums Shots and sheet masks featuring ingredients like kale, beetroot, lemon, and ginger, and let’s not forget the new Glow Recipe Pineapple Glow Serum, that literally gives our skin life!

After all, nature knows best when it comes to beauty, and Brandy Hoffman, Co-Founder of Volition Beauty agrees: “In 2019, we foresee the rising trend of products featuring garden-fresh botanicals and produce to be your new skincare heroes. Our Daily Vitamin Glow Booster, $27 – inspired by cold-pressed juices – delivers a higher concentrate of vitamins to nourish and emit a glow from within. The same fruits and veggies you intake for your body’s health will be in your skincare’s ingredient lists. We also believe clean beauty will continue to prevail.”

Rule 5: Pay Just As Much Attention to What You Put on Your Hair as Your Face

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“Did you know your hair products can cause breakouts? You literally can’t put something on your hair without it getting on your skin… and not just your scalp. Many hair care ingredients can clog pores and lead to breakouts in anyone – and not just people with sensitive skin. On top of that, if you have long hair, that residue might be brushing against your neck, shoulders, and back all day. Why choose between beautiful hair and beautiful skin when you can have both? Look for products that are non-comedogenic (so they won’t clog pores) and non-irritating, which is important since clogged pores can lead to breakouts. SEEN products are designed to deliver luxury results and to respect the skin.” — Dr. Iris Rubin, dermatologist and co-founder of SEEN Hair Care.

When it comes to good hair care, going natural can be an amazing alternative, and we’ve noticed since switching to brands like HASK and Miriam Quevedo, that are skin has become significantly better. Stay tuned for a review of SEEN!