17 Skin Care Facts + The ONLY 4 Skincare Categories You Need

• 1. Here’s How You Can Maintain Over 90 Percent of Your Skin’s Youth For Life!
• 2. To Cleanse or Not to Cleanse? Are You Doing More Harm Than Good by Double Cleansing?
• 3. What’s the Deal With Witch Hazel Anyways? Is It Good or Bad?
• 4. This Is the Simplest and Easiest Way to Determine Your Skin’s Undertone.
• 5. For Those With Acne: Here’s an at-Home 1-Minute Method for Reducing Redness
• 6. Blackhead and Whitehead Extraction Video. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
• 7. Ever Wonder Why Your Nose Seems Darker Than the Rest of Your Face? Here’s Why.
• 8. Wait… There Exist Natural Alternatives to Hydroquinone for Skin Lightening?
• 9. Here’s How the Hyaluronic Sandwich Technique™ Helps You Achieve Silky Smooth Skin to the Touch.
• 10. Scared of Skincare Acids? Here’s a Great Reason Not to Be.
• 11. Can Retinol Be Used With an AHA?
• 12. Heres How Using the Tea Time Technique™ Allows You to Perfectly Time and Layer Multiple Skincare Products in Your Routine.
• 13. The Truth When It Comes to Peptides Revealed.
• 14. Coco for Coconut Oil! Here’s How You Can Use Coconut Oil at Home as Part of Your Skincare Routine.
• 15. Will Using Sunscreen Prevent Tanning?
• 16. At What Age Can I Start Using Anti-Aging Products?
• 17. Does Hot Water Help Open up Pores?
• Category #1: This Is the First Category of Skin Care Products You Need (Hint: It’s the Most Important)
• Category #2: This Second Category Helps Prep Your Skin for Absorption of What's to Come
• Category #3: Third Comes Many People’s Absolute Favorite Category of Skincare (It’s a Treat!)
• Category #4: This Fourth Category Helps to Seal Everything In

Believe it or not:

The single greatest threat to your skin’s lifetime of youth lies in the sun’s carcinogenic UV rays.

If you’re not convinced, then take a look at the above photo of a truck driver who made a career out of not wearing sunscreen.

As you can clearly see:

The side of his face that was constantly exposed to UV rays has aged much faster than the side that wasn’t.

This photo taken out of the New England Journal of Medicine describes the truck driver’s condition as follows:

• “The physical examination showed hyperkeratosis with accentuated ridging, multiple open comedones, and areas of nodular elastosis.”

In plain English?

This is just a fancy way of saying he should have worn sunscreen daily.

Here’s the truth:

Double cleansing isn’t something we recommend for a variety of reasons such as:

• Stripping your skin of its natural oils. Yes, you want clean skin, but you also want those natural protective oils as well!
• Over-cleansing can cause your skin to produce an excess amount of oil as it tries to compensate for what you're stripping away! This can lead to clogged pores such as blackheads, whiteheads, and acne.

Here’s the key:

You want to strike a balance or equilibrium between how often you cleanse and how much natural oils your skin produces to protect you.

Stick to cleansing once a day and you won’t regret it!

Witch Hazel is perhaps one of the most over-hyped skincare ingredients out there!

While the research can be confusing at times, here’s what you need to know:

Witch Hazel is derived from nature and contains an abundant amount of antioxidants which can, in fact, benefit your skin.

According to current research:

Witch hazel can help to relieve discomfort associated with bites and bruises. 

Short-term sporadic use of witch hazel can be very beneficial.

However, that’s where the romance stops.

Here's the truth:

Long-term daily use of witch hazel is not something you want to introduce into your daily skincare routine.

Why?

Witch hazel contains a group of chemicals known as tannins which can cause the following to occur:

• Skin irritation and visible “redness” on the surface of your skin
• The resulting irritation can cause your skin’s blemishes to worsen over time
• Long-term daily use can over-sensitize and dry out your skin

Natural skincare ingredients can definitely be a part of your long-term daily skincare routine.

However, for the sake of your skin’s health:

Avoid incorporating witch hazel into your skin’s daily regimen.

Many people confuse skin color with the skin’s undertones.

When in reality your skin’s color and undertones aren’t the same and are not dependent on one another. 

When it comes to your skin’s undertones: 

It’s all about determining the colors that are underneath the skin’s surface.

Skin undertones can be divided into three main categories:

Warm: Hints of yellow, brown, or gold.

Cool: Hints of pink, blue, or red.

Neutral: No visible hints of colored undertones. Skin’s natural color is more apparent.

Your skin’s undertones affect the overall complexion of your skin.

By discovering your skin’s undertones:

You can help determine how a particular shade of foundation will appear on your skin.

Here’s the easiest and quickest method to determine your skin’s undertones.

Take a look at the veins that run down your arms from the palm of your hands to the inside of your elbows. 

What color are your veins?

Greenish: Warm undertones.

Blue/Purple: Cool undertones.

Colorless/Match your skin’s color: Neutral undertones.

If you can’t see your veins, you likely have neutral undertones.

If they appear green, then warm undertones are yours.

If they seem blue or even purple, then you have cool undertones.

If you’re experiencing redness due to acne and are looking for a quick fix, we’ve got you covered!

Here's the best part:

You can reduce the redness caused by acne from the comfort of your own home!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cotton swab
• Visine (make sure the bottle says it’s targeted at reducing redness)
• 1 Minute

Simply soak a cotton swab with visine and lightly dab it over blemishes for 1 minute.

You’ll notice the redness start to subside.

Even better:

This simple 1 minute trick continues to work for hours!

VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

Watch the video above and prepare to be confused, disgusted, and satisfied all at the same time!

Blackheads and whiteheads can be the most intrusive visitors on your skin.

The culprit?

When excess oil production in your pores mixes with dead skin cells and oxidizes at the surface, blackheads form.

Contrary to popular belief:

You can still get blackheads even if you have dry skin and even if you don’t have acne (although acne does tend to make them worse).

To help avoid clogged pores all together, avoid the following:

• Ignore blackhead-removing strips as they can only remove the surface layer of blackheads. They aren't actually able to reach deep inside your pores.
• Never use an abrasive face scrub as this too lacks the ability to reach deep inside your pores where blackheads reside. Skin irritation is all the more reason to avoid this product all together. 

So what can you actually do if you already have clogged pores?

• Follow a daily skincare routine that involves using a gentle (never harsh) cleanser on your skin along with a soft washcloth. Avoid over-cleansing as this can exacerbate the problem.
• If you really feel troubled by the appearance of your blackheads or whiteheads, consider visiting a well-trained and experienced aesthetician. They can help you in ways only the video up top can reveal.

As you know:

The sun plays a role in the amount of melanin your skin produces (the chemical responsible for giving skin its color).

This can lead to your nose appearing darker than the rest of your face; otherwise known as surfer’s nose.

Here’s how:

When you’re outside and it’s hot, you tend to build up a sweat.

What’s the first part of your face you reach to wipe off sweat?

Your nose.

When you do so you not only wipe off sweat, but also sunscreen (which you should wear if you’re outside)!

Leaving this vital area of your face exposed to the sun’s carcinogenic UV rays causes a build up of melanin.

The accumulation of melanin on your nose explains why it appears darker than the rest of your face.

Surfers are definitely more prone to this than others.

If you want to avoid surfer's nose, here’s the key:

• Get into the habit of applying sunscreen on daily no matter if it’s cloudy, raining, sunny, or otherwise. Sunscreen is crucial for avoiding an irregular skin tone!
• If you notice you’re building up a sweat, then consider wiping off the sweat with a napkin or dry towel and then immediately afterwards reapplying sunscreen.

The truth is:

If you’re good with your sunscreen application, you’ll avoid an uneven skin tone or gradually even out your skin tone over time.

While some seek that attractive "sun-kissed" tan, others seek ways to lighten their skin naturally. 

Here’s a list of natural plant-derived alternatives to hydroquinone for skin lightening:

• Arbutrin
• Broussonetia papyrifera (paper mulberry)
• Mitracarpus scaber (madder) extract 
• Morus alba (white mulberry)
• Morus bombycis (mulberry)
• Uva ursi (bearberry) extract

You do you.

Hyaluronic acid’s celebrity-status comes from its phenomenal ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. 

As far as skincare ingredients go:

Hyaluronic acid is a star!

Not only does it help your skin restore and replenish an insane amount of lost moisture, but it’s also suitable for all skin types!

Here’s the deal:

Using hyaluronic acid consistently helps your skin feel silky smooth to the touch.

However, there’s a right and a wrong way to incorporate hyaluronic acid into your daily skincare routine.

For starters:

You never want to use hyaluronic acid on its own!

Instead, you want to layer hyaluronic acid in between two other products using the Hyaluronic Sandwich Technique™. 

If you haven’t heard of the Hyaluronic Sandwich Technique™, then here it is step-by-step:

Step 1: Apply serum and allow time to absorb.

Step 2: Apply Hyaluronic Acid.

Step 3: Finish off and seal everything in with a moisturizer. 

It’s that simple!

By using the Hyaluronic Sandwich Technique™, you essentially sandwich hyaluronic acid in between two layers of moisture.

Delivering all that moisture to and through your skin results in a plumper more radiant complexion.

Best of all:

Your skin will feel silky smooth to the touch and you may even notice your wrinkles and fine lines “fill in” over time.

If you’re someone that feels squeamish or nervous around skincare acids, don’t be and here’s why:

Your skin itself is naturally acidic!

In fact:

As soon as you were born, the pH (potential of hydrogen for those that care) of your skin went from neutral to acidic and remains acidic throughout your life.

There’s a biological reason for this.

It has to do with the fact that an acidic barrier serves to protect your skin from bacteria, viruses, and all sorts of other contaminants.

This thin protective film is what’s known as your skin’s acid mantle.

It turns out:

Using properly formulated acidic skincare products on your acidic skin is actually a good not a bad thing!

Not only can retinol be used with an AHA, but research suggests that using the two together may even boost the benefit of each!

Now, of course, you should listen to your skin whenever you try anything new, but don’t allow a rumor to dictate what products you should and shouldn't use.

Here’s the deal:

If you want to use retinol in conjunction with an AHA, here’s how step-by-step:

• Step 1: Cleanse
• Step 2: Apply an AHA/Glycolic Acid 
• Step 3: Apply a retinol serum
• Step 4: Apply hyaluronic acid
• Step 5: Moisturize

By applying an AHA prior to retinol you help to loosen and break up barriers at the surface of your skin which aids in the overall absorption of retinol.

This allows retinol to absorb deeper into your skin, thereby, boosting the benefits your skin receives.

Here is a common concern people tend to have when layering on multiple skincare products.

How long exactly should you wait in between steps? 

Here’s the good news:

You don’t have to wait long at all!

Here’s the even better news:

You don’t have to wait at all in between certain steps of your routine.

For example, you can immediately move on to the next step of your routine after cleansing and pat drying your skin.

It’s only when you apply your skincare serum that waiting a while can make sense.

The truth is:

Allowing products to fully absorb into your skin prior to moving on to the next step in your routine should not take half an hour!

By using the Tea Time Technique™, you can perfectly time and layer multiple skincare products in your routine much faster!

Here’s how it works step-by-step:

Step 1: Apply your skincare serum then boil hot water on the stove in the teapot.

Step 2: Once the teapot begins to boil over and cools down a bit, pour the hot water into a cup and add a tea bag. Wait 3-5 minutes for the tea to brew.

Step 3: Squeeze the tea bag lightly over the cup prior to discarding. Finish off by applying your booster/moisturizer and enjoy your cup of tea!

It’s amazing how convenient brewing a cup of tea ties into your skincare routine.

Peptides are fragments of proteins and can be an incredible source of skincare health.

Believe it or not:

Your skin is actually composed of peptides and needs peptides to function properly.

There are multiple benefits associated with using peptides in your skincare routine.

This includes:

• Keeping skin firm
• Preventing the formation of wrinkles
• Maintaining skin elasticity which allows skin to “bounce back”

Bottom line:

You have nothing to lose and much to gain by incorporating peptides into your daily skincare routine.

However, there’s a caveat to bear in mind:

No single skincare ingredient can claim to do it all and peptides are no exception!

You need a team of ingredients working together when it comes to good skincare.

Using products that partner peptides with other vital antioxidants helps you get the most out of your skincare routine.

Coconut oil is an absolutely amazing and rich fatty acid that helps soothe and moisturize your skin.

The best part?

It's an all-natural and incredibly soothing skincare ingredient for dry, dehydrated skin.

Here are some of the best ways you can use coconut oil at home:

• Shaving Your Legs: Yup, you can totally use coconut oil as a natural alternative to harsh irritating shaving creams. Coconut oil naturally lubricates skin helping you avoid nicks and razor burn. 
• Eye Makeup Remover: Mascara and eyeliner are notoriously challenging to remove. Coconut oil lightens the burden. Simply spread it over your eye makeup and then proceed to wash your face as normal.

Bear in mind:

When shaving, you first want to warm up the coconut oil in between your palms before spreading it evenly over the surface of your skin. 

As an added benefit:

Your skin will feel silky smooth afterwards.

The sun’s UV rays are what cause your skin to tan.

UV rays can be broken down into 2 main categories:

UVA rays: UVA rays cause the actual melanin in your skin to undergo a chemical change resulting in a darker tanned complexion.

UVB rays: UVB rays increase the amount of melanin in your skin. The more melanin, the more likely and easier it becomes for you to develop a tan.

So, how exactly does sunscreen affect the process of tanning?

Sunscreen helps to “screen out” or filter a portion of the harmful UV rays, but it won’t block them off completely.

Here’s the part that surprises most people:

If your aim is to obtain “sun-kissed” skin, then using sunscreen is the best way to do that.

Here’s why:

Without the use of sunscreen, chances are high that you’ll likely burn red instead of tanning gradually over time.

The “burnt-lobster” look isn’t what you want and it sure isn’t healthy either.

By using sunscreen, you help to slow down the tanning process as it gradually develops over time.

Just remember:

You must reapply sunscreen every two hours at a minimum (regardless of how high an SPF you’re using) or, again, you’ll likely burn instead of tan.

Here's the truth:

Your skin’s collagen production begins to drastically decrease around your mid-twenties.

You want collagen as it’s vital for maintaining the integrity of your skin’s health and youth.

Think of collagen as the “glue” that keeps everything from falling apart.

Lost collagen is one of the main drivers in aging.

So what can you do about it?

Using a retinol serum is a proven and effective way to restore your skin’s lost collagen (in addition to several other key benefits).

No matter your age:

Anyone can benefit from regular daily use of sunscreen, a gentle cleanser, and a rich antioxidant-packed moisturizer. 

Once you reach your mid-twenties:

You should start incorporating anti-aging products into your daily skincare routine. 

Think of proper skin care as an investment in your skin’s youth that will pay off dividends as you age.

Can hot water open up pores and does it help cleanse your skin?

No, hot water does not open up pores and, yes, it can help you to cleanse your skin.

The reality is:

Your pores aren’t windows that slide open and shut.

Hot water doesn’t “open up” pores in the same way you would slide open or close a window.

However, yes, hot water does help you cleanse your skin but not by opening up pores.

Instead:

Hot water helps to melt away or loosen up dirt and debris that may be clogging your pores.

This, in turn, helps you to cleanse your skin much more efficiently.

Be careful though as too much of a good thing can turn into a bad thing.

Whereas hot water can help you to cleanse your skin, it can also dry your skin out!

So, what should you do?

Opt instead for lukewarm water when you cleanse. 

It’s a safer choice.

The world of skincare can be very confusing to navigate.

How many products do you need?

What’s the best product for anti-aging?

In what order do you apply skin care products?

And the list goes on and on…

Thankfully, you’re in the right place to answer all of these questions and more.

Here’s the truth:

Your skin is actually incredibly resilient. 

When it comes to proper skin care, you ONLY need 4 categories of products in your routine.

Without a doubt:

The single most important category of the four is sun protection, full stop.

This is the single most important aspect of any skin care routine which EVERYONE and their grandmother should implement.

Sun protection simply means the following:

• Avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight (especially from around 10 am to 2 pm) by seeking shade whenever and wherever possible
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats, and yes, even sunglasses count and help
• Wearing sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher recommended) DAILY no matter whether it’s rainy, cloudy, or sunny outdoors. 

Ask any dermatologist worth their weight in salt and they’ll tell you the same thing:

Sunscreen is absolutely crucial for preventing premature aging of your skin.

Find one you like and stick to it!

Next up comes properly cleansing your skin.

Your life is one of constant travel and interaction.

As a consequence:

Micro-debris and environmental pollution tends to accumulate on your skin and needs to cleanse off prior to sleep.

A proper cleanser accomplishes the following:

• Gently removes toxins off the surface of your skin without causing redness or irritation
• Preps the skin for maximum absorption of the following products in your skin care routine

Knowing how much you spend on skincare, why would you skip out on cleansing your skin?

You want the products in your skincare routine that follow to absorb in as much as possible.

By gently cleansing and pat drying your skin, you help to set the canvas on which the rest of your skin care art can beautify and restore your skin’s youth.

Once, you’ve cleansed and pat dried your skin, you can move onto the favorite step of many - the “treatment” step of your routine.

Here’s where things get interesting.

Our skin’s collagen and elastin production tends to decrease with age.

Thankfully, by using the right skin care treatments:

You can compensate for this loss by boosting your skin’s production of these necessary and vital components.

Here’s where the gold standard of skin care treatments comes in:

Retinol.

Retinol is a powerhouse ingredient that every serious beauty guru and professional dermatologist uses and recommends.

Retinol does so much for your skin.

It's honestly a God-send waiting for you to discover.

If you feel anxious or intimidated by retinol, don’t be!

It’s simply a derivative of Vitamin A.

And God knows our skin needs more vitamins to help it function at its peak.

Here’s the truth:

Retinol can address so many types of skincare concerns it's honestly mind-blowing!

This includes:

• Dark circles
• Fine lines
• Wrinkles
• Discoloration
• Uneven skin tone 
• and the list goes on and on…

Pretty much anyone can benefit by incorporating retinol into the “treatment” step of their skincare routine.

Finally to cap and seal everything in, you must use a moisturizer.

The truth is:

You can only benefit your skin with the use of a properly formulated moisturizer. 

Moisturizing your skin should be the last and final step of your skin care routine.

By moisturizing your skin you accomplish two main goals:

• You help to lock in all the antioxidants and other beneficial skincare ingredients applied onto your skin prior.
• You support the health of your skin’s acid mantle.

Without getting too technical here’s the skinny on your skin’s acid mantle:

Your acid mantle is a very fine, slightly acidic film on the surface of your skin that acts as a barrier.

The truth is:

A healthy acid mantle prevents bacteria, viruses and other sorts of contaminants from penetrating your skin.

Again, you can only benefit your skin with the use of a properly formulated moisturizer!

So, there you have it.

17 facts on skin care and the only 4 categories of skincare you need in your routine.

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