Skincare "Rules" I Break (And Why)

As much as I respect the science of skincare and all the wisdom, research, and development that has gone into the creation of a product or common skincare advice, I think there is always a little wiggle room for adapting one's routine. I am learning more and more that there is a lot to be said for adaptability, even if it means going outside the box to yield the best results for your skin. Here are three ways in which I color outside the lines in my own routine.

I Apply Oil Cleanser To a SLIGHTLY Damp Face: Far and away, most instructions on oil cleansers say to apply the cleanser first to a dry face, then massage then rinse with water. Indeed, when I am using an oil cleanser specifically to break up and remove makeup, I follow these rules to the letter so that the oils in the cleanser and within the makeup itself can bind together to lift each other off. . However, if I am using the product as a face wash or as a concentrated massage for a deep cleanse, I will go ahead and splash my face with some water before putting on the cleanser and rubbing it in. Having dry skin, on a bare face, my skin will tend to start to soak up the oil before I have a chance to do a massage and, therefore, the product becomes more difficult to move around. The bit of water on the face helps to impede the oil absorption and keeps the cleanser more pliable for longerso I can really work it into the skin. I find that this trick does work the best with oil cleansers that so happen to have an emulsifer in them (DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is a great example of this), but it can work with those that don't. A good way to check to see if your oil cleanser can emulsify is if it turns white when water is added to it or when it is applied to a moistened face. Also, oil cleansers with an emulsifier can be rinsed away and often say this as a possible way of removing whereas those that don't emulsify specifically call for removing with a damp cloth only.

I Don't Use Washcloths That Often: As someone with both more sensitive and thinner skin, my face does not always respond well to scrubbing both with actual scrub products and even the manual rubbing from a washcloth, I'm finding that the better route to go is to only use a wash cloth when I have something I am either to trying to actively remove from the skin (i.e. makeup or a face mask), or when my skin is noticeably clogged or during a breakout. But most times, regardless of what type of cleanser I use, applying, massaging, and rinsing with just my hands and water over a sink is enough to remove everything that needs to be while keeping my skin calm and comfortable.

I Sometimes Put On Vitamin C At Night: Conventional skincare wisdom, cites Vitamin C as a perfect daytime active for the skin due to its antioxidant properties and its ability to help repair and possibly guard against future sun damage. More recently, though, I have been straying away from using exfoliating acids in my skincare experimentation and have found that occasionally adding in a second dose of my Vitamin C product at night has helped to give my skin a clearer brightened effect by morning in a similar and in many cases more gentle way than a chemical exfoliant does. This allows me to get more use and benefit from less products and is helpful for when I am traveling someplace and I want to pack less products If you are going to try this tip, it is important to note that for some people too much or too strong of a Vitamin C usage can cause a drying effect, but my skin seems to be pleased with an extra boost of it every once in awhile. So it is definitely worth a try to see how your own skin will respond.

The adage "rules were made to be broken" is one that may apply to skincare as much as anything else. This is both the challenge and also the fun of truly cultivating a routine of not only products but also practices that is custom-made to one's individual needs. So don't be afraid to go off the beaten path when it comes to your skincare. If something feels like a good idea, try it, and listen to your skin for feedback. It will tell you what it needs and what it likes and doesn't. And always remember just have fun with it!