It’s that time of year! Summer is ending, the kids are going back to school, and fall is in the air. You’re feeling that “new beginning” feeling…and maybe you’re thinking it’s time to refresh your skincare routine, too. We have 5 easy tips to get your skin back to glow and back to you.
Tip 1: Simplify your routine with multi-tasking skincare
If you’re a mom who’s busy with back-to-school prep (or you’ve just got a crazy schedule in general), multi-tasking products are your best friends. And a multi-tasking serum with peptides should be at the top of your back-to-glow checklist.
Peptides help support collagen and elastin production, which gives your skin a healthy, bouncy, youthful structure. They’re key to keeping your skin looking smooth and firm. And here’s the best part. Experts say peptides “play well” with other ingredients. They remain stable when added to formulas, so they can be combined with brightening and hydrating ingredients to create a well-rounded serum that delivers the benefits you need in one bottle. HYDRAFLASH Active Cocooning Serum includes a target peptide that’s known for its ability to stimulate collagen production, and the serum is clinically proven to smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
“It layers so well under my sunscreen and my makeup. I find my foundation actually lasts longer when I use it,” says DERMFLASH staffer (and mom!) Rebecca D.
Tip 2: Add exfoliation to your weekly schedule (it's easy!)
If you haven’t kept up with your exfoliating routine this summer, don’t stress. There’s plenty of time to make a fresh start. And the good news is, it’s easy to add into your schedule. With LUXE+ Sonic Dermaplaning, you can give yourself a professional-quality exfoliating treatment right in your own bathroom—no rushing out to an appointment, no booking a babysitter, no waiting around.
“Sonic dermaplaning removes peach fuzz and dead skin cells from your skin’s surface, and when you remove that build-up, your skin will have an instant glow,” says licensed esthetician Kendal Galette. “It also allows your skincare to sink in more effectively, because you’re removing all the build-up that could prevent it from absorbing properly. It’s the method of exfoliation I recommend to my clients because it’s gentle and it’s safe for all skin types, including new moms or during pregnancy—and it literally takes 10 minutes, once a week.”
Tip 3: Baby your skin barrier
With colder weather coming, you want to make sure your skin barrier is strong and healthy. And the first step to a healthy barrier is gentle cleansing that doesn’t leave your skin stripped or dehydrated. “Your skin is more prone to becoming dried out in harsh winter weather, so I recommend that my clients be proactive and start using a more gentle, creamy cleanser around back-to-school time,” says Galette. “Remove your makeup with a cleansing oil or micellar water, then use a gentle creamy cleanser to get rid of any remaining impurities.”
Tip 4: Protect your skin from UV rays and blue light
Between commuting, doing school drop-off and pickup, and staring at the screen during the workday, your skin is exposed to a significant amount of light. That includes UVA and UVB rays and blue light. Almost everyone knows that UVA and UVB rays are responsible for accelerated skin aging, but it’s not as widely known that blue light (which is found in nature and on ALL our digital devices) can also have a negative impact on your skin. “Blue light is thought to contribute to wrinkle formation and skin discoloration," board-certified dermatologist Ainah Tan, MD, tells Byrdie. And while Dr. Tan notes that more studies are needed, "anecdotes—such as worse hyperpigmentation on the side that people hold their phones—does look like blue light is a contributing factor."
To help prevent blue light damage, look for products with an ingredient called ectoin, which has a naturally protective effect against blue light. (You can find it in HYDRAFLASH Serum and in our Botanical Ketoacid Toner.) Second, choose a tinted mineral sunscreen with iron oxides. "Most sunscreens, unfortunately, do not help protect against blue light, but this is why I specifically recommend sunscreen with iron oxide, which does protect against visible light," notes Tan.
Tip 5: Breathe!
We get it, this advice might seem a little meh…but stay with us for a minute. You know how when you’re caught up in your daily craziness, you’re really not focusing on your breathing at all? When you take just a minute or two to slow down and take a few deep breaths, you’re bringing more oxygen to your blood (which is beneficial for your skin) and you’re reducing your body’s natural stress response. And that’s something we could all use!