Skincare at home that works

Times are weird. For me, my skincare routine has been somewhat of a refuge. It’s an important self-care ritual that helps cultivate confidence and makes me feel centered. If you’re reading this, I’m willing to bet that you, like me, find that geeking out about skincare is a welcome distraction right now.

A daily skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated. But, depending on your skin’s unique needs, you might want to show it a little extra love every now and then. Here are a few suggestions to spice things up in the medicine cabinet.

1. Learn more about your skin type

Your skin might be dry, oily, sensitive, or “normal,” and also prone to acne, but that’s just scratching the surface. Your skin type can actually change from week to week. And most people have combination skin, meaning skin that’s oily in some parts and dryer in others. Learning more about your skin type can help you figure out which products are best for you.

Learn more:

• How to determine your skin type

• How to take care of combination skin

• Guide to oily skin

2. Do a mask

Face masks might be the most iconic self-care ritual. Personally, slapping on a clay mask and taking a bubble bath is my relaxation go-to. Most of the time, face masks aren’t long-lasting miracle workers that will solve all your skin woes. Instead, they can give your skin a quick boost that helps your skin glow. For example, hydrating sheet masks can help moisturize dry skin, while a drying clay mask can help peel away dead skin cells.

Learn more:

• Clay face masks under $15

• Face masks for acne-prone skin

• The best masks of luxury skincare

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3. Wear SPF

Wearing SPF daily isn’t just a creative way to pretend you’re going to the beach — it also protects your skin! Even if you’re not spending a lot of time outside, some UV rays penetrate windows. So if you’re spending time lounging by a sunny window (including car windows), you should still apply sunscreen if you’re indoors, but you don’t necessarily need to reapply it throughout the day.

Learn more:

• Guide to sunscreen for acne-prone skin

• Curology finds sunblock under $20

• No-breakout makeup: tinted moisturizers with SPF

4. At home face peel

If you’re looking for an authentic at home spa day, a light chemical peel can be used to exfoliate the skin and cause the top layer to gradually peel off. You can do a chemical peel at home with products that have AHA’s (like glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid) and BHA’s (salicylic acid). Just be careful not to over-exfoliate — skin that looks shiny (but not oily) is a sign you’re overdoing it.

Learn more:

• Guide to chemical exfoliation

• Beta Hydroxy Acids vs. Alpha Hydroxy Acids

• Curology reviews AHA’s and BHA’s

As always, thanks for reading! Feel free to sign up for a free month of Curology while you’re here — just pay $4.95 (plus tax) to cover the cost of shipping and handling.

Written by

Stephanie Papanikolas