9 Skincare Rules That Aren’t Made For Breaking

11 Skin Care Routine Basics Everyone Should Know

Whether you’re venturing into the world of skincare for the very first time, or you’re a seasoned skincare pro, it always pays to make sure that you’re familiar with the basics. When it comes to a skin care routine, Lionesse has put together 11 things that everyone needs to know.

Every Good Skin Care Routine Starts with a Cleanser

Everyone has their own individual skin care routine. For some, this will only consist of a couple of steps, whereas others may follow a 15-step regimen twice a day.

Whatever your skin care routine may be, a cleanser always needs to be the very first step.

Why?

Because, although you may not be able to see it with your naked eye, the surface of your skin is loaded with dead skin cells, excess oil, and other unwanted impurities.

Applying a skin care product over the top of this prevents that product from coming into direct contact with your skin. It’s much harder for the ingredients to actually reach your skin cells, meaning that the product you are using won’t be as effective as it otherwise would have been.

Plus, applying skin care products to dirty skin only pushes all of that dirt deeper into the pores. This then leads to inflammation and breakouts, which nobody wants to be dealing with!

A simple cleanse at the start of your skin care routine will ensure that all of the other products you use are able to work to their full potential. If you don’t yet have a go-to cleanser, the Lionesse White Pearl Facial Cleanser is a great choice!

Some Cleansers Do More Harm Than Good

While we’re on the topic of cleansers…

Did you know that some can actually cause serious problems for your skin?

This is one mistake that many skin care beginners make. They choose a cleanser that appeals for whatever reason, but it then ends up being far too harsh for their skin. A harsh cleanser strips away your skin’s natural protective barrier, which then leaves your skin vulnerable to environmental damage and dehydration.

A gentle cleanser will not only contain cleansing agents, but it will also be packed with ingredients that leave the skin feeling hydrated and soothed.

Know Your Skin Type

Before using any product on your skin, you need to first know what your skin type is.

Why is this so important?

Because some products aren’t suited for some skin types – the only way to figure this out is by identifying your own skin type.

How?

There’s an effective technique that you can try to work this:

Cleanse your face (using a gentle cleanser

Gently pat your skin dry. Do not rub!

Leave your skin bare and wait for 30 minutes

Check your face for any sign of oil or shine. If you notice this all over, then you have oily skin . If you notice it on certain parts of your face, then you have combination skin

Wait another 30 minutes

If your skin is starting to feel a little tight, then this means that you have dry skin

If your skin doesn’t feel oily or dry, then this means that you have normal skin

Once you know your skin type, you can then look for skin care products that are formulated for your specific skin type. This will ensure that the products you use address your skin’s unique concerns.

However, don’t get too comfortable…

Your skin type changes with age. Hormones can influence it too, meaning that you’ll need to keep checking that you know what your skin type is.

Skin Care Routines Don’t Have to Be Complicated

Many newbies believe that all skin care routines are long and complicated, but this isn’t the case at all. Granted, all of those 15-step Korean skin care routines that have been hitting the headlines lately haven’t helped this argument, but your skin care routine will be as complicated as you make it.

There are a few steps that are essential, such as:

Cleanser

Moisturizer

Sunscreen

However, other than that, feel free to add in various products depending on what your skin actually needs. Some examples include:

Skin Care Products Should Be Applied in a Specific Order

Once you’ve amassed a good collection of skin care products (and this really doesn’t take very long!), it’s time to make sure that you’re applying them in the right order.

Again, don’t worry, this doesn’t need to be complicated.

There’s a simple rule that you can follow here:

Start with the lightest product and then work your way up to the thickest and heaviest.

This means applying essences and serums before creams and oils. This ensures that the heavier products don’t prevent the lighter ones from penetrating through, which allows them all to work well.

Sunscreen Needs to Be Worn Daily, Throughout the Year

As much as you may love it, the sun is your skin’s worst enemy.

This may sound a little dramatic at first, but that’s only because you weren’t aware of this fact:

Up to 80% (or very possibly 90%) of all of the visible signs of facial aging are caused by the sun. This includes everything from the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to the visibility of sagging skin and dark spots. Let’s not also forget that the sun is responsible for a number of skin cancers.

This makes sunscreen absolutely essential, even in the winter. While you may not feel the sun quite as strongly during the colder months, those damaging UV rays are still there. In fact, snow and ice can double your UV exposure. Even on overcast days, up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays can pass through those clouds, making it so important to wear a sunscreen every day of the year.

Look for a broad-spectrum formula. This means that the sunscreen will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Make sure that the SPF you choose is at least 30 – this is the recommended level to provide adequate protection.

One other thing to remember…

You’ll need to regularly reapply your sunscreen throughout the day. The effects of a sunscreen will only last a few hours, so keep your skin fully protected by topping up a couple of times a day.

Your Diet Directly Impacts Your Skin

You are what you eat.

This is definitely true when it comes to your skin. The food that you put into your body will have a direct impact on how your skin looks and feels.

You probably already know which foods are considered to be unhealthy in general. Salty, fried, sugar-filled, and overly processed foods are all a big no-no. However, not only should these be avoided for health reasons, but they also cause havoc to the skin.

Dehydration, inflammation, imbalances – these are all issues that you’ll notice if your diet contains large amounts of the above.

On the other hand, fill your plate with plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables, along with pulses and whole grains, and your skin will thank you.

Of course, there are some foods in particular that are truly game-changing when it comes to your skin:

Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and apricots

Leafy greens

Eggs

Oily fish, such as mackerel and salmon

Nuts

Berries

Dark chocolate

Natural Isn’t Always Better

Keeping things natural is becoming increasingly important to more and more people these days.

When it comes to certain aspects of your life, such as your diet or the clothes that you wear, natural definitely wins out over synthetic.

However, when it comes to skin care, things are a little different…

For starters, just because an ingredient is natural doesn’t mean that your skin will be able to tolerate it. Many natural ingredients are known irritants and allergens.

There also happen to be many lab-produced ingredients that work incredibly on the skin. Take hyaluronic acid, for example. Although naturally found in the body, the version of this that you apply to your skin has been created in a lab, yet it still works wonders when it comes to leaving the skin looking plumper and softer.

These days, many brands are using the terms “natural” and “clean” as marketing buzzwords. It’s always best to just look for a product that addresses your skin’s needs and concerns, making that your priority.

Chemical Exfoliants are Gentler Than Physical Exfoliants

The word “chemical” immediately makes you think of something harsh, but this isn’t the case when it comes to exfoliants. In fact, most chemical exfoliants are derived from natural sources – after all, plants contain their own chemical compounds too.

What’s the difference between chemical and physical exfoliation?

Chemical makes use of specific acids to dissolve the sticky substance that holds dead skin cells on to the surface of your skin. On the other hand, physical exfoliants use abrasive substances to physically scrub away those dead skin cells.

This isn’t really an issue when it comes to the skin on your body. The skin here is quite thick, meaning that it can easily tolerate, as well as benefit from, a body scrub.

However, the skin on your face is up to ten times thinner than the skin on your body, meaning that you need to go for the gentler exfoliation option.

One other thing you need to know…

Chemical exfoliants also vary in strength. Some, such as glycolic acid, are known for being exceptionally powerful, while others, such as lactic acid, are much gentler.

Stress Plays a Key Role in Skin Health

Have you been feeling stressed lately?

If so, your skin has probably been acting up too. Many people underestimate the effect that stress can have on their skin, but understanding this will help you to give your skin the care it needs.

How does stress affect the skin?

When you are feeling stressed, your body produces a hormone called cortisol. This hormone helps your brain to deal with a stressful situation. In small amounts, there’s nothing wrong with this – it’s natural, and can even be helpful in many circumstances.

However, when you experience chronic stress, cortisol is constantly being pumped around your body. This is when things can start to go wrong…

All of that excess cortisol can have a seriously detrimental effect on your skin, leading to:

Increased oil production, meaning clogged pores and acne

Increased fine lines and wrinkles, due to the way in which cortisol breaks down the collagen and elastin in your skin

A damaged skin barrier, meaning dryness and dehydration, along with increased sensitivities

So, keeping your stress levels down not only benefits your overall mental health, but it will also make a massive difference to your skin too.

Your Skin Care Routine Should Change with the Seasons

In the same way that you change your wardrobe with the seasons, your skin care routine needs to be adjusted too. Your skin has different requirements depending on the season, so you need to make sure that your skin care routine is catering to this.

For example, the air is much drier in the winter, leaving the skin feeling parched too. Thick and heavy products are often the only way to counter this.

However, natural oil production increases in the summer. Those thick moisturizers would be far too heavy for your skin at this point, making a lighter lotion a much better alternative.

As a beginner, finding a skin care routine that works for you can feel like quite the triumph. However, don’t get too stuck on what you’ve developed – you need to be flexible when it comes to adding in, and taking away, certain products, depending on what your skin is telling you.

There really is so much to learn when it comes to your skin. It is, after all, your body’s largest organ. This is why it makes sense to educate yourself on skin care as much as possible, beginning with the basics listed above!

5 Basic Skincare Rules That Will Give You The Best Skin In Your 20s

If you are not blessed with flawless skin, then there is no reason to worry, because that’s where a consistent skincare routine comes into play. Following a thorough skincare routine every single day helps you achieve the skin of your dreams. But just like everything else, even skincare comes with certain rules. These are the rules that help your skincare products work better and ensure that they show consistent results. Wondering what these rules are? Read on to find out about some essential skincare rules that you dare not break…

Cleanse your skin twice a day

Cleansing is the key to great skin, and therefore it is really important that you always keep your skin clean. In order to do this, you must cleanse your skin twice a day – morning and night. And the best way to go about this is to use an oil-based cleanser and follow it up with a gentle, foaming face wash. This will thoroughly clean your skin and prepare it for the skincare products to follow.

Sunscreen is an essential you must never skip

No matter what the season, and whether or not you’re stepping out of your house, it is really important to apply sunscreen every single day. If you are on the go, make sure to reapply at intervals of two to three hours. Although this will not show immediate results, your skin will really thank you a few years down the line because applying sunscreen prevents premature ageing, dark spots, hyperpigmentation and a lot of other skin related issues.

Don’t pop your pimples

Girls, never ever pop your pimples, no matter how tempted you are. When you pop a pimple, you might just leave behind a permanent scar as well as spread the infection to the rest of your face, leading to a full-on acne breakout. Instead, use a spot treatment to treat the pimple and do not touch your face.

Drink enough water

No amount of good genes or a skincare routine will help if you don’t consume enough water. Lack of water consumption dries out your skin and leaves it feeling parched, rendering your moisturiser almost useless. Therefore, drink at least six to eight tall glasses of water in a day to ensure that you meet the required water intake.

See a dermatologist every few months

Avoid being your own doctor, and let the experts take charge. Sometimes your skin could be undergoing something far deeper than what meets the eye and therefore it is important to visit a doctor to find out what the real issue is. This simple step will prevent your skin from further damage and repair existing damage too.

9 Skincare Rules That Aren’t Made For Breaking

Written By: Dr. Steven Devos | Last updated: Oct 15, 2022

Well, hello again, dear reader! Here on Misumi Skincare’s Blog, we’ve often talked about various skincare routines, covered some of the best skincare tips for flawless skin, as well as the best tips for reducing acne.

And while the abundance of skincare topics, products, ingredients, tips and skincare routines can sometimes make our heads spin, we still haven’t talked about the most crucial skincare tips that you should never skip.

From introducing amazing products into your skincare routine (Like Misumi's Clear Skin Duo Kit) to improving your diet, we'll walk you through the basics.

Well, today is that day - welcome to Misumi’s top 9 skincare rules that aren’t made for breaking!

Our Best-Selling Acne Kit Clear Skin Duo Kit 276 reviews $49.95 See Before & After At Misumi, we make clear skin easy and manageable with this 2-step cleanse and tone routine. Unclog pores and restore clear, healthy skin with natural ingredients. Try our signature products today.

1. Don’t Touch Your Face

When it comes to skincare there are many rules. Here's one rule you should never deviate from - never, absolutely never, touch your face. And, we know - this basic rule has been beaten over our heads so many times, hasn't it? But it’s so widespread for a good reason.

See, your hands are bound to collect various kinds of dirt and oil. The moment we wake up, and heck, even during our sleep, our hands are in contact with almost everything.

Dirty linen? Check. Door handles? Check. The smartphone that you put everywhere and haven’t disinfected in months now? Check. Faucets, handles, doors in public bathrooms? Check. Hand grips during your daily commute? Check. Tables at fast food diners? The tables at work? Keyboards? Check check check.

You get the idea. Your hands are literally everywhere and they collect all sorts of filth. And the worst thing you can do is start touching your face and transfer all that gunk to it - especially if you have an oily skin type.

Transferring all the dirt from your hands onto your face can cause all sorts of irritation and even inflammation.

Additionally, this rule is even more crucial for people who already have skin problems or acne inflammation. By trying to pop your pimples, you’re damaging the surrounding skin, and spreading all the bacteria around. You’re also pushing it deeper underground, squeezing all the pus into the deeper layers of your skin.

Popping your pimples will make them worse, and turn ordinary, and fairly innocuous acne into severe, cystic acne.

Wash your hands before you apply eye cream, oil cleanser, moisturizer, or any other product.

If there's a Skincare Bible with the Ten Skincare Commandments, guess what the first commandment is? Thou Shall Not Befoul Thine Countenance!

Check out our medical review process. Our articles are reviewed by a dermatologist with over 30 years of experience.

2. Don’t Clean Your Face Too Much

Wait, what? What do you mean "don't clean your face"? It seems a bit counter-intuitive, doesn’t it?

We all know that we should clean our faces, but just what does “too much” mean? And better still, why? Surely, washing your face too well couldn’t be that bad, right?

Wrong.

See, the purpose of cleaning your face is to establish some basic level of cleanliness. Regardless of where you live and move about during your day, both urban and rural environments will lather your skin with some less-than-ideal substances.

Most cities have heavy traffic, and the air pollution will cover your face with a thin layer of microscopic dirt. Out in nature though, things aren’t much better - microscopic particles, such as pollen, are constantly thrown about by the wind, and can land on your face and clog your pores.

And clogged pores turn to whiteheads, or blackheads, and then, if not dealt with, can cause a full-blown acne inflammation.

Acne is pretty difficult to get rid of, so we don’t want that, do we?

All of this makes washing your face pretty crucial. And while everyone has a different skin type, and in turn, different needs and different skincare routines, some basic rules apply. One rule is to clean your face twice a day.

Giving your face a good clean in the morning and evening is the sweet spot. Anything less will not clean your face enough, and anything more will risk washing it too much.

But just what is cleaning it too much? Well, water, and soaps (regardless of how mild they are, really) remove any dirt from your face. But they also remove most of the skin oil (sebum) that you've produced. And while too much sebum can cause clogged pores and lead to acne, too little sebum will cause a dry, itchy, flaky, and irritated skin barrier. Not to mention that washing our faces usually includes rubbing with our hands, which only makes things worse. So - don’t clean your face too much.

3. If You’re Using Cleansers, Make It Twice a Day

Besides cleaning your face, you’ll need to use cleansers and quality moisturizers if you want young looking healthy skin. Giving your face a good wash once in the morning and once before going to bed will only do so much. Your pores won’t unclog, and your skin won’t be moisturized.

You’ll need to use cleansers and moisturizers every day. Dermatologists and beauty experts recommend that you should cleanse and moisturize your face at least two times a day. For the best results, do this after you’ve washed your face in the morning or evening.

Applying the right cleanser, and topping that with a moisturizer in the morning will prepare your face for the challenges of the day. Commutes, coffee, and lunches during your break all contribute to covering your face with dust. If you don’t treat your skin well in the morning, it won’t have the nutritious resources to deal with those factors. That’s why cleansing and moisturize in the morning are so important.

But the same applies to the evening as well. After cleaning your face, you’ll need to remove your makeup too. and cleansers are very efficient when it comes to this. A good cleanser will not only remove any dirt and excess oil from your skin, but it will also remove makeup.

Makeup can be less than ideal - it can sometimes contribute to clogging your pores. Besides being mindful about makeup products, using a quality cleanser or toner for cleaning your pores before going to bed will prevent any skin care problems and may even approve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and crow's feet.

4. Never Skip Sunscreen

We know what you’re thinking. “Oh, I’m out on a picnic today, and tomorrow I’ll be spending time and money doing shopping. But it’s cloudy so it’s all right!”

No, it’s not! Especially if you have sensitive skin and you’re out and about in the middle of summer. Cloudy or not, the sun’s UV rays and UVA rays can still hurt, causing dry skin and more. So, as a general rule, you should never procrastinate on sunscreen.

The sun is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to causing all sorts of damage to your skin. Photoaging is one thing, but frankly, that's the least of your problems. A blemish here or there isn’t something that can’t be prevented. But harmful solar radiation is one of the most frequent factors that contribute to skin cancer, which makes UVB protection and sunscreen very important.

Discoloration and a wonky, uneven skin tone can be dealt with, and a nice tan can even complement your looks. But the worst-case scenario? Better not think about it at all, even. Just make sure you always wear sunscreen - ideally - every day.

5. Eat Your Greens

Skincare is not an exclusively external process. Enriching your diet with fruits and vegetables can boost your skin just as well as the most expensive skincare product. Or, to put it differently, no amount of expensive skincare products will make your body change the way it works.

But there’s something else you can do, and it involves making significant changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Your body is your temple, and you are what you eat. When it comes to tailoring your diet with the aim of improving your skin, some choices work better than others. For example, while you shouldn’t completely forget about tasty cheese, reducing dairy can improve your skin.

Additionally, most of us are guilty of enjoying coffee a bit too much, and sometimes it’s to our own detriment. While it won’t be the case for everyone, and definitely not with all kinds of coffee, coffee can encourage the formation of acne by messing with your metabolism.

The problem with coffee is that, too often, we enjoy it with sweets or processed sugars. All those tasty creams in the ever-larger selection of exotic lattes aren’t the healthiest of options for your skin.

And while fast food, barbecue, and french fries are deemed to significantly cause acne, that’s largely a myth.

Sure, existing on an unhealthy diet of fast food won’t do wonders for your health, but that, alone, doesn’t make for bad skin. When enjoying fast food, and other greasy dishes, the danger comes from the particles of grease that attach to your face. Your nose and the area around your mouth are the most vulnerable, but you can easily prevent this by cleaning your face after enjoying a tasty, oily meal.

Ditto for smoking. The smoke usually engulfs your face, covering it with microscopic dirt and tons of irritants. If you’re a smoker and would like to go easier on your skin (and overall health), transitioning to vaping can be a good thing.

There are also foods that can have a beneficial effect on your skin. Adding fruits and vegetables, and other foods rich in vitamin C to your diet is absolutely crucial. These anti-inflammatory foods can improve your immune system, and provide your body with enough antioxidants to keep your skin healthy. They can reduce breakouts, wrinkles, and more.

Getting enough sleep, not touching your face, and being mindful of your pillows and phone can go a long way. Add a good exercise regimen, and you'll not only boost your skin’s health but become a healthier person overall.

6. You Should Exfoliate Once a Week

We know what you’re thinking - who needs exfoliation? That’s for people who are beauty-obsessed. But you couldn’t be far from the truth.

Exfoliation has many benefits for the skin. Besides contributing to beauty, it also helps your skin regenerate itself. Not only that, but exfoliation will make your skin look much clearer than before.

That’s because exfoliation works by sweeping the surface layer of your skin, and getting rid of dead skin cells. Once those cells are out of the way, your skin will take less time to work on rejuvenating itself and replacing the old skin cells with new ones. In other words, exfoliation both cleans your face and literally “paves the way” for clearer looking skin.

However, if you’re exfoliating, be very careful as to how often you actually do it. Exfoliating more than once a week can cause damage to your skin.

This phenomenon is called over-exfoliation, and trust us, you don’t want to have to deal with it. Since the process of exfoliation involves scraping off the top layers of your skin, it can make your skin super sensitive, making your skin sore, raw, and red.

When that happens, there isn’t much to do to revert the process. You can moisturize, but the brunt of the work will fall back on your body and skin, and you'll just have to wait it out until your skin rebuilds itself.

Our skin actually goes through a process of natural exfoliation called desquamation. Desquamation is the gradual replacement of dead and old skin cells, with fresh, new ones. However, desquamation is rather slow - it can take at least a month before your body completely replaces the skin cells on the surface layer of your skin.

Alternatively, there are also natural, homemade exfoliation methods that you can use as a replacement for professional-grade exfoliation. But, even natural, DIY exfoliation methods can easily irritate your skin, so the same rule applies. Only exfoliate once a week.

7. Muster Some Courage And Try Dermaplaning

But what is dermaplaning? And isn’t it scary? Well… it’s basically running a sharp blade over the surface of your skin. Or in this case, your face. Sounds terrible, right? But once you realize that men drag razorblades over their faces almost every day, it doesn’t sound so scary at all.

Dermaplaning is very useful in maintaining the basic hygiene of your skin. The sharp blade will remove any peach fuzz that you find annoying, but also remove any surface dirt or dead cells. Of course, you should be careful when dermaplaning, but there are tons of well-made products that are designed to keep you safe.

Dermaplaning also clears the terrain, so to speak. This helps your skin become cleaner, and moves any dirt, gunk, and other debris out of the way. In turn, anything you apply over your face, be it a moisturizer, or a gentle cleanser will work much better.

Cleansers, moisturizers, serums and so on will find it much easier to penetrate your pores and the deeper layers of your skin, working their magic even more. And, not only that - makeup will sit on your face much, much better, with all the microscopic peach fuzz out of the way.

8. Always Pamper Your Skin at Night

It's a well-known fact that our bodies are much more efficient at repairing themselves during the night, while we sleep.

Why? Well, think of our bodies as computers. Every computer has a so-called working memory, conventionally referred to as the RAM memory. Now, while we are awake and active, our bodies sort of use up all our “RAM” in the activities we are occupied with. That means that during the day, very little energy is directed at our bodies repairing themselves - most of it goes to walking, reading, working, exercising, and even digesting food.

But all of this changes while we sleep. Since our bodies sort of shut down, we enter into low-energy mode. This, in turn, frees up all that extra energy, or the “RAM” for our body to use for everything else. This is why our bodies are so much more efficient while we sleep, and why it's advisable to apply whatever products you use before you go to bed.

According to some estimates, our skin is at least 60% more efficient at absorbing all skincare products during the night. So, if you can only do one daily routine, and have no time in the morning - keep the evening routine and skip the morning one. That’s what will benefit your skin the most.

9. Visit A Dermatologist Once in a While

Remember, everyone’s skin type is different, and we all react differently to the same skincare routines, products, or other ingredients. Oily skin, combination skin, dry skin, normal skin, and sensitive skin will all have different issues to deal with.

Let’s take acne and scarring for example. It could be a case of hormonal acne, due to hormonal changes or imbalances. However, it could also be due to that new skincare product you’re using Or it may be something else entirely - like an environmental irritant, a factor in your diet.

When it comes to our skin type, things can get complicated. Sometimes our skin stops responding to certain products. But thankfully, that’s where our dermatologists, enter the picture. If you're suffering from certain skin conditions and breakouts, or if you’re not even sure what you’re dealing with, a visit to your dermatologist will clear your doubts.

Additionally, you don’t even need to be facing a skincare problem to talk to your dermatologist. You can visit them to exchange opinions, or inquire about a new skincare routine. A professional opinion is exactly that - it can be of exceptional value both in regards to treating any skin condition you're facing and in regards to preventing it.

This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances, and its goal is to offer a general view of the subject. In case you are suffering from a severe case of acne or another type of skin disorder or condition, you should consult with a dermatologist or a certified medical professional.