How to Love the Skin You're In

Oftentimes, you might find yourself stressing over trying to perfect the look of your complexion, and maybe even hiding your skin under piles of makeup when you’re not 100 percent pleased with your appearance. We’ve all been there. You might even turn to aggressively scrubbing your skin with face scrubs or using powerful ingredients in an attempt to get rid of acne or other skin concerns.

But the past year has seen a trend towards embracing the skin you’re in, rather than trying so hard to perfect it. In fact, many of our favorite celebrities have taken to posting makeup-free, filter-less selfies on social media with their blemishes on full display, showing us all that you can still be beautiful—and confident!—even if your skin has some imperfections.

So, rather than worrying 24/7 about that pimple on your forehead or dark spot on your cheek, focus on maintaining a consistent skin care routine and enhancing what you’ve got. Learning to love the skin you’re in can take time, but here are some skin care pointers to get you started.

Take a Gentle Approach to Skin Care

The first step to loving your skin is to start treating it with the upmost care. When you have acne or another skin care concern, your initial thought might be to use a super-strong product in an attempt to get rid of the issue, but this can actually lead to irritation. Instead, take a gentler approach to your daily skin care routine and take steps that’ll help keep your skin looking clear. Here’s an easy three-step regimen you can follow every day.  

Step 1: Cleanse the right way.

Start by using a cleanser that doesn’t require any harsh rubbing or scrubbing—we’re talking about micellar water. Consider using the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Foaming Gel Cleanser, which has an ultra-gentle, fragrance-free formula that is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. Make sure to remove your makeup before bed, as sleeping in makeup can clog your pores.

Step 2: Tone to remove remaining impurities.

After cleansing, sweep an alcohol-free toner over your skin to remove any remaining dirt or oil that may have made its way onto the surface of your skin. (Alcohol can be drying, so it’s best to look for a toner that isn’t formulated with this ingredient.) Try the Kiehl’s Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner, which is suitable for all skin types, particularly dry or sensitive skin.

Step 3: Moisturize for glowing skin.

The last step in your daily skin care routine should be moisturizing, as this can help ensure your skin looks healthy and glowing. In the morning, reach for one that has been formulated with sunscreen, like the It Cosmetics Anti-Aging Armour, to help protect your skin from the sun. At the night, look for a moisturizing option that offers lots of hydration, such as an overnight mask, so your skin can reap the benefits while you sleep. Try the Lancome Energie De Vie Night Mask Overnight Recovery Sleeping Mask. 

Avoid Harsh Scrubbing

A couple of times a week, you can incorporate other steps into your skin care routine to target specific concerns, such as breakouts or dullness. For example, try using a gentle sugar scrub that melts into skin, like the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Face Scrub, to help remove dead cell buildup on the surface of your skin that could be clogging your pores or causing your complexion to look dull. 

Opt for Natural-Looking Makeup—or No Makeup at All

It’s easy to get into the habit of applying a ton of foundation and concealer to cover up what you perceive as flaws. But natural-looking makeup is a trend these days, so scale back and choose makeup-skin care hybrids that enhance what you do have without covering it so heavily. Think, a tinted moisturizer, such as the Urban Decay Naked Skin One & Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector. You may even want to consider taking makeup breaks over the weekend. Just as your mind and body can benefit from two days off from school or work, your skin can benefit from going makeup-free from time to time, as this will allow your skin to breathe. 

Focus on What You Love About Your Skin

Loving the skin you’re in is all about embracing what you have. Take the time to think about what you do like about yourself instead of stressing over your not-so-perfect areas of skin. Sometimes it’s as simple as reminding yourself that you’re beautiful, regardless of whether you have a pimple on your chin or little wrinkles at the corners of your eyes.