A quick look at a common nail condition you've never heard of
If you've ever had a hangnail, you know how irritating they are. Hangnails can be painful and getting rid of them is an exercise in trying to avoid an infection.
With the way the world went crazy this past year, it was easy for routines to fall by the wayside. We suddenly found ourselves with years worth of routines that were suddenly changed!
Now that the world is somewhat returning to normal, it's time to get those routines back. Fortunately, we’ve got a routine reset ready for you. It’s not complicated - just three simple steps that you can write on a post-it note and attach to your bathroom mirror.
Ready to get started? Let’s go.
Washing your face in the morning can be symbolic. It’s the start of a new day! You’re waking up, you’re getting ready to face the new challenges of the day.
That’s why your skin cleanser is important. Those of us with sensitive skin know the trials of finding a good skin cleanser, but even if you’ve got a non-sensitive skin type, it might take you a few tries to find a cleanser that doesn’t leave your skin either too dry or too oily.
When searching for a gentle cleanser, look for ones that are water or oil-based. When you get done cleansing your skin, it should not feel stripped. It should feel clean, comfortable, and supple.
Don’t skip this step! All skin needs inner moisture from water (make sure to get your 8 cups for the best skincare!) but also moisturizing protection from drying outdoor factors.
Choosing the right one is down to your skin type! If you have oily or combination skin, you might need a lighter formula, as heavy moisturizers could cause you to break out. Conversely, for dry skin types, you might find that a light moisturizer leaves your skin feeling tight, which may indicate you need to find something a little more heavy-duty.
Start with a water-based gel moisturizer. These are versatile and can be used on most skin types. If you find this formula doesn’t work for you, then you can move on to moisturizing creams with more strength.
Don’t skip the sunscreen!
Sunscreen is, hands down, one of the most important steps in your skincare routine, and the one people tend to skip the most! If you only do one step from this list, develop a daily sunscreen habit. Sunscreen can protect you drastically against premature aging, protecting you from UV rays that can cause wrinkles, damage your DNA, and even potentially cause skin cancers.
When looking for a good facial sunscreen, check out formulas that are listed as “broad spectrum”. This will protect you from all kinds of UV radiation, not just UVB. You’ll also want to opt for a formula that offers at least SPF 30, and you may want to select a formula specially developed for the delicate skin of the face.
Caring for your skin is important at the best of times, but in today’s tumultuous society, where stress seems to be taking potshots at us from every corner, taking a quiet moment for self-care in the morning can be vital for both physical and mental health. Make a ritual out of these three steps, if you like. Light a candle. Put on some soft music or a podcast that makes you smile, and take deep breaths.
With a small act of self-care, you can prepare yourself to care for those around you (and look fabulous doing it!).
