Nine Tips and Lessons for Flawless, Glowing Skin
Most of us look in the mirror and long for glowing, flawless, spectacular skin. Some of you out there have it, most of us do not.
With new products flooding the shelves in an endless ocean of skincare products and skincare advice, including mine, there is an overwhelming amount of information out there on the internet. This makes it very difficult to navigate and figure out what skincare routine is going to work best for your particular skin type.
We all know the basics: drink plenty of water every day, get plenty of sleep, and always wash your face. The big question is, what about everything in between? That is what inspired me to create Exstilla while I was working as an Interior Designer.
After spending countless dollars and time, as well as research on other products bought at high-end cosmetic counters - with skincare professionals telling me what is best for my skin -with little to no satisfaction, I would end up at my local drugstore just getting something off the endless shelves of inexpensive products, still unsatisfied, but at least saving a few bucks avoiding the latest, high-priced “miracle” product. I finally came to the realization that nobody really knows my skin as well as I do.
So, I asked myself, what do I need to do in order to achieve a hydrated, and somewhat smooth, if not flawless complexion?
I was doing a lot of domestic traveling for work and being exposed to different environments and irritants, and with each new locale, I had different skin reactions. That's when I set out on my quest to put together a reasonably priced, small-batch, professional-grade luxury skincare line. I wanted to create a boutique, all-natural line that would benefit people of all ages and in all environments: heat, smog, humidity, or the cold. Whether the user had youthful skin, mature skin, or when it transitions between the two stages (which most of us don't realize happens in our 30s!) I wanted Exstilla to be something they could rely upon throughout their lives and adapt to their needs by utilizing and balancing their skin’s own natural, healthy oils.
The following things are what I have discovered (through years of testing and trial and error) that worked best for me and all of my loyal customers, whose feedback has allowed me to create an ultra-specialized, curated, custom skincare line with all the dream skincare products that they were always shopping for but could never find, until Exstilla!
Nine Tips and Lessons for Flawless, Glowing Skin:
Use the correct cleanser for your skin type. Need help? Click here to learn how to determine your skincare type
Don't use too many products! Wearing multiple skincare products at once is so detrimental to the skin. It's a pitfall I was guilty of myself. It can be very harsh and result in more breakouts and clogged pores...YES, even the dreaded blackheads.
Moisturize twice a day: in the morning and in the evening before bedtime. I also recommend avoiding products that have a heavy fragrance to them. Finding a gentle moisturizer that can be used every day, twice a day with no irritation is so important!
Try NOT to touch your face throughout the day. I know, this is so hard (touching my chin is my downfall). But we don't want to spread bacteria (especially during the cold and flu season) and we certainly don't want to cause breakouts.
Exfoliate sparingly. Some people may need to exfoliate more than twice a week, but I have found that with more mature or dry skin that twice a week is plenty, only adding an exfoliating mask treatment once a week if necessary. Read more: What you need to know about using face cleansing masks
Give your skin its vitamins! As we know, a balanced diet is so important to our overall health, and drinking lots of green juices or eating vegetables is super important for your skin too, but there's more than one way to give your skin vitamins. Vitamin-enriched topical serums and creams nourish the skin’s natural vitamins and can help repair your skin from sun damage and age. At Exstilla, we always try to ensure that vitamins are included in our skincare products. The most vitamin-packed item that we carry is our Vital Silk Serum and Primer. I find the best time to use it is after I cleanse my face, morning and evening.
Drink lemon water. I have found that for me personally, drinking lemon water with no sugar during the day is extremely hydrating and seems to make my skin a little brighter and feel more oxygenated. Some may not like lemon water, but we know the more hydration the better for your skin. So regular H2O is just perfect.
Clean your makeup brushes weekly. This was a game-changer for me. I admit that in my younger years I definitely did not clean my makeup brushes as often as I should have. But it is so worth taking the extra time. If you use makeup brushes for concealer or foundation, or for applying any of your makeup, they should be cleaned at least two to three times per month. I use our Exstilla gentle cleanser in the palm of my hand: wet your brush bristles and clean them gently with your hand, rinse them and lay them to dry, voila! Cleaning your brushes regularly not only protects your skin but also helps improve makeup application.
Simplify your skincare routine. Find a cleanser you love, a moisturizer that you know works for you, and keep those two items as the basics for your routine at all times.
Did any of these surprise you? Any more tried and true timeless tips that you would add to the list?
Let me know if you have any questions in a comment, I look forward to hearing from you!
Marianne Friedman
Founder of Exstilla & Sandpiper Lane
We believe in the healing power of nature: pamper your skin with the power of the sea
Taken from the Latin Exstillare, meaning to trickle (in drops), Exstilla products stand out in sea of skincare products on the market. We use only all-natural oils and botanicals that put moisture and hydration, drop by drop, back into your skin. Exstilla products also protect your skin from the free radicals encountered every day in our environment.
Exstilla products are boutique crafted in an FDA approved California lab using all-natural plant and marine extracts to create our super moisturizing, anti-aging skincare line for all skin types. All our products are non-toxic, vegan, and never tested on animals.
