Nothing makes you feel more confident than bright, glowing, fresh skin. The skin is the body’s largest organ and it plays a vital role in protecting us from the elements. But it also serves to make us look spectacular (or, conversely, reveal one too many late nights!).
We all have days when we feel like our skin doesn’t look great, usually due to hormones or a lack of sleep, but there are steps you can take to boost radiance and nourish your skin, some of which occur within, through good habits and behaviours, and some topically and cosmetically. Today, we’re considering the latter; here are 5 IDEAL beauty products to up your facial skin care game.
Jade Face Rollers
Beloved by beauty bloggers the world over, jade rollers promise to energise, revive, enhance, and uplift the skin. Yep, from reducing puffiness, minimising fine lines, improving elasticity and helping you achieve that all important ‘glow’, the beauty benefits of jade rollers are much touted.
So, how does it work? To use, you simply move the tool in an upward motion across the face.
This is thought to stimulate blood flow to your face, which in turn may make your skin look brighter and decrease puffiness. Using a jade roller under your eyes is also believed to decrease puffiness by stimulating lymphatic drainage, though the scientific consensus on that hasn’t yet been reached.
Here’s the rub; like other forms of face massage and despite the hype around this product and the lofty promises, no factual benefits of using a jade roller have been proven.
That said, the jade roller has been part of Chinese beauty regimes since at least the 7th century, which has to count for something. Moreover, massage is a potentially powerful stress reliever which not only helps you unwind but could also help with long-term anxiety issues. Face and scalp massages aid relaxation – perfect for relieving stress, which can often lead to tired looking skin when left unaddressed.
And whilst not yet comprehensively proven, it’s believed that when paired with a skincare product like a super serum or a mega moisturiser, jade rollers help these products penetrate better. Speaking of which…
Super Serums
Serums are chock full of nourishing, moisture-loving active ingredients that work wonders for your skin if applied regularly.
A facial serum is, essentially, a more lightweight and potent moisturiser, and there are lots of different serums out there that are aimed at specific concerns, though, overall, they all aim to boost your skin’s resilience and radiance.
If you’re suffering from dehydrated skin, then you want a serum that’s chock full of hyaluronic acid. This is because, despite the slightly scary sounding name, it’s super moisturising and helps plump skin. A serum containing vitamin E is also great for dehydrated skin, in particular. We like to think that using a serum with hyaluronic acid is a bit like glugging a good ol’ drink of water, which you should be doing, too, incidentally, to ensure a glowing visage.
Fine lines and wrinkles? Then it’s retinol that you want. Retinol is known for its collagen boosting properties, helping skin cell turnover and leaving your skin looking plumped and rejuvenated.
If you’re looking to brighten your complexion, then say hello to vitamin C. Vitamin C helps to improve the appearance of your skin by brightening it and making it look more radiant. It can also help protect your skin from environmental damage.
EMS Skincare Devices
It’s the secret skincare tool the Hollywood stars used to prepare for the Oscars 2022 – apparently. Known as the instant, non-invasive face lift, an EMS facial toning device is said to be like a sculpting gym workout for your face.
EMS stands for “electrical muscle stimulation”, and it works by sending bursts of electrical impulses to activate and elevate the facial muscles, which in turn gives the appearance of a firmer, more youthful-looking face.
Electrical impulses to your face? Don’t worry, it sounds scarier than it is. These are very mild electrical pulses designed to stimulate your facial muscles and you shouldn’t feel any discomfort at all when you use one. With regular use, they create a more toned and lifted appearance.
Collagen Boosters
The fountain of youth or an edible hoax? The jury is still out on whether ingestible collagen actually works.
Collagen is a protein that promotes skin elasticity and collagen supplements are designed to help ‘top up’ or ‘boost’ your natural collagen levels. Some studies suggest that they can help promote more youthful looking skin.
As reported by the Guardian, “A 12-week placebo-controlled trial reported that a collagen supplement with nutritional cofactors including vitamins C and E, and zinc improved skin quality in women over 35 years old. Overall, a review found 11 studies that provide supporting evidence for improved skin elasticity and hydration, and wound healing”.
That said, the data on the effectiveness of oral collagen supplements is limited. If you do decide to take a collagen supplement to boost your beauty game then be sure to check out this article on 10 things to consider before taking collagen supplements.
Read: The all-in-one guide to maintaining plump, glowing skin naturally
SPF
That’s right; plain and simple sunscreen lotion. Applying sunscreen every day is crucial to skin health, as guarding your skin from the sun slows down the ageing process and helps keep skin cancer at bay. Indeed, the key to reducing your risk of sun spots, wrinkles, sun damage and skin cancer is to incorporate a good sunscreen lotion into your daily beauty routine.
Finding the right sunscreen is important here, as many creams are oily and can lead to breakouts. When shopping for a sunscreen, look for one with a high SPF (at least 30), water resistance and broad-spectrum protection. There are a range of sun protection products designed specifically for your face which are light weight and won’t clog up your pores.
Oh, and while SPF infused foundations and makeup products sound like a good idea, they don’t really provide adequate protection. Always apply sunscreen directly onto the skin, and underneath any makeup for maximum protection.
The Bottom Line
The importance of a good skincare routine shouldn’t be underestimated. Since a well-observed skincare routine bookends the day, it represents a small act of self care to set you up and to wind you down every single day, and what could be more valuable than that?