Skin is the largest organ of the human body and protects us against dangerous bacteria entering our system. Our skin tells us about factors that are going on within our body. Therefore, it is very important to take care of our skin and pay attention to any issues we may encounter because of our diet or lifestyle. Developing and keeping up with a skincare routine is essential in improving our skin elasticity and avoiding those pesky pimples and blackheads from invading our pores, which can lead to acne and further skin problems in the future.
My long-term career goal is to create my own cruelty-free cosmetic and skincare company and the reason why is due to my love of skincare. It’s something I have been practicing since I was young, before being able to buy skin products, when I instead used to make my own body butters, scrubs, eye creams and gels for many years. This sparked my vision for creating these same types of products, more refined of course, that could be sold and used on a wider scale for other individuals.
I started using mainstream skincare products towards the end of middle school to the beginning of high school, partially because I had two older sisters who already had their own skincare routine and wanted to feel included. The other half was due to the research I had done before creating my own version of skin products that made me realize the true importance of taking care of your skin. This included watching YouTube videos of people making such products and finding out which natural oils and butters would be beneficial to our skin and protect its natural barrier.
Aging is inevitable and our face and hands are two places that it shows the most. As we get older, the elasticity of our skin diminishes, meaning that there is a lack of proteins, collagen and elastin, that give our skin that plump texture. Even just partaking in everyday life can influence our skin such as not applying sunscreen when going out to work or school, thereby exposing our skin to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and can result in severe damage. Other aspects that could impact our skin are sleeping in makeup and not washing your face properly, leading to a buildup of excess oils resulting in clogged pores.
Choosing what products work best for you and your skin type is not always an easy process and it could take multiple tries of different brands and their ingredients to find something that suits your needs. I personally rely a lot on Korean skincare products. While studying abroad, I made a lot of friends from Korea who put me on to a lot of the country’s skin and beauty products and what they find works best for them. When I came back to New York, I immediately bought serums and a moisturizer from Korean brands and they are amazing and beneficial for me. I see such a difference in my skin: it’s plumper, firm and my dark circles and spots are gradually diminishing.
To gauge what works best for me, I identify what the issue is with my skin at that moment. Thanks to my mom’s wonderful skin genetics, I do not have that many problems with acne. I do get pimples sometimes, especially when stressed out or when my menstrual cycle is about to start, but simply popping on a pimple patch the night before takes care of it more times than not.
When my skincare routine is consistent, I rarely have any pimples at all. However, I have very dry skin which can get super uncomfortable, so immediately after showering or washing my face with a cleanser, I start my routine. Skincare isn’t something I began necessarily out of fear of aging or was concerned about skin problems. I was so young and without a major social media influence that it did not cross my mind at that moment and simply wanted to copy what others around me were doing. The reason I continue this many years after is because of the impact it has on my skin and makes me feel more confident, especially on the days that I feel like not wearing makeup.
I consider skincare an act of self-care. Those few minutes of putting on a toner, serums, moisturizers and sunscreen, if I am going out, allow me to relax and calm myself especially before starting my day or after a busy one. If I miss a day or do not go through my regime completely, then it feels like a part of my everyday routine is not complete and it is always something that I look forward to doing. Anyone of any age or gender could have a skincare routine, and I recommend it and think it does wonders for both one’s mental and physical health.
