Love Your Skin

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. It’s the time of year we focus on showing those closest to us how much we care for them. This year, we encourage you to show yourself some appreciation too. You’ve heard the saying – before you can love someone else, you must first learn to love yourself. The idea of loving yourself is hard for many people, especially when it comes to loving your skin. Studies show that around half of the population has struggled with a skin condition at some point in their life and because of this also struggle with self-confidence and low self-esteem. Here atMambino, we have some tips that will help you learn to love your skin this Valentine’s Day.

Discard Old Products

Take a look at all your makeup products and see if there is an expiration date on any of them. While most products don’t list an expiration date some will and it’s important to throw out any expired products. If you don’t see a date, there are a few general rules to go by. For lip glosses, toss any that you’ve had longer than 6 months. Lipsticks last a little longer and are good for up to a year. Most powder-based products are good for 18 months up to 2 years, unless you notice any discoloration or smell. Liquid foundation can last up to a year if used properly. This means using an applicator to apply the foundation rather than your fingers. Anytime your hands come into contact with your foundation you are introducing bacteria. In fact, the one and only reason you should even be concerned with the shelf life of your makeup products is because of bacterial growth. While you’re at it, you should go through your skincare products as well such as cleansers, masks and moisturizers. Not only can they expire but new research is always yielding better ways to care for your skin and it might just be time to upgrade your products.

Keep An Eye on Cleanliness

Maybe you have a rock-solid skin care routine complete with cleanser, toner, exfoliator and moisturizer, Nothing is expired and you never skip a day. However, one thing most people fail to think about is the peripheral steps of their routine such as the towels they use to dry their face and hands. After your routine do you pat your face dry with your hand towel? That towel may not be as clean as you think. Both washcloths and towels are a breeding ground for bacteria and can even harbor mildew. This is why it’s important to change your towels, washcloths and hand towels daily. Trust us – your skin will thank you.

Limit Sun Exposure

We know that having a sun-kissed golden glow makes everyone feel better about themselves. But those few weeks of golden color can do years of damage to your skin. Overexposure to UV rays can lead to wrinkles, age spots, premature aging of the skin and even skin cancer. In fact, skin cancer is the leading type of cancer in the United States. There really is no cure for overexposure to the sun. Certain treatments can lessen the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation but only temporarily. That’s why the best way to prevent any sun damage to your skin is to protect it from harmful UV rays. Try to limit your sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen likethis product to protect the delicate skin on your face.

Don’t Overuse Makeup

Most people view makeup as a way to cover up their skin rather than as a way to enhance their natural beauty. But overapplying foundation and powder can easily clog pores which leads to breakouts. Then you’re perpetually stuck in a vicious cycle of continuously overapplying makeup as a way to cover up the break outs that are caused from the makeup you’re applying. We totally understand not wanting to go completely bare faced. If you want to use foundation, choose a mineral product that is much gentler to your skin and won’t clog your pores.  

Be Gentle

Most of all, show your skin some kindness. It is the largest organ of you your body and it’s important to take care of it. If you are constantly scrubbing and exfoliating you will quickly strip your skin of its natural oils leaving it more vulnerable to damage. Make sure the products you use contain natural ingredients and above all – moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

This Valentine’s Day as you’re showing those around you how much they mean to you, don’t forget to take a few minutes and show yourself some love as well. It’s never too late to begin a good skin care routine and we know your skin will love you for it.