How To “Fall” Back Into Good Skincare Habits

September marks the start of the fall season and National Skin Care Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to reset, assess your skin barrier health and refocus your efforts on improvement. Our skin is the body’s largest organ, and while we all want it to look good, its maintenance should be as much about vitality and longevity as it is appearance! A good skincare routine and healthy everyday habits are essential to keeping your complexion balanced and glowing over time, and it all starts with understanding your skin’s individual needs.

Here’s our top tips for refreshing your routine and promoting long-term skin health…

1. Educate Yourself: Know Your Skin Type

Recognizing your skin type is the foundation to building an effective skincare routine. Your skin type will determine which categories and products will be most beneficial for you, and which of those you may be using that could be causing irritation or exacerbating your concerns.

How to identify your skin type:

• Oily: If you experience frequent breakouts and often get shiny early in the day, you likely have oily skin.
• Dry: If your skin often feels tight throughout the day and you experience flaky patches or rough texture even after moisturizing, you likely have dry skin.
• Combination: If you find your skin dry or tight in certain areas while simultaneously oily and/or blemish-prone in others, you likely have combination skin.
• Sensitive: If your skin becomes irritated easily when using certain products or exposed to environmental factors, you likely have sensitive skin.

The easiest way to determine your skin type is to pay attention to how your skin feels throughout the day. Does it feel dry and tight? Does it get greasy quickly or itch often? Observing how your skin reacts in temperate conditions can give you clues about your skin type. And if you’re still unsure, consider consulting with an expert. An Epionce professional can guide you through the process and help you create a routine tailored to your skin’s needs.

Understanding the Epionce Dot System

The Epionce skincare line prioritizes barrier health and includes products for all skin types. The Epionce dot system makes choosing products for your specific skin type easier than ever, assigning each product one, two or three dots.

• For dry/sensitive skin, select one dot products. Dry skin lacks moisture and can be easily irritated and sensitive, and often red, cracked, or tight and dry-feeling. It can be challenging to find skincare products that won’t irritate this further.
• For normal/combination skin, select two dot products. Normal skin is typically hydrated with few blemishes or little excess oil. A more basic daily skincare regimen helps maintain healthy, balanced skin.
• For oily/problem skin, select three dot products. Because oily skin is often characterized by blemishes, excess oil production and enlarged pores, gentle but effective products are key to reducing surface shine and breakouts without stripping the skin of necessary oils.

2. Cleanse and Moisturize Regularly

On even the best days, our skin is exposed to sweat, debris, and oxidative damage caused by free radicals and environmental aggressors like pollution. Daily cleansing and moisturizing is imperative to any consistent skincare routine, regardless of skin type. Cleansing helps to remove dirt, oil and other impurities from the skin, while moisturizing helps to keep the skin hydrated and balanced after washing.

Skipping cleansing because your skin is already dry or moisturizing because your skin is oily can cause the skin to overcompensate, aggravating it further. Alternatively, the right products for your skin type will help to keep your barrier in check.

3. Invest in SPF

SPF plays a critical role in protecting the skin from harmful UV rays, which can cause premature aging and increase the risk of skin cancer. While some are hesitant to incorporate sunscreen into their daily routine due to feeling greasy or because of past skin reactions, finding an SPF that works for your skin type is nonnegotiable for skin health.

A multitasking formula like Epionce Daily Shield Tinted SPF 50 works for all skin types, is enhanced with botanical ingredients for antioxidant benefits, and provides broad spectrum protection with a sheer, glowing finish.

But no matter which sunscreen you choose, remember that SPF is a year-round commitment, and not reserved for just the summer months. After all, UV rays can penetrate clouds, and even windows!

4. Stay Hydrated

Hydration doesn’t just happen from the outside. Complement your external hydration (i.e., moisturizer) with water intake. It may be hard to believe that simply drinking water can help you care for your skin, but it can actually be a powerful ally for skin health. Proper hydration plays a key role in supporting skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and keeping the skin plump and radiant.

Tips for Staying Hydrated

• Pack a water bottle: Having a refillable vessel with you at all times encourages you to keep sipping throughout the day.
• Incorporate water-rich foods: Eating your way to hydrated skin ensures variety in your diet, and foods like cucumber and watermelon not only aid in hydration but provide essential nutrients for skin health.
• Set hydration goals: Turn the process into a game and track your progress to help you stay on target.

5. Focus on a Healthy Lifestyle

We’ve all heard the phrase “you are what you eat,” and the connection between diet and body (or in this case, skin health) hangs on consuming a balanced diet. Nutritional deficiencies often present themselves as problems in the skin, but focusing on vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can promote a clear, glowing complexion.

Aim for…

• Healthy fats and omega-3-rich foods: Things like salmon and walnuts support the skin’s lipid barrier and help soothe angry skin.
• Brightly colored fruits and vegetables: Berries, spinach and carrots have a wealth of antioxidants and protect the skin from environmental damage.

Avoid…

• Harmful habits: Smoking, drinking too much alcohol and consuming high-sugar foods can have negative impacts on the skin, contributing to premature aging, dullness and breakouts.

Taking vitamins (and applying them to the skin!) can help to supplement your diet with added benefits. Botanical sources of vitamins A, B, C, D and E are known to improve the signs of skin aging, and Epionce Intense Defense Serum includes all five!

6. Book an Appointment with an Epionce Pro

While over-the-counter products can improve your skin, consulting with a professional takes your regimen to the next level. They can provide more personalized skincare advice, perform professional treatments like peels and facials, and help you refine your regimen for maximum results. A pro will take into consideration all of the variables at play — skin type, lifestyle, genetics and more — for a more powerful (and efficient!) transformation.

National Skin Care Awareness Month is the perfect opportunity to take stock of your habits and reestablish your goals. Once you understand your skin type, stay consistent with the right products and seek professional advice when necessary, you’ll be on the path to success, and we can’t wait to see the difference! Don’t forget to share your journey on social media and tag us @epionce as we celebrate your skin health all month (and year) long!

Interested in learning more about Epionce’s approach to healthy skin? Contact one of our Epionce Pros — trained skincare professionals who will provide in-person guidance tailored to your needs. Find an Epionce Pro Near You