We would all like to know the secret of beautiful skin, but uncovering it can be a challenge. While there is a lot of advice out there, much of it is contradictory. You never really know whether the person behind the blog is an expert in their field or just someone paid to write something fast to please a particular audience. Fortunately, there are some things that we know for sure when it comes to skincare. Here’s are the secrets to getting that glowing, radiant look you’ve always wanted, whether you’re in your twenties, thirties or beyond.

Always Perform A Patch Test Before Applying Product

Switching up your skincare routine regularly to see what works best for you is a good idea, but you need to be careful; not all products will agree with your skin.

If you’ve bought a new product, apply a small amount of it to a patch of your skin and then monitor that patch for the next 72 hours. Ideally, you should experience nothing but benefits, but sometimes there could be an adverse reaction. If you notice a problem, then discontinue the use of the product immediately.

Don’t Always Go To The Drugstore For Products

There are thousands of beauty brands out there, all experimenting with different formulations to help women get the perfect skin. What’s more, many of these brands are not in the big drug stores yet, meaning that if you only shop for your skincare products offline, you could be missing out. For instance, going to brands like K Beauty UK for Korean skincare and makeup can help if you want to get glowing skin well into your forties, as many Asian women have. Other brands focus on different areas, such as “natural” products, or products that are environmentally friendly.

Hormones Have An Impact On The Quality Of Your Skin

The level of various hormones in your blood changes dramatically over the month. But it doesn’t just affect your mood. It has an impact on your skin too. When your female hormones are low in the days after ovulation, you can find that you break out in spots and pimples. It’s important during these days to focus intensely on the quality of your diet, eating plenty of greens and seeds to get all the zinc and vitamin C that you need to fight off any skin-related problems.

Use Retinol Liberally

Sweet potatoes are a source of vitamin A, also called retinol. But you don’t just have to eat foods high in the nutrient to experience the benefits in your skin; you can apply it directly too.

Some people are intimidated by retinol because of the powerful impact that it can have on the skin. It can reduce scarring, improve appearance, and help you look much younger than you actually are.

While the visual effects can be extraordinary, it’s not something that you need to fear. Yes, you’ll look very different over time, but in a good way. You’ll look refreshed, plumped and more youthful and vibrant.

Use Rosehip For Moisture

As you get older, your skin can start to dry out and become flaky. It’s essential, therefore, to regularly add moisture to avert this process. While the best way to do this is debatable, people with dry skin have found that they benefit most from rosehip oil, a special kind of herbal oil that is also anti-inflammatory. Rosehip oil penetrates the top layers of the skin, getting down underneath to the dermis and providing cells with all of the moisture they need to remain supple. If you experience facial itching or dry skin after showering, rosehip oil can help significantly.

Don’t Touch Your Pimples

While pimples are unsightly, they’re an inevitable part of life. Even people who you think have clear skin all the time sometimes get spots. It’s a natural part of life. Touching pimples is a big no-no. The more you play with them, the more you inflame the area and spread the bacteria around, putting other pores at risk of infection. The best policy is to leave a pimple until it bursts naturally or goes back down into the skin.

Use A Small Amount Of Product

When it comes to skincare products, more is not necessarily better. You do not need to apply gobs of cleanser, moisturiser, eye cream, night cream, retinol or serum. Follow the manufacturer instructions and trust that the product is doing its work. Often you only need a couple of drops of serum to have the desired effect.