Whether you have a romantic dinner planned with someone special or getting together with friends, prepping your skin for Valentine's Day date night is a must; here are 5 Valentine's Day skincare tips for glowing skin this February 14th!
It's almost Valentine's Day, and if you have prepared a night out with your special someone or perhaps just a romantic dinner at home, you'll want to make sure your skin is looking its best.
After all, we all want to look our best for Valentine's Day because healthy skin looks fabulous no matter what outfit you choose to wear, but skincare can be tricky and overwhelming.
We've compiled this quick guide of 5 must-do Valentine's Day skincare tips to help you achieve a romantic glow for the big day.
Here are 5 Valentine's Day skincare tips for glowing skin that will make you feel confident and ready for date night:
1. Exfoliate your skin.
A key step in achieving a romantic glow for date night this Valentine's Day is exfoliating your skin; you not only want your skin to look glowy, radiant, and healthy but also look and feel smooth and refreshed.
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, excess sebum, dirt, and other impurities from the surface of your skin to unclog pores and encourage newer and healthier skin cells to take their place to prevent acne breakouts, reveal brighter-looking skin and even skin tone and texture while also reducing the appearance of signs of aging; improving the overall appearance of your skin.
In addition, it helps make sure that any skincare product — from serums to face masks — penetrates deep into your skin and works more effectively for maximum effect.
To include it in your skincare routine, use a gentle, mild exfoliator — either physical, such as scrubs or brushes, or chemical exfoliants, such as AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) or BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) — once or twice a week after cleansing to keep your skin looking bright and glowing for Valentine's Day.
If you decide to go with a physical exfoliant — to exfoliate properly — start by rinsing your skin with warm water to loosen up any dirt and debris on the skin — then apply a dime-sized amount of your chosen exfoliant onto damp skin, using light pressure gently massage it into your face in gentle circular motions or with your hands or a soft-bristled facial brush — focusing on areas with more texture or congestion (such as the nose, cheek and chin).
But if you decide to go with a chemical exfoliant — to exfoliate properly — follow the instructions as indicated on the product label.
To finish off, rinse your exfoliant with lukewarm water to wipe away any remaining residue, followed by rinsing your face with cool water to close the pores and pat dry with a clean towel.
Using a harsh exfoliant and over-exfoliating damages the skin barrier, which leads to skin sensitivity and damage, so go slow and listen to your skin!
2. Use a face mask.
Adding a face mask to your skincare routine is important for achieving glowing skin to make you look and feel ready for date night this Valentine's Day.
Face masks target specific areas of concern, which is why they come in various forms such as clay masks, sheet masks, and hydrogel masks — here are all the different types of face masks explained — that provide your skin with various different benefits — and depending on the type you choose — that are tailored to specific types of skin.
Clay or mud masks are ideal for congested skin, as they absorb excess sebum from the surface of your skin to unclog pores. Hydrogel masks are perfect for dry or dehydrated skin, as they provide intense hydration to quench thirsty and dull-looking skin. And sheet masks are suitable for all skin types since they contain a combination of high concentrations of active ingredients to brighten, firm, and refresh your skin.
To use a face mask, apply an even layer onto freshly cleansed and toned skin, leave it on according to the instructions on the product label — usually anywhere between 15-20 minutes — rinse off with lukewarm water, and pat your skin dry, before following up with a moisturizer; using a face mask once or twice a week before bed to keep your skin clean and hydrated for Valentine's Day or to prep your skin before Valentine's Day date night.
No matter which type of face mask you choose, it is important to follow the instructions on the product label for best results and a beautiful glow.
Note: When choosing a face mask, select the one that best suits your skin type and condition.
3. Moisturize your skin daily.
No skincare routine is complete without moisturizer; moisturizing your skin daily is a must for everyone, regardless of their skin type — as it helps to provide your skin with the hydration and moisture it needs to look healthy and glowing, especially leading up to Valentine's Day if you want to look your best.
Good quality moisturizers come in many different forms, such as gels, lotions, creams, and even oils, so choose the one that best suits your skin type — if you have normal, combination, oily, or acne-prone skin, look for a lighter moisturizer that's non-comedogenic, but if you suffer from dry skin, look for a heavier lotion or cream moisturizer that will help provide your skin with the intense hydration it needs to look and feel healthy.
Apply a dime-sized dollop of moisturizer onto your fingertips — then, using light pressure, massage it gently into your face and neck in upward circular motions until it is fully absorbed — paying extra attention to any dry patches. For an extra boost of hydration, use a face oil — like jojoba oil or rosehip oil; these are more suitable for dry and dehydrated skin types.
When applying moisturizer, always apply it on damp skin — immediately after patting your face dry — to help seal in moisture and get maximum absorption of product from head-to-toe — and don't forget to apply a generous amount all over you your neck, décolletage, elbows, and knees; to ensure that all areas of your body stay hydrated; pay special attention to areas prone to dryness.
Apply it twice a day after cleansing in the morning and before bedtime at night to help prevent dehydration that can lead to dull-looking skin.
4. Address any dark circles or puffiness around the eyes.
No one wants to look tired and exhausted when out on a romantic date on Valentine's Day with their sweetheart — so take extra-special care of your under eyes by addressing dark circles and puffiness around them.
The area around the eyes is thin and delicate, so it requires a dedicated product that's specifically designed for this purpose — use an eye cream with active ingredients such as caffeine, hyaluronic acid, or retinol — all of which can help reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles and premature aging.
Caffeine constricts blood vessels to reduce swelling; hyaluronic acid binds moisture to hydrate and plump up your skin; and retinol promotes cell turnover and stimulates collagen production to smooth out fine lines, wrinkles, and crow's feet; if you don't have an eye cream, you can use a lightweight moisturizer under the eyes instead.
To apply eye cream properly, apply a pea-sized amount of eye cream with your ring finger (because its the weakest finger, it puts the least amount of pressure, reducing pulling and tugging around the delicate skin around your eyes) onto the under eyes — gently patting or tapping until it's fully absorbed — around the orbital bone (the area just below the eyes) in an outward motion, moving from the outside of your eye, towards the inner corner and up towards your brow bone; using upward motions will help keep skin firm and smooth while also reducing the appearance of fatigued and tired-looking skin.
For best results, apply your eye cream twice daily — in the morning after cleansing and at night before bedtime — and always use a separate eye product intended for the delicate skin around your eyes.
You can also give your eyes an extra boost by using eye masks or eye massaging tools; these are great for eliminating any appearance of fatigue around the eyes, especially if you have been out all night or plan on staying up late with your significant other.
Both eye masks and eye massaging tools help reduce puffiness and dark circles, however, eye masks take it a step further by also hydrating the skin and providing an extra dose of nourishment; for best results, simply apply your favorite eye mask before bedtime at night — twice a week — and let it sit on the eyes for 10-15 minutes.
5. Use lip balm.
Valentine's Day is all about kisses and hugs, so soft and smooth lips are essential to make an impression.
Lip balms not only hydrate and soften dry lips but also provide a protective barrier that helps to prevent moisture loss — making it perfect for extra protection against the cold winter months — so make sure to keep one in your pocket or bag for when you need it and use it often throughout the day and before bedtime at night; without lip protection, your lips can become dry, cracked and flaky.
Pamper your lips with an intensive lip balm to keep them hydrated, nourished, and looking their best; choose a lip balm that contains natural ingredients such as shea butter, beeswax, vitamin E, and other natural oils.
If you're looking for a lip balm that will help hydrate, nourish, and protect your lips while also giving them a subtle hint of color, look no further than natural tinted lip balms; these provide all the hydration with added benefits such as vibrant colors, soft shine, and long wear — that won't dry out your lips — and they are perfect for Valentine's Day.
So make sure to include lip balm in your skincare routine, especially leading up to date night, to keep your lips smooth and soft for kissing.
To use it, simply apply a small amount onto the lips as needed — during the day or before bedtime at night — wait for it to be fully absorbed into the lips — and re-apply every hour or so if necessary, especially when in colder climates or if you are prone to dry lips.
Following these simple yet effective skincare tips give you a healthy glow and a fresh canvas for a lovely makeup application to look picture-perfect in all of your date night photos this Valentine's Day, so get ready for date night by giving your skin the attention it needs and deserves.
Perhaps you want to stay in instead? No problem; you can treat yourselves to a Valentine's Day skincare routine or a luxurious and relaxing at-home spa night in the comfort of your own home.
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