12 Simple and Affordable Skincare Hacks that Work

A Few Foods for a Better Complexion
Summary
Resources

It’s easy to achieve a flawless face when you have a bottomless budget and unlimited access, but there are also some clever hacks you can implement at home for a fraction of the cost of luxury brands.

#1. Simplify your Skincare Routine

Have you got limited time or a tight budget? Streamline your skincare routine with products that target multiple concerns!

Try an overnight mask that can be used as a cleanser and a daily mask. Use a facial moisturizer to soften nail cuticles in a pinch; experiment with different ways to extend the usefulness of a product.

Plus, using too many products can be irritating to your skin and it'll be virtually impossible to isolate and pinpoint which products aren't working.

#2. Treat yourself to a facial massage

Toning and massaging your face can be done with a variety of gadgets, but none are more effective than your complimentary set of tools: your two hands!⁣

Plus, a facial massage is not just a great way to relax and de-stress; it's also wonderful for your skin––a very effective way to decrease muscle tension, boost circulation and blood flow, and soften expression lines.

The great news is, it's super simple to perform a facial massage at home using your hands and your favorite facial serum for added slip, even if you’re on a budget.

#3. Keep it clean

Your hands encounter so many surfaces in a day; perfect places to exchange germs and other pesky pathogens! So take extra care to keep those hands super-duper clean prior to beginning your skincare routine to avoid introducing elements such as dirt and bacteria to your skin.

Also, remain diligent about cleaning your makeup brushes and disinfecting your phone as they have constant contact with your face and can redeposit particles that can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin.

#4. Change pillowcases and sheets weekly

Our bodies release sweat, oils, dirt, and dead skin cells that accumulate on a pillowcase and end up leading to breakouts. So commit to washing and changing your sheets and pillowcases weekly.

#5. Hydrate your body

Drinking enough water every day serves many purposes in bolstering health, including directly contributing to supple and smooth skin.⁣

Moreover, in addition to digesting adequate fluids to balance the body, it’s wise to give your skin a drink of water using hydrating skincare products like toner or serum––following cleansing but before applying an appropriate moisturizer for your skin type.

Use the framework of taking your body weight in pounds divided by two, and make this your daily water goal in ounces (e.g. 100 lbs. = 50 ounces per day) as a baseline and adjust according to activity levels and other needs.

#6. Apply your skincare to damp skin

Here’s for a little skin care fun fact: your skin is last to receive all the water you're consuming. So adding a misting of moisture to your skin and applying your skincare products to damp skin optimizes its ability to soak up the skin-pampering ingredients in your serums and moisturizer.

#7. Consider below your clavicle

For many their face is the primary focus when considering skincare, but it’s crucial to remember to apply your products all the way down to your neck and décolleté.

Moreover, curate a solid skincare routine for the rest of your body, too, and secure yourself smooth and supple skin from the neck down, as well.

#8. Rinse your body after using shampoo and conditioner

If you suffer from body acne, it’s best to make sure you're washing your body after you shampoo and condition because certain emollient ingredients in your hair care products could be clogging your pores––leading to a higher probability of breakouts.

#9. Complete your PM skincare routine 15 minutes before bedtime

#10. Go bare-faced and flaunt your glow

Ever notice how your glowing complexion truly shines through when you go makeup free?⁣

Pristine skin care hygiene, including committing to remove your makeup and cleanse your face every day can prevent breakouts for those who wear foundation daily.

However, going without makeup gives your skin a chance to breathe as constantly wearing foundation can clog your pores and settle into fine lines, potentially aging the appearance of your skin prematurely.

Instead, opt for a no-makeup, makeup look and rely on a little mascara, moisturizer, and gloss to deliver a fresh-faced feel that gives your skin a chance to rest and regenerate.

#11. Use ‘edibles’ to moisturize skin

You don’t have to exclude your skincare sourcing to products from Ulta or Sephora, there are some skincare solutions located right in your refrigerator that you can use, as well!

Consider slathering on some full-fat mayo or pureed avocado as a highly hydrating mask that you can make at any time to add an extra vibrancy to the face and body, thanks to their rich healthy fat content.

#12. Be realistic about results

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but we can relate to some people’s frustration around the time it can take to see results from some skin care treatments. ⁣

We get it, you want to see immediate results when embarking upon a new and promising skincare routine. And delayed gratification can feel painful, especially when it’s your precious complexion on the line.

But patience is a precious virtue worth applying in this regard. Skincare products can take time to work, so begin with a new product with the intent of giving it a real chance to perform before giving up.

The most important factor is to trust the process and stay consistent!

A Few Foods for a Better Complexion

Diet determines the health and vibrancy of our skin at least as much as the topicals we apply to cleanse, tone, and moisturize.

While maintaining a fail-proof AM and PM routine is ideal to keep your complexion plump and blemish-free, including water-rich foods filled with antioxidants is another approach to keep skin clear and glowing.

Consider adding the following fare to your current meal plan for more youthful, plump, and blemish-resistant skin:

Vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables: Stock up on sweet peppers, kiwi, broccoli, and citrus fruits: pineapples are rich in bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties, and it’s also abundant in Vitamins A, C, K and minerals that are crucial to maintaining clear, healthy skin––potentially improving your skin texture, and reducing sun spots and acne symptoms.
Fruits with polyphenols: Foods and drinks like veggies, nuts and seeds, and red wine are all brimming with these plant-based nutrients, and these plant polyphenols provide anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-oxidant properties and DNA repair activities, that one can leverage to prevent various skin disorders caused by excessive exposure to solar UV light.
Fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene: Nutritionists and registered dietitians suggest eating the rainbow when it comes to our produce because doing so provides our bodies with a full spectrum of nutrition to best support optimal health.

Flavorful and colorful foods like yellow, orange, and green dark leafy fruits and vegetables, like carrots, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe, and winter squash, are the best sources of beta-carotene.

As a general rule, the more vibrant and rich the color of the fruit or vegetable, the more beta-carotene it contains.
Soybeans: Organic, non-GMO soybeans, and derivative products like tofu and soy milk, are filled with antioxidant elements known as isoflavones, which can play a pivotal role in improving the appearance of skin aging.

So, adding organic soy-heavy foods like tofu and soy milk to your diet can aid in diminishing signs of dullness and wrinkles, resulting in a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance.

Nuts and seeds: Nuts and seeds offer everything from omega-3 fatty acids, and complete sources of protein, to a broad spectrum of minerals and nutrients.

From almonds to walnuts, pili nuts to cashews, all of these protein-packed pods provide unique and beneficial properties for your skin. Furthermore, these nuts are bursting with healthy vitamins and minerals like copper, zinc, vitamin A, C and E and others that support glowing, smoother-looking skin.
Oily fish (e.g., salmon, mackerel, etc.): Adding portions of fatty, oily fish to the menu is noted as an advantage to heart health and managing balanced cholesterol levels.

Particularly, fattier fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel, are essential for glowing skin–they are all rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for facilitating a clear complexion and lustrous hair.
Water: Finding excuses to drink more water during the day is wise as doing so keeps your body hydrated and rejuvenated, while helping maintain your skin's elasticity.

Further, those who drink significant amounts of water are less likely to suffer from scars, wrinkles, and soft lines or show as many signs of aging as those who drink insufficient amounts of water and are likely somewhat dehydrated.
Coffee: Yes, it may be our nation’s favorite drink. But it’s noteworthy to mention that the caffeine and chlorogenic acids (CGA) found in coffee beans can aid in reducing inflammation and free radical damage related to skin problems such as eczema, acne and psoriasis.

Moreover, coffee grounds show hopeful results for fighting skin infections and conditions given the antimicrobial properties contained in their CGA and caffeine content.

Summary

The skin is the largest and one of the most significant organs within the human body. The skin provides a protective barrier between the outside environment and the body’s internal organs.

Plus, our bodies are amazing and our skin can heal and regenerate itself––think of cuts scarring over.

Certain skin conditions require immediate medical attention, but many measures to support skin health and wellbeing can happen at home with a little dedicated time and attention.

Adding more measures to round out your self-care routine is always advisable as you continue to refine your needs and see what works well for you.

Start slowly, and add home-based treatments one at a time to track benefits. Then refine a morning and evening routine tailored to your unique needs that will help you achieve and maintain the complexion you’ve always desired––and for decades to come.

Resources

Hampton, S., & Collins, F. (2001). Keeping skin healthy: Problems and solutions. Nursing and Residential Care, 3(5), 210–213. https://doi.org/10.12968/nrec.2001.3.5.7601
Nutrition and skin. (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7967-4
Stahl, W. (2010). Flavonoid-rich nutrients for the skin. Nutrition for Healthy Skin, 85–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12264-4_8