Four Golden Rules for Beautiful Skin
Rule Number 2 |
- Less is more
- If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
- Ingredients are the only thing that matter
- Always look for product reviews
Rule No. 2: If it Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It!
Rule number two is very similar to rule number one. Most people try to fix things when they’re not really broken and end up using more than they need to use, irritating their skin in the long run. Therefore, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Then you would be using less anyway!
All skin care products aim to do something to your skin, whether it is to moisturize, reduce wrinkles, clear acne, or fade sunspots. Products need active ingredients in order to accomplish any of these things and it is these active ingredients that are often hidden sources of irritation for many people.
If your skin was a bit "blah" before using a product but grew rough-looking after testing out the latest skin care trend, it's safe to assume that you can skip that extra step in your routine, regardless of how many people or how many magazines are raving about it. Just because a product made someone else's skin look amazing, doesn't guarantee that it will do the same for you.
If your skin is fine the way it is, don’t go about looking to perfect it because in my experience, the search for perfection is endless and fruitless. (The kind of perfect skin I’m talking about is the kind of unrealistic, photoshopped skin you see in magazine ads.) Half of the time when you’re trying to make your skin even clearer or even better or even more poreless, you’ll end up using a product that causes some sort of irritation and then breaks you out.
The whole seeking perfection thing is totally true though. I remember when both my entire cheeks were covered in cysts, the blackheads on my nose or the clogged pores on my forehead never bothered me. But when the cysts got better, I started to nitpick at the smaller pimples. And when those got better, I started to get upset over all the blackheads on my nose. And then I got really anal and couldn’t forgive myself for having large pores. But, having large pores is way better than a face full of cysts, right? It's all about perspective.
Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and appreciate how well things have gone for awhile and give yourself a break from always trying to be so perfect. And, as you know, you really are your own worst critic. I was really hard on myself to get good skin, but being hard on myself did nothing to make my skin better or clear my acne any faster. So, take a moment and forgive yourself and be okay with yourself for not being perfect. Imperfections are what make life interesting and unique anyway.
Last updated: October 9, 2012
Rule #3: Ingredients are the only thing that matter
