5 simple ways to transform your skin

Going beyond the products you use, here are five things you can implement in your daily routine to get clearer skin that glows.

If you’ve struggled with acne at some point in your skin journey, you know the feeling of being ready to try everything under the sun to finally get “perfect skin.”

I’ve dealt with acne for about 10 years (I’m 25 now), ranging from clogged pores and small breakouts, to full-blown cystic acne that only got worse the more I tried to fix it.

After researching and experimenting like crazy over the years – different products, routines, DIY remedies, prescription treatments, natural treatments – I finally realized what actually helps my skin look and feel its best.

So, what’s the secret?

I never found that miracle product that “cured” my acne. Instead, my perspective slowly changed from wanting to find a quick fix, to being open to tweak small things in my daily routine to improve my overall health. This changed my skin more than anything.

I put the following five steps to the test earlier this year when my skin started acting up again. It was likely a combination of stress, getting lazy with my skincare routine, not moving my body as much and not sleeping as well (hello, quarantine 2020).

I knew I had to switch things up to start feeling better and eventually improve my skin. So, I made an effort to stay consistent and document my progress. Three months in, and my skin is more even and hydrated than ever. Now, I can focus on fading my remaining acne scars and hyperpigmentation.

Slowly but surely, these small lifestyle and skincare changes added up to completely transform the health of my skin in a way that was sustainable for me.

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Here are the healthy skin tips that worked for me. Have your own tips to share? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment down below or connect with me on Instagram (@niceskindays).

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1. Simplify your skincare routine. Then stay consistent.

Go back to the basics. Starting with one skincare step at a time, figure out which product jives with your skin and leaves it feeling happy and comfortable. Then, stick with those products and avoid switching things up too much for a few months.

I like having a rotation of products for my morning skincare routine, and a slightly varied rotation for my nighttime skincare routine.

These are the skincare products that are essential in my routine right now:

• Cleanser
  • AM: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
  • PM: Remove makeup with Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Cleansing Water
  • PM: Second cleanse with CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
• Clarifying serum
  • AM: Consonant Skincare Vitamin B + Zinc Serum (my holy grail, already repurchased a backup! You can use my code NICESKINDAYS for 10% off Consonant Skincare.)
  • PM: Consonant Maximum Glycolic Meta Serum
• Moisturizer
  • AM: Avene Hydrance Aqua Cream-In-Gel
  • PM: La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 or Olay Calming Facial Moisturizer (both fragrance-free)
• Spot treatment (if I have an active breakout)
  • PM: Benzaclin (prescription cream of benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin)
• Sunscreen
  • AM: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen SPF 45

You can find more routines and reviews of my favourite products on IG:

2. Use chemical exfoliants to unclog pores.

For years, I struggled with pesky clogged pores along my cheeks, nose and chin, which would often turn into larger pimples or take forever to go away if I didn’t pick at them first!

Incorporating a gentle yet effective AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and BHA (beta hydroxy acid) product into my routine has been an absolute game-changer to keep my pores clear and calm.

What do they do? AHAs exfoliate the top layer of your skin to reveal fresher, smoother and visibly firmer skin over time. Examples: glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, mandelic acid, citric acid.

BHAs help to “unglue” the structure holding dead skill cells on the surface of your skin, but they’re oil-soluble, which means it’ll penetrate deeper into your pores to unclog the oil inside of them. Examples: salicylic acid, willow bark extract.

My favourite product that has both AHAs and BHAs is the Consonant Skincare Maximum Glycolic Meta Serum. It’s fragrance-free and goes on like a gel, absorbing into my skin without stinging or irritating it at all. With a soothing moisturizer on top, I wake up with the smoothest skin that feels balanced and decongested.

Read about my other favourite chemical exfoliants for acne scars and clogged pores, and how I use them!

3. Be gentle and kind to your skin. This means no picking!

The gentler you are with your skin, the better it will heal. Sounds simple, but this one took me years to grasp. When I finally did, my skin started to glow and “bounce back” better than ever before.

When I was in my teens, I got into the bad habit of picking at my clogged pores and pimples, trying to “purge” what was inside of them. During times of stress, I would literally dig into my skin until I got the clogged pore out. Most of the time, I succeeded, only to be left with a wound that would take weeks to fully heal.

It was NEVER worth it. I did, however, figure out ways to heal these wounds faster, which I’ll share in a future post!

Picking isn’t the only way to damage your skin – it can also be caused by harsh exfoliants, tugging, using water that’s too hot or not protecting it with moisturizer and SPF.

Try and notice where you could be gentler and kinder to your skin, and take action. Your skin will thank you!

4. Master your sleep and de-stressing routine.

Read before bed. Dump your wandering thoughts into a journal. Meditate. Stretch the tension away. Take a relaxing bubble bath and decompress.

Literally do whatever you need to do to properly de-stress from your hectic day so you can get a good night’s sleep. Your skin regenerates and heals so much while you sleep, and this is a crucial part of any healthy skin routine.

My go-to way to unwind before bed is to read while sipping a cup of herbal tea. My go-to tea blends at the moment are the Davids Tea Cinnamon Chai Rooibos (sweet and deep) and the Veda Wellness Glow Tea (strong hints of turmeric and rose).

For evidence-based tips on how to improve your sleep routine, I loved reading Sleep Smarter: 21 Essential Strategies to Sleep Your Way to a Better Body, Better Health, and Bigger Success by Shawn Stevenson. I bookmarked and underlined that book like crazy!

5. Protect your skin daily with SPF 30+

“Wear your sunscreen” might be the new “drink more water” in the skincare community, and it’s for good reason.

Damage from the sun adds up over time and can cause premature aging, hyperpigmentation and skin cancer. In the short-term, it can inhibit how your skin heals from breakouts and wounds. When I’m consistent with my SPF, my red marks from healing breakouts fade much faster.

Try and find a facial sunscreen that works well with your skin type and has *at least* SPF 30. It’s also important to apply enough sunscreen on your face, and to reapply at least once throughout the day.

There are so many great sunscreens out there, and I’ll be sharing some favourite options soon!

Note: I'm not a trained aesthetician, skincare expert or medical professional. In sharing my skincare journey and the tips I've learned along the way, my goal is to help inform and inspire others to take charge of their own skincare and wellness journey. What works for me may not always work for you, and I encourage seeking advice from a licensed healthcare professional for specific health-related concerns. Thank you so much for reading!