Skincare is SO much more than what we apply to our skin. The best thing – lots of the things and habits that will improve the health of our skin is FREE!
By: Maria Ahlgren, co-founder and Beauty Director
Before starting Common Clouds, I had a long career as a beauty journalist and beauty editor at magazines like ELLE, and also wrote a couple of books on skin nutrition and the connection between food and skin. I've always looked at skin at a holistic way – our skin mirrors our emotions, how we nourish ourselves and our daily habits. Of course, skincare products can have a huge impact – especially if you have acne-prone skin or other concerns that needs targeted treatment – but we can also support our skin with a huge tool box that won't cost us anything. Especially if you easily get breakouts, you need to add try these hacks ASAP.
Here's 10 of my best FREE skincare tips!
1. SANITISE YOUR TECH 📱
Our phones are real hotbeds of dirt and bacteria, and we don't want that on our acne-prone lil' faces. Wipe your phone with a disinfectant wipes or spritz with a hypochlorus acid spray a few times a week. Hypochlorous acid is a weak acid produced by our own white blood cells as part of our body's natural defense system against pathogens, and a lab-made hypochlorus acid products are great a disinfecting both your skin and stuff that touches is. Just spray it on some cotton and wipe away.
Give your keyboard/laptop a spin too. If you wear glasses, wipe the parts touching your skin. I spray my hypochlours acid
2. KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF ❌
On the same note. DO. NOT. TOUCH. YOUR. FACE. At least not when you haven't washed your hands. And stop picking your pimples. Picking or popping pimples is a sure-fire way to trigger acne and risk scarring. If you are a hopeless picker, our pimple patches always got your back.
3. CHANGE PILLOW CASES AND TOWELS EVERY WEEK 🧺
Hairstyling products, oils from your skin and hair, and bacteria can be transferred back to your face and clog your pores. Change pillowcases at least once a week. Also, keep a separate (private!) towel for your face and change it every third or so day.
4. WASH YOUR GEAR 🧢
If you wear hats, helmets or scarves, make sure to clean them regularly to avoid so called "acne mechanica".
5. WASH YOUR FACE AFTER YOUR HAIR 🫧
If you're acne-prone, wash your face the last thing you do in the shower after washing your hair. This way, you can be sure that no oils from your conditioner or drying sulphates from your shampoo is left behind on your skin.
6. CLEANSE YOUR MAKEUP TOOLS 🎨
Keep your make-up tools in mint condition. I try to to wash my makeup brushes once a week, but to be honest, I fail at this way too often. As a quick solution, I spritz my brushes with a hypochlorus spray a few times per week. Easy peasy.
7. RESPECT THE SUN ⛱️
Not only is the sun responsible for premature aging, cellular damage and the risk of skin cancer – it can also worsen acne and increase the risk of scarring. Many acne treatments also make skin more sun sensitive, so daily sunscreen is a must (at least SPF30).
As for FREE sunscreen – jump into the shade mid-day, wear a wide-brim hat or cap and set a reminder alarm every other hour to remind yourself to re-apply your SPF.
8. EAT THE RAINBOW 🌈
Ok, food is not technically FREE, but it's still skincare that isn't skincare.
The colour pigments in fruit, berries and veg mean they’re packed with powerful antioxidants and nutrients that help your skin to protect and repair itself. As a bonus you get tons of fibre that makes the gut happy, which means happier skin.
Skin also LOVES omega-3 fatty acids, that are found in oily fish. Fatty omega-3 acids found have been linked to lower inflammation in the body, which can be helpful for people with acne and other inflammatory skin issues. They also help to hydrate skin, and keep the cell membranes healthy and bouncy. Opt for oily fish 2-3 times a week, or vegan options like seaweed and walnuts.
9. CUT DOWN ON DAIRY & SUGAR 🍦
I HATE shaming food or food groups, but if you're acne-prone, trying to limit some foods can be helpful. High-glycemic, sugary foods and dairy (especially low-fat cow’s milk) have been linked in several studies to increased outbreaks in those already prone to acne. However, milk or sugar are never the underlying causes of acne (genetics and hormones are), but try eating less of it and monitor what happens.
10. SLEEP AND TRY TO DE-STRESS 😴
Snoozing is oficially skincare. Night-time means repair mode for your skin cells. The increased bloodflow when you sleep = glow! Aim for 7-9 hours and your skin will thank you.
Also, try to manage your stress (tricky, I know!). The stress hormone cortisol is linked to both a weaker skin barrier and increased sebum production, which can trigger acne. It’s hard in a performance-driven world, but try to prioritise your mental well-being and be kind to yourself 💙