Skin Care Is Self Care — Here's How This Beauty Influencer Is Prioritizing Healthy Skin This Summer
Happy skin is healthy skin, but achieving the clear, glowing complexion we all dream about is easier said than done. Tending to your skin is a year-round commitment, one that changes with the seasons and constantly needs adjusting based on your needs and concerns. While there’s no one-size-fits-all routine or miracle formula, there are products and tips that can make a world of difference when it comes to attaining healthier skin.
During the summer months, skin tends to crave lighter products, ample vitamin C, and,
of course, extra protection from harsh rays. For beauty influencer Carmen Ho, summer serves as the perfect opportunity to revamp her beauty routine and focus on enhancing her natural complexion. Ahead, discover Ho’s advice for mastering gorgeous summer skin that’s healthy from the inside out.
First and foremost,every day should start
with sunscreen. As someone who loves summer, Ho tends to
spend as much time as possible outdoors during the warmer months. But even in the winter, SPF is a must; it’s one of Ho’s most critical products because it protects her skin and helps it heal.
“I only learned the importance of sunscreen as I got older, but
when I was younger, I dealt with acne that led to dark spots,” she tells POPSUGAR. “Since using sunscreen, it’s made such a difference in clearing those up and achieving healthy skin. Now, I always
carry a mini SPF with me.”
It’s not just the SPF that’s important, either — the type of sunscreen you use can also make a big difference. For maximum protection, it’s best to use broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher.
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A go-to suncare choice for Ho is Hawaiian Tropic — primarily because she’s careful about each product she uses on her dry, sensitive skin, and the brand passes her ingredients test. She also loves its commitment to being cruelty-free and sustainable as well as its affordability.
“My favorites are the Silk Hydration Weightless Continuous Spray and the Silk Hydration Weightless Oil Mist,” Ho says. “I love that they spray on invisible and feel refreshing. They also smell like a tropical vacation. The formulas are silky smooth, weightless, and provide the ultimate SPF-30 protection.”
Ho’s very first step in her morning regimen is washing her face –
sometimes with a cleanser and sometimes just with water, depending on how her skin is feeling. Aside from sunscreen, she makes sure to apply a toner, either a vitamin C or hyaluronic-acid serum, and a moisturizer every day (in that order). Sunscreen is the last step before she applies makeup.
“I recommend familiarizing yourself with your skin,” she says. “Learn your skin type, and know how to address your various concerns. For me, it was a process of trial and error. Remember that glowing skin is healthy skin, which means it requires proper time and attention.”
Being committed to taking care of your skin is Ho’s biggest tip for achieving a dream complexion, which is why her morning routine is so crucial. But it’s not just about her skin care — it’s about self-care and setting the tone for a positive and productive day, mentally as well as physically.
“This scheduled time sets me up for success by helping me feel refreshed, ready, and confident in my skin,” she says. “When my skin looks good, I feel good. Having healthy and glowy skin radiates into how I carry out my day.”
When preparing to tackle an extra-busy day, Ho makes sure to
set a schedule and prepare a task list or an outline. This helps her stay on track without feeling overwhelmed. At the end of the day, though, a moment of self-care is what really makes her feel grounded and connected in the present. Her favorite self-care practices include cooking, going to the gym, taking a walk, and, of course, indulging in a full skin-care routine.
This holistic approach to taking care of herself helps Ho feel calmer on the inside, which in turn affects her appearance. These self-care practices decrease her cortisol levels and, coupled with her intuitive skin-care routine, help to prevent acne and stressed-out skin.
When summer comes around, the New Yorker enjoys going out and exploring the city. “There’s always something new to experience,” Ho says. “I love discovering new restaurants, new places, and just having a good time with friends and family.”
Throughout the year, Ho strives to maintain a sunny disposition, or an “endless summer” mentality, if you will. To her, this means the feeling of summer never goes away, even when the season itself is over. “It means the feeling of warmth, sunshine, and happiness that radiates internally no matter the environment,” she says. “And, of course, the reminder to apply and reapply your sunscreen.”