9 beauty hacks from experts that will give your current skincare routine an extra edge instantly

Great skin is not simply a matter of DNA. Your daily skincare habits can have a huge impact on what you see in the mirror too. And while most of us are familiar with the basics – cleanse, moisturise, and wear sunscreen – there are still plenty of beauty tips that we’ve yet to try.

Well, there’s no better time to give our regimens an upgrade than now, starting with a few beauty hacks that experts have shared. Luckily, there’s no need to shell out tons of cash on any magical procedures or expensive creams to up our skincare game.

Ready to give your routine an upgrade? Here are nine beauty hacks that will give your current routine a leg-up instantly.

Give your cleansing oil some time to emulsify

If you’ve been using a cleansing oil or balm as your first cleanser at night, good on you. However, you can’t just rinse it off sloppily and go straight to your water-based cleanser. In order to allow the cleansing oil to break down makeup, dirt, sebum, and pollution, you have to give it time to emulsify.

To start, go ahead and apply your cleansing oil or balm on dry skin and massage it around in circular motions for about a minute. Then, scoop some warm water in your hands and lightly splash it on your skin. When your cleansing oil emulsifies and turns milky white, continue to massage it in.

Repeat the process until the water turns clear and your face feels clean before rinsing it all off with water. It may keep you in the bathroom for a while, but the results are worth it.

Related reads:

• This 60-second cleansing rule gets rid of oil plugs and blackheads right before your eyes! Here’s how to do it
• Why you should use a cleansing balm even if you’re not wearing makeup – here’s the most effective one we’ve tried!

Use a foaming net or put your cleanser in a foaming pump bottle

A mild cleanser that lathers up effortlessly to produce a delicate, fluffy foam is best for those with irritated, sensitised skin. This is because the foam acts as a soft cushion to reduce friction and irritation as it gently lifts dirt and excess sebum off.

If you don’t want to switch to a new cleanser, you can easily get yourself a foaming net to create an effortless lather. Or, you can decant your cleanser into a foaming pump bottle. Remember to dilute your cleanser with water in the bottle, otherwise, the pump might not produce a light foam.

Massage the foam on your skin in circular motions before rinsing it off, and use a clean face towel or tissue to wipe off the excess water. For those with particularly sensitive skin, you may want to replace your face towels regularly.

Related read: Friction-free skincare is the new trend women with dry, sensitive skin are obsessed with. Find out what it’s all about.

Apply a warm compress on your eyes

If you’ve been staying up late bingeing all the latest shows on Disney+, or have been staring at your computer screen for too long, your eyes are probably feeling dry and sore right about now.

To alleviate the discomfort, try a warm compress. It helps to increase blood circulation and it stimulates your oil glands as well. Not to mention, it feels oh-so relaxing on the eyes.

All you have to do is wet a towel with warm water and place it on your eyes for about five minutes. This quick and easy step can ease strained eyes and diminish dark circles.

Related reads:

• 5 ways to get younger-looking eyes without going under the knife, according to an aesthetic doctor
• Eye bag removal in Singapore: everything you need to know about getting rid of tired-looking eyes

Rinse your face after using a sheet mask

It’s no secret that Korean celebrities credit their glowing “glass skin” to using sheet masks regularly. However, the rich essences that soak every sheet mask can be a little too heavy for those who have sensitive, acne-prone skin.

Most sheet masks contain added thickeners, which help to lock in moisture and enhance the consistency of the essence. But if you let the essence sit on your skin for too long, it could clog pores and cause breakouts.

This is why you should try rinsing off the excess essence on your skin after you’ve removed the sheet mask. That should help the following skincare products in your routine apply better.

Related reads:

• 23 best Korean face masks for all the skin concerns you can think of
• 23 best Japanese face masks to get in 2020 that beauty enthusiasts are swearing by
• 7 tips that can make your facial masks work harder for you

Spritz on a hydrating face mist before applying a mud or clay mask

Besides sheet masks, there are also plenty of mud- and clay-based masks on the market, which are perfect for those with oilier skin types. For those with sensitive and dry skin, however, a mud or clay mask can often translate to pure pain.

To combat its drying effects, spritz on a moisturising face mist before applying your mask – one of the best beauty hacks we’ve ever come across. This helps to create a light protective barrier on the skin, which still allows the mask to do its job at drawing out impurities and unclogging pores.

Related read: 17 best facial mists for dewy look that will be the best skincare investment you’ll make

Mix a few drops of facial oil into your moisturiser

While we may not experience winters here in Singapore, plenty of us sleep and work in air-conditioned environments, which can zap moisture from our skin and leave it feeling dehydrated.

Instead of purchasing a separate night cream, you can add two or three drops of facial oil to your moisturiser and mix it in evenly. This way, you can give your moisturiser a nourishing boost whenever your skin’s feeling parched.

Related reads:

• 7 best face oils to try: Here is why you need a facial oil even if you already have a good moisturiser
• Facial oils aren’t just for those with dry skin – here’s why it may be the beauty essential for oily skin, too

Use a nourishing lip product before bed

Besides the skin around our eyes, the skin on our lips is actually really delicate. As we catch up on some Zs, we sometimes breathe through our mouths, which can dry out our lips overnight.

To keep them nourished and protected, apply a generous amount of lip balm before heading to bed. Don’t slather on too much though, you won’t want its rich formula to cause blemishes around your mouth.

Related reads:

• The best lip balms for sensitive lips you should have in your beauty stash right now
• 19 best lip balms for daily use that cater to every concern and budget

Put socks on after you’ve applied lotion on your feet

Don’t let cracked heels get you down. A quick and easy way to get rid of these stubborn rough patches is to apply a thick layer of lotion on your feet before jumping into bed. Then, put on socks to lock the moisture in while you sleep. Over time, you’ll see softer, smoother heels.

Related reads:

• 20 best foot care products to heal and pamper dry and cracked feet
• Dead skin on feet is a pesky problem but there are (pampering!) solutions to get rid of it

Add a few drops of essential oil to your bath

If you like to unwind with a bath or enjoy a long soak during your staycation, adding a few drops of essential oil can add stress-relieving, mind-soothing, and muscle-relaxing power. And while they do dial up your bath, you shouldn’t be pouring in any essential oil of your liking.

Essential oils are powerful stuff, and using the wrong ones can turn your tranquil tub time into a torture session. Before you do anything else, always mix your essential oil with a carrier oil, such as jojoba, olive, sunflower, or coconut oil. This lowers your chances of skin irritation and burns.

Be extra cautious with oils that are known to irritate the skin and mucous membranes too. You’ll want to avoid cinnamon, clove, oregano, spearmint, and wintergreen in the bath. Instead, go for rose, chamomile, and lavender – skin-loving essential oils that smell great in the tub.