How To Improve Skin Health in 3 Easy Steps, According to A Professional Makeup Artist

Photo of a woman applying sunscreen after reading about how to improve skin health.

Learning how to improve skin health has gotten so complicated over the last decade. Have you noticed the change too?

Skincare used to be so straightforward. You just decided if your face was dry, oily, or a combination… bought a bottle of facewash labeled as good for your skin type… and maybe some moisturizer if you were feeling fancy.

What the heck happened to those days?!

Now it’s like you’re scrolling, and a video convinces you some new brand is actually the best… but before you can even click “Shop Now”, there’s another video in your feed. And the new video says the brand you were about to buy is made of toxic sludge, but THIS brand is actually really the best.

Ugh. Oof. Blargh.

How can you truly take care of your skin when every piece of “information” is an ad in disguise? I can help!

I’ve been a professional makeup artist (and licensed cosmetologist) for over a decade. I’ve performed countless facials, bridal makeup services, and waxing services. Every day, I work to improve clients’ skin health through education rather than sales-y scare tactics.

Today, I’m sharing my 3-step process for how to improve skin health.

The best part? These steps are not brand specific. No matter what brand of skincare products you use, this process will fit right in.

How to Improve Skin Health… No Matter Which Skincare Brand You Use

1. You are what you eat. We’ve both heard this before and promptly dismissed it, right? I mean sure, I feel kind of sluggish and tired when I eat empty calories. But there’s no way that can affect skin’s elasticity and complexion, right?

Take a deep breath. Because it absolutely does, as this study found recently. You’re negatively affecting your skin’s health if you eat…

Sugary snacks or candy
Fast food
Fried food (even if you cook it at home)
Refined and processed carbohydrates

Am I saying you need to completely restructure your diet just to look good for your photoshoot next weekend? No! Heck, I had a fast food burger for dinner last night. And I knew it wouldn’t do my skin any favors.

What I am saying is to be strategic. Do you have an event or photoshoot coming up? Then try to stick to fruits, veggies, and proteins that are as “unprocessed” as possible in the week (or two!) leading up to it.

This will help ensure you don’t have any unpleasant skin surprises the day of your event. I know that “eat your veggies!” probably isn’t what you wanted to hear… but it really is the most impactful tip I offer when I’m asked how to improve skin health.

2. Get two benefits for the price of one. Did you know your skin is your largest organ? It’s ironic how easy it is to take it for granted. You won’t be surprised that I recommend paying special attention to your skin’s health.

How? The easiest and most effective way is with 2-in-1 sunscreen and moisturizer combo products. You can also use sunscreen and moisturizer that are 2 separate products, it’s just more work.

With a 2-in-1 product, you apply it once in the morning to your chest, neck, and face. Make a habit of doing it every morning. Even if you’re indoors at home all day, your face is exposed to the air. Depending on the season, simply being exposed to air will dry out your skin a little bit or a lot!

If you make a habit of using a 2-in-1 product, you’ll never have to remember to also do sunscreen when you’re going outside. I recommend picking one with an SPF of 30 or more. When I’ve used products with a lower SPF, they just haven’t really worked for me. I still get a little sunburned. But SPF 30 has always been effective as daily skin protection for me.

3. Get your beauty sleep. I can’t tell you how long I told myself this tip was an old wives’ tale. But sure enough, my skin changed once I committed to sleeping a reasonable 7 hours minimum per night. This was about three years ago.

The change was so swift that I thought it was coincidence. I thought my “skin type” had changed from “all acne, all the time” to “magically clear adult skin!” But the proof was in the pudding a few months later.

I went on vacation for a week and threw all caution to the wind. Some nights I slept five hours (well, most nights) and a couple nights I slept eight or nine hours.

And at the end of that vacation… well, I try not to be too hard on myself, so let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.

Can you see where this is going? I re-committed to my sleep schedule, and my skin changed again. This experience convinced me! And this experience is why getting your beauty sleep is one of the tips I give everyone.

Scientific research supports what I experienced. A recent study on how to improve skin health found that not getting enough sleep CLEARLY has a negative effect on skin’s appearance… think wrinkles, fine lines, bags under your eyes, and sagging. Don’t even get me started on the sagging!

BONUS pro tip: Wash your sheets every week, at least. Getting enough sleep will do very little for your skin if your sheets are dirty, covered in weeks of your body’s oils and sweat. Imagine what putting your face on a greasy pizza box all night would do to your skin.

If you aren’t regularly washing your sheets, you aren’t enjoying all the possible benefits of getting enough sleep.

Photo of a women sleeping on clean sheets after reading my how to improve skin health article.

Now You’re on Your Way to Clear, Beautiful Skin

You’ve probably heard at least one of these tips from your aunt or grandmother. I know I have. And I spent years dismissing these tips on how to improve skin health as “old-fashioned” and “out-of-date.”

So don’t take Grammy’s word for it. Don’t just take my word for it, even though I’m a licensed skin and makeup professional.

Take it from dermatologists!

Because in the past few years, many dermatologists have listed these same 3 tips as the most important. Mayo Clinic, CNET, and Medical News Today have all published interviews with dermatologists… and every single one of them includes these 3 tips.

You already know that these steps can be used with any brand of skincare. Did you notice how easy they are to implement? You don’t have to put any toners in the fridge. You don’t have to sleep on a block of ice.

And you don’t have to buy seventeen new skincare products for your already-overstocked vanity drawers. Instead, you have three simple steps on how to improve skin health— and two of them don’t require you to purchase anything.

So, what are you going to do first? Personally, I’m going to go wash my sheets right now!

Cheering you on,