What are the dos and don’ts of taking care of my skin and hair? This is a question we’ve likely all asked ourselves. With so much information out there, it can get overwhelming scouring the internet. With the new year in full swing, we all need some inspiration to help keep us on track and focus on taking care of ourselves. In hopes of helping you avoid spending all your free time with Google, we pulled together a list of skin and hair tips you can pick from that we hope will help you form good habits, and most importantly, gain amazing transitional results!
- Organize your products
Nothing like a good cleanup to get you ready for a new routine. Toss expired products and those that you don’t use, and line up your morning and evening products. Make a list of products you need to replace or add to your collection so you’ll have a quick reference next time you’re shopping for skin and hair products.
- Make a commitment
Stick to your routine because you deserve actual results. Rodan + Fields skincare Regimens are color coded and numbered which makes it easy and are formulated to work together to address multiple concerns in several ways for cumulative benefits. Try taking before and after pictures to see how your results are progressing so you can see your commitment is paying off. - Start early
It’s important for teens and young adults to take care of their skin and hair early on with good quality products to form good habits. - Follow directions
As easy as it sounds, many do not, and it’s important to understand proper frequency and amounts to get the best results. - Adjust your sleep routine
Try sleeping on your back to help you avoid those sleep crease lines on your face, and invest in a silk pillowcase which has both skin and hair benefits, like reducing hair frizz and fly-aways, as well as facial creases. - Less is more
A little goes a long way with high quality products like Rodan + Fields. Light layers of our skincare dry down quickly preparing the skin for makeup. And just a small amount of the Defrizz+ Oil Treatment is enough to moisturize while avoiding stringy looking hair. - Red means stop!
If your skin or scalp become irritated, red or is stinging, don’t use it. To find the culprit, test each product on its own area three times a day for three days — facial products on the jawline, and hair and scalp products just behind the lower part of the ear. - Don’t over wash your hair
Aim to wash your hair three to four times a week to avoid stripping out oils and making it drier. Our Refresh+ Dry Shampoo reduces oil and balances the scalp, leaving you with fresh, revived hair without leaving behind residue (plus it’s free of sulfates, parabens and dyes). No one will know you skipped a few washes! - Avoid dehydrating sulfates
These bubbles rob your skin and hair of moisture and disrupt the protective moisture barrier, causing your skin and hair to look dry, rough and dull. All Rodan + Fields skin and hair cleansers are sulfate-free. - Skip the heat
Saunas and steam rooms are good for you but not your hair. It’s important to buy products with thermal protection — check out the Smooth+ Regimen and Volume+ Regimen. When it comes to styling, give your hair a break and allow it to airdry. You can still create a put-together style without heat — try something like Define+ Curl Cream on dry hair for beachy waves and on damp hair for bouncy curls. - Pre-clean your face
Try using makeup removers before cleansing to help towels stay clean and allow cleansers to work on the skin issue. - Loosen up!
Stop pulling hair into tight ponytails and braids because this can lead to loss at the hairline. Use covered hair bands or scrunchies for softer grip and change the placement of ponytails and braids to allow for looser styles. - Control exfoliation
Exfoliating is important to add to your skincare routine, just make sure to begin gently and increase frequency rather than overdo it and have red, dry, irritated skin. Use Micro-Dermabrasion Paste on damp skin for mild exfoliation. - Address your pores
Pores don’t close — they’re open to balance and protect skin with sebum oil, and they often get clogged. If your skin is oily, don’t over dry it with astringent toners as this will signal more oil production. Try a product that primes and protects like Unblemish Invisible Matte Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30. Our clear formula goes on matte like a primer to blur the appearance of pores, all while protecting your skin from UV rays. If clogged pores are a concern, try the Recharge Detoxifying Mask to draw out impurities or the Pore Cleansing MD System that clears pores and blackheads. - Pimples — never squeeze!
This could lead to potential scarring and irritation. Instead, try a product like the Spotless Regimen or the Unblemish Regimen to dry down and prevent breakouts. - Address returning dark marks
Things like hormone replacement, birth control and UVA rays stimulate excess pigment and before you know it, dark marks are back. To address these marks, use products like the Reverse Regimen and Targeted Dark Spot Corrector to see even toned skin, and of course wear sun protection every day! - Don’t forget about chapped lips
The skin on your lips is sensitive and shouldn’t be overlooked. Every morning, apply a lip balm with SPF to moisturize, condition and protect.
Whether you’ve been straying from your beauty routines or never had any to begin with, start using your chosen tips from this list to inspire you to work on your routine, discover products you love and notice improvements over time. And don’t forget to take transformation pictures to really see your hard work payoff!
Written by Mary Radford, RN
Mary Radford, RNBA, has an extensive background in Dermatology, Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Spas. She worked side by side with Dr. Katie Rodan as a Registered Nurse in her dermatology office before being recruited to Rodan + Fields in 2004, where she currently focuses on Field Education + Tools.
