Here's Why Skincare Is The New Makeup!

Makeup trends come and go, but skincare is here to stay. Bold makeup’s popularity has quickly faded in favor of natural beauty, creating demand for skincare products that help consumers achieve that envy-inducing, dewy, bare-faced glow. In the first quarter of 2019, skincare sales in the U.S. increased 5% to $1.4 billion, while overall makeup sales took a hit. The growing preference for skincare has been especially evident in recent months, as Americans hunker down in quarantine and rarely show face outdoors. Makeup has even fallen out of favor with those who work from home and participate in face-to-face interactions on Zoom all day. 

It’s safe to say healthy skin is definitely “in.” Here are 5 reasons why: 

Skincare is about self-care.

Self-care is a buzzword these days, but not without good reason: Americans are some of the most stressed-out people in the world, and with rising medical and healthcare costs, self-care has become almost like a DIY approach to wellness. Self-care practices common among Americans are journaling, taking long baths, candle-lit meditation, and, yes, implementing a skincare regimen into their morning and evening routines. Practicing a skincare routine can be tranquil and calming, helping people unwind, boost self-esteem, battle symptoms of anxiety, or simply achieve a better night’s sleep. 

Not only does it promote self-care and mental health, but it promotes physical health, too. 

Taking measures to protect and nourish the skin is not only a good choice for aesthetic purposes. It also means keeping the skin healthy and, in turn, keeping yourself healthy. Our skin is our largest barrier against the outside world, keeping us safe from toxins we are exposed to every day. Take good care of it, and it will reward you in the long run! 

Spending time to apply skincare products with SPF, for instance, will reduce the risk of developing dangerous skin malignancies over time. Additionally, using a sugar scrub with gentle, circular motions increases circulation and spurs what’s known as lymphatic drainage (stimulating the internal flow of lymph fluids, our body’s natural detoxifiers). 

Skincare can be healthier for the planet and for people. 

Have you ever looked at the ingredients label of your favorite foundation or eye shadow palette? (If the answer is no, you may want to sit down for this one). Take a peek and you’ll see a long, long list of nearly unpronounceable chemicals, many of which can damage human health and the environment. Opting for natural skincare products, on the other hand, will ensure that no toxic chemicals permeate your skin or the environment. There are plenty of skincare products on the market infused with natural, nourishing ingredients, such as witch hazel, honey, raw sugar, cucumber and charcoal. 

If you do want to apply makeup, skincare will make it easier to do so. 

Let’s be real: putting on makeup every now and then can be a confidence-booster, and it’s a fun outlet for letting your creative juices flow. But using makeup is a waste of time if you don’t start with a clean, healthy canvas as a base. Skincare preps your skin for what’s to come, moisturizing and smoothing out the skin tone for flawless, even makeup application. Exfoliation comes especially handy before putting on makeup, as a buildup of dry skin cells can make your foundation look patchy. 

Skincare tackles the roots of common skin issues. Makeup simply covers them up.

It’s tempting to slap concealer on under-eye circles or to blot out uneven skin tone with foundation. But it’s far more effective to use skincare products that actually address those issues rather than simply masking them. Makeup is often used as a Band-Aid for problems that need a little more TLC!