How to get perfect skin before a date

Step #1 Cleanse

No beauty routine should start without cleanser and it’s important that you find the right cleanser to suit your skin’s needs. Here’s how you should be cleansing according to your skin type:

How you take care of oily skin in the evening before you go to bed will likely determine if your skin will look oily the next day. By properly cleansing your skin you can regulate oil production and also reduce the appearance of large pores. Make sure to use a cleanser that removes impurities out of your pores. Just be sure that the product you use is not too drying as that can strip your skin and in turn increase oil production.

Just like with oily skin, dry skin types should also use gentle products — aggressive products can further dry out dry skin and cause it to flake. Use a creamy cleanser or a cleansing milk to maintain your skin’s ph balance and is moisturizing, not stripping.

Formulas with fragrance or alcohol will make your skin flare up. Use a milky, non-comedogenic cleanser specifically formulated for sensitive skin.

If you’re wearing a lot of make up and you really want to take cleansing to the next level you may want to consider double cleansing. Read the full background on the process here, but to give you a brief synopsis, you use a facial cleansing oil first to remove any make up or residue, then a gentle foaming cleanser is applied to the skin and massaged on skin to remove any remaining impurities. All in all, double cleansing provides a more thorough cleansing experience.

Retinol or pro-retinol, a Vitamin A derivative, is considered a superpower in the fight against skin aging. Retinol can rev up surface cell production and it can also help make your skin appear brighter. For the best results, use in the form of a serum or cream.

Ready to go to sleep? So is your skin, and there’s no better way to give it some rest than with a product that hydrates and nourishes overnight. You will wake up with beautiful refreshed skin. Use a moisturizer formulated with antioxidants to restore any damage sustained from free radicals throughout the day. If you want to supercharge moisture to your skin and wake up looking more youthful, use a sleeping cream like Garnier SkinActive’s Miracle Anti-Fatigue Sleeping Cream. This intensely hydrating formula nourishes skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles for rested, younger-looking skin.

This sounds like it would be the easiest part of the routine but many adults report regularly not getting enough sleep. Try to get at least eight hours of shut eye the night before your date. Your skin will be able to maximize surface cell turnover during the night, your eyes will look refreshed and if you use the products above, you can even help reduce the appearance of fine lines you may have. Prime yourself for a great night’s sleep by minimizing screen time (cell phone, tablet, computer) at least an hour before you go to sleep. The blue light emitted from the screens can affect melatonin levels, which make the ability to fall asleep harder.

Not to get all “water is the source of life” on you but, well, it kind of is! Your skin will never look its most radiant and plump unless you properly hydrate your body. You should drink water throughout the day. If you’re looking for something a little more flavorful you can supplement with herbal teas and fresh-squeezed fruit juices. Fruits also provides hydration and have the added benefits of antioxidants!.