The Skin Care Routine for City Girls

Living the city life? If you are, there’s a good chance that you’re constantly on the go, trying to pack in as many activities as possible into your hectic schedule. From the throngs of restaurants and shops to all of the city’s finest parks and museums, a girl’s got plenty of places to visit in the concrete jungle. But despite all of the benefits of living in an urban area (Takeout at 2 a.m.? Yes, please!), there could be some downsides for your complexion. In fact, environmental factors like pollution can do a number on the look of your skin. That’s why a consistent skin care routine is a must. Follow the below tips—including using a face mask three times a week, taking your makeup off every night before bed, and investing in a moisturizer with SPF—for caring for your skin when you live in a big city.

1. Cleanse your skin morning and night

When you live in a city, all that dirt and grime can build up on your skin, which is why cleansing twice a day should be top of mind. Planning to stay out late? No problem! At night, use a gentle, no-rinse cleansing option like micellar water, which is powered by tiny micelles (oil molecules) that act as a magnet to lift dirt, oil, and makeup up and away from the skin. The L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin purifies and mattifies, the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin hydrates and soothes, and the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types intensely purifies. All you have to do is pour some onto a cotton pad and wipe the pad across your face.

In the morning, switch to a clay facial cleanser to help draw out dirt and impurities from the surface of your skin. Try the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Cleanser, L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Purify & Mattifiy Cleanser, or L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refine Cleanser. Squeeze a small amount of your facial cleanser of choice into your hands and add water to transform it from clay to mousse. Gently massage the facial cleanser onto your skin, then rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.

2. Exfoliate with a face scrub weekly

Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to exfoliate all the gunk—including dirt, excess oils, and dead skin—that has built up on the surface of your skin. How often you should exfoliate is up to you and your skin type. Pay attention to how your skin responds so you can determine what works best for you. The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Purify & Unclog Face Scrub, L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Face Scrub, and L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Face Scrub can be used three times a week. Just smooth your chosen face scrub onto skin that’s dry, then gently massage it into your skin with wet fingers and rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.

3. Apply an antioxidant serum

One of our favorite ways to help protect your skin from the grind of city life? Using an antioxidant serum after cleansing! According to the American Academy of Dermatology, environmental exposure such as pollution can contribute to the development of free radicals, which can cause skin damage and signs of aging. Antioxidants can help protect against free radicals and are often found in serums.

4. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

External factors like pollution, UV rays, and excessive cleansing can damage your skin’s moisture barrier, so be sure to apply one morning and night. The L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Oily Skin, L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal/Dry Skin, and L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Extra Dry Skin are formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water to help provide long-lasting hydration.

5. Don’t forget the broad-spectrum sunscreen!

Before heading out for a hectic day, layer a broad-spectrum sunscreen over your moisturizer to help protect against UV rays. You should wear sunscreen year-round, regardless of the weather—yep, you can get burned even on cloudy days! If you’re pressed for time—which, let’s be real, happens often when you live in a big city—use a moisturizer with SPF, like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Day Moisturizer SPF 30, instead of applying two separate skin care products.

6. Use a face mask

Skin not looking as bright as it used to? Over time, harsh environmental factors like pollution and debris can damage skin, leaving your complexion looking dull and tired. Oftentimes, facial cleanser isn’t enough to solve this problem. That’s where the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Mask Detox & Brighten Face Mask comes in! Formulated with three types of clay (kaolin, montmorillonite, and Moroccan lava clays) and enhanced with charcoal, it can help draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and pollution and reduce the look of dull skin. Immediately, skin will look brighter and dirt, dust, and pollution are perfectly removed from the skin. Apply an even layer on clean, dry skin, leave the face mask on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse. Use three times a week for best results.

For more city-specific skin care tips, here’s Your Anti-Pollution Skin Care Routine.