There’s no denying it, Abigail Opiah has great skin! Glowy, luminous and healthy. Want to get that skin glow that Abigail has? We took some time to quiz our Un-ruly co-founder (as well as seasoned PR and creative marketing professional), on her skincare routine, her thoughts on professional treatments and her go-to products. Keep reading to get the low-down on how this glamorous creative babe’s skin looks so good…
How would you describe your skin?
I would describe my skin as combination skin. It’s not too oily, not too dry and it’s not temperamental, so I’m pretty lucky.
Nature vs nurture: is your great skin due to genes or your routine?
I would attribute my great skin glow to having good genes, for sure, but I think both nature and nurture come into play. For example, I never had acne growing up, which was great; however as I got older, I did start to experience hormonal breakouts on my chin, which although are also genetic, had to be managed via lifestyle changes. Eitherway, good genes aside, bad habits and neglect will definitely have negative consequences, which I learned in my early thirties.
Name the three most important steps of your skincare routine?
Although I’m not super strict with my routine, the top three things I do day-to-day include:
- SPF during the day: I don’t spend a lot of time in the sun as it is, but when I do or even when I’m at home, I always make sure I wear a moisturizing SPF to protect my skin from UV rays. I don’t really wear makeup these days, so I’m able to reapply my SPF during the day if needed. The one product that I cannot live without is definitely my Black Girl Sunscreen.
- Retinol or vitamin C serum at night: retinols and serums are so critical because they go to work repairing the skin, which is best done at night. If you have to choose between the two, I would say vitamin C is the best because it brightens, hydrates, reduces fine lines and wrinkles and decreases dark spots. I use both Murad’s Vita-C Glycolic Serum, which is on the pricier side and is a very concentrated formula, and Roc’s Multi-Corexxion Vitamin C serum which is more budget-friendly.
- Exfoliation: I like to exfoliate every once in a while, but it’s important to not do it too much with scrubs, in particular. Overuse of scrubs can lead to enlarged pores, but it’s really important to slough off dead skin cells. I prefer to use acids or Korean skin care products such as Dr G. Brightening peeling gel instead.
Do you ever get professional skin treatments (ex. LED light therapy, microdermabrasion)?
In the past, I’ve gotten a series of laser hair removal treatments done which was life-changing and really helped with those annoying hormonal breakouts on my chin I mentioned earlier. I’ve also gotten microdermabrasion treatments done. However, because it’s a pricey procedure, I found a gadget I could use at home instead and it works just as well.
Any other tips for getting that skin glow we all love?
I would say that cleansing the skin is a super important step in skin care that many people overlook. If you don’t properly cleanse your skin, dirt and oil can clog your pores causing inflammation and breakouts. More importantly, without properly cleansed skin, the active ingredients in your retinols and serums won’t properly penetrate the skin’s surface.
If you want more skincare tips and advice on how to get that skin glow, check out our interview with The Skinfluencer, Angela Mavalla.
Tags
# beauty# howsheglows
