Your 3-Day Weekend Skin Care Routine

It may have been a long week, but you have a three-day weekend ahead of you. Rejoice! If you’re not jetting off to an enviable location or filling your days with extensive plans, why not dedicate your weekend to skin care routine? There couldn’t be a more ideal time for a bit of pampering. Rest easy and make the most of your weekend by gathering your face scrubs, face masks, and self-tanner (and a few other necessities), then follow with these skin-spoiling tips.

3-DAY WEEKEND SKIN CARE TIP #1: EXFOLIATE FROM HEAD TO TOE

Are you always in a rush on weekdays? Well, if you haven’t exfoliated in a while, now’s a great time to do it! Dead skin cells can build up on the surface of your skin, and these can make your complexion look dull. For your face, have your pick from our three best face scrubs below:

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Purify & Unclog Face Scrub: For a purified and clean look and feel, use this sugar scrub, which is formulated with kiwi seeds and three sugars. Immediately, dirt, oil, and impurities are effectively removed, while dull skin is gently polished away. With continued use over time, skin feels baby-soft, smooth and comforted, while pores look tighter, unclogged, and less visible—and skin looks less shiny and has more of a glow.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Face Scrub: For a butter-soft face scrub that’s kind to your skin, use this sugar scrub, which is formulated with finely crushed cocoa, luxurious coconut oil, and rich cocoa butter. Immediately, skin looks more refined and feels softer and smoother, while dirt, oil, and impurities are effectively removed and dull skin is gently polished away. With continued use over time, skin feels nourished, softer, and more supple, while dry skin is smoothed.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Face Scrub: For baby-soft skin, try this sugar scrub, which is formulated with finely ground acai, as well as grapeseed and monoi oils. Immediately, skin feel smoother and looks glowing, while dull skin is gently polished away and dirt, oil, and impurities are effectively removed. Skin feels baby-soft, smooth, and comforted and looks glowing with continued use over time.

It’s not just your face that deserves some special attention, though. In the shower, reach for a gentle body scrub and massage it onto your skin in circular motions, so that you can show off your arms and legs in all your cute sundresses this season. Focus particularly on areas that tend to get dry, like your knees, elbows, and feet.

3-DAY WEEKEND SKIN CARE TIP #2: TRY MULTI-MASKING

Who says you have to limit yourself to using just one face mask? The multi-masking trend involves using different face masks on different areas of your face at the same time. Consider what needs your skin has, and apply accordingly. Here are our five best face masks, all of which are formulated with three types of clay (kaolin, montmorillonite, and Moroccan lava).

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Mask Detox & Brighten Face Mask: Over time, harsh environmental factors like pollution and debris can damage skin, leaving your complexion looking dull and tired. This face mask formula enhanced with charcoal can help draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and pollution, reduce the look of dull skin, and even out skin tone. Skin will look brighter immediately.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Mask Exfoliate & Refining Face Mask: Day after day, dead skin cells can accumulate on the surface of your skin, leaving your complexion feeling rough. This face mask formula is enhanced with red algae extract to help draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils, exfoliate dead skin cells, smooth the look of imperfections, and allow skin to breathe. Immediately after use, you’ll notice your skin texture appears refined. Skin texture will appear refined immediately.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clear & Comfort Face Mask: Enhanced with seaweed, this face mask helps draw out buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils, visibly reduce the appearance of imperfections, clear the look of congested pores, and gently cleanse skin. When you’re finished, skin is not only clean but refreshed and comfortable.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Mask Purify & Mattify Face Mask: Day after day, impurities, dirt, makeup, and excess oils build up on the skin, leaving your complexion looking overly oil. This face mask formula is enhanced with eucalyptus leaf extract to help draw out the buildup of impurities, dirt, and oils and reduce the look of excess shine. Skin will look less shiny immediately.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clarify & Smooth Face Mask: This face mask formula with enhanced yuzu lemon extract helps shed rough, dead skin cells from skin’s surface, clarify tone, and improve skin texture. Rinse off to reveal skin left with a clean glow.

Each face mask should be applied for 10-15 minutes, then rinsed off thoroughly with lukewarm water. You should use your face mask(s) of choice 2-3 times a week for best results.

3-DAY WEEKEND SKIN CARE TIP #3: SLATHER ON THE BROAD-SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN

Heading to the beach on your Monday off from work? Don’t forget to pack the sunscreen! The Food and Drug Administration recommends wearing an SPF of 30 or higher every day to help protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. When you spend prolonged periods of time in the sun without wearing protection, this can lead to damage, which can show up as visible signs of aging, like dark spots and fine lines and wrinkles, down the road. And it turns out you can even get burned on cloudy days—so you should still apply sunscreen even if you’re not hitting the sand.

Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before heading outside, then reapply at least every two hours. The only caveat: If you’re swimming or sweating a lot, reapply immediately afterwards. When you’re out and about enjoying the sunshine on your long weekend, there are other sun protection measures you can take as well. Seek shade during peak hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and wear UV-blocking sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat.

Editor’s tip: Want to save yourself a little time in the a.m.? Use a moisturizer formulated with broad-spectrum sunscreen! Try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Day Moisturizer SPF 30.

3-DAY WEEKEND SKIN CARE TIP #4: GO MAKEUP-FREE

During your time off from work, let your face have a break, too. Skip wearing makeup to let your skin breathe. We happen to think you look gorgeous with or without foundation, mascara, and lipstick, so go head and show off your bare skin!

3-DAY WEEKEND SKIN CARE TIP #5: FAKE A GOLDEN GLOW

You know how important it is to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen—especially if you’re going to be outside for a while. Still, you can get color safely by using a self-tanner. The L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze™ Hydrating Self-Tanning Milk Medium is a gradual self-tanner designed to deliver an even, bronzed glow while softening and nourishing skin. Just remember to exfoliate and moisturize beforehand—and don’t be surprised if you get asked where you went on vacation when you get back to work.

Next up: Should Your Location Affect Your Skin Care Routine?