We depend on Google to answer a lot of our questions on a regular basis, but it goes without saying that the past year hasn’t exactly been regular. After spas and salons temporarily closed in late spring due to safety concerns following the spread of COVID-19, many of us had to either give up our regular beauty treatments for a few months or become our own beauticians at home. Google, of course, was right by our sides with the answers to all of our burning questions.
The company just released its 2020 Year in Search, and to the surprise of no one, most of the top trending beauty searches from this year revolved around at-home beauty treatments. The results reveal that quite a few of us spent a lot of time either experimenting with our hair and making attempts to cut, color, and style it at home, or trying to give ourselves DIY spa treatments.
What were some of the most common queries? We’ve rounded up the burning beauty Qs that made their way to the top of the list – and the answers, ahead.
Getty / Grace Cary
"How to Wash Your Hands"
Yes, some people needed help in this department. (And yes, that’s OK.) To ensure you rinse away all the germs, you should wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. This should happen before and after cooking and eating food, after using the bathroom, after sneezing or coughing, and after you come in contact with a sick person.
Getty / Artem Varnitsin / EyeEm
"What Order to Do Skin Care"
Sure, the products you put on your face are important, but what’s also important is the way you layer them. The right layering technique will ensure you get maximum results for each product. For example, you should always apply your moisturizers after your serums and your SPF after your moisturizer. Head over here to check out our detailed guide on how to layer your skin care products and makeup.
Getty / pigscanfly
"How to Dermaplane"
Dermaplaning is when an aesthetician uses a scalpel blade to physically exfoliate dead skin cells and fine hairs or peach fuzz to improve your skin’s texture. It’s OK to perform this treatment at home, but you do run the risk of “traumatizing and nicking the skin” if done wrong, according to what a dermatologist told us. For safer results, use a small, single-bladed razor that’s less harsh on the skin, and shave with the grain to reduce the risk of skin injury.
Head over here for more details on the safest way to dermaplane at home.
Getty / Javier Zayas Photography
"What Does Vitamin C Do For Your Skin?"
Vitamin C is a hero ingredient in many a skin care product, as it’s known for reducing hyperpigmentation, protecting the skin from environmental damage, and helping collagen production. We put together a handy guide of everything you should know about vitamin C before you add it to your skin-care routine here.
