Feed Your Skincare
You may or may not know this but I am a HUGE skin care gal. Even when I was 10 years old (with probably zero acne) I can remember doing a 5 step routine from Proactive every Saturday in my bathroom.
Although I am a self proclaimed expert, I have suggested products and routines to both women & men, and I have received fantastic feedback! Hopefully you can find a new tip or product to try out from this list.
Here is the breakdown of my routine.
Mornings
I do not wash my face with a cleanser in the morning. A facialist once told me that over cleansing your face can strip the skin of it’s natural oils, and it’s best just to do at the end of the day. However, if I do a really sweaty work out in the morning I will fully wash my face. Instead I break it down to these steps.
Step 1: Rinse skin with cold water. This helps with puffiness and tightens your pores!
Step 2: Use a toner. This helps prep the skin and removes any dirt/bacteria that the water or your cleanser may have missed. I have been using this Rose Petal Witch Hazel for years, and I SWEAR BY IT. I love it because it has mainly natural ingredients, and it is cheap af.
Step 3: Apply Vitamin C serum. Vitamin C helps brighten and keep an even skin tone. It also helps reduce wrinkles, and protects the collagen in your skin. I discovered this serum from InstaNatural on Byrdie.com, and they mentioned the product had a cult following - so I was like “Okkkk gotta try it”. The brand is obviously natural, hence the name, and it is AFFORDABLE TOO. I love a good inexpensive product as you can tell. I have been using this for a few months now and I am enjoying it! I definitely will try more of their products.
Step 4: Apply SkinCeuticals’ Metacell Renewal B3. Ok, this one is a little pricey, but it is actually my favorite product I use. Basically, it’s a daily emulsion that fights photoaging. The product is designed to increase cell turnover, moisturize, reduce discoloration, and firm the skin. AKA it’s a magic. I cannot live without this product, and I promise you will see results if used consistently!
Step 5: Apply eye cream. I tend to jump around a lot with eye creams because they can get pretty pricey and I am on a mission to find the best affordable product. Right now I am using the Brightening Eye Gel from Versed and I have no complaints.
Step 6: Finish with moisturizer. Again, I like to experiment with various moisturizers - especially depending upon the season or my current skin concerns. I was gifted this Hydrogel Cream from Honest Beauty last year and I fell in love with it! Because it uses two types of hyaluronic acid it deeply moisturizes the skin. If you have been sleeping under a rock - hyaluronic acid is the creme de la creme of ingredients for anti-aging. Another huge benefit of this moisturizer? THE PRICE.
Make Up
Even though I barely leave the house these days, I still am applying make up daily as an effort to keep my sanity. I just like to feel pretty, is that a crime?
I have never been one to wear a lot of make up in the day (I have good skin - bragging!), so keeping up with my usual routine doesn’t require a lot of energy - these are the two steps I do daily.
Step 1: Apply foundation. I actually never used to wear foundation because I don’t like my skin to feel weighed down, BUT I recently tried out this Super Serum Skin Tint with SPF 40 from Ilia Beauty and it rocked my world. To say I am obsessed is an understatement. It is so light, provided a minimal coverage (which is all I need), and it’s super smooth. I love that it has SPF so I don’t need to apply, and it gives you a major natural glow. Because it is made with clean ingredients it actually benefits your skin vs. clogging your pores. I could write a full love letter about this foundation, but I’ll stop here.
Step 2: Concealer. Let’s face it - no matter how much sleep we get there are always dark circles under your eyes. We all have it, so concealer is a must! I am loving this Revealer Concealer from Kosas Cosmetics. It’s super creamy and blends easily. It is also a clean beauty brand that uses ingredients that only will benefit your skin.
Evenings
I alternate my evening routine depending on how my skin is feeling. If I am extra dry I will layer more products and avoid anything too intense (think anything brightening or peels).
I always go for a thick night cream or mask at night because your skin loses moisture as you sleep. It’s also a great opportunity to use products that are more intense since you are out of the sun for an extended period! I always start with the first two steps, and play around with the rest.
Step 1: Cleanse your face. I like to use this Cleansing Balm from Farmacy because it melts your make up off without drying out your skin, and also gently exfoliates it. When looking for a cleanser, I try to avoid any gel/liquid based products because then tend to strip your skin of its natural oils.
Step 2: Use the same toner from the morning. This helps remove any additional make up, dirt, or oil from your skin and preps it to absorb your next products.
Step 3: Hyaluronic Acid. I briefly touched on the amazing benefits of hyaluronic acid and that your skin loses moisture at night - so obviously applying this super power serum at night is a no brainer. I love The Ordinary’s serum because it is so effective, and you cannot beat their prices.
Step 4: Add your retinol. If you are not using a retinol, then take this as your sign to start. Retinol is a powerful ingredient used to fight wrinkles, prevent acne, and brighten the skin at a cellular level. Retinol should only be used at night, and try to avoid direct sunlight when using + always wear a good SPF - it thins the outer layer of dead skin and can cause you to burn easily! If you are new to retinol, start using it slowly (think once a week) and build up to using a few times a week. I am currently using the Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening from Dr. Dennis Gross and I am OBSESSED. I have already noticed a huge improvement in my skin tone, and wake up glowing. This is pricey, but worth every penny. I honestly love every product I have tried from this brand and one day hope to have a full collection.
Step 5: Night cream - option 1. I have been loving this Superberry Hydrate and Glow Dream Mask from Youth To The People. Not only does it deliver results, but it also smells like a tropical dream. The cream helps with dull skin and is super hydrating. A little goes a long way, and the cream is not too thick. I typically use this mask when I am not using my retinol.
Step 6: Night cream - option 2. Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask. You’ve seen it all over Instagram, and probably asked yourself “Is it really that good?” Well, I am here to tell you it is. There are some people that disagree, but I personally think this product rocks because it’s extremely hydrating. I like to use it as a night cream vs. mask and it works because it doesn’t clog your pores. This product also is packed with antioxidants so it’s perfect for sensitive or stressed skin. Even my husband uses it when he feels a skin irritation coming on. Trust me - it works. Still don’t believe me? It’s currently sold out everywhere!
Other Products & Devices
Other Products &
Tools
On top of my daily routine, I like to throw in a few enhancements. These are little treatments that I do every now and then, especially depending on whatever issues I am currently dealing with.
Option 1: PHAT Glow Facial from Ole Henrikson. I absolutely love Ole Henrikson, and would recommend any of their products (Truth Serum & Retin-Alt Creme are my favs)! The mask gently exfoliates and illuminates the skin. It’s made from PHAs, which are little fat molecules that help plump the skin. Think at home filler!
Option 2: AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution from The Ordinary. This treatment is INTENSE and will make your skin tingle - that’s how you know its working! The exfoliating solution helps fight blemishes and improve the skin texture. Just a short 10 minutes or less of this product and you’ll be baby fresh. Bonus - it’s blood red and will freak out your significant other!
Option 3: UpLift Facial Massaging Beauty Roller from Nurse Jamie. This tool may look inappropriate, but it surely is not. The roller is great for morning puffiness, and massages the skin to do just what it says - up lift the skin. It also helps energize and enhance the skin. I have been using this for many years and still come back to it daily!
Option 4: FIX Line Smoothing Device from NuFace. This little device uses mircocurrent to firm, smooth, and tighten your skin. Small but mighty, it helps to eliminate fine lines in just a matter of minutes. I use this on my forehead, and around my laugh lines.
Other Tips & Tricks
Be consistent. With anything in life results only show up it you are actively working for them.
Always take your make up off. This sounds like a no brainer, but you’d be surprised to hear how many people will do this out of laziness. Please show yourself more respect!
Stop using make up wipes. Ladies, these products are an absolute NO. Not only are they way too harsh for your skin and can cause micro tears, they do not clean your skin at all and will clog your pores. AND they are horrible for the environment!!
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES POP YOUR PIMPLES!!!!!!! I cannot say this enough!!! Popping pimples only makes matters worse by preventing your skin from healing, tearing your skin, exposing it to more bacteria, and scaring. Let me ask you, is a red inflamed scab/soon to be scar that much better than a pimple? The answer is no, so just let it be. If you simply need to take action try a zit patch or placing a warm damp compress on it.