I wanted to share an updated skincare post since I have pretty drastically changed what I’ve been using and what I have learned since my first skincare post (you can read it here). And my skin has reflected that! Most days now, I simply use a corrector to cover a little red and then add little blush, bronzer, and highlighter and that’s it! I’ve pretty much quit using an all over foundation or skin tint day-to-day unless I have a special event or something related.
So here’s a little bit of what I’ve learned and what I am currently using for my skincare.
SKIN IS LIKE A FLOWER
Feed It
Much like a flower our skin also requires a good feeding of things like antioxidants. Antioxidants in skincare work to neutralize free radicals in the skin, thus helping to prevent potential oxidative stress. Oxidative stress breaks down collagen, hinders skin’s natural repair process and triggers inflammation—and you see these as fine lines, wrinkles, loose skin, acne breakouts, and a blotchy skin tone. By scavenging free radicals, antioxidants can help prevent and correct these visible signs and give your skin that beautiful glow. Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Niacinamide or vitamin B3, and Flavonoids found in green and black teas are some commonly utilized antioxidants in skincare among many more.
Water It
Hydration, hydration, hydration. Hydration is the key to keeping your body in general going at tip-top condition in so many ways. But it without a doubt helps your skin appear supple, smooth, and hydrated! It recommended that you drink half your weight in ounces of water per day. Get a cute water bottle you love and drink up buttercup!
Another hydration tip that is key is finding a good hyaluronic acid, especially in the winter months. In the winter months especially, many people believe that laying on heavy creams will help with the skin’s hydration which isn’t necessarily true. Many of these heavy creams can contain petroleum-based ingredients that don’t allow the moisture to get down into the dermis and instead they sit on the surface of the skin like a wet blanket. And much like a plant, you would never want to saturate a plant and then put a heavy blanket on it.
Prune It
As we age, our cells don’t turn over in the same manner as which they did when we were young hence signs of aging start to appear. Helping your cell turnover will help your skin keep that youthful glow. You can “prune” your skin through exfoliation (chemical or physical to encourage “new growth” or new cell turnover. You can do this daily with active acids like lactic, glycolic, AHA, and BHA or with weekly or quarterly “peeling” treatments.
INGREDIENTS AND ORDER MATTERS
I have taken a deep dive down a rabbit hole of researching and looking at ingredients to ensure I am a. not doubling up on ingredients and b. the ingredients I am using are doing their job and being effective instead of canceled out. What it has all boiled down to is that you don’t have to spend a ton of money on everything when you really know ingredients and know the ingredients you need. It is fairly simple to do the research (thank you Google!) and pick up a couple of affordable products that will change your skin.
I also did some research into the order of application and whether or not that matters. Turns out, it does. Use your serums first to layer moisture into the skin. Think THIN to THICK with your regimen as well as from lowest to highest pH. You want to use any active ingredients first on your bare skin and then add your hydrators.
YOU CANNOT HYDRATE DEAD, DULL SKIN
As we age, it is important to continually encourage collagen production, cell turnover, and bringing up new layers of the skin to keep that healthy, youthful glow. Retinol or a form of a Retinoic acid is basically the gold standard to aging. Find one you can tolerate and be consistent with it. There are a bunch of different formulations on the market these days from over the counter to prescription and at all price points, you don’t have to pay a fortune for it.
In addition, pair the retinoic acid with lactic acid, glycolic acid, AHA, or BHA and you’ll have beautiful, consistent cell turnover and a healthy, youthful glow. Bottom line is that you can use all the products you want on your skin, but you cannot hydrate dead, dull skin and make it look like glass. It is all about cell turnover and encouraging that collagen to keep those layers consistently turning over.
So here’s what I’ve been using.
**MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS **
MORNING ROUTINE
Cleanse
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is important for helping get your skin clean and encouraging that turnover. You can do this manually or chemically. I’ve been using a lactic acid from The Ordinary. However, AHA and BHA are also very effective in this as well. I got this ExfoliKate from Kate Somerville as a sample I’ll be trying in the next couple weeks.
Tone
A lot of beauty/skincare bloggers that I follow have raved about using witch hazel for a toner. Basically, a toning step helps restore the natural pH to your face and prepare it for the active ingredients you’ll be putting on. You can pick this Thayer’s Witch Hazel up at Walmart or Target – it is super affordable and it works great.
Serum
Vitamin C has been all the rage lately in the skincare world with even drugstore brands coming out with pure vitamin C formulations. I really like this Vitamin C derivative from The Ordinary that is a light oil format with Vitamin F.
Hydrate
In the winter, I especially like extra moisture, hyaluronic acid can be great for keeping moisture in. I have been using the Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, but I also trialed a hyaluronic acid from L’oreal that was great too. After I am done with this or the seasons finally change, I may try their Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%.
Hydrate
Depending on the day, I’ll either use this Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base as a moisturizer before I put on my corrector/concealer. If I am not going to be putting on any makeup for the day, I’ll use the Rose Hip oil from the Ordinary that I use at night, especially in the winter. I have become obsessed with using face oils instead of heavier creams for moisture – I feel like they are more effective and surprisingly “lighter” than a heavy cream on the skin.
Sunscreen
Since I have been loving products from the Ordinary, I picked up this sunscreen from them. While ingredients wise, this is a great sunscreen – I feel like it leaves a white/purple cast on my face so I won’t be re-purchasing it.
Nighttime Routine
Remove Makeup
Cleanse
Tone
A lot of beauty/skincare bloggers that I follow have raved about using witch hazel for a toner. You can pick this Thayer’s Witch Hazel up at Walmart or Target – it is super affordable and it works great.
Serum
Hydrate
I have become obsessed with using face oils instead of heavier creams for moisture – I feel like they are more effective and surprisingly “lighter” than a heavy cream on the skin. At night, I use this Rose Hip oil from the Ordinary. A little bit goes a long way – I only use a few drops!
Masks & Treatments
I love masks even if I never had a skincare routine throughout the years, I’ve always had a thing for doing mask and facial treatments. I guess there is something about it that is like pampering yourself and feels good. I have been making Sunday nights my “mask” night and clean my makeup brushes while my mask goes to work!
HERBIVORE Brighten Mask
This gel is highly recommended/reviewed and that is because it works! The gel contains multi-action enzymes from pineapple, pomegranate, and keratinase used to exfoliate your face. Great for cell turnover and keeping the texture on your face smooth and polished.
Origins Active Charcoal Mask
Another mask I’ve used forever. Charcoal/clay type masks are hands down some of the best for my skin as they clean deep down into my pores and leave my face feeling super clean.
The Ordinary Peeling Solution
This peeling solution reminds me of a clinical grade peel facial you’d receive at the salon. It does burn and can cause some redness, but it works. If you have sensitive skin, be leery with how long you leave this on and the usage as it does contain two active acids to chemically peel your face.
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