Skincare has been on my mind a lot lately... being a busy mommy with a serious live-in boyfriend who is used to my make-up free face, I have decided to go back to the basics. Yes, I still love makeup, but as I rarely wear much for the two men (my boyfriend and baby boy) who can actually tolerate, and might even like, to see me first thing in the morning, I might as well make sure I have great skin! Skincare really is important. Taking care of your skin is the number one thing you can do to look and feel great about yourself. Plus, at the wise old age of 22 I have really been thinking about the benefits I will see in the long run from taking care of my skin now.
When I was younger, I had more acne. My skin wasn't terrible, but it was far from perfect. My acne wasn't constant, but I would get breakouts. I used Proactive for a long time and really think it works! Now, my skin is much better. I would call it combination, normal to oily. That being said, if I use something too strong on my skin, it will get dry. Also, as years have passed, my skin has become more and more sensitive... or should I say, allergic. I do not breakout with acne from products, but I do get sort of allergic reactions. Lately, I have been using whatever face wash we had laying around the house, if any. I had also gotten lazy. And by lazy I mean busy with a baby. But about a month ago, I decided that was about to change!
After having an allergic reaction to the ever popular (and probably awesome for those with non-sensitve/ allergic skin) Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash pink grapefruit foaming scrub, I decided to, once again, go back to the basics. Back to what I knew worked for me and what I knew I could stick with.
So, alas, here are the steps I take morning and night in my skincare routine:
1. Remove makeup using Yes to Cucumbers Makeup Removing Face Wipes. This step is typically only done at night on days that I wore makeup. I have to admit, while I do always use makeup removing wipes, I am not loyal to this brand. Yes, I do like it and think it works perfectly fine. That being said, I think the same of other face wipes and typically buy whatever is on sale.
2. Wash face with Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin. This is really what I meant by "back to the basics." After my stint with Proactive during my teens, I became loyal to this face wash. It is gentle and perfect for those who do not have a major issue with acne as long as their face stays clean and oil free. It is a great face wash and I have used it for years. It simply does the job.
3. Use Clean and Clear Deep Cleaning Toner for Sensitive Skin with large cotton pads or rounds. This one has salicylic acid, is oil free, and is still good for sensitive skin. Toner is supposed to help unclog pores and remove leftover yuckiness! I think it's an important step to treat whatever breakouts I do have. I feel that without this I really would breakout much more.
4. Moisturize my face (and neck!) with Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 for all skin types. This was new to my skincare regime. I chose this moisturizer because I trusted the Cetaphil brand and needed a moisturizer with SPF. I have to admit, I do not use additional sunscreen on a daily basis, but I do make sure my moisturizer has some SPF in it. Previously, I had been using a Clinique moisturizer and I really do think I like how the Cetaphil moisturizer makes my skin feel better than the Clinique moisturizer! While, I do not have very dry skin, moisturizer makes my skin feel so much better and I think it will be beneficial to my skin in the long run.
5. Steps 1-4 I do both morning and night but, here is where my skincare routine differs from morning to night. This is also the place where my skincare routine gets a little less drugstore and little more expensive. In the morning, I use Origins GinZing on my eye area. I use this in the morning because it is supposed to brighten and de-puff tired eyes. I do not see a drastic difference yet, but I do like the eye cream! At night, I use Clinique All About Eyes Rich as an eye cream. This eye cream is said to "diminish the look of circles, shadows, puffs. Intensely moisturizes." It definitely moisturizes! As for the rest, only time will tell.
I must add that the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser is on my skincare "wish list". I watch beauty videos on YouTube and lately, I have been OBSESSED with beauty gurus from England. Yes...partially because of their amazing accents. But, almost every one of them talk about this cleanser! I just wish it were cheaper and easier to access here in the US of A. I might have to cave and order it online, we will see. But, while I was exploring the Liz Earle website, they talked about their skincare philosophy. It was simply, "cleanse, tone, moisturize." I instantly decided that would also be my skincare philosophy to live by and that is why you now see the skincare routine I have gone on about above.
So far, this routine is working fabulously for me. Let me know what works for your skin, because I am always looking for new things to try now that I am on this skincare "kick".
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