I have finally done it! I've figure out the *perfect* skin care routine for my skin. I felt the need to write it down (so I remember when I inevitably go try other things) and share it with others who have some of the same concerns I do!
I'm going to talk about my nighttime skin care routine only in this post. I'll follow it up with what I do in the morning in another post.
Also, I'm going to link all of the products I use and include their prices.
Disclaimer: I am not being paid to discuss my opinions. This is not a sponsored post. I bought all of these products myself, unless mentioned otherwise. Also, I am not a dermatologist. I'm just a teacher and a mother!
My skin:
I am very, VERY fair. I have freckles and lots of them. I do have redness in my cheeks. Beyond that, I have VERY DRY skin. I love products that hydrate and illuminate dull skin. I can't use anything that strips away moisture. My skin is also sensitive. It will react to products that are harsh. I get texture, very small white bumps. I don't get full blown pimples, but the added texture is enough to drive me nuts. That, or it will dry out more and look/feel like alligator skin. No thanks!
On to the routine:
After a normal day, the first thing I need to do is take off my makeup. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT EVER SLEEP IN YOUR MAKEUP. It is so bad for your skin (plus it gets all over everything). I use one of two things to take off my makeup:
These wipes are SO CHEAP! You get 20 wipes for $3.00. They have Aloe Vera Leaf Extract in them which soothes my skin. Also, one wipe is more than enough to take off all of your makeup.
2. Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water ($7.64 at Ulta, $6.96 at Walmart)
This is actually my favorite product to use to take off my eye makeup. You get 13.5 oz in each bottle and the bottles usually last me around 1.5 months. I only use 2-3 cotton rounds each time. I use one round soaked with this product for each eye. Then, I use a final round for my face. My eye makeup comes off with no problem using this. I don't have to scrub or pull at my skin. It's wonderful stuff. Plus, if you don't want to, you don't have to rinse this off. It doesn't dry out your skin. It just feels good!
After I take off my makeup, I follow with a gentle cleanser.
3. fresh. Soy Face Cleanser (1.7 oz for $15 or 5.1 for $38 at Sephora)
This cleanser is good for all skin types, but it make my skin feel so nourished when I'm done. I wet my skin and put a very small amount on my fingertips. Then, I rub this all over my face and massage it in (even over my eyes!). Finally, I rinse it off with some water (straight from the faucet to my face) and pat my face dry with a towel. Very simple, and it make my skin feel hydrated and very clean without feeling tight. This cleanser contains rosewater and cucumber extract, among other wonderful ingredients, that calm and sooth my skin. I highly recommend this!
After I cleanse my face and my skin is dry, I go in with a serum.
4. Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment ($48 at Sephora)
This is an expensive product. However, I invest in my skin! It's the only skin I get. Plus, this stuff is miraculous.
Because I have dry skin and I'm in my late twenties, I wanted to make sure I was using something that promotes anti-aging and cell turnover. Because of this, I wanted my night serum to have an AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) to exfoliate the top layers of my skin. I do not have large pores and I do not have acne. I don't feel the need to use anything with BHA (beta-hydroxy acid) because of that. The most common type of AHA is glycolic acid.
This serum from Ole Henriksen has an AHA complex including glycolic AND lactic acid. It also include algae extract to nourish the skin and mucopolysaccharides to hydrate the skin.
It's everything I've ever wanted in a serum - gentle exfoliation, nourishment, and hydration! You put a pump (which is about a pea sized amount) of this on your skin - covers your face and neck - and your skin feels amazing the next morning.
Last step is moisturizer:
5. Sephora Instant Moisturizer + Cream ($23 at Sephora)
This moisturizer is so simple. It's just that, a moisturizer. It contains hyaluronic acid, which binds moisture to your skin cells. There's also a complex in it that boosts the amount of hyaluronic acid your skin produces, promoting healthy, hydrated skin! This is all this product does - moisturizes. It's all I need it to do! (Sidenote: I HATE that this is in a jar. Come on, Sephora. Get it together. You know that skin care products should not ever, ever, EVER come in a jar!)
Now, once or twice a week, I also use a lip mask. When I do, it's always the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask (the clear one). This is $26 at Sephora. You don't want to over use it because you want your lips to produce moisture on their own. This is nice, however, when you feel like your lips are starting chap or have been exposed too much to the elements - wind/sun... I like the way it makes my lips feel in the morning. I put it on right before I go to sleep and it stays on my mouth all night.
I love face masks as well, but that's information for another post!
Let me know if there is something that you love using for your skin or if you're interested in trying any of these products. If you've tried these products, let me know that too! I'd love to hear from y'all!
--A <3
