How is your self care regimen and routine looking like these days? I must say, with there being so many products and brands to choose from, it can sometimes be overwhelming finding what works best for my skin, and lets face it, my budget. I definitely don’t like spending on products that I end up throwing in the cabinet and never using again. Luckily, Target actually gives shoppers the option to take home beauty products and return any they weren’t completely feeling. I have not used this service yet but I do think its a pretty great offering.
Luckily, I have been blessed enough to not have had to struggle with acne or much blemishing. I do have sensitive skin so from time to time I will see a little bump or two pop up out of nowhere. Now, I will say that with having dry skin, I have a hard time keeping my skin moisturized, my skin tone consistent and also to finding ways to eliminate my under-eye puffiness. Even with 8 full hours of sleep I still seem to get a little puffy.
Since these are the extent of my issues, its important that I find quality products, at a price that works for me that are made by brands that have had me in mind. It is also important that I find things that will work well with my busy schedule and don’t require too much attention.
Knowing your skin is certainly the first place you’ll want to start before building any skin care routine and determining what products to use. Also remember that less is more! You do not need a pantry full of products to makeup the perfect skin care routine. Find the few products that work best for your skin type and your schedule and take it from there!
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Now, Lets get into the routine:
Step #1 |Get Cleaning | Getting squeaky clean skin is your base and should not be taken lightly. WASH YOUR FACE! Do not skip this step. I try and cleanse with a moisturizing cleanser that will not only get my skin clean but also be the basis of my moisture building. For this, I reach for my Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Soap. Its phenomenal! Its moisturizing and leaves my skin so soft. I will actually use this to get any makeup I’ve worn for the day off. When I am wanting a deeper cleansing to make sure I’m getting the gunk out of my pores and a brightening treatment, I’ll opt for Acure Brightening Facial Scrub. This cleanser is packed with natural exfoliation ingredients from the sea and detoxifies without stripping too much of the moisture from my face. I highly recommend anyone dealing with dry skin to try these two cleansers if you have not already.
Step #2 | Moisturize| For me this is the most important step. If I neglect completing this step I can count on a day of dull looking ashy skin. Not a good look sis. So, I make sure that once my face is clean, I follow up with a hydrating moisturizer. I do try and look for something that gives me the most moisture without being too heavy. Some of my favorite go to lightweight moisturizers are First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream, Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion + Fatigue Active Cartridge Concentrate, and this bottle of 100% Squalane by The Oridnary. These are all great picks as they are lightweight at moisturizing all without blocking my pores causing issues leaving me with happy skin. The Ultra Repair Cream and Clinique’s Moisurizing Lotion are typically apart of my morning routine. I will switch it up at times by using the Squalene oil but for the most part I only use this at night. I don’t have a particular reason why, just that in my mind its working and seeping in while I am sleeping.
Step #3| De-Puff| Caffeine is a known solution to eliminating under eye puffiness. The Ordinary provides a pretty affordable option for this with their 5% Caffeine +EGCG solution. The EGCG stands for epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside which is just the term for a bioengineered version of green tea. It has the same antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits as green tea just in a different form. I use right before my face massage letting it sit for about 30 seconds.
Step #4 | Face Massage| Whether its the morning or at night right before heading to bed, I make sure to use my Rose Quartz Roller. From bottom to top, I use the larger side and go over my neck, cheeks and forehead and then use the smaller roller for my eyes. It gives a cooling sensation to my face overall, keeps the skin firm and eliminates sagging. It has been a great addition to my routine.
Step #5| Sunscreen|Yes! Brown girls get skin cancer too! Sorry ladies, our Melanin is not enough. We still need to be using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Without it, we not only risk skin cancer, but also fine lines, decreased elasticity and discoloration. I have not gotten the opportunity to try to infamous “Black Girl Sunscreen” yet but I intend to. Until then, I am good with finishing up my Aveeno Protect & Hydrate. I use about a half of a dime size all over my face so you can imagine this will last me a while. If this one doesn’t float your boat, look for something that will, just be careful before you do a-lot of sunscreens will leave a white cast and you do not want this, definitely not on your face. Here are 3 that made it on Oprah’s top list this year:
Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Daily Defense
Supergoop! Refresh Setting Mist
Paula’s Choice Clear Ultra Light Daily Fluid
Step #6|Lip Treatment| During the day, my go to lip moisturizer is First Aid’s Ultra Repair Lip Therapy. This balm keeps my lips soft throughout the day. I typically apply only a few times a day. A little goes a long way. At night right before bed, I apply Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask. I have it in the Raspberry scent, it smells so good you could eat it.
Step #7| Masque On| This step doesn’t happen very often so I make sure I get a full pamper session when I do engage in a good Masque. I am using the Summer Fridays Jet Leg Mask. Whats great about this mask is that its recommended for ALL skin types. It has a combination of ceramides, vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory ingredients and helps to combat puffy, inflamed, over-worked skin. This is basically my all in one daily skin care routine in a tube.
These 7 steps work for both my skin and fit in with my schedule and while yours is expected look different considering your skin type and what you option for time are, but following these steps give or take a few will have you on your way to radiant skin. Your shed skin cells throughout the day so its important to have the right products on your side to help with this, prevent acne and wrinkles and keep your skin looking luscious. What works for me may not work for you so through trial and error find what your skin will be happy in.