Skincare Routine for A Clear & Glowing Face
It's safe to say that I'm skincare obsessed. I fall for all of the commercials and have been vigorously trying to get beautiful, glowing skin. I spend at least 5 minutes before bed every night going through my routine and prepping my skin. My boyfriend makes fun of me all the time, but I never fail to remind him that he'll be glad I did it when I'm 50!
Shisedo Cleanser//Pixi Glow Tonic//Cover FX Custom Infusion Drops//Best Damn Beauty Oil//Neutrogena Lotion
I used to buy everything that I heard worked. Constantly overdoing my skincare routine, my skin went completely ape sh*t and didn't know how to react. My skin would burn, break out, or peel, and I'd just go look for another product to fix it! I went through a very discouraging phase where I relied on products to fix everything, and the accumulation of thousands of ingredients was making my epidermis a very unhappy camper.
The one general tip that I have is to keep it simple. I'm in my 20s, so I have started using a few anti-aging products, but there is no need to over-do the anti-aging ingredients at a young age. You want your skin to stay clear, and you also want to ensure that it doesn't get used to any strong anti-aging ingredients.
I used to swear by Cetaphil -- I didn't break out from it and it was inexpensive. But alas, I read an article stating that Cetaphil basically does nothing for your skin, so while you might not be breaking out, you're not cleansing it very well either. ...I think there's good and bad articles about every product, but I did some research and decided to switch cleansers. Here are the products I'm currently using that my skin is loving:
Shisedo White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam: Amazing. I first heard about this through Tati Westbrook, and since I'm completely obsessed with her baby butt-soft looking skin, I had to have it. When I say a little goes a long way, I seriously mean a little. Less than that...the smallest amount you can squeeze out of the tube. I use this morning and night to cleanse my skin of any oil, and it leaves me feeling great. It does leave an almost squeaky clean feeling, but not tight enough for me to dislike it. At night, I'll wash my face with this cleanser and wipe it off in upward strokes with a damp washcloth (this serves as a light exfoliation).
Pixi Glow Tonic: Acid-based toner that makes any skin look brighter and better. This truly helps to balance my skin and adds a slight glow from the ginseng, and the aloe helps soothe any irritation that I may have. You've probably read about this on any skincare junkie website, and the press is well warranted.
Cover FX Custom Infusion Drops: "L-O-L-O-L-O-L-O-V-E". ...I just can't get enough. I've been addicted to the Anti-Aging formula, which contains Vitamin A and Jasmine. The smell is delicious, and I've noticed a serious improvement in my acne since using this. The Vitamin A helps with anti-aging and acne, and I add 3-4 drops to my moisturizer every night. My skin has looked brighter, clearer, and smoother since using these drops.
Best Damn Beauty Oil: Let's be honest...I had to have these because of the name. Any company that has the best damn oil has me immediately sold. I saw these on Nicole Guerriero's channel and couldn't wait another day to get this in my hands. It's packed with a variety of natural oils, and I use it under my moisturizer at night or under a moisturizer if my skin's feeling dry. It feels very lightweight but does the job of adding moisture and comfort to my skin.
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair SPF: Another product that I found through Tati. I stopped using a high SPF for a few of the winter months, and I was on the hunt for an effective yet gentle SPF. I wanted to incorporate a small dose of retinol into my routine, and this sunscreen has also helped keep my skin clear while preventing sun damage. **Please note that if you're using any retinol product you MUST wear sunscreen. Don't forget about your SPF...make it a point to apply every morning. Retinol/Retin A exfoliates the top layer of your skin and exposes younger cells, and it also makes your skin much more sensitive to the sun.
If you're as obsessed with skincare as I am, just remember that what works for one person doesn't mean it will work for another. Know your skin type, see a dermatologist if necessary, and figure out what works best for you. Remember to keep it simple, and you can always add from there!