If you compared my longing love of skin care to a tailgater’s love of college football, you would be mildly in the same empire of crazy. And to think, only eight years ago the only thing I would use on my face was a makeup wipe. My current skincare regimen is about eight steps (one for each year I’ve matured, of course) and lucky you get to hear about the whole thing.
Step 1: Make-Up Cleansing Oil.
Assuming you have on makeup, this stuff is not necessary, but necessary. What it does is gently dissolve anything on your face as a precursor to a makeup wipe or cleanser, without leaving a greasy feeling in return. One that I have gravitated to recently is Boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil. It does exactly what it is supposed to and is suitable for all skin types!
Step 2: Makeup Wipe.
Also assuming you have on makeup, this is the need in your routine. If you are too lazy to do anything else before bed, at least use a makeup wipe. I’d say that these are customarily self explanatory as most people have used one before, but if you have never used one of these moist cloths, this is what they do. Aside from using a cleanser or remover oil, the wipe will just remove most of your makeup after you mindlessly massage it into your face. I often use Yes To Cucumbers Face Cleanser Towelettes as they have a refreshing, clean feeling, but you can use whatever works best for you.
Step 3: Facial Cleanser.
The Mr. Clean of facial care. When I have skipped this step, meaning I feel like my skin is clean enough without it, I notice an obvious difference. There are way too many cleansers out there, not going to lie, so try different ones to see what works best for you! I’m currently using Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, which is very gentle and soft and makes washing your face not like brushing your teeth. As a trusty sidekick, I also use the Clarisonic Mia Skin Cleansing System to make sure I am actually washing my face, ya feel.
Step 4: (Optional, but EXTREMELY recommended) Face Mask.
Anyone who knows me well knows that a face mask is on my schedule for a great night. Realistically I try to do one about 3 days a week, because I feel like my skin looks better when I do so. A face mask can help with breakouts, dull skin, probably even world hunger. They just do great things. Seeing that I have a whole drawer dedicated to them, you could say I have a few faves. They include: Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask, Fresh Rose Face Mask, Indian Healing Clay Mask, Lush Cup O' Coffee Mask, Freeman Dead Sea Minerals Anti Stress Mask, GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment, and many more!
Step 5: Toner.
This is honestly one of the most important parts of my skincare routine and most people don’t even know what it is. The purpose of a toner is to remove any excess dirt on your face and balance the natural oils in your skin that you may have stripped. It is actually the most satisfying things to put one of these bad boys, Neutrogena Oil- Controlling Astringent, Sunday Riley Mattifying Water-Gel Toner, or L'Occitane Divine Lotion, on a cotton ball and watch your dirty face be once again pure.
Step 6: Essence or Face Oil.
Even someone with oilier skin like myself can benefit from using a serum or an elixir because of the intense moisturizing and restorative properties in them. Regardless of what it may seem, your skin will absorb the oil and nutrients (they wont just sit on your face) and you will have beautiful glowy skin. A couple of my go-to’s are Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Firming Serum and Korres Golden Krocus Ageless Saffron Elixir (which is new!). You glow you.
Step 7: Moisturizer.
THE KEY TO NICE SKIN, moisturization. You would not believe how dehydrated your skin stays, even if it feels like it is pouring out liquids. Moisturizers are another very unique staple based on your skin type. The two that I rotate with are L'Occitance Peony Perfecting Cream (which feels so soft and smells like a field of flowers) and Fresh Black Tea Age Delay Cream. Another pick-me-up throughout the day that isn’t necessarily in a cream form is a facial spray. One in particular being, Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater, feels very hydrating and satisfying and even works as a setting spray or on parched hair.
Step 8: Eye Cream.
This one happens to be the deal breaker. Whether you’re in school, have a stressful job, or just don’t get enough sleep in general, eye cream can make your world go round. The one that always brightens up my face is Originis GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream. This stuff has a luminescent salmon color to delude dark circles and has ingredients like coffee and ginseng to brighten and de-puff any eye. Seriously a need!
The beauty of skin care is that it is completely customizable based on what skin type you have (dry, sensitive, combination, oily, etc.) and what your concerns are (acne, anti-aging, dullness, unevenness, dark circles, etc.). It is so so so worth some research to see what might work best for you and in your routine. As you may see, a lot of good skin care products can be pricey as well, and it does pay to have great products and great skin, but a tip I have learned is that it never hurts to get samples of things (especially from Sephora) so that you know what may work well without paying a lot to try it out. You only get one face (hopefully) and it’s important to make it as baby-soft as possible.
