A girlfriend recently emailed me and told me that she's frustrated with her skin. She inquired what I was using and if I have any advice.
I've actually never felt better about the condition of both my skin and my hair. I feel as though I've finally fallen into a routine that really works for me. I owe it all to a little patience and a few great products.
Confession: I only wash my face at night. I have dry skin and washing it twice a day just doesn't work for me. Most nights, I use Clinique Facial Soap Bar. This is a classic and I love it. If I want a slightly deeper cleanse, I use Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Cleansing Pads. If I want to exfoliate, I use Clarins Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream. After I wash, I apply Clarins' "Special" Eye Contour Balm. I also like to put on Laura Mercier Lip Silk before bed.
I have a very specific morning routine as well. The first thing I put on my face is Clarins Super Restorative Wake-Up Lotion. This feels incredible on my skin and though intended for women in their 50s, I don't care. It's a great way to wake up. Afterward, I use Clarins Beauty Flash Balm as a makeup primer. I am a huge fan of Clarins and their mission as a company. Their products do come at a price but are worth every penny in my opinion.
As far as makeup goes, I use Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 and Clarins Bronzing Duo Compact.
In the Winter, I like to apply facial moisturizer before bed because my skin really dries out in the colder months. I use Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream. On the rare days that I don't wear any makeup, I use Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15.
It took me a long time to figure out what works for me. I have always been a product junkie, but I feel as though my dollars are well-spent now; I'm no longer wasting my money or time on experiments. I've learned that the drug store is good for face basics (I like Aveeno) but that I need to shell out more dough for the specific stuff in my regimen. Exfoliater should definitely be chosen with care; I've been told that using St. Ives scrub is basically the equivalent of rubbing glass shards on your face.
Everyone is different, but this is what works for me. I'd love to hear what works for you.
I use the cetaphil facial bar, and nothing else ever, other than make-up of course. But I also can't wear waterproof eye-makeup because removers with oil make my skin break out. Sad.
ReplyDeleteI know I need to start thinking about an eye cream/anti-aging cream, but I can't bring myself to do it.
I'm still trying to figure out what works best for me... I'll be 29 next week so I think I need to start on preventative anti-aging measures!
ReplyDeleteI use Aveeno and Olay cleansers and currently I'm trying out Philosophy Hope moisturizer w/SPF the oil free one because my skin is oily.
I used to be religious about washing my face morning and night but after college, I got lazy and now just wash it in the morning. My skin is incredibly oily and I wake up with my nose shining like a new penny.
ReplyDeleteI'm a die hard Clearasil fan. Sometimes I feel like I should go for the good stuff, but I'm honestly afraid that switching it up will result in a break out and I just can't have that. Wash, use some face pads, and end with moisturizer. Except Clearasil doesn't make a moisturizer anymore, so for that I use Clean and Clear oil free moisturizer.
It probably helps that I only wear make-up for sorority functions, weddings and funerals.
I saw you on 30th street today, your skin looked nice.
ReplyDeleteI could not have said it better. I am proud of you for figuring this out so early. At 40 I think I finally have it down. I agree, the expensive tried and true stuff is extremely worth it. Laura Mercier is a genius. And under eye cream is a must.. Lip balm before bed is a nightly ritual.. you are well on your way to always looking so beautiful and young xo
ReplyDeletei LOVE this post because i was just thinking about how i too had finally found a skin regime that worked for me!
ReplyDeletei do chanel face scrub, proactiv toner, clinique moisturizer, clean & clear in-shower facial in the shower (duh), and the boscia black mask a few times a week. my skin's never looked better!
Thanks for the great tips! I love Clarins products. I'm obsessed with under eye cream. I use Bobbi Brown for that. Taking care of our skin is a must! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestions! I have dry skin, too, and looove Kiehl's Ultra Moisturizer, but have been looking for a primer. Will try Clarins!
ReplyDeleteHi JGIWC!
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog for the past two years and this topic really hit home for me.
My skin is better than when I was a teen (I'm not a teenager anymore?!) that I don't break out every single day, but it's far from perfect. Honestly, I think the antibiotics and birth control pills are the biggest reasons for this, but finding a regimen that my skin accepts also helps.
I wash my face with Cetaphil gentle cleanser (the white one not the clear liquid), use retin-A and sunscreen (Neutrogena dry touch is great). I use Alba's mask from time to time, mostly because I've already bought it and don't want to throw it out, but I don't think it does anything. I try to apply lip balm before bed just so that I won't have to do it during the day, but I haven't been.
I want to try the Boscia black mask. I've heard so many good things about it.
My skin is oily and dry and sensitive. Yipee. It's so oily that when I lay my head down on a sheet of paper there's always going to be blots of oil and it can be so dry that when I scratch my face flakes of skin fall off. And acne to top it all off. It has been *a journey* just to find those three measly products, and as I age, there are more concerns to address. But now that I have a good steady foundation and *understand* my skin better, I hope it won't be too difficult. And trying on new products is fun too.
I'm so slow to catch up on my blog roll but I love that you're using the LM Lip Silk before bed. Isn't it divine!!
ReplyDeleteIt already has been a dry fall for my lips and the lip silk will hopefully get me through the rest of the winter!
Hope all is well,
V
the Avon Rejuvenate series is a godsend! My skin has NEVER looked better!
ReplyDeleteomg teddi....i use st ives! haha not regularly but when im feeling like i need a good scrub...this is terrible news!!
ReplyDeletekiehls midnight recovery is new, well-priced, and literally - a life changer. go to the makeup counter and ask for a sample and take home and try.
absolue premium bx is my favorite. lather it on every night. it is the BEST. that is unless you can afford la mer.
wait! eye cream is only for under the eyes?? somebody please enlighten me, i've been using it on my eyelids as well.
ReplyDeleteNautical Nan - Thanks! Did you say hi?
ReplyDeleteClaudia - I use it on my eyelids and under eyes. You're good :)
I was too nervous to say hi because your skin was GLOWING!
ReplyDelete