Cleanser: Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel
Toner: Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater
Serum: Glossier Super Pure
Treatment: Differing Gel (Adapalene Gel Acne Treatment)
Sunscreen: Glossier Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen SPF 35
Eye Cream: Skin Laundry Wrinkle Release Eye Cream
Lip balm/everywhere balm: Milk Makeup Hero Salve
Night skin treatment oil: Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate
Moisturizer: Glossier Priming Moisturizer Riche
Step 1: Cleansing
This is a step that I had previously taken for granted. I used to speed through washing my face to get to "the good stuff" that came afterwards. Little did I realize that failing to cleanse well (and even double cleanse) makes it harder for the good stuff to penetrate in to your skin - thus wasting your products. Lisa Eldridge (who is, in my opinion, the #QUEEN of all things makeup and skincare) has a great video on facial massage (link HERE) that I try to do whenever I think of it! This Mario Badescu gel cleanser is great for facial massage because it has just enough slip without being too runny. Plus it cleanses my skin gently without stripping its natural oils. I used to look for that squeaky clean feeling when it came to face cleansers but that's not actually what you want if you are looking to keep oily skin in check. Stripping the skin only makes it over compensate and produce more oil. I also like that this cleanser has enzymes to help slough off dead skin and make my skin look bright and fresh!
Step 2: Toning
A quick spritz of Mario Badescu's rose water face spray post cleansing and a cotton round are all I need before moving onto serums and treatments. I like this face spray because it is on the cheap at only $7 per bottle, it smells like roses, it's super hydrating, and its a nice pick me up midday when your face is feeling tired.
Step 3: Treatments/Serums
For day, I use a few drops of Glossier's Super Pure serum formulated with niacinamide and zinc that claim to soothe redness and calm breakouts. I have been using this for about 2 months now and I really love it. I have noticed less breakouts and any breakouts that do crop up tend to linger for a shorter period of time. I like to use it as a preventative measure even when I'm not breaking out!
For night, I use a thin layer of Differin gel, a vitamin A derivative (retinoid) called Adapalene that helps keep pores clean at the cellular level by reducing the growth of keratin on the surface of the skin which can block pores and cause pimples. One thing to note is this is an all over treatment that you must use regularly to see benefits (it takes between 2-3 weeks to kick in). Some people may mistake this for a spot-treatment but its really more of an upkeep product to keep your skin clear. Previously only available by prescription, this product was in fact one of the creams I was prescribed back when I first went to the dermatologist in middle school! I love that they have been cleared by the FDA for over the counter sale and can now reach a much wider market to help everyone battling acne! It is reasonably priced and the tube lasts a very long time as you only need a small pea sized amount daily. PSA - you must wear sunscreen when wearing this stuff because it can make your skin very sensitive to burning. I wear it at night since the sun is also sleeping while this does it's magic on me! Haha
Eye cream is something I use both day and night to help prevent wrinkles and crows feet. You can never start this step too early in life! Skin Laundry's wrinkle release eye cream is light and non-greasy so I have been a big fan and will definitely repurchase when it runs out!
Lip balm - something we all slap on at some point during the day and don't even think much of -- but Milk Makeups Hero Salve is so amazing I'm already on my second tub. I have been known to pick on my face here and there (Tisk tisk) and putting a little of this stuff on the scab helps to heal it quickly without anyone noticing a thing!
Step 4: Moisturizer/oils
I used to think that I didn't really need moisturizer since my skin was already making enough of its own. However, skipping this step is the fastest way to getting yourself a leathery face (next to skipping sunscreen!). Glossier's Priming Moisturizer Riche has been such a soothing addition to my skincare routine. The soft texture and lavender scent is lovely day and night. I only use a small amount of this stuff as it is quite rich (as the name implies).
Another nighttime fave - Kiehl's midnight recovery leaves me with plump soft skin when I wake up in the morning. I'll admit I sometimes forget this step - but in the winter months, this is a step I rarely forget!
Step 5: SUNSCREEN!!!
No matter what time of year, the sun is always out (even on the cloudiest of days) so don't be fooled and skip this step. I wear it everyday and my tinted moisturizer even has SPF in it so I like to think that I'm doing double duty. Getting my husband to remember to put sunscreen on is another story...I put a tube by his keys hoping he'll slather some on before leaving the apartment (I think it's starting to work!).
Bonus - Pimple Fighters (not photographed above, because I forgot -_-) the Missha Speedy Solution Antri-Trouble Patches are my absolute favorite along with Proactiv's sulfur face mask! I swear by both of these whenever I feel the slightest tinge of a pimple coming on, I quickly throw on a pimple patch or a dab of the sulfur mask to fight it into submission!
Et Voila! That is everything skincare! If you have any questions or comments please leave them down below -- I love gabbing on and one about this stuff (as you can probably tell from the long post!).
Cheers,
Alexa P.
Step 2: Toning
A quick spritz of Mario Badescu's rose water face spray post cleansing and a cotton round are all I need before moving onto serums and treatments. I like this face spray because it is on the cheap at only $7 per bottle, it smells like roses, it's super hydrating, and its a nice pick me up midday when your face is feeling tired.
Step 3: Treatments/Serums
For day, I use a few drops of Glossier's Super Pure serum formulated with niacinamide and zinc that claim to soothe redness and calm breakouts. I have been using this for about 2 months now and I really love it. I have noticed less breakouts and any breakouts that do crop up tend to linger for a shorter period of time. I like to use it as a preventative measure even when I'm not breaking out!
For night, I use a thin layer of Differin gel, a vitamin A derivative (retinoid) called Adapalene that helps keep pores clean at the cellular level by reducing the growth of keratin on the surface of the skin which can block pores and cause pimples. One thing to note is this is an all over treatment that you must use regularly to see benefits (it takes between 2-3 weeks to kick in). Some people may mistake this for a spot-treatment but its really more of an upkeep product to keep your skin clear. Previously only available by prescription, this product was in fact one of the creams I was prescribed back when I first went to the dermatologist in middle school! I love that they have been cleared by the FDA for over the counter sale and can now reach a much wider market to help everyone battling acne! It is reasonably priced and the tube lasts a very long time as you only need a small pea sized amount daily. PSA - you must wear sunscreen when wearing this stuff because it can make your skin very sensitive to burning. I wear it at night since the sun is also sleeping while this does it's magic on me! Haha
Eye cream is something I use both day and night to help prevent wrinkles and crows feet. You can never start this step too early in life! Skin Laundry's wrinkle release eye cream is light and non-greasy so I have been a big fan and will definitely repurchase when it runs out!
Lip balm - something we all slap on at some point during the day and don't even think much of -- but Milk Makeups Hero Salve is so amazing I'm already on my second tub. I have been known to pick on my face here and there (Tisk tisk) and putting a little of this stuff on the scab helps to heal it quickly without anyone noticing a thing!
Step 4: Moisturizer/oils
I used to think that I didn't really need moisturizer since my skin was already making enough of its own. However, skipping this step is the fastest way to getting yourself a leathery face (next to skipping sunscreen!). Glossier's Priming Moisturizer Riche has been such a soothing addition to my skincare routine. The soft texture and lavender scent is lovely day and night. I only use a small amount of this stuff as it is quite rich (as the name implies).
Another nighttime fave - Kiehl's midnight recovery leaves me with plump soft skin when I wake up in the morning. I'll admit I sometimes forget this step - but in the winter months, this is a step I rarely forget!
Step 5: SUNSCREEN!!!
No matter what time of year, the sun is always out (even on the cloudiest of days) so don't be fooled and skip this step. I wear it everyday and my tinted moisturizer even has SPF in it so I like to think that I'm doing double duty. Getting my husband to remember to put sunscreen on is another story...I put a tube by his keys hoping he'll slather some on before leaving the apartment (I think it's starting to work!).
Bonus - Pimple Fighters (not photographed above, because I forgot -_-) the Missha Speedy Solution Antri-Trouble Patches are my absolute favorite along with Proactiv's sulfur face mask! I swear by both of these whenever I feel the slightest tinge of a pimple coming on, I quickly throw on a pimple patch or a dab of the sulfur mask to fight it into submission!
Et Voila! That is everything skincare! If you have any questions or comments please leave them down below -- I love gabbing on and one about this stuff (as you can probably tell from the long post!).
Cheers,
Alexa P.
