I remember the exact moment I began to take an interest in skincare. I was 18, and up until that point I had never done anything more than use a bar of soap and Jergens hand cream on my face. As a swimmer, I spent approximately 5 hours a day in the Florida sunshine submerged in highly chlorinated water. Not good for skin. So, either because my skin looked bad or because I had passed into some kind of skincare womanhood, my mom decided the time had come for me to establish good skincare habits. There were not many things which my mom passed on to me: taking care of my skin was one of them. Growing up in a small town in Central Florida afforded exactly one department store with 3 beauty counters. My mom always used Estee Lauder, so that’s what I started using. Over the years I stopped using Estee Lauder products and have tried many different brands and products, but I kid you not, I have always used Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair since I was 18. The few times I’ve stopped using it I could see a difference in the texture and feel of my skin.
My skincare routine in the morning is pretty simple and only takes about 10 minutes at the most, and my makeup routine about half that time. These are the products I use every morning and on the mornings when I have more time then I’ll add a sheet mask or deep exfoliating mask.
One Love vitamin B Enzyme Cleanser
This is the most gently oil-like cleanser I’ve ever used. It leaves your skin clean but soft and hydrated not tight and irritated like so many other cleansers I’ve tried. I always use a damp muslin cloth to gently wipe off the cleanser. I’ve written about this method here. If my skin feels irritated or on the drier side then I’ll just swipe the damp muslin cloth across my face without the cleanser. I’ve also discovered this clean Rosehip oil cleanser that’s also super gentle and hydrating.
M-6 Fast Blast Vitamin C Mask
This is a 2 minute lightning fast mask that will brighten and exfoliate with vitamin C, hydrate with B5 and soothe with aloe vera. The mask really does deliver and it’s gentle enough to use every day but I like to switch it up with this Arcona brightening mask which I wrote about here.
Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator
Now my face is clean and prepped for my serum and moisturizer but first I swipe my face with Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 (I wrote about it here) which is like a facial in a bottle. I am not exaggerating. Then I spray on this hydrating accelerator which is a combination between a toner and a super light moisturizer. It is packed with organic, vitamin infused Aloe water to deliver hydration and nutrients.
True Botanicals Vitamin C Booster Powder
This is a reparative treatment of vitamin C in its freshest, most potent form mixed with ferulic acid. Proven to stimulate collagen and brighten skin. In powder form to retain potency until the moment it’s used. You just shake the bottle a couple of times in the palm of your hand until a pea sized amount of powder comes out and then mix with your favorite serum. I always use Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair. Mix it up in your palm and then pat it on your entire face and neck area. True Botanicals carries a serum that they recommend called cellular renew serum. Tried it but liked the Advanced Night Repair better.
Sisley Paris Eye Contour Mask
This is a mask meant to be used 2-3 times a week but I use it everyday because it is so soothing and moisturizing. Be warned though! It’s thick and rich so a little goes a long way. This cream is full of good-for-your-skin ingredients like provitamin B5 and vitamin E but the real wonder ingredient is Arnica which when used overtime really does help with dark under eye circles and puffiness.
Tata Harper Illuminating Eye Cream
I give the Sisley eye mask about a minute to soak in and then I layer this Tata Harper illuminating eye cream over it (I’ve written about it here). Use sparingly so you don’t end up looking like you’re going to the disco.
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