Skin care has always played an important role in my life, as it should be for everyone. You may not notice any dirtiness but your skin is exposed to dirt everyday. If not cleaned regularly, dirt builds up and causes the skin to damage. When I mention “clean”, I don’t simply mean to wash your face with water. Although it is a great start to wash your face with water the moment you come home, it won’t remove all the dirt that has been sitting on your face all day long. Start off slow, find the right products and build your way to a manageable routine.
Ever since I was little I have always taken care of my skin by washing my face followed by moisturizing with Nivea Creme. Eventually, my simple routine turned into a line of products. I used to have normal skin, then normal-to-dry and now oily-combination. Besides skin type, my face is often dehydrated and with acne, breakouts, dryness and redness appearing occasionally.
Skin changes, product ingredients change, products discontinue, recommendations and samples pile up. Most products were recommended by skin care consultants while others were found through trial and error. Needless to say, I finally found the right products that work best for me at the moment without any allergic reactions.
Morning Routine:
Vichy Pureté-Thermale 3-in-1 One Step Cleanser – A milk, toning lotion and eye makeup remover. This cleanser can be used day and night. But lately I found this to be a great morning cleanser. The milky consistency provides an awake and refreshing touch to the skin. Simply apply the cleanser with a cotton pad on face and eyes. No need to rinse and no need to use a toner, either.
Julep Luxe Repair Skin Serum – I recently received the Luxe Repair Skin Serum in my Julep Fall Neutrals box and already it is a part of my daily morning routine. A rejuvenating serum that can be used as a daily treatment or moisturizer for face, hands, or body. With blemishes appearing on my face, I notice a slight different after using this product for a few weeks. Gently massage a few drops into clear skin. Follow with moisturizer.
Vichy Aqualia Thermal Aqua-Gel – 48 Hour soothing and fortifying hydrating care, the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Aqua-Gel is a lightweight and refreshing cream-gel.
Vichy Thermal Spa Water – Soothing. Fortifying. Regenerative. A wonderful product to hydrate the face before starting the day! Sometimes I would use the spa water before applying skin care products. However, I like using the spa water to refine my makeup before heading out and sometimes throughout the day whenever my face feels dehydrated.
Nightly Routine:
Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover – The best of the best. Lancôme’s eye makeup remover has been in my life since I began wearing eye makeup. No other eye makeup remover can ever compete! Using a Joe Fresh Cotton Pad, I apply a small amount and wipe my eye makeup. It gets out everything, from liquid eyeliner to waterproof mascaras and leaves a smooth finish.
Vichy Normaderm Deep Purifying Cleansing Gel – A great cleanser for those with combination to oily, imperfection-prone skin. This deep cleanser will help eliminate impurities and excess sebum while reducing shine and deeply cleanse pores. I start off by wetting face with water to help open pores. Next I use Quo Facial Brush to work the product into a lather and massage lightly on the face in circular movements. Rinse with warm water and dry skin by patting lightly with a clean towel.
Vichy Normaderm Purifying Astringent Toner – Just like the Normaderm Deep Purifying Cleansing Gel, the Purifying Astringent Toner are for those with combination to oily skin who want to tighten pore while balancing their skin’s pH and eliminating excess sebum. Used as a complement to the cleansing gel for maximal efficacy, I apply the toner with a cotton pad while paying attention to areas prone to imperfections.
Vichy Normaderm Hydrating Acne Care – To finish off my nightly routine, the Normaderm Hydrating Acne care is a moisturizer with a fresh gel-like texture, non-greasy, non-sticky. It is a total transforming acne care that acts on six signs of acne prone skin (acne pimples, breakouts, dilated pores, shine, redness, dryness).
Nightly Quick Fix Routine:
philosophy purity made simple 3-in-1 cleanser for face and eyes – As mentioned in a previous post, philosophy’s purity is one of my favourite cleansers! A simple product to use after a long day. A quick scrub and it removes all makeup, cleanses and tones the face all at once! Follow with moisturizer.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Cleansing Wipes and Neutrogena All-in-One Make-up Removing Cleansing Wipes – For those extra late and/or tired lazy nights. Neutrogena to the rescue! I use the Pink Grapefruit cleansing wipes when I have little makeup on as the wipes do remove makeup. And because I have acne prone skin, the Neutrogena Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Cleansing Wipes sweeps away pore-clogging impurities and oil. The All-in-One Make-up Removing Cleansing Wipes works wonder! It removes all my makeup in just one wipe (sometimes two, depending on how heavy makeup was applied). For both wipes, I usually follow up by rinsing with warm water and sometimes using an additional cleanser to make sure my face is cleansed and then moisturize.
*Tip: Cut wipes in half or in fours for more uses. I find that I don’t use the entire wipe in one use and it can be wasteful + more bang for your buck!
Others:
Vaseline – Probably the best products out there! Vaseline is a wonderful product and a lifesaver when it needs to be! Perfect for removing eye makeup when there is nothing else around and can help soothe skin’s dryness and flakiness. I use Vaseline throughout the day for my lips and I always apply Vaseline to the lips right after my skin care routine. Chapped lips are an absolute no in my books!
Normaderm Tri-Activ Mask – Exactly like the entire Normaderm line, the Tri-Activ Mask are for those who have combination to oily skin who want to target recurring imperfections. A triple action mask that cleanses, exfoliates and mattifies the face. I use the mask on a weekly basis. I start by applying a thin layer on the face and leaving it on for five minutes. Rinse with warm water and make circular movements with fingertips to get an exfoliating action and deeply cleansed skin. I would then finish off with toner and moisturizer.
What’s your skin care routine? Have you tried any of these products? What were your thoughts? Are there any products you are willing to try?
I am by no means an expert on any of the products mentioned nor providing guarantee perfect skin satisfaction when following my routine. Everyone’s skin and skin care concerns are different. What works for me might not work for everyone. Know your skin, know your body, it changes from time to time. Find a store (drugstore, beauty store, specialty shops) that has a complimentary beauty consultation who will provide customize skin analysis and recommend the best method of treatment. And when browsing for skin care products, it does not hurt to ask for samples, they are the best way to find out what is best for you!
One solid advice that can be said to keeping your skin feeling and looking fresh is drinking lots of water throughout the day!
Thanks for post…………
The importance of keeping skin healthy can not be stressed enough. The first thing that people notice about a person is their face so keeping it looking fresh, young and attractive is important.
Very important! Thanks for reading, Brandy 🙂