I developed quite the extensive skin-care routine during my second pregnancy. That baby sucked all the moisture right out of my face (and left chin hairs in its place). My skin returned almost to its naturally oily state post-pregnancy, but I discovered that my skincare routine still worked and that my skin looked great, so I have kept at it. My routine has a lot of steps, but whenever I have tried eliminating one, my skin has suffered.
My skin:
- Combination
- Large pores
- Prone to breakouts
- The beginnings of fine lines around my eyes and on my forehead (but no wrinkles!)
Step 1: Remove Eye Make-Up (twice daily)
AM: In the morning, I usually have to remove some more make-up from my eyes. It is impossible to get all the eyeliner off at night and still be gentle on my eyelids.
PM: Always remove your make-up!
Product: I use Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover
, primarily because I have three bottles of it from various "free gift with purchase" sucker deals. It's not too oily and it does a good job.
Step 2: Cleanse (twice daily)
AM: After removing my eye make-up, I wash my face with a gentle cleanser. In the morning, I do this step in the shower, after I rinse off the conditioner so that there is no conditioner residue on my face.
PM: After removing my eye make-up, I wash my face once to get off the rest of my make-up, then I wash my face again to make sure it's clean.
Product: I have been using Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
for years. I started using it in 2002 when I was on Accutane to clear up my acne.
Step 3: Lightly Exfoliate (once daily)
AM: I exfoliate in the shower because it makes it easier to rinse off all the grit from the scrub. I have tried every scrub known to skin and I keep coming back to Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream
. It has a fine grit, and lots of it, in a nice cream.
Step 4: Tone (twice daily)
AM: I mostly think that toner is a scam, but I use it to make sure my face is really, really clean.
PM: I usually still see a bit of make-up on the cotton pad, so I know it is at least getting my skin clean even if it doesn't do anything else.
Product: I use Lotus Flower Ginseng Toner
, which appears to be a product available for private labeling since I bought it under a salon's label. It doesn't even list the ingredients, so I don't recommend it. I got it because I had a gift certificate I needed to finish off and the bottle had "hydrating system" in the description. True to its word, it does not dry out my skin, like something alcohol-based would. Once it runs out, though, I will probably try something like Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2
.
Step 5: Super Exfoliate (twice weekly)
PM: Two, sometimes three, times a week I basically have to sandblast my skin. If I don't do this, my pores start to clog up. I use a battery-powered, circular brush that I run over the surface of
my face with a super exfoliating cream.
Product: I use BeautiControl Microderm Abrasion Creme & Brush
because my mom sells BeautiControl products and she gave it to me. It works great, though, and I plan to continue buying the cream when I run out. The cream is pricey, but it lasts a long time.
Step 6: Moisturize, the Eyes (once daily)
PM: I try to remember to do this, but this is step I skip the most.
Product: I have yet to find an eye cream I love. I am currently using Kiss My Face Eyewitness Eye Repair Creme
because my brother-in-law, who works at a health food store, got a sample for free.
Step 7: Moisturize, the Undercoat (twice daily)
AM/PM: I use three layers of moisturizer twice a day because I want to look 30
when I'm 50. First, I use a serum that contains hyaluronic acid as the main ingredient. (Details here)
Product: I can't find it anywhere online. It's called Moisture Enhance and I got it at Burke-Williams, as suggested by the woman who gave me a facial.
Step 8: Moisturize, the Middle Layer (twice daily)
AM: In the morning, I use a moisturizer with SPF 25.
PM: In the evening, I use a moisturizer without SPF.
Products: I use Clinique Superdefense Age Defense Moisturizer
for the morning and Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion - Very Dry to Dry Combination Skin
for the evening.
Step 9: Moisturize, the Top Coat (twice daily)
AM/PM: I use a light gel lotion to seal in the other moisturizer all day and night.
Product: I love Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
. LOVE IT. It saved my skin when it was a desert of pregnancy hormones.
Step 10: I Use Even More Products (as needed)
I seriously can't moisturize too much. I use Korres Watermelon Lightweight Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
instead of foundation.
I love Kiss My Face Break Out Botanical Acne Gel
for blemishes, but I haven't had to use it in ages.
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