My Skincare Essentials

I’ve always been told “you only get one set of skin, so you better take great care of it”. And it is totally the truth! The key to preserving your skin for the future is caring for it today. Along with avoiding too much sun, getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and drinking plenty of water, I have a skin routine that has worked out very well for me. These tips and products should suit any skin type and I will explain why!

My skin is combination…I get oily in the T-zone but have some dry patches as well. Some of you may think I am crazy, but I actually do not wash my face twice a day. I only wash at night. The reason I no longer wash my face in the morning is because I want to keep my skin’s natural oils through out the day. Once I made this change, I noticed my skin became less acne prone.

So, in the morning I literally do nothing besides apply sun screen. I use, and highly recommend, Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen in SPF 30. This is perfect for everyday, and I can comfortably wear makeup over it. It is very lightweight, dries quickly, and never leaves a nasty residue feeling behind (which I am very picky about). In addition to that, I apply chap-stick (my favorite is Pink Grapefruit by Burt’s Bees) . 

My night routine involves many more products. I start off by cleansing my face with Purity by Philosophy. This is a gentle cleanser so it is great for people with sensitive skin and it also removes my makeup very well (note: about twice a week I will use it with my Clarisonic to exfoliate the skin). After I cleanse, I use Neutrogena’s Oil-free Eye Makeup Remover to ensure I got every last bit of makeup off around my eyes. I never have issues with this irritating my eyes and it removes mascara as well. Then I go in with a toner. My all time favorite toner is the Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Cucumber toner by Thayers. I love that it is alcohol free and never dries out my skin.

Now that all the makeup is removed and my skin is clean, I can begin applying my serums and lotions. I start by applying eye cream. I use the Ceramide Herbal Eye Cream by Mario Badescu. On the rest of my face, I apply Rosehip Oil. I am currently using the Radha Skincare brand. This may seem counter-intuitive, but applying oil actually helps prevent breakouts and has helped with acne scars and hyper pigmentation. Applying oil basically tricks your skin into thinking it does not need to produce more of its own oil. This slows down oil production and therefore prevents acne. In addition to that, it is rich in antioxidants and I have gotten compliments on my skin looking more even since I have incorporated it into my skincare routine. I still apply my moisturizer on top of the oil. My current favorite is the Ultra Repair Cream by First Aid Beauty. Finally, I have recently begun using Castor Oil on my brows and lashes. I have heard great things about thickening lashes and brows this way… have you tried castor oil??? If so, please let me know your experience with it down below.

Another random product I use throughout the day is the Mario Badescu Facial spray. It is a great way to easily re-hydrate and freshen up the skin during the day when you already have makeup on.

If you  have any skin care recommendations, please leave them in the comments down below!!! We would all greatly appreciate it 🙂

Xoxo,

TheVivaDiva

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