After being asked a number of times why my skin is so glowy and what I use, I decided to write this blog post for anyone who wants to know.
Skin care is another personal passion of mine. I struggled with problem skin when I was younger that affected me greatly day to day. After trying different treatments and products, I started researching and exploring the world of skin care and makeup until I found the right products for me.
I have found that having the best products was important but that a lot of it was mental health related! We all experience so much social pressure from social media, magazines, media that criticize our appearances and promote unrealistic expectations. I have done a lot of self exploration which has calmed and quieted the voice that tells me i’m not good enough or pretty enough and thank goodness for that! No one needs a negative nancy on their shoulders all day. If you can relate I encourage you to take the best care of yourself, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. This means listening to yourself and eating only what feels good in your body. Drinking enough water, exercising your body and your mind. If you are stressed, find someone you trust and can talk to. I would recommend therapy to anyone under the sun and have found so much value in my own personal sessions.
Maybe your headspace is 70 degrees and sunny and you are really just looking for advice on products? I am not a dermatologist and can not speak on all skin types, but! I can tell you what has worked for me personally.
Skin Care routine-
AM- I have normal to oily skin and use a clean, light gel cleanser (Clear by Dermatologist Christy Kidd) morning and night. In the morning I then use a homemade topical toner (witch hazel) and apply a small amount of SkinCeuticals Blemish and Age Defense salicylic acid. This helps to keep my skin exfoliated, clean and tighten pores to prevent acne and aging. If you tend to have dry skin this may not be the best product for you. Next I apply a small amount of Obagi number 3 & 4 mixed together. These products are skin lightening and exfoliators to achieve an overall even complexion lightening any pigmented spots. LastIy, I apply BOOM Silk by Cindy Josephs to my entire face and decollete. Boom is a great company offering organic skin care products. I HIGHLY recommend BOOM for all skin types. This is my all star hero product that I swear has a lot to do with my glowy complexion.
PM- I ALWAYS wash my face before bed. Facial hygiene is so important to maintaining healthy blemish free skin. Using Christy Kidd’s Clean cleanser, sometimes twice to make sure I get all of my makeup off. After drying my face with a paper towel (for sanitation), I then use the same toner again followed by Obagi product number 5 mixed with .05 grams of .05% Tretinoin cream (aka retinol/ retin A) which is prescribed by a Dermatologist. The tretinoin helps to exfoliate and soften pores, drying up excess oils. Once a week, I use a stronger strength of Tretinoin (1%). The use of this product in conjunction with Obagi products increases their efficacy and penetration. This is a medically prescribed regiment. I personally LOVE Beth at Polacek Center for Plastic Surgery. Beth is a medical aesthetician that works closely with Dr. Lori Polacek. They are both wonderful and will give you honest, educated advice for your personal skin care needs! Next, I moisturize with BOOM silk and I’m off to bed feeling fresh. :)
Makeup routine:
I use only all organic makeup that is rich in things that are good for my skin, basically food for my skin that happens to act as enhancing makeup too. I don’t like a heavy application that suffocates my skin, I want my skin to look and FEEL good all day. The first thing I use on my cleansed and moisturized face is “un-coverup” by RMS. Just a little goes a long way under my eyes concealing any dark circles. I also use this on any areas of redness to even out my complexion. RMS is great because it not only has ingredients of high integrity but it doesn’t completely cover your skin. It allows for your natural skin to shine through while softening imperfections. Next I use one or more of RMS luminizers (depending on the mood) on my cheeks and cheekbone area for an illuminating glow. I usually use corresponding luminzer on my eyelid and brow bone, tip of my nose and maybe a little on the cupids bow above my lips for an overall highlight. Finish the look with an RMS Lip2Cheek color or BOOM Color by Cindy Josephs and viola! That is the plain and simple daily look. When I want a little more coverage or a more polished look I will use Sappho Paradigm liquid foundation with a beauty blender sponge after using “un-coverup” and before the rest of the RMS regiment. You could absolutely do more to create a more dramatic or contoured look, this is just the raw and basic of what works for me. I hope this helps anyone out there who is looking for clean and simple skin/makeup solutions!