Hi Friends!
I’ve updated my skincare routine a bit since we last talked, so I wanted to share my latest regimen and some extras! This post will be kind of lengthy, but it’ll include everything from face wash, to treatments, to masks! If you’re like me, your routines are constantly changing to meet your needs. Sometimes things will work great for me, then my skin will begin to change and require different things. However, I feel like I have FINALLY gotten my skin under control. Before, I was doing everything I could to avoid cystic acne and random breakouts. Now, I feel like my skin has pretty much found it’s sweet spot, as a result of me being consistent and intentional.
The first thing to take note of is, what works for my skin may not necessarily be the best route for you. That’s why I’m going to give y’all several options and share more of a wide variety of things that I’ve personally tried that I think can help almost any skin struggle. If you try one thing for a while and you’re not noticing a difference, don’t get discouraged and don’t be afraid to try something new! Just remember – like any good thing, it takes time. Be patient with your skin. It takes a while to truly detox and get rid of old habits and the nasty stuff that’s been accumulating for years.
So, here’s what I’ve been up to lately.
- DRINK. WATER. This will never change. Your skin cannot be healthy if it’s dehydrated. I know that drinking water throughout the day can be tough for some people. This is the water bottle I carry with me everywhere I go. We have a big water dispenser in our garage and I fill my water bottle up twice a day and that equals one gallon! I’ve purchased so many different water bottles over the years and this is by far my favorite one yet! If it helps, add fresh lemon or lime juice!
- Treatments: I’ve been consistent in getting a Diamond Tip Microdermabrasion Facial once a month from Image Enhancement Center in Houston since the beginning of the year. It helps tremendously with removing layers of dead skin cells, raised scars, acne, sun damage, dark spots, enlarged pores, blackheads, whiteheads, and dull skin. The staff is AMAZING and will consult you for free to tell you what treatments are most needed for your skin! You can check them out on their Facebook, Instagram or call to schedule an appointment at 713-428-2790. Tell them I sent you for special deals!
- Never, Ever Sleep In Your Makeup. Even if there’s a fire. But seriously. I n e v e r sleep with makeup on. If you’re bad about this, set a reminder on your phone, and make it a habit to take that stuff off every night! Click here for the holy grail of removing your makeup – The Makeup Eraser. I haven’t purchased a single pack of makeup remover wipes since having this! It removes every bit of my makeup and I wash it with my other towels every time I do laundry. It’s so good!
- Face Wash: Recently for face wash, I love using the It Cosmetics Confidence In A Cleanser. After I wipe my makeup off with my Makeup Eraser, I cleanse with this to help remove any excess makeup that your makeup wipe may have missed. If you’re not interested in spending too much money on a face wash, don’t worry. I feel ya! A great alternative that I love is Dr. Bonner’s Pure-Castile Bar Soap in Hemp Rose. It’s all natural and made with organic oils. I keep this in my shower, and the bar lasts forrrrever. You can get it at H-E-B in the healthy living section, Walmart, Ulta, or on their website for under $5.
- Masks: My favorite step of all. Let me put you on to the mask above all masks. It’s a homemade mask and once you buy the ingredients they will last you forever, because a little bit goes such a long way! First, you take a tablespoon of the Indian Healing Clay Powder and mix it in a bowl like this with equal parts Apple Cider Vinegar until it forms a thick paste. Then, cover your clean skin in the mask and let it dry completely. Once its dry, rinse and apply any serums and/or moisturizers. Your skin may be red after and that’s completely normal! Repeat as many nights as you feel necessary and as often as your skin will tolerate comfortably.
- Toners: I personally haven’t been using a toner in my skincare routine but I know some people love them! If you like to use a toner but aren’t sure you want to invest, I love Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner. It’s under $7 and you can also snag this at H-E-B, drugstores and Ulta! This option is very calming and will work for sensitive skin. For a spray toner that also helps with acne, my all-time favorite is Lush’s Tea Tree Water. If you struggle with oily skin and need something a little more intense, Clinique’s Clarifying II Lotion is great.
- Moisturizers: Lately my go-to moisturizing lotion is the It Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream. For a more lightweight option, I’ve tried this Slushy Serum Moisturizer and the Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Gel Moisturizer and love them both! For a cheaper option, Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel ($17) is great too and can be found at most grocery stores and drugstores!
- For Acne/Spot Treatment: I’m not going to act like my skin is perfect now, because that’s far from the truth. I still get super stressed and have breakouts or get hormonal zits that I have no control over. While these aren’t necessarily preventable, I have found ways that they can be handled quickly. First of all, DO. NOT. PICK. If your skin freaks out, don’t panic and do not try to squeeze or pick at it. All that does is make it red and irritated and it makes the healing process take even longer. The best acne treatments I stand by are: SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense, and anything from the Alba Acnedote line (I get mine from the healthy living section at HEB). The holy grail is SkinCeuticals and it works 100%, but I am aware that it’s more expensive. To get even better results: Steam your face before applying the product. Your pores will be open and it will go deeper into your skin, healing it faster.
I know that was so much info, but I hope it helps! Skincare is something worth investing in. If you have any questions, I’d love to help! Feel free to contact me 🙂