I've finally figured out a skin care routine I'm pretty happy with, so I thought I'd share it in case there are any readers who are straddling a fine line (get it?) between breakouts and wrinkles. When it comes to priorities, my big three are sun protection, smoothing wrinkles and lines, and staying moisturized and dewy but not greasy, which is no easy feat given my combination skin. It's been a challenge figuring out what products work best for me, what to use together, what to avoid altogether, and what kind of routine I can commit to. I am no skin care expert. I just read a lot of magazines.
Here's my daily skin care regimen, as well as a couple extra products I use from time to time.
Here's my daily skin care regimen, as well as a couple extra products I use from time to time.
1. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster - this is the first thing I put on in the morning and it's the most expensive product I've ever bought, so it damn well better be working. I do feel that it's made my skin brighter and smoother since I started using it two months ago, and it has a nice citrusy smell that I like in the morning. I'm told it contains the highest concentration of vitamin C you can find in a serum, which works all day to fight free radicals and prevent aging. I'll put vitamin anything on my face if it keeps me from looking like a haggard crone.
2. Clinique All About Eyes rollerball - this eye serum mostly just feels really good in the morning. The little metal ball helps smooth out any puffiness and tired-eyes feels.
3. Clinique BB Cream with SPF 30 - I use this in place of foundation. It moisturizes, (allegedly) protects against aging, provides sun protection, and smooths everything out, all in one product. It doesn't get any simpler than that! I tried Clinique's CC cream but I found it a bit toooooo luminous (i.e. greasy) especially for warmer weather, but this one provides that little hint of dew I like.
1. Yes to Blueberries Cleanser - I just wanted something gentle that would get my face clean and not strip it too dry. This fits the bill. I have a hard time spending too much money on a cleanser since it's on your face for all of five seconds, but I'm OK with spending more money on products that actually sit on your skin for a longer time and work over a long period.
2. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum - all my magazines are like "you need retinol, you old bitch!" This was on sale at Shoppers and it said "retinol" on the label, so it's the lucky winner. I just smooth on a dog-kibble sized amount (everyone likes to say a pea-sized amount, but I'm a baller and I use dog food to measure my beauty products) before applying moisturizer.
3. Clinique Dramatically Different lotion - this is the moisturizer I've been using for almost 10 years now. It's lightweight, absorbs beautifully, never feels greasy, and does the job, even during the harshest of winters. I'll probably use this forever.
1. St. Ives Apricot Scrub - about once a week I'll grab this in the shower and really give the ol' face the gears. I've used this product since I was a young buck. I like that it doesn't use artificial garbage like microbeads and my skin feels smoother and fresher after using it.
2. Aveda Radiance Masque - I don't do a mask weekly, but when I do have a few minutes to spare, I like to slap this one on to brighten everything up. I also like the individual packet masks you can find at the drugstore. Give me a mask, a big-ass glass of wine, and an episode of Downton Abbey and I'm a happy broad for approximately an hour.
