This post is long overdue, my friends! Truth be told, although it’s a very common question asked of me, it’s hard for me to consolidate a specific skincare routine for you all. Given that I spend so much time researching and trying skincare, my bathroom vanity is like revolving door…products in, products out, rinse and repeat.
However! I do have those tried-and-true products that never fail me. In fact, if you check out my last skincare routine post (made in 2015 WHERE DID THE TIME GO), you might notice several products are still in rotation 3 years later. And the coolest part? Since it’s Memorial Day weekend, most of these items are discounted for the next few days! So what are we waiting for? Let’s get rolling.
MORNING ROUTINE
But guess what? There’s a new product in town, and I am obsessed. Have you heard of the Suki Exfoliate Foaming Facial Cleanser? The fabulous folks at Aillea Beauty turned me onto this line and YOU GUYS. I have no words. (Except yes of course I do.) I am in love with this cleanser. It looks like a traditional sugar scrub in the pot, but when you apply to your face with water, it turns into the silkiest lather that feels so good on the face. It clarifies, rejuvenates, smooths my skin, AND smells like fresh citrus, which is my fave. Suki is a new line to me, and I have been loving it because the products work AND the line is totally affordable. You all really need to check this line out. (15% off May 25-28 with the code MEMORIAL at Aillea Beauty! You can find most of the products I mention in this post there.)
After I cleanse my face, I use a toner. My two favorites are the MUN Anarose Toner, which I’ve talked about ad nauseam, and one that I’ve been reaching for a lot lately, the True Botanicals Clear Nutrient Toner.
The MUN toner is calming, balances the skin’s pH level, and I love the ingredients: rosewater, hyaluronic acid, and willow bark extract (which contains natural salicylic acid). I’ve used it for years and don’t see myself stopping.
After I tone, while my skin is still damp, I apply my moisturizer, which is almost always an oil of some kind. Here are my favorites.
My #1 moisturizer that has yet to be eclipsed by any other product is the Maya Chia Supercritical Chia Oil. I could write paragraphs about this stuff. Here’s the deal – if I had to describe my biggest skin issue, it would be that it oftentimes feels, for lack of a better term, suffocated. So many products are just too much for my skin, resulting in my pores feeling all smothered and stuff. (Give my pores some space, yo!) With that being said, I am always looking for products with a minimal amount of ingredients to reduce the possibility of said “suffocation.” This oil by Maya Chia contains chia oil with a 2% essential oil fragrance blend that is light and citrusy. That’s it. My skin loves it. It’s so lightweight yet incredibly hydrating…I blow through bottles of this little wonder. High in vitamin B3 and Zinc, it smooths, refines, and just makes my skin seriously happy. This oil would work for anyone, but if you have sensitive, reactive skin, I highly recommend this!
Next up, MUN Aknari Serum, which is an oldie but goodie. Only 3 ingredients in this one – prickly pear seed oil, argan oil, and rose flower oil. Rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, this serum smooths and repairs skin and is all-around lovely. If you love the scent of rose, you will go gaga over this one.
A new addition to my arsenal (and another product by Suki) is the Balancing Oil. This one is fantastic for any combo/oily friends out there because it does just what it says. It balances. If you have oily skin and are afraid of using an oil, first off, DON’T BE, and secondly, use this one. It absorbs so quickly, sometimes I can’t remember if I put it on. I have been reaching for this on warmer days.
EVENING ROUTINE
On most nights, I cleanse with my beloved One Love Organics cleanser, but once in awhile, I like to do a good ol’ double cleanse with a little face massage. MUN Akwi Cleanser is my favorite oil-based cleanser because it leaves my skin cleansed, soft, and moisturized. Plus, it actually does rinse off completely, unlike some other oil-based cleansers.
I have one more oil to add to the mix when it comes to the evening. The luxury of all luxury, May Lindstrom Youth Dew. Specifically formulated to clear skin *and* address chronic dryness, this truly is gorgeous. I use this on nights when I’m feeling decadent and want to give my skin a spa-like experience. I do find that if I use this all the time, I get that heavy feeling on my face. But once in awhile in the evening? You can’t beat it. Some of my friends with the absolute best skin swear by this oil, but not gonna lie, it’s pricey.
On the nights I don’t use the Vitamin C Booster, I use Kypris Moonlight Catalyst which is a herbal retinoid formula. Made with pumpkin enzymes, this is the closest thing to conventional retinol without any of the bad stuff. It refines texture, enhances cellular renewal, evens skin tone, and doesn’t contain any essential oils, for those of you who can’t tolerate. One piece of advice – you must wash/rinse your skin the morning after. This product is potent and you don’t want it on your skin in the sun.
Well, what about the eyes? I have two products I really like, although if I’m honest, I forget to put them on most of the time. #forgetful #butalsolazy
Maya Chia The Eye Achiever is a roll-on oil blend that really helps to de-puff and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. I use this at night because it does take some time to soak in.
Last, but certainly not least! I love my Jade Roller. I use it after I put on my oils at night or if I have time in the morning or generally any time I want to relax and de-stress. It feels wonderful and the actual effects (like boosting circulation in my face, reducing tension, etc) are a bonus, as far as I’m concerned. #selfcareftw
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