If you read my last blog post, then you would understand why I take skincare so seriously now. It took one full year to completely clear my skin of cystic acne and during that journey, I started to really educate myself on skincare products. What to use, when and how to use, etc.
Let’s get into it and breakdown my AM/PM products and why I use them.
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In the morning I wash my face with the Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser. My dermatologist highly recommended this cleanser, which makes sense because it is the “#1 Dermatologist Recommended Skincare Brand”.
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After I cleanse my face, I use Thayers Facial Toner. This best-selling toner is not only alcohol-free but is also is formulated with undistilled witch hazel, aloe vera, and rose water to calm inflamed skin.
6 reasons why you need toner in your skincare routine:
- It shrinks your pores.
- It restores your skin’s pH balance.
- It adds a layer of protection and helps close/tighten pores.
- It acts as a moisturizer.
- It refreshes the skin.
- It can prevent ingrown hairs. (for the men out there)
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Are you using Vitamin C? If not we need to change that right now! I discovered the benefits of this magical little serum when I started my skincare journey a year ago. If you google “The Best Vitamin C Serums, According to Dermatologists“, this Loreal Revitalift makes the cut and I am loving it for my morning routine. Here’s why:
The serum is free of fragrance, parabens, mineral oils, and synthetic dyes, so it won’t irritate your skin or cause unwanted breakouts.
BUT, the reason I am loving this specifically for the morning is it feels more like a light velvety lotion than a serum and is a GREAT primer for your foundation.
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Retinol is a type of vitamin A that occurs naturally in the skin. This serum helps stimulate the production of healthy new skin cells. Great for treating acne blemishes, but also diminishes wrinkles and reduces pigmentation. It’s also known to smooth the skin’s texture and provide a brightening glow.
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I can not RAVE about this face oil enough! I received a sample of this in my IPSY Glam Bag and fell in love. I typically am not a huge oil fan because I don’t want to feel greasy, but this has changed my mind completely. I take the dropper and slide it over each side of my face and pat the oil in. After that, I am good to go to apply makeup, or stay makeup-free like usual!
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To kickoff my nighttime routine I cleanse with the ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash. It smells amazing, but more importantly, the skin-refining formula is infused with patented^ Tri-Enzyme Technology, antioxidant-rich Moringa, and hydrating White Truffle to effectively resurface the skin whilst supporting its natural microflora.
INGRIENDANTS INCLUDE:
White Truffle
Also known as Cocos Poria, this mushroom helps to soothe and support the natural microflora of the skin.
Babassu
Found on the edges of the Amazon, Babassu oil is rich in Lauric and Myristic Acid and helps to condition the skin.
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If I have a lot of makeup on, or I just feel like treating myself I use the ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm. This soothing balm melts into a rich cleansing oil to dissolve make-up and impurities on the skin. Upon contact with water, it emulsifies to a hydrating milk that easily rinses off. I usually will leave the balm on for up to 10 minutes while I shower and just enjoy the experience.
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Once my cystic acne cleared and my focus shifted from acne to hyperpigmentation and dark spots, I decided to start researching acids and their skin benefits. This brand is HANDS DOWN the best as far as ingredients and effectiveness. I use one exfoliating pad maybe 3-4 times a week in place of using a toner.
About the acids: AHAs and PHAs (alpha-hydroxy and polyhydroxy) brighten and refine texture. BHAs (beta-hydroxy) gently exfoliate excess buildup to clarify pore lining. TXA (tranexamic) reduces the look of discoloration and evens tone.
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This was my first Vitamin C serum purchase and I am on my third tube if that tells you how much I love this serum. One thing you REALLY need to know about Vitamin C serums is how they are packaged and stored. One mistake skincare companies are making is allowing their vitamin c serums to be exposed to light and oxygen. Vitamin C is an unstable molecule that will oxidize when exposed to light. An eye dropper exposes the vitamin C serum to oxygen the first time you open it, starting the oxidization process.
Thus, why I love the packaging of the two Vitamin C serums that I use daily!
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After I apply my CeraVe retinol resurfacing serum, I pat in two pumps of the CeraVe PM moisturizer to my face and neck. If you read my Cystic acne blog post you’ll remember how when I visited a Dermatologist for the first time I thought she was going to t4ell me I needed these wildly expensive skincare products, but NOPE! She recommended CeraVe and I am not one bit disappointed.
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And last but not least, my ALL DAY go to (not just nighttime) is this lip sleeping mask. Yes, I do apply before bedtime, but I also keep it at my desk and apply it randomly throughout the day because I love how hydrating it is and the smell is divine! It comes with this cute little tool to use vs. using your finger and getting the balm stuck underneath your nail… Love that!!!
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DAILY SKINCARE PRODUCT BREAKDOWN COMPLETE!
Thank you so much for reading! All of these products are linked, so click the pic if you want to shop…
x, Natalie
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