Skincare Over Everything

I didn’t get into skincare until I was in my 30’s. My generation was all about indoor tanning and not much else. We were never taught skincare like kids are now. But now that I have discovered good skincare, I am addicted. And because I have extremely sensitive dry skin, I have tried everything on the market.

I’d like to share my favorite products right now!

Face Wash/Cleaners

Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Scrub ($6)

Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser ($10)

Dermalogica Ultra Calming Cleanser ($62)

Moisturizers

Dermalogica Dynamica Skincare Recovery spf50 ($75)

Cerave Skin Renewing Retinol Daycream with SPF ($24.99)

LaRoche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Face Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin ($30)

Serums

Biossance Squalane + Vitamic C Rose Oil ($72)

Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum ($62)

Whole Foods 365 Rosehip Oil ($10)

Face Masks

Dr Jart Soothing Hydra Solution Mask ($11.95/ pack of 5)

Lapcos Rejuvinating Variety Pack ($17/pack of 5)

L’Oreal Detox Clay Mask ($8)

What are your favorite skincare products lately? Share!

I Changed My Mind

I’ve openly spoken about getting Botox, injections and even plastic surgery someday. Sooner rather than later. Recently, I’ve changed my mind.

I have not changed my mind about being open to it and accepting about it for others (because first and foremost, what others do with their bodies is not my business) but I have changed my mind about it being for me.

I’m 33. I have always thankfully had really good skin and looked younger than my age. However, I am getting to my mid 30’s and I do have things like forehead wrinkles, laugh lines, and sun spots. I cannot be mistaken for 22 anymore. Let’s get honest - I can’t be mistaken for 25 anymore, maybe even 28. I probably look a solid 30.

Are there times when I compare my aging to how my friends are aging? Absolutely. I’m a woman in a world that tells us aging must be stopped at all costs. But the more I see the work that is getting done around me, the more I want to just age gracefully.

I’m using lotions and serums and sunscreens and I wash my face and do all the standard regimented things we are taught - but I think that’s going to be it for me.

I say all of this and I very well could change my mind in six months or six years. And that’s OK too.

So what’s changed? A lot. I consider the cost of what I see some people spending to maintain and I would rather spend the money of other things. I would rather spend it on travel and events and dinners than I would on stopping aging.

I also know that self love has been a constant journey for me. How I look obviously matters to me, but I value loving me for who I am and all that entails - wrinkles and all. For me loving who I am does equal embracing the aging process.

Here’s the thing: a lot of my friends, significantly more and more lately - are relying on injections and surgeries and they look fly as all hell. And it works for them. They want to spend their money, time, and energy on those things, and I am not against that. In fact, I’m very for it because it’s important to them and that’s what matters.

Doing what is best for you, that matters.

I may look older, more weathered than some of my friends. Sincerely, one of my girlfriends never ages and she looks absolutely incredible. Partially because naturally, she’s healthy and takes good care of herself (and good genes), partially because she does get injections. Either way, it’s working, she’s a bombshell and always will be. But I don’t know if I’d look like me if I got those things done. Maybe I’d be a better version. Maybe I’d look like I had work done. Maybe I’m overthinking it.

Whatever it may be - I’m not willing to go there right now.

I like learning to love the things that make me who I am. Wrinkles, scars, lines, spots and all. I feel my best when I’m makeup free and authentic. Just as much as we should support the women who choose to age with a little help, I think we need to support the women who choose to just age however that ends up.

The point is, the beauty industry is always made to show women what we need to be our best selves. Taking advantage of that is not wrong and choosing not to is not wrong. Take pride in knowing what you value, what makes you feel your best, and committing to the journey knowing it can change as well.

Society loves to tell women a lot about who we should be, how we should look - society absolutely places more rules around how to exist as a woman and changing my mind, is my way of saying you know what? I’m going to do whatever I damn well please. And I won’t apologize for any of it.

Fountain of Youth

Never in my life have I been more invested in skincare as I am right now. I’m really lucky and have incredible olive skin. Essentially having one small zit every 6 months is really the worst that happens to me (knock on wood). I’m appreciative of that. However I’m not 22 anymore and I’m a highly expressive human. I’ve spent a lot of time in the sun (and le sigh, in tanning beds when I was young). I never took care of my skin in my 20’s. I’m 33 now, and that’s all changed. I’m committed to looking and feeling my best.

I’ve written about plastic surgery as well as injections in the past and here I am a year later still not ready to go that route yet. Again, I’m so here for that if its for you and eventually, I’ll get there. Right now, I’m not there.

But I am spending money on skincare products to look and feel my best. What you should know about me:

• Dry, sensitive skin

• Big believer in not spending thousands each month on products

• Not loyal to any one brand

• Lazy AF

That’s a really good background on me and how I spend when it comes to skincare. Here’s my general routine:

Morning: Cleaners, toner, exfoliant/antiaging serum, BB cream (with SPF 30)

Evening: Cleaners, toner, exfoliant/antiaging serum, retinol antiaging night cream, night eye cream

This is A LOT for me. To me, that’s 3,000 steps. But it’s basic enough that it’s manageable without making me get up earlier in the morning or commit too much time before bed. Now I do switch it up at night because retinol creams can be harsh on my sensitive skin. So I alternate between that and an antiaging serum paired with vitamin c serum.

Now to the meat of this thing, the products I’m loving right now (I’ve added in some outside my normal daily routine because I like to switch it up):

Cleanser

Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser (Target, $5.59)

I’m a huge fan of Aveeno products. They’re inexpensive and they are so gentle on my skin. I also use their makeup remover wipes. This cleanser is long lasting, gently exfoliates, and the bottle lasts me forever. I even bought a three pack on Amazon for $15 thinking I’d go through the bottle faster but one of these bad boys has lasted me 5 months.

Toner

Equate Beauty Deep Cleaning Toner (Walmart, $2.50)

Look, I’m not claiming this is the best toner on the market at $2.50 but it works really well for me. I’ve been using it for years and had no issues. Again, one bottle lasts me probably 3 months. A little goes a long way.

Exfoliating Liquid

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid (Paula’s Choice, $29.50)

A friend recommended this to me because she also has super sensitive skin. It’s the first Paula’s Choice product I’ve tried and I’m hooked. It’s made with simple ingredients, no frills packaging and safe enough for me to use twice a day. I noticed a difference in the softness of my skin as well as how bright my skin has been right away.

Antiaging Night Cream

ROC Retinol Night Cream (Amazon, $12)

This product has been around for decades. I love that it is constantly rated high on every product list and is still $12. You can really get it anywhere but for me, Amazon is easy. It’s effective and stands the test of time, which is good enough for me.

Eye Cream

Bare Minerals SkinLongevity Vital Power Eye Gel Cream (Amazon, $18)

I love Bare Minerals products so I tried out their SkinLongevity line and while the serum made me breakout, I’ve found success with the eye cream. It’s gotten rid of virtually all dark circles as well as made my eyes in general feel brighter and softer. I think it’s normally $25-$30 but I found it on Amazon for $18. It’s not just a night cream either so feel free to use this bad boy for your daytime cream too.

Antiaging Vitamin Night Serum

Derma e Antiwrinkle Night Serum (TJ Maxx, $5.99)

I first tried out Derma e products from my BirchBox sbscription and found I really enjoy them. I started seeing their products at TJ Maxx for anywhere from $5.99-$9.99 so I scooped them up. This night serum is a great trade off when I need a break from retinol which can be harsh on sensitive skin. It’s got a great consistency and gives my skin the vitamins it needs each evening. I top this off with their vitamin c serum as well.

Exfoliating Wash

ELF Gentle Peeling Exfoliant (ELF.com, $8)

I bought this on Black Friday when everything on ELF was 60% off. I LOVE IT.  I believe it was $8, but don’t quote me. It’s gentle on my sensitive skin but you can see and feel it working as the dead skin lifts right off your face and neck. Highly recommended for those of you who are too sensitive for intense exfoliating treatments at the spa but still need to get that refresh. I only use it maybe 2x a week max.

That’s it. That’s what I’m loving right now. I have a lot of masks as well as some other face washes but these are my tried and true go to products right now.

What are you using? Share with your friend sequins!