Washing Your Face Cleanses More Than The Skin
The market is saturated with Anti-Aging products which is misleading on more levels than one. There is something incredibly beautiful about aging. The experiences I have had to date were only made possible from the things I have learned over time. Do not get caught up in thinking you look too old for the age you are or believing you need all of these pricey products to stay young.
I have gotten caught up in my own head on a number of occasions thinking that I should have done more by now. Am I getting too old? Did I do enough? But this is not the blog for that topic….
Society has told us that different body types, skin types, fine lines & wrinkles, skin tones and so much more is not an acceptable beauty standard. Screw that!
I recently saw a post where a lady asked a local FB Group of women what their skin care routine is and what she needs to buy to start. Why did this make me sad? As I dug a little deeper, she is a mom of older teenage children which told me nothing more than she may be a bit older than me. And she did not have a skin care routine or even know where to start.
She has not known how to or even given herself the opportunity to take care of herself. To establish something so simple in her life as a skincare routine. Now, the beauty industry has exploded since 2014 and is projected to cross the 100 Billion Dollar mark in 2027. How does this factor into a local woman not washing her face? There’s so much out there now it’s impossible to choose. So you get an overwhelming feeling when you walk into beauty stores because you do not even know where to start. And it is EXPENSIVE!!
I began my routine when I was 24-ish. There are pre-teens all over social media going into these stores and recording themselves and their beauty hauls. Like, what? I was running back and forth to my friends house when I was 13. We were on 4-Wheelers riding through the dirt on a daily basis. I wouldn’t even be able to tell you if I washed my face when I was 13. (I know…lol)
Why did I start a routine? Beauty standards. Marketing. Retail Therapy. Wrinkles.
I am glad I started. It is necessary to my daily routine to wash my face. I have a whole skin care bag separate from my makeup bag. My daughters have their own routine and luckily do their own research for products that suit them. But why? The simple answer, it makes me feel good. It makes my makeup look better. It helps me age, gracefully. I like to go without makeup sometimes and if my skin is glowing, I am leaving the house makeup free.
There is not a product on the market that is anti-aging, in my option. So do not get caught up on that term when shopping for your products. You cannot prevent aging but you may be able to slow down the process. (Diet included-again, not the blog for that topic)
So what do I buy? Your first question should be, “What is your skin type?”
Every product is going to work differently for every person. If you can’t determine whether you are oily, combination or dry then seeing an esthetician would be a great start. Remember, this is investing in yourself and a healthy habit. Why do I call this a healthy habit? For those that have not truly taken steps into self care or even know where to begin this is a great first step. Create a habit around skin care. Wash, morning and night. Your timeframes are already set. This will be the beginning of you taking control of your time and hopefully establishing other routines for yourself that are non negotiable.
How much is it? It will vary but there is good news.
Because of the beauty industry boom, drugstore products had to step up. There are situations in which I “invest” outside of my normal routine. But honestly, I have as many drugstore products in my bag as prestige products. It does not have to break the bank!
So what do you do? After much research and many trials I will share what I use.
I am not affiliated with any of these products in any way other than I buy them off of the shelf and want to share with anyone reading tips and tricks for buying.
Basic Morning Routine:
Wash with CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (Oil Control)
Moisturize with La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer
Clinique All About Eyes
Skin Ceuticals Tinted Sunscreen, Physical Fusion SPF 50
Mario Badescu Lip Balm
Basic Night Routine
Wash with CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (Oil Control), *Sometimes I will double cleanse
Lancôme Advanced GÉNIFIQUE Serum or Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum
Moisturize with Lancôme Absolue or Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Moisturizer
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream
Mario Badescu Lip Balm
Additional items I will incorporate depending on need:
Skin Medica Retinol Complete 1.0
Paula’s Choice Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum
OLEHENRIKSEN Phat Glow Facial
Premier by Dead Sea Premier Facial Peeling Gel
Naturium Sulfur Spot Treatment
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
Fenty Skin Fat Water Toner Serum
Clinique Take the Day Off
Tula Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm
Youth to the People Superfood Facial Cleanser
Alternative items I will use in the basic routines:
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
Naturium SPF 50 UVF Antioxidant
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Moisturizer
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Therapy
Buying Tips (Because I hate buying at full price)
Lancôme and Estée Lauder have sales on kits with full size products around Thanksgiving until Christmas. Whatever I do not use in the kits are given as Christmas gifts. (No Shame)
Target Cartwheel-CeraVe, La Roche Posay, Naturium and Neutrogena have all been on there at different times with different discounts.
Buy direct from the websites of these products for a first time buying savings.
Watch for Beauty Days with Ulta and Sephora. This is how I have been able to try products at 1/2 the usual price.
Final Tips
Pat Dry Always
Do not PULL your skin
NEVER forget the neck or your décolletage
Always use Sunscreen in the morning. Makeup is just not enough to prevent sun damage
Lips need love too
Stay away from fragrance. Especially if your are new to establishing a routine
Do not pick your skin. I still struggle with this (GROSS, I already know)
What works for me may not work for you. Example: I cannot use Vitamin C topically
Start with the basics and grow from there. If you only cleanse and moisturize to begin your routine, you will not regret it.
I am no skin care guru nor will I ever claim to be. But this routine makes me very happy. If you want to get the botox and the facials and all of those type of things, DO IT! This is for you. I do some of these things, as well. Does it make you feel good? DO IT!
I know it seems overwhelming or maybe you cannot quite grasp why this would make you feel so good. For me, it is a brief moment where I am able to do something that assists in my graceful aging process while realizing that I have the time to take care of my needs.
Begin with these brief moments and you will eventually find that you can incorporate more “ME” time for yourself in other areas of your life.
