I regularly get questions about skincare. Remember that the constants are not the products themselves (although I don't know how I'd live without my Clarisonic) but the sequence of my regiment. That said, I try new products all the time and am always on the lookout for the next best thing, so here are my constants of skincare.
1. Cleansers - cream (non-foaming) are across the board - the best. They break down makeup and impurities without stripping any of the essential oils from your skin, thus protecting and maintaining the skin's eco system (i.e. pH balance). This type of cleanser is good on all skin types. Make Up For Ever's So Divine is one of my faves and smells divine too. I also love Burt's Bees Cotton Extract cream cleanser.
2. Exfoliating - It makes all the difference in the world to exfoliate regularly. Daily exfoliating will change the texture of your skin, help minimize discoloration and fine lines, and provide a better surface for makeup to adhere to . Clarisonic's Mia 2 with the [delicate] brush head is my go-to exfoliator. It gently exfoliates without irritating the skin. It's best to exfoliate after washing, when your skin cells have been softened by the water and cleanser. I find this sequence works the best for me, as it also prevents too much build up on the brush head, making it easier to clean after each use.
3. Non-alcoholic toner - Toner simply removes excess dirt, makeup and oils...that's it. You should never do a cleanser without a toner. Bioderma Sensibio H2O is my all time-all time.✨ Great for all skin types and gentle enough for the eyes, I sometimes use it to take off my eye makeup (sans waterproof).
4. Under eye moisturizer - your under eye area is one of the most fragile areas on your face. The skin around the eyes is very thin, so it is more prone to becoming dry and damaged. This is a problem area for me, especially as I age. Glossier's balm dot com IS the bomb (I know, how did we ever think that was cool, right?!). It's a salve that you can use anywhere on the face and body. Lips, under eyes and around the nose are great places to use this stuff. It lasts for hours. No joke. I rub a small amount between two fingers and pat underneath my eyes. It's magic. I lather it on my lips, all day - er day.
5. Atomized water - this part is simple, it's just water in a can. This particular canned mineral water, from Caudalie (Grape Water), has a nozzle that sprays a super-fine mist of water over your skin. This easy-to-ignore step is incredibly important to your routine as moisturizer alone is not enough to trap topical moisture, especially if you are like me, and don't drink enough water (medically, most of us live in a state of perpetual dehydration). Spray a generous layer of this water on your face after you clean and exfoliate, then apply your moisturizer and work into your skin. You can even apply this regularly during dry seasons, on top of your makeup. Your skin will soak it up. Take a mini can with you when you travel to counter the dry environment on airplanes and the harshness of long miles, long hours and new climates.
6. Moisturizer - obvs, totally important, but many people have the misconception that moisturizer actually moisturizes the skin, when in fact, it prevents moisture evaporation by trapping in moisture topically. Glossier Priming Moisturizer (for the day) and Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance (for night) are my current go-to's. Glossier is great because it's buildable, has hyaluronic acid and emollients that provide longevity, and is soothing to the skin. It leaves skin feeling hydrated without feeling greasy or oily. Dermalogica's Intensive Moisture Balance is a great nighttime moisturizer because it strengthens the skin's lipid barrier to prevent moisture loss, has antioxidants that help prevent free radical damage and leaves skin feeling hydrated. Lather that baby on at night and wake up with pretty, elastic and supple skin.
I hope you find this helpful and informative. Comments and questions are welcome!