Since high school, my skin has always been a sensitive subject for me. From struggles with acne, dark spots, redness and extremely dry yet sensitive skin, I often would not leave the house without makeup. I made a decision last year to really focus on taking care of my skin and how I can improve it both inside and out. This post is all about how I changed my skin, and how I became confident enough to go a few days without makeup, even when going out.
Focusing on good skincare rather than makeup has become really popular in the last few years. Rather than just covering up all of your problem areas and insecurities, attacking & solving them has become the goal. Honestly, it’s so annoying and mentally draining to always have to feel like I need to at least put on foundation, concealer and powder before I can even run some errands. Not because I was afraid that I would look ugly, but mostly because I didn’t want to feel like I looked bad. It was all an internal thing, really, and I know I probably didn’t look that bad but I hated the feeling.
How I Changed My Skin
This year I started to invest both time and money into quality skincare that had positive reviews. Some of my favorites that I now use daily, and contribute to how I changed my skin.
Face Wash
For daily cleansing, Tula Daily Probiotic face wash. I received my first Tula product in a FabFitFun box. It was this facial cleanser, and full sized. I had it for about 8 months before I had to buy a new one, it lasted so long! I loved it because it took off all of my makeup and left my skin super soft. After a month or so I started to notice less breakouts and since continuing to use it, I get one or two a month.
At night time, I occasionally will use an oil cleanser on top of my Tula cleaner. Instead of a makeup remover, I use the Tata Harper Oil Cleanser on dry skin. Rinse, and follow with my Tula cleanser and the rest of my routine. Its a deeper clean and I only do it every few days or if I feel oily.
Toner
As a toner, I love the ExfoliKate Toner. Using it every night, after my face wash and before any moisturizer or treatment. The toner is a liquid exfoliate and isn’t too harsh on even sensitive skin, like mine. I am obsessed with it! If I do have one of my occasional breakouts, I will use the Neutrogena Acne Toner in the morning as well.
Treatments
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid. I use this every few days in the evening or sometimes in the morning, if my skin looks dull. It is a serum and treatment to prevent aging, and helps to brighten as well. A few years back, I read a beauty article that claims women need to start the anti-aging process in their mid twenties, and I have been doing it ever since! Whether this is true or not, I don’t know. But, it doesn’t hurt to take care of your skin anyway.
When I do get the occasional breakout, I use the Proactive Spot Gel. It works really well when used sparingly, and not every day. It can dry out your skin if used too often. So only use it as a spot solution every few days when needed.
Moisturizer
Moisturizers that I love are the Algenist SPLASH moisturizer. Its lightweight, yet effective, but wont clog pores and cause breakouts. A less expensive option that is very similar is the Neutrogena Water Moisturizer. I rotate between these two, and use the Algenist primarily in the winter when the air is dryer and I need a stronger moisturizer.
Face Masks
Ok, my favorite category. Face masks fun, effective and skin-saving. There are thousands of options, brands, categories and treatments available to you. Just pick a topic, and you’ll find a face mask for it. Some of the ones I currently love are
Alaya Australian Pink Clay Mask for breakouts and trouble areas.
The Ordinary Facial Peel for exfoliating and brightening. I use this in the mornings a lot before my makeup!
Laneige Sleep Moisture Mask, great for a super dry skin day.
Kate Somerville Acne Foaming Mask, very strong, I use it maybe once a month when I am experiencing breakouts.
Eye Cream
I think I lied before, I think Eye Cream is actually my favorite category. Ever since I worked at Clinique, I have been obsessed with eye cream. The skin around your eyes is under 22 muscles, with perpetual motion and over 10,000 blinks per day. This is why the eye area is the first to show signs of aging. Its the most worked, and thinnest skin area on your face.
I have tried so many eye creams, gels and serums its insane. As a sufferer of dark circles, I mainly try to find a moisturizing eye cream that targets brightening and hydrating. My current one is the Olehenriksen C-Serum Cream. I love it and am on my second bottle! Its lightweight, so it doesn’t make my eye makeup greasy, but is moisturizing at the same time.
Daily Routine
When it comes to how I changed my skin, I have to be consistent every day. I follow a basic routine for the morning and evening. In the mornings, after I’ve managed to pull myself out of bed and shower, I start with my face wash. Do Not Wash Your Face in the Shower! Just don’t do it, and thank me later. After washing, I use a Neutrogena Breakout focused toner all over my face on a cotton round. After I let this sink into my skin, I use the Olehenriksen Vitamin C Serum, sparingly, all over my face and on my neck. Followed with my Vitamin C Eye cream, and last the Algenist SPLASH Moisturizer. I let this all sink in for a few moments before applying a primer and my makeup.
If I manage to wake up a few minutes early, I will also apply a face mask. I often use the Ordinary facial peel one in the mornings, because its a quickie mask and is super easy to rinse off. Then I start my routine.
In the Evenings
At night, I remove my eye makeup with Clinique Melt the Day Away eye-makeup remover. I follow this with my Tula face wash, ExfoliKate toner, Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid, Eye Cream and Moisturizer. About 1-2 times a week, I will do a clay or brightening face mask before this to treat any problem areas. If my skin feels dry, I will use the Laneige Sleep Mask after washing my face, and skip the rest of the routine until the morning.
Anyway, this is how I changed my skin. If you have any tips, or additional products you love and want to share them, leave a comment below this post! Be sure to follow me in the LiketoKnow.It app to directly shop any of these product and more with ease!
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XO,
Tori
