Hello hello, and welcome to Episode 84 of Life On the Brink!
During the winter season, there are some rituals that become even more essential, and I often find skin care becoming a higher priority. As spring approaches, it’s a wonderful time to look at your skin care routine to help determine what’s working for you and to pay attention to what your skin needs.
Today I’m sharing a bit of my own skincare routine, along with a few things that I am looking to improve in the coming season. Our skin is just one part of our external selves, but I can personally attest that when my face is clear and glowy, I carry a bit more confidence knowing that I’m literally putting my best face forward.
I personally enjoy wearing less makeup, letting my natural beauty shine through and enhancing here and there. This is always something I’ve admired in the way of French beauty, for example. It’s about simplicity, no matter your age, so it’s all the more reason to take care of your skin.
Fortunately, I have been truly blessed with a pretty normal complexion, and I don’t tend to deal with excessive dryness or acne. The routines and products I’ll share in this episode, therefore, are simply those that I have found work well with my complexion. If you find that your skin has some challenges, feel free to speak to a dermatologist.
What’s in my teacup? Hot black tea with cream and honey, my winter staple.
MY DAILY FACIAL SKINCARE ROUTINE
These are what I would consider to be the main pillars of a skincare routine
Step 1: cleanser. I go through seasons of double cleansing, first with an oil-based and followed by a water-based cleanser, but these days I tend to just gravitate toward a gentle cleanser that also acts as a nice makeup remover (like the Neutrogena Hydro Boost cleanser). I use it day and night and, especially since I don’t wear a lot of heavy makeup and have a generally balanced complexion, it does the trick for me right now.
Step 2: toner. In the morning I just spritz some on my face (I like this one from Neutrogena), but in the evening I use a cotton round. This just preps the skin for the products to come, and also helps to make sure I don’t have any residual makeup on my face.
Step 3: serum. Depending on what my skin needs, I’ll add in a serum just during my evening routine. I enjoy the simplicity of The Ordinary, and tend to oscillate between a Vitamin C serum and Niacinamide and Zinc serum. I just drop some onto my fingertips and gently work into my skin. It’s best to let it settle on your skin for a minute or two before moving on.
Step 4: moisturizer. This is the final step, and the product differs from the morning to the evening.
-day cream. Should be very light and should contain SPF (or, alternatively, use a facial sunscreen after the day cream).I use the Olay Complete Lotion with SPF.
-night cream. This is a richer, more substantial moisturizer that goes to work while I’m asleep. I’ve gone through some different products, but as of recently I’m enjoying the Olay Age Defying Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream.
*When applying moisturizer (or any product, really) to your face, always use upward motions. We’re doing gravity no favors today, thanks. Also, take it all the way to the neck and décolletage area.*
BONUS STEPS: I incorporate these steps into my routine as well.
-eye cream. The skin around our eyes doesn’t have pores, so I include a specialized moisturizer just for under and around the eyes. I use just a bit of the Cerave Eye Repair Cream both day and night.
*When applying anything near your eyes, use your ring finger for the softest touch, and always dab the product on. This is very sensitive skin*
-face oil. Especially during the winter, I like to apply a face oil just before the moisturizer. In the morning I’ll just use 5 drops or so (if I use too much it makes it tricky for any makeup to stay in place), but in the evening I’ll use a larger amount and apply it to my face and neck.
-sunscreen. Even though I use a day cream that contains SPF, if I know I’m going to be outside a lot that day (most days during the spring/summer) I will apply a face-specific sunscreen on top of the moisturizer (I like this one). And obviously, SPF on the rest of your body is important in the warmer months too.
-body lotion. I apply a hydrating lotion over my whole body whenever I get out of the shower. This is a habit I formed in my teens and it hasn’t steered me wrong. I tend to buy Jergens.
-hand cream/lip balm. In the same way, every night before I go to sleep I apply lip balm (Usually Burt’s Bees) to my lips and a super-moisturizing hand or body cream to my hands and elbows. Especially in the winter, I think this is a game changer.
OCCASIONAL TREATS: Little pick-me-ups for my skin
-face masks. More than a peel or mud-mask, I tend to go toward a nice sheet mask. Basically, this is your serum but bumped up a little bit. If I do a mask, I apply it right before the moisturizer, and I really let it sink in after I remove the sheet. Again, don’t forget your neck and décolletage! I use any remaining serum from the package to pat into the whole area.
-facials. Last December, I tried my first-ever facial from a real salon and it was magnificent. My esthetician was so intentional and knowledgeable, and gave me personalized product recommendations. I really enjoyed the results, as it just gave my skin a little extra lift. Generally facials are recommended on a quarterly basis, and I think it’s something that I can plan into my budget. It was just so lovely!
Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible impact of 1. Water and 2. A good night’s sleep. I can see such a difference in my skin as a result of these two things, and I recommend them just as much as any skincare product!
There you go, my friend. However simple or luxurious your skin rituals may be, I hope that they bring you a few daily moments of pause and gratitude, and that you’re able to feel even better in your own skin. You have a unique beauty that only you can bring, so embrace it and enjoy it!
This Week’s Little Joy: I've got two, because this new house has been so joy-filled! Firstly, I had no idea how much I missed waking up to the sound of birds. Living near trees has brought a whole new world of nature to my backyard, literally. It's so wonderful!
Second, I now have a gas stove, which is a super chef-y thing apparently. I fulfilled my dream of charring tortillas directly on the flame, and am learning how to get precise with my temperatures, which is so fun.
What I’m Listening To: This album, “Jazz Samba” by Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd, made me feel like I was in a cooking montage in "It's Complicated." It's guitar and sax with little percussions here and there, so tasty and concise. Absolutely going to get me through these last few weeks of winter.
Thank you so much for listening!
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We're only a few short weeks til spring, so I wish you a beautiful week and I'll be back soon with another episode.