My Skin Care Routine by labelmechic featuring Paula's Choice
Since I haven't posted much in a long time, I decided to start off by posting my skin care routine before heading into more posts about makeup, fashion and travel. Tomorrow (or shortly after) I will be making a post about keeping your skin acne free too, so hopefully this post and the next will be helpful if you have acne prone skin, or are looking for an easy skin care routine for healthier looking skin! Obviously I am not a dermatologist or trained at all to take care of skin, but this is what works for me based on trial and error, so maybe this will help you too!
Before talking about what I use I will tell you about my skin. It. Is. Complicated. I used to have very oily skin, but after starting prescription acne treatments and anti-acne moisturizers, my skin became so dry, red and flaky that it was uncomfortable and hard to manage. It is also very sensitive, something that has never changed. Now, after having a new routine and trying out tons of drug store and high end products, my skin is a little more "normal," slightly oiler t-zone and a little dry everywhere else, putting me in the combination/normal category. So here is what I use (and why)...
1. Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser: I start off by using a light, foaming cleanser made without "extra" ingredients, i.e. parabens and fragrances. This works very well to wash off your makeup and any oil or dirt in your pores, without irritating your skin. When I need some exfoliation, I use baking soda, or use the Olay facial brush, and focus on my t-zone or wherever there is dry skin.
2. Up & Up Maximum Strength Acne Medication, Benzoyl Peroxide: After washing and drying my face, I use this spot treatment on existing acne in order reduce redness and get rid of stubborn pimples. It is the same formula as the Clear & Clear version, but a little cheaper. I honestly wouldn't splurge on spot treatments (salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide) because the Up & Up or any drug store version works just as well as the Clinique or Murad ones.
3. Burt's Bees Brightening Eye Treatment: (not pictured) I have dark, purple under eyes. No, I didn't get punched in the eye, and yes I have been sleeping and drinking plenty of water. They are hereditary and annoying. After using various eye treatments, like the Clinique Even Better Eyes formula, I decided to go for something a little bit cleaner and with more natural ingredients. This works very well to hydrate the eye area and reduce darkness, I have definitely seen results, which helps me save on concealer too!
4. Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum: Now I know I am in my very early 20s, but it is the time to start thinking about wrinkles. I have noticed some wrinkles around my eyes, and when I don't get enough sleep or the area is drier, weird wrinkles appear. So while I make sure the area is well moisturized, I also use a retinol serum to help produce collagen and keep my under eyes smooth. This serum also focuses on enlarged pores and blackheads, so it is more "age appropriate."
5. Clinique Moisture Surge: I love this moisturizer! I have tried many other types, ones with acne medication in them, drug store brands and Sephora brands, but never found anything better than this! Even the Clinique Even Better Moisturizer didn't work for me, it ended up clogging my pores and felt heavy. This one, however, is very light feeling, moisturizes well, and doesn't cause any irritation or clog pores. I can barely formulate the words to say how amazing this moisturizer is, but if Clinique ever stops making this product, I will have to stock up on every jar I can find. I also know that this is expensive (about $52 per jar), but one jar lasts me 10-12 months, plus it is worth the money!
6. Clinique Superprimer Colour Corrects Redness: When I wear makeup, this is a must-have step. Though I hate adding more products on my face just to do so, this actually helps reduce redness and creates a smooth surface for makeup. Though I don't know if it really helps my makeup stay on longer, it does control any redness on your face, even from acne.
7. Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream: I had always used actual foundations, liquids and powders, until this CC cream came out. While it is marketed as a tinted moisturizer, I wouldn't use it as a moisturizer, but solely as sheer foundation that has some moisturizing benefits. It is very light weight and sheer, but I like to use it as my foundation since heavier liquids cover up too much (my freckles) and can be too cakey as well. While pinterest may tell you to switch to a BB or CC cream for the summer, consider making a permanent switch since it is moisturizing and more natural looking too.
Hopefully this super simple and budget friendly skin care routine didn't bore you too much, and maybe it helped as well! If you have any questions about these products (that I can answer) or want to share your routine or opinion, please leave a comment!! Have a great day!
Since I haven't posted much in a long time, I decided to start off by posting my skin care routine before heading into more posts about makeup, fashion and travel. Tomorrow (or shortly after) I will be making a post about keeping your skin acne free too, so hopefully this post and the next will be helpful if you have acne prone skin, or are looking for an easy skin care routine for healthier looking skin! Obviously I am not a dermatologist or trained at all to take care of skin, but this is what works for me based on trial and error, so maybe this will help you too!
Before talking about what I use I will tell you about my skin. It. Is. Complicated. I used to have very oily skin, but after starting prescription acne treatments and anti-acne moisturizers, my skin became so dry, red and flaky that it was uncomfortable and hard to manage. It is also very sensitive, something that has never changed. Now, after having a new routine and trying out tons of drug store and high end products, my skin is a little more "normal," slightly oiler t-zone and a little dry everywhere else, putting me in the combination/normal category. So here is what I use (and why)...
1. Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser: I start off by using a light, foaming cleanser made without "extra" ingredients, i.e. parabens and fragrances. This works very well to wash off your makeup and any oil or dirt in your pores, without irritating your skin. When I need some exfoliation, I use baking soda, or use the Olay facial brush, and focus on my t-zone or wherever there is dry skin.
2. Up & Up Maximum Strength Acne Medication, Benzoyl Peroxide: After washing and drying my face, I use this spot treatment on existing acne in order reduce redness and get rid of stubborn pimples. It is the same formula as the Clear & Clear version, but a little cheaper. I honestly wouldn't splurge on spot treatments (salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide) because the Up & Up or any drug store version works just as well as the Clinique or Murad ones.
3. Burt's Bees Brightening Eye Treatment: (not pictured) I have dark, purple under eyes. No, I didn't get punched in the eye, and yes I have been sleeping and drinking plenty of water. They are hereditary and annoying. After using various eye treatments, like the Clinique Even Better Eyes formula, I decided to go for something a little bit cleaner and with more natural ingredients. This works very well to hydrate the eye area and reduce darkness, I have definitely seen results, which helps me save on concealer too!
4. Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum: Now I know I am in my very early 20s, but it is the time to start thinking about wrinkles. I have noticed some wrinkles around my eyes, and when I don't get enough sleep or the area is drier, weird wrinkles appear. So while I make sure the area is well moisturized, I also use a retinol serum to help produce collagen and keep my under eyes smooth. This serum also focuses on enlarged pores and blackheads, so it is more "age appropriate."
5. Clinique Moisture Surge: I love this moisturizer! I have tried many other types, ones with acne medication in them, drug store brands and Sephora brands, but never found anything better than this! Even the Clinique Even Better Moisturizer didn't work for me, it ended up clogging my pores and felt heavy. This one, however, is very light feeling, moisturizes well, and doesn't cause any irritation or clog pores. I can barely formulate the words to say how amazing this moisturizer is, but if Clinique ever stops making this product, I will have to stock up on every jar I can find. I also know that this is expensive (about $52 per jar), but one jar lasts me 10-12 months, plus it is worth the money!
6. Clinique Superprimer Colour Corrects Redness: When I wear makeup, this is a must-have step. Though I hate adding more products on my face just to do so, this actually helps reduce redness and creates a smooth surface for makeup. Though I don't know if it really helps my makeup stay on longer, it does control any redness on your face, even from acne.
7. Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream: I had always used actual foundations, liquids and powders, until this CC cream came out. While it is marketed as a tinted moisturizer, I wouldn't use it as a moisturizer, but solely as sheer foundation that has some moisturizing benefits. It is very light weight and sheer, but I like to use it as my foundation since heavier liquids cover up too much (my freckles) and can be too cakey as well. While pinterest may tell you to switch to a BB or CC cream for the summer, consider making a permanent switch since it is moisturizing and more natural looking too.
Hopefully this super simple and budget friendly skin care routine didn't bore you too much, and maybe it helped as well! If you have any questions about these products (that I can answer) or want to share your routine or opinion, please leave a comment!! Have a great day!
~Kelly
I love love love the Clinique CC tinted moisturizer. It really is great stuff - all in one with the SPF too!
ReplyDelete