My skin care routine

If you follow me on Instagram stories, you know this post has been a long time coming. I am so excited to share with you today my skin care routine! I know for me, I am always curious as to what products my favorite bloggers use, so when the request came in for this post, I squealed in excitement – first out of flattery, but more so the opportunity to share products I am loving, from brands I truly believe in.

I’ll add that as an influencer, I do enjoy testing out other products to share and give honest opinion. And sticking with statement, I am not going to post and share products or brands that I don’t stand behind. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve really taken a deeper look at the products I am using on my skin. Our skin is the biggest organ on our body. Just like the foods you put into your body show on the outside, the products you put on your skin can make their way into your bloodstream. Why not question what it is that you are using, and choose brands that intentionally ban harmful or questionable ingredients from their formulations? Safer beauty is what I am all about.

My skin care routine has most definitely changed over the years, and it’s been established with much trial and error. But once I find a brand I love, I stick with it. In this case, two. In reading, you’ll quickly discover my skin care routine centers around clean beauty brands. Both Ever Skincare and Beauty Counter hold products that not only stem from a mission of safer beauty, but they’ve proven effective.

In writing this post I have noticed I use both brands equally. I will state that both Ever and BC are very similar in that that hold a higher beauty standard, and both offer products that address common skin concerns. I do believe regimens are made to work together and by using formulated products cohesively, produce better results. My preference of one over the other is solely based on product performance and the level at which it addresses my individual concern. In example – Beauty counter carries their Dew Tinted Moisturizer and Ever carries their Daylight Tinted Moisturizer. I’ve used both, tho have found to prefer the shade chosen with BC more custom to my skin tone. Likewise, I prefer Ever’s Revive eye cream over BCs Rejuvenating Cream.

As far as my type of skin – my skin type is combination and tends to fall in the normal to dry category. I do suffer from hormonal acne on or around my time each month, with which I’ll share below products I’ve used to help combat the negatives.

Here’s a full run down of the 5 step routine I follow everyday: morning and evening routines both consist of wash, toner pads, serum, eye cream, and moisturizer.

Wash

Morning |Ever Skin’s Rebalance wash is what I’ve been using in the morning. This ultra-gentle foaming gel cleanser helps to removes impurities and reduce the appearance of blemishes and bumps. I love the way my skin feels after use, not tight but clean. It holds a light citrus scent, which I love.

Night | Depending on my skin’s state, I’ll use BC Countercontrol Clear Pore Cleanser wash twice a day, (replacing the rebalance) or just in evening. Last Fall, my once monthly blemishes had turned weekly. I’d develop the little suckers, combat them, and then new ones would appear. I knew I needed to change something to counter act the negative so I gave BC’s new formulation wash for acne a go. This daily exfoliating cleanser for oily and blemish-prone skin effectively removes oil, makeup, and other impurities without harsh surfactants that can strip skin of moisture. My skin never feels dry and it removes all of my make up and dirt build up!

Toner pads

Morning | I love a clean canvas after wash and love Beauty Counter’s Rejuvenating Toner Pads. After cleansing I swipe them on to remove any residual makeup and impurities and prep my skin for the next steps. These have a mixed fruit acid complex and vitamin C that provide antioxidants and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. So many benefits in just one step!

Night (2-3x week) | I’ve mentioned before, getting older, I’ve seen an increase in dark spots. These Reveal pads are the real deal and work wonders by smoothing and re-texturing the surface of your skin. Caviar Lime and Azelaic Acid help to exfoliate and reduce the appearance of spots. I use these at night 2 -3 times a week after wash and love the little tingle it gives to indicate it’s work. My skin feels firmer and is noticeably smoother from use.

Facial Serum

Morning | My skin loves Youthful. It’s quite possibly my favorite of all the steps, as it feels so good when applied. It’s not greasy, and helps smooth, hydrate and brighten. It’s said to visibly diminish lines (which it has), minimize redness (which I often am the victim of after workouts) and is age-defying, boosting resistance to daily damage and aging.

Night (2x week) | BC Overnight Resurfacing Peel: This serum is magic. It made last years personal top beauty buys list and its turned a die hard favorite. Over a few months, I’ve seen a dramatic difference in the appearance of dark spots. Dullness is gone. This stuff works, and the best part? It’s clean and safe. It’s formulated without synthetic fragrances, PEGs, and formaldehyde-based preservatives commonly found in peels.

Eye Cream

Morning | Being of middle Eastern decent, I naturally have under eye dark circles. I’ve had the hardest time finding a product to conceal and brighten the under eye area, while targeting all other anti-aging concerns. I’ve used Revive for over a year and it still reigns my tried and true eye cream. I apply this every day, after cleansing and within a few minutes can see a drastic difference. It tightens, brightens, and hydrates, for a total eye revival. I’ve also incorporated the Tula Get it and Glow balm into my routine this past month and love the instant lift and cooling it gives. It can be used under or over your eye make up to energize and brighten the eye area.

Night | The Sublime magical formula works while you sleep! I cannot say how much of a difference I see each wake up. It works to visibly smooth fine lines and wrinkles while still addressing the concerns I have  – I wake up to a more youthful complexion – dark circles and eye puffiness have drastically diminished. I apply this after my serum and before my moisturizer.

Moisturizer

Morning | I’ve mentioned before, but I am not one to use foundation. So I combine my overall ‘coverage’ with my moisturizer and use BC Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer. This too, has made my Best of Beauty buys list. I currently use No. 2, light shade and don’t believe I could get a closer match! My skin is hydrated, protected with SPF 20 and produces the right amount of coverage desired. Not entirely sure what I would do without this essential!

Night | Vitamin E does wonders for your skin. It’s proven to reduce appearance of wrinkles, diminish age spots, and reduces scarring. I’ve recently added this Vitamin E enhance oil to my moisturizer at night and have seen a drastic difference.  (this along with the Resurfacing Peel, my dark spots have never been lighter) And my Hydralift Moisturizer is the most favorite part of my day – leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized. This last step preps my skin to then firm and restore elasticity while I sleep! All the goodness applied at night, makes for a dewy glow in the am.

Other products used regularly

Remedy: This stuff is amazing, especially beneficial when monthly blemishes appear. I apply a small amount right on the blemish and by morning, it’s nearly visible. If you haven’t tried this ‘blemish be gone’ magic, you need to!
No. 3 Balancing facial mask: Self care Sundays are usually when I apply this mask. Activated charcoal helps to deep-clean and balance, absorbing excess oil and drawing out impurities. A little goes a long way, and it does an amazing job of clearing pores and gently exfoliating.

If you’re ready to try any of these, you can click on the links of each individual product listed or if you’d like to browse you can check out Ever and Beauty Counter at your convenience. Both brands offer generous rewards, and savings offers.

In preparation for this post, both of my beauty brand consultants have opened a link for you to shop from. If you choose to order from either – I’ll be gifting the generated rewards from each! Receive $20 off your first purchase with Ever by clicking here! And if you have any questions on individual products or skin care concerns, feel free to comment below or DM me on Instagram so that I can direct you to your preferred brand specialist!

Thank you for taking the time to read!! Have a great rest of your week!