My updated skin care routine

Hi friends! Today I am sharing an updated version of my skincare routine.  I’ll be honest and say when drafting this update, I didn’t realize how extensive my skincare routine really is! I use a lot of products. (I go into detail my reasoning below) But despite the number, I think it’s important to establish and adhere to a skincare routine that’s best for you. Fostering habits that prioritize your skin, promotes optimal health. Not sleeping well? Stressed? Creating habits and a routine will combat those negatives and leave you feeling – and looking – your best.

The habits I’ve established below have been quite the saving grace during this current quarantine season. While I am reaping the physical benefits of sequential habit, I’ve been thankful everyday for how restoring and calming my routine is.

As for the update – My choice for safer beauty in ongoing. As mentioned in most beauty topic’d posts, I do enjoy testing out other products to share and give honest opinion. However, I still opt the refusal if the products or brands do not align with my choice to choose safer. I take a deep look at the ingredients, brand’s mission, and transparency of them combined before I say yes to any sample or further partnership.

I’d be amiss if I didn’t take this update opportunity to stress the importance of beauty product choice. 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. Questioning the ingredients is important. Choosing brands that intentionally ban harmful or questionable ingredients from their formulations is smart. Being mindful of the beauty products you’re routinely using, simply put – prioritizes health. Our health is our greatest asset, and our best is found when protecting it.

My skin care routine has, for the most part, remained the same since sharing last. I continue to use both Ever Skincare and Beautycounter. Below you’ll notice Derma E and TULA have been added to my brand line up. All offer products that stem from a mission of safer beauty and have proven effective.

The regimens below may seem extensive to some, and I understand a desire for minimalism. But for me, I find value in using products as designed. Some products are proposed for day use and others night. In short, if you use a night cream during the day, your skin may feel heavier, greasier and will notably be less protected from the sun. If you use a day cream at night, your skin will not receive the range of anti-aging and deep moisturizing ingredients contained in the night cream.

Further, my primary concern is age prevention, and while many anti aging products propose day use, the majority of those I’ve sought and favorited are intended for PM. With anti aging covered in my PM routine, I have opportunity to utilize products that target dullness, blemishes, and puffiness in the AM. Choosing and using products as intended, may increase my routined steps but it also helps to address every skincare concern.

Lastly, I do believe regimens are made to work together and often produce better results when used cohesively. But my reason for using all 4 brands is also based on product performance and current skin needs. For example, I prefer Derma E’s microdermabrasion scrub over TULA’s exfoliant. The texture is more solid, the solution richer and I benefit a deeper clean. Beautycounter 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.

Obviously everyone’s personal routine and skin needs will be different, this is just what works for me. 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 and more recently, dry skin. I, of course, share products below I’ve used to help combat those negatives.

AM:

1. WASH
BC Countercontrol clear cleanser | I workout most mornings, and feel the BC cleanser does a good job of ridding any sweat build up. 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. I love the way my skin feels after use, not tight but clean.

2. TONER
Using a toner is important in any regimen. Especially for those with oily or acne prone skin. (I feel my combination skin fits within that category). Toner helps to shrink and unclog pores, restore your skin’s pH balance, protects, moisturize and even prevent in grown hairs! I use toner in both my AM & PM regimen to utilize it’s benefits.

BC Hydrating Essence | I feel I hit the jackpot using Essence each morning. This moisturizing essence is like a toner, but more beneficial. It’s enriched with nutrients that boost hydration. I pour a quarter-size amount into my hand and gently press the milky moisturizing essence into my skin with my fingertips. It balances and preps my skin for treatment.

3. SERUM
EVER Quench | This serum is newer to my regimen, tho a definite favorite in my routine. It’s like a tall glass of water for your face and gives you the perfect dewy look. It smooths, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and most importantly helps your skin retain moisture. With my skin as dry as it is right now, I have incorporated this step in both my AM & PM routines.

4. EYE
Derma E Bright Eyes Hydro Gel patches | Vitamin C is said to be soo good for  your skin. These patches give my skin a treat! Caffeine, Allantoin, Vit. C and B3 help to smooth, hydrate, de-puff, and brighten the under eye area. In the ten minutes these are on, I notice a drastic difference. I won’t go a day without use!

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 apply Youthful Essential Eye concentrate every day, and within a few minutes can see a drastic difference. It visibly lifts, firms and de-puffs. I’ve also incorporated the TULA Rose Glow Brightening Eye Balm into my routine this past month and love the instant cooling it gives. I love that it’s infused with caffeine to reduce the look of dark circles. Alternatively, it can be used as a highlighter on the cheekbones, cupid’s bow, nose, and anywhere else you want a glow effect.

5. MOISTURIZER
Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer | I’ve mentioned before, but I am not one to use foundation. I prefer a light coverage and opt for a tinted moisturizer instead. 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!

PM:

1. WASH
TULA Purifying Cleanser | I was introduced to TULA a few months ago and am pleased with performance alone. I’ll be honest and state that overuse of my morning cleanser can dry out my skin. To balance my daily cleanse, I needed a wash that promotes my skin’s natural moisture balance while still removing the days build up. I also really enjoy the foaming lather.

If my skin feels dry or tight, it’s time to restore moisture. In such cases, I opt to use the Countertime Lipid Defense wash. This luxurious, lightweight cleansing oil gently yet effectively removes makeup and impurities without stripping essential lipids from the skin.

2. TONER
TULA resurfacing toner gel  | After cleansing, I pump this toner onto a cotton round and apply it to my face. It helps to remove any residual makeup and impurities and prep my skin for the next steps. This formula has a mix of probiotics and antioxidant rich fruit extracts that help to retain moisture and reduce inflammation. So many benefits in just one step!

I’ve mentioned before, getting older, I’ve seen an increase in dark spots. The Reveal peel 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 my toner and love the little tingle it gives to indicate it’s work. My skin feels firmer and is noticeably smoother from use.

3. SERUM
Quench or BC Overnight Resurfacing Peel | This serum is magic. Using this for over a year, 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. I use this peel 2-3x’s a week.

4. EYE
EVER Sublime | This 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 is minimal at start. I apply this after my serum and before my moisturizer.

5. MOISTURIZER
Countertime+ Supreme Cream | Moisturizer is the most favorite step in the nighttime process. I’ve been using this last to hydrate, firm and restore elasticity while I sleep. It’s like butter, tho not too heavy and makes my skin feel so soft.

As mentioned above, I suffer from hormonal acne on or around my time each month. I’ve incorporated the Counter+ No.3 balancing oil into my nightly regime to balance, reduce redness and even my skin tone. I love the way it helps to moisturize the drier areas of my face while also helping to minimize the oil on my forehead, and chin. The benefits are in the name! I add a drop of this in my moisturizer and apply any time my skin feels off-balance.

All the goodness applied at night, makes for a dewy glow in the AM.

OTHER PRODUCTS USED REGULARLY:

Derma E microdermabrasion scrub | I absolutely love this scrub. It helps to buffs skin, and diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars. I use this twice a week.

BC 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.

Derma E Citrus Peel | As mentioned above, Vit. C does wonders for your skin. This citrus peel puree targets three of my skin concerns – discoloration, dark spots and uneven skin tone. It loosens and lifts dead skin cells and impurities to the surface, delivering visible results. I’ll be honest and say it’s not the prettiest on, as it looks like baby food – but I love the fresh feeling after use.

Lip Conditioner | I have always been one to apply something to my lips during my nightly bedtime routine. I’ve used chapsticks religiously for years to no avail because my lips were dry and cracking. This lip conditioner nourishes and protects the lips, while soothing and softening any chap. I use this morning and night!