Nov 20

Nov 20 Lets talk skin!

For anyone who knows me, knows taking care of my skin is very crucial to my life! & personally, I think everyone should feel this way about themselves!

Winter season is approaching, and if you are anything like me, your skin suffers due to the change of weather. Cold air is just not my friend, but through the course of many trials and eras, I have found some fantastic products to combat that uncomfortable feeling my skin experiences when seasons begin to change!

Every product I will be discussing is best suitable for me, but before trying any products that I insist on, I do recommend consulting with your dermatologist beforehand!

So, let’s begin,

I am a skincare HOARDER!!! I have sensitive, dry skin in the colder seasons, and combination skin in the more warmer seasons. I love to try out new products! Makeup is so much fun to work with, but sometimes my skin needs that extra breather & needs to be bare!

Let’s start with my AM regimen!

I wash my face every single morning. I come across people who believe that if they shower in the night time, a full-on cleanse in the morning is just not needed... WRONG! People forget that the residue that resides on our pillows and blankets can and will cause bacteria on our face!

My current favorite face wash right now is Skin Ceuticals Gentle Cleanser. This product is a mild cream cleanser that has the loveliest citrus smell. It’s perfect for all skin types and helps rid impurities while also soothing and calming dry/sensitive skin. Gentle Cleanser retails for $34.00.
I follow this with a toner to rid any left-over dirt on my face. I currently use Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner which retails for $16.00. Toners are great for skin and help remove any dirt that your cleanser did not lift, which is shockingly a lot more than expected!
Next comes eye cream! For the mornings, I currently use Soap & Glory Puffy Eye Attack Hydro Boost Gel. This product is super lightweight and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and retails for $16.00 at Ulta. Always remember! The skin around your eyes is thinner than the rest of the skin on your face. Always apply eye cream in a clockwise motion with two fingers, and gently tug on the surface. Rubbing too hard can irritate and do more damage than you may think.
I pair this off with a morning antioxidant. Currently, I am using another Skin Ceuticals product called Phloretin CF. This product retails at $165.00, and although a bit on the pricey side, it is so worth it! An antioxidant is vital to a skin regimen because it helps protect skin from free radical damage and environmental pollution, while also diminishing discoloration and preventing fine lines and wrinkles. A great alternative to this product is the Glossier, Super Glow Serum that retails for $28.00 on their site! I use this product as a little pick me upper whenever I'm not wearing makeup. (Majority of the time when I'm headed out to do errands, I wear this under my SPF!)
Moisturizer is next! Currently, I am stuck between two favorites at the moment. I switch between Neutrogena Hydra Boost Gel, & Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream. Hydra Boost Gel retails for $19.99 and quenches dry skin keeping it smooth and hydrated all day. This is especially my favorite for the Winter. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream retails for $27.50 and is also an excellent hydration for the skin. This one is a bit creamier than the Hydra Boost moisturizer, but still has a great lightweight feel on my skin.
Last but not least, SPF! Sunscreen is sooooo essential to incorporate into your everyday regimen, whether it is sunny, raining or we are experiencing a snowstorm, wearing SPF day to day is safe for your skin. Lighter skin tones are at high risk of skin cancer due to sun exposure, and the darker toned surface can be at an, even more, higher risk! SPF offers protection from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, and although there are some days we do not see the sun, it is still very much there, and your skin needs to be protected, at all times. My current favorite that acts as not only an SPF but also as a tinted moisturizer is, Elta UV Clear/Tinted SPF. This product retails for about $26.50, feels so comfortable on the skin, and has an SPF of 30!
Before moving onto my PM Regimen, I’d like to add that my regimen does change depending on the day, & whether I wear makeup or not. Days I do wear makeup, I love to incorporate Farsali Unicorn Essence. This adds extra hydration to my skin for a smooth makeup application! (& it smells fantastic!)

PM Regimen:

After a long day, I cannot wait to get home to remove all of my face makeup! I start off by using my Neutrogena makeup remover wipes (light blue package). These are sold everywhere and retail for about $4.99. They are super gentle on my face and removes even the most terrible most stubborn makeup (That damn waterproof mascara!!)
I then go in with a few cotton balls and remove whatever is remaining on my face with the Garnier Skin active Micellar Cleanser Water. I remember when I first started using this product, I have seen instant results within the first week. My skin started to feel softer than usual, and I was hardly breaking out, because of how great this product is with removing makeup off my face!
After my usual late-night shower, I do my AM regimen all over again, but this time with different products, starting with eye cream! I am using the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye cream. This retails for $37.00 and is currently my second favorite night time product! Instantly my usual puffy night time eyes turned into healthy, less discolored eyes, and I love these results!
Following this, is my HOLY GRAIL product which is the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Serum. This product retails for $46.00 and is worth every penny!!! I have very pigmented skin. I bruise easily, I scar even easier, and it is not a good look! So that pesky break out mark that occurs a few times a month started to drive me insane! Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Serum changed the game for me. My spots instantly faded, my skin tone started to even out, and I wake up every morning feeling hydrated and refreshed. This product should genuinely be a part of everyone!
My night time moisturizer is the Skin Ceuticals Metacell Renewal B3 which retails for $110.00. Again, another pricey product but worth it. This moisturizer is very versatile, great for my skin for night time and even daytime, especially in the summer. Perfect for all skin types especially dehydrated skin. This product strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier, and I mean c’mon! Who wouldn’t love a natural ‘facelift’?!
Love the skin you’re in, and that all starts with proper skin care! Along with my daily regimens, I do have weekly ones as well. I exfoliate 1-2 times a week using Freemans 4 in 1 Apple cider Vinegar mask (retails at $4.29), along with a face mask and eye mask of my choosing. Some of my favorites are, Glam Glow Mud mask, Freemans Dead Sea Mineral anti-stress Mask, and I love Sephora’s under eye masks!

Let’s not forget about body care! I currently use Shea Moisture’s African Water Mint & Ginger Shea Butter Soap. This has helped me even out the texture of my skin immensely and has a great scent to it. Following this, I moisturize with Organic Coconut oil every single night. The benefits of coconut oil are never-ending. Coconut oil is high in natural saturated fats. Coconut oil helps prevent stretch marks, helps even out skin tone, and keeps skin soft and hydrated. I top everything off with my all natural Coconut oil lip balm, and I am off to sleep!

PS: Skin care is vital to women and also men! Men who start to take care of their skin from now are ten steps ahead of men who don't! Kiehl's offers a wide range of excellent skin care for men. I started Navin on a daily regimen, and he has seen significant improvement of some of his skin concerns he once had. (I also embarrassed him on the b-ball court once and rubbed sunscreen all over his face.. sorry not sorry) To this day, he does not go a day without sunscreen :)

I love to try out new products, so tell me what some of your favorites are?!

& Always remember... Sleep. Drink plenty of water. & be kind to your skin. You’ll wear it every day for the rest of your life!

Krystle