My most frequently asked question and one of my favorite to answer is, “What is your skincare routine?” So I wanted to share the products I use religiously and some things I have learned along my skincare journey.
MY SKINCARE MINDSET
CONSISTENCY: A good skincare routine is just that…a routine! I never miss my 3-step routine in the morning and my 4-step routine at night. Being consistent with a morning and night routine is just as important as the products that you use.
ADJUSTMENT: My dermatologist gave me a good tip that I have never forgotten. She said, “Give your skin 3 months to adjust to a new product. Don’t just drop what you’ve been using and switch quickly. Your skin will freak out. Slowly incorporate the new product into your current routine, one product at a time.” And she was so right! I’ve switched products abruptly before and my skin freaked out.
EDUCATION: I’m no expert but a quick Google search on “toxins in skincare” will give you quick push in the direction of naturally derived, non-toxic skincare. The beauty industry is slowly but surely changing and addressing the non-sense they’ve been filling our commonly used skincare products with. I’m trying to help my skin become more healthy, not load it with chemicals! I highly encourage you to take the time to research the companies and products you’re trusting to make your skin beautiful.
CONTEXT: Listen, no routine or product is going to transform your skin without you taking care of your body from the inside out. Diet, exercise, and hydration are the BIGGEST factors in skincare. If you are eating healthy, regularly sweating, and drinking lots of water your skin will respond. The skincare routine and using good products is the icing on the cake. But icing is really important so let’s talk about that.
MY CURRENT SKINCARE ROUTINE
MORNING: Cleanser, Toner, Oil
NIGHT: Cleanser, Toner, Serum, Oil
2-3 TIMES A WEEK: Vitamin C booster, Exfoliating Grains
CLEANSER – This glorious cleanser takes of the day while giving my skin a dose of acne fighting ingredients. A lot cleansers are water based, but this one has a green and white tea base. The tea is loaded with antioxidants and anti-aging properties. My favorite part about this cleanser is that it contains black willow bark extract, which exfoliates and reduces fine lines.
TONER – Ah, everything changed when I started using toner. Basically toner is an anti-bacterial for your face to prevent acne, and it also decreases your pore size imparting a dewy look. It’s just magic. I apply my toner with a premium cotton pad. I used to buy the standard cotton pads but those would leave a little bit of cotton on my face as a I applied it. It’s worth the extra dollar for a softer application.
SERUM – Serums are basically supplements for your skin at the cellular level. They are an addition to the skin care routine, not a replacement for moisturizer. I use my serum at night before applying oil. True Botanicals gives the best explanation, “Ceramides help the topmost layer of skin do its job keeping precious moisture in and pollutants and bacteria out. Since we produce less of it as we age, we supplement it topically to help minimize dryness and maximize suppleness.”
OIL – It took me a minute to adjust to the idea of putting an oil on my face as a moisturizer. But I’m never going back! A good face oil is full of amazing seed derived oils that work to replenish your lipid barrier. This stuff makes your skin GLOW (not in a shiny, greasy way, but in a plump, healthy way)
EXFOLIATING – This step is a game changer. Exfoliating is like hitting the reset button on your skin. It dislodges gunk from your pores and polishes off old skin cells. I can totally tell when I skip this step in my week; my skin has a dullness to it. But a gentle exfoliation lets the new skin cells shine through.
So all that to say, let’s talk products. I did my research and a lot of trusted voices introduced me to True Botanicals. These guys are the cream of the crop in non-toxic, healthy skin care. It’s definitely an investment to transition to their products but in my opinion your skin is your most important accessory! When my skin is happy and healthy, everything else just sort of falls into place in terms of my beauty/style routine. Not to mention all of the health reasons we’ve been talking about. Read about the products before you buy them and choose what’s the best fit for your skin. I am an intense brand loyal person so I like to use all my products from one company, but that’s not a tried and true rule. That’s just me. However, it does make sense to me that products within a line are formulated to work together.
Specifically I use:
Hydrating Cleanser Clear Line
Nutrient Toner Clear Line
Cellular Repair Serum Renew
Pure Radiance Oil Clear
Vitamin C Booster
Polishing Grains
(on the hunt for a mask or two to incorporate into my routine)
I hope this was helpful and I’d love if you’d let me know some of your tricks and/or any feedback on this post! Take your time finding what works, be diligent, and prioritize your skincare! Best of luck.
Tip: If you are curious about switching over to clean products, I would start with your cleanser!
Tip: Use warm water when washing your face to open your pores so all the good ingredients can go deep.
Tip: Never, ever skip your routine! No matter how tired you are at night. Fight for that glow.
Tip: I have friends who use witch hazel as toner. It’s super cheap, healthy for your skin and found at Target or on Amazon.
Tip: Drop the oil on your finger tips and then put it straight onto your cheeks. You want the product to make it to your face and not soak into the palm of your hands.
Tip: I put a couple of shakes of the Vitamin C booster in my a serum a few times a week for a radiant glow.
photos by Jessica Steddom
