Rise n’ Shine: My Daily Skin Routine

“Glamour is about feeling good in your own skin” – Zoe Saldana

…and she is absolutely right! Nothing can make a person exude power and confidence more than accepting the body they’ve been given and coming into total ownership of its innate beauty, inside and out. Although I’m hardly one to say that I embrace this truth in my own life, it’s something I certainly can strive towards embodying more fully. Remind yourself each day that you were given your skin, your limbs, your features for a purpose, and nobody else has the same chemical make-up as you!

Pep talk aside, I wanted to share my daily skin routine since troublesome skin is typically a woman’s pet peeve and a quality about themselves they most want to change. My skin is not free of issues, but I’ve established a low-budget, healthy pattern through the years and would like to offer a few options if you’re in the market for a skin revamp!

1.) Cleanse:

Olay Gentle Clean Foaming Cleanser – $5

Clarisonic Mia 1 – $129

I love my cleanser! A faithful user since highschool, this cleanser isn’t stripping, oily, or too soft – it’s as Goldilocks would say “just right”! First thing in the morning, I begin with a pea-sized drop of the foaming cleanser and rinse. Last thing at night, the same ritual applies, although this time I go a second round on my makeup-laden face with a quarter-sized amount of cleanser applied on my handy-dandy Clarisonic (satisfied customer for now 5 years!). The first rinse merely loosens the makeup and rids my eyes of their heavier beauty products whereas the second Clarisonic rinse shoulders the bulk of the cleansing. After the timed 1-minute Clarisonic exfoliation ends, I rinse with warm water and pat dry. Sometimes I’ll use a toner, but most evenings I go straight to moisturizer. My Clarisonic does such a fabulous job of thoroughly removing the day’s makeup, that when I do use a toner, it’s simply to close the pores as absolutely no makeup would show up on my cotton pad after a few passes.

2.) Exfoliate:

Mario Badescu Exfoliating Scrub – $26

Because I have my Clarisonic, I don’t exfoliate but once or twice a week. When I do it’s always in the morning or in the shower, makeup-free, and I mix it in with my drop of cleanser. I’m a big fan of this exfoliant which is gritty enough to “feel” like it’s sloughing off dead skin but gentle enough (due to its gel-like suspension fluid) to be used daily if needed. Though it’s a bit pricey, it lasts forever, so to me, it’s worth the extra bucks!

3.) Moisturize:

Cetaphil Lotion for Dry, Sensitive Skin – $11

Simple Truth Organic Coconut Oil – $5

Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream – $18

My favorite part! I’m a big fan of moisturizer – not thin gels, but robust, creamy, luxurious lotions that soak into the skin gradually. My skin is incredibly dry, and I even have medical-grade creams that I must use in a select few areas of my face that peel, so a good moisturizer is vital to my skincare regime. I’ve tried all types; Philosophy, Cerave, Olay, Clinique, Bare Escentuals, Neutrogena, Fresh, etc., and nothing (thus far) can compare with Cetaphil, the old standard. If I’m feeling super parched, I’ll pat a bit of coconut oil warmed up in my hand on underneath the moisturizer. Remember; more patting, less rubbing – weakens the skin’s elasticity when you pull and push your face around. Lastly, I’ll top my eye area with a few taps of eye cream (no, you’re not too young to start!) and let that sit for a minute or two before continuing with either makeup application or my bedtime ritual. Mario Badescu’s Hyaluronic Eye Cream isn’t heavy which is perfect for more youthful skin, but it’s moisturizing enough to soak in and do its job protecting the delicate skin around the eyes.

4.) Pamper & Purify:

Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Mud Mask – $5

This mask doesn’t boast drastic results, but sometimes it’s those no-name brands that get the job done in an even-keeled manner. I use this about once a week or twice if I’m wearing a full-face of makeup every day. It doesn’t pull or scratch or burn, but rather wipes off of the face after 10min. with warm water, leaving the skin soft and feeling nourished!

So there you have it! For some this may seem a bit much, for others it might be super simplistic, but for me, with a few tweaks depending on the season (or recent research), it works! What are the daily products that you can’t imagine life without?