All About Skincare

Let's talk about SKINCARE!!! I always do my best to buy clean, cruelty free, vegan products. I believe that what you put on to your body is just as important as what you put in it! Anything you put onto your skin will absorb into your body. That's why I choose clean/green products.

My acne story: I have always had acne. It was never HORRIBLE and I know people have it a lot worse than I did but nonetheless, it has always been part of my life. In high school I remember I would always have pimples and breakouts. Thankfully, I never let it bother me or hurt my confidence. I distinctly remember not caring that I had a huge pimple and I am really proud of myself for that because it is very easy to let acne control your life. I had a very oily t-zone (forehead, chin, and nose). I would also get pimples on my cheekbones/sides of my face. In my high school days I used to have little tiny bumps, redness, and scarring.

2013

2013

2019

There is SO much information out there about skincare. I know it is kinda hard to filter through all the conflicting information. In the past, I heard a girl say that she only washed her face once a day at night and she just put water on it in the morning. So I tried that. I was doing that for a while until I went into Kiehl's to replace a product that I finished and started talking to the guy that worked there. He told me that I should 100% be washing my face in the morning and at night. I thought that if I washed my face in the morning that I was just wasting all the products that I put on the night before. But he assured me that all those products I put on at night absorb into my skin! Now when I wake up in the morning I wash my face and apply all my products for the day! The most underrated product is S P F!! Sunscreen. Sooo many people don't use it and think that they "don't need it". I promise, you need it!! SPF is SO important for protecting your skin from skin cancer and sun damage. The sunscreen that I use actually works as a great primer for makeup too! And it instantly makes my skin look matte as opposed to shiny. If you get anything out of this post, I hope that it's how important sunscreen is!!!

Another myth that I have heard is when you have oily skin you should be using things that dry out your face. I do see where that could seem to make sense. A lot of acne products will dry out your face but that will actually make your face more oily because then your body thinks it needs to produce more oil! It was all very confusing to me, so if you're in the same boat I totally understand! The first thing you should know is that what works for one person might not work for you. You do have to try and test out products to see if they work for your skin. I would recommend sticking with a new product for at least 2 months before deciding if it's working or not. When you start using a new product your face might break out because it is getting used to it or it is purging but try to stick with it for 2 months before giving up!

It's pretty easy to know which skin type best describes you. Figure out whether you have oily, dry, combo or normal skin. This can help lead you in the right direction when it comes to which products you should be using. Since I have combo skin (oily t-zone and normal cheeks) all of the products that I use are good for that skin type. If you have really dry skin, you might be better off with a heavier moisturizer. But for the most part, pretty much all of these products can be used for any type of skin.

Face Wash/Cleansers:

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser: This product is great for any skin type! It is extremely gentle and effective. I went through 2 bottles of this and I highly recommend it if your skin is sensitive or if you are worried about trying new products.

Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash: I decided to try out this product just to see how it would work with my skin and I love it! If you get breakouts I would recommend this product because my face feels so clean after I use this but it is still extremely gentle.

Facial brush: I bought this brush from Vanity Planet YEARS ago and I randomly saw it in my drawer and decided to start using it again. While I don't think it is necessary, I do find that my face feels EXTRA clean after I use it! I now use every time to wash my face morning and night. I use a silicone brush head as opposed to a bristle one. I don't know why I stopped using it before, lol!

Toner/Water:

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner: This toner is so creamy and hydrating!! I have always used toners that make my face feel dry and tight but this is the exact opposite. I would recommend this product for anyone! Even when I wash my face there is still 'dirt' that comes off on my cotton ball when I use a toner so I think this is a great step to make sure your face is really clean. Highly recommend.

Kiehl's Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion: I wanted to try this product to see if it would help in my acne prone areas. It is strong and my face does have a tight feeling after I use it so I would only recommend this product if you have pretty bad acne.

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Brightening & Soothing Treatment Water: When you go into a Kiehl's store to get an oxygen facial, this is the product that they spray all over your face! You can literally see the iridescent particles that make your face glow! I wouldn't say it cleans your face but this is a nice step if you are looking for an overall glow.

Cocokind Glow Essence: I recently got this and I like it so far! It is supposed to make your products absorb into your skin better. It is very hydrating and boosts your natural glow.

Serums:

Cocokind Vitamin C serum: Vitamin C is something that I was a little hesitant about because I didn't know if i needed it or not. Let me tell you, you need it! Haha but seriously. I think that a combination of these serums is what has made my skin glow. Vitamin C smoothes the appearance of large pores and texture irregularities (my face feels reallyy smooth!), and brightens the look of dark spots and uneven tone. Highly recommend.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: I just recently started using this product but I like it so far! It is very cheap (less than $10 like most of their products are). This product is supposed to reduce the appearance of blemishes and congestion and balance sebum production. This sounded perfect for my face! I am definitely going to keep using it and see if it helps control the few breakouts that I get these days.

Farmacy Honeymoon Glow: I have had this for a while and I love it! (In the masks section of this post you will see another product similar to this.) Whenever I used this at night I would wake up with glowing skin! It is a night serum that works to resurface, hydrate, and clarify dull skin! I definitely saw results from using this. It is good for all skin types and it is gentle enough to use 2-3 times a week. If you are using AHA/BHA (acids), you must wear sunscreen!!! It makes you more susceptible to sunburns/sun damage.

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution: I HIGHLY recommend this product!!! I only had this tiny little sample size and I really think that this is what took away most of my acne scars. It is a little on the pricier side ($54) but I think it is worth it if you are looking to get rid of acne scars, dark spots and discolorations.

Moisturizer:

Kiehl's Creamy Eyetreatment: I love this eye cream! It is soo creamy and moisturizing that it almost feels wet when you put it on. A little goes a longgg way. You should be using an eye cream to prevent those tiny wrinkles and crows feet! Make sure you apply it with your ring fingers and dab it on with a gentle touch.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream: This is the best moisturizer! When I hear that someone doesn't use moisturizer, it hurts my soul. LOL. This is great for any skin type and is really lightweight yet very hydrating.

SPF:

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen: I am OBSESSED with this stuff! After putting on all my serums my face looks a little oily (not in a bad way) and this instantly makes it matte. It is the perfect primer for makeup because it makes your skin feel so smooth! I also hate when sunscreen feels heavy and gross. This is super lightweight you won't even realize it's there. Perfect for every day use.

Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunscreen: I can't stress how important sunscreen is for your whole body but especially your face! I use this when I am tanning or going on a hike/walk outside just for extra protection. I also always wear a hat when I am tanning or in the sun for a long period of time.

Sunbum: I love this brand! I was using the spray and I like that for easy & quick application but I just started using this lotion and I love it too! It really soaks into your skin and doesn't leave you with that sticky feeling. It also smells better than other sunscreens!

Masks:

Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque: I love this stuff! I feel like it really gets into your pores and cleans them out. Great if you struggle with acne and need a deep clean. I like to use it once a week or whenever I feel like my skin is getting clogged up.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2%: The famous red mask!! I recently got this and it definitely lives up to the hype! So this is very similar to Farmacy's Honeymoon Glow but it is a lot stronger. That's why you can only leave this on for 10 minutes while Farmacy's you leave on overnight. They call it the 10 minute exfoliating facial. It exfoliates the topmost layer of your skin for a brighter and more even appearance. It also helps to clear pore congestion. If you have sensitive skin you should not use this product. You may feel some tingling or itchiness when using it and you have to wear sunscreen!! I think this product is great and it is very cheap (less than $10)!

Tools:

Gua Sha: I recently starting doing this to my face a few times a week. I really like it so far! I ordered a 3 piece kit on amazon. It helps with inflammation, puffiness, circulation and more! It also helps your skin better absorb all of the products that you put on it. I just googled 'how to guasha' and looked through a few different articles/videos until I found one that I liked.

Jade Roller: I don't use the jade roller that much but it is good for encouraging the products to absorb into your skin and de-puffing your face. If you wake up really puffy I suggest storing it in the freezer and then rolling it on your skin in the morning to help de-puff!

Also a note about MAKEUP: I have never liked wearing foundation!! I didn't start using makeup until college. I personally hate the way it feels on my face! It's like, I just washed my face and it's all nice and clean and now i'm gonna put something on it?! I rarely wear face makeup (foundation) and my goal is to have clear skin without it! But every once in a while I do wear it when I go out at night. I haven't worn it in a long time and if you wear make up a lot just make sure you are washing your face twice a day and using a toner!

New products that I just purchased:

Cocokind Turmeric Tonic and Resurfacing Sleep Mask. I will keep you updated on both of these products! I got the turmeric tonic to spot treat pimples and it says it isn't overdrying. I got the resurfacing sleep mask continue getting rid of my acne scars and dark spots. It also helps with premature fine lines and wrinkles. Can't wait till these products arrive!

Thank you so much for reading my All About my Skincare Routine, I hope you learned something! Let me know if you try any of these products!

xoxo,

Jess