It took lots of trial and error, but recently I realized that I have finally perfect my skincare routine, and my skin is happier than ever. While everyone has different skin types and skincare needs, I thought I'd share what's been working for me.
I start with a Dermalogica favorite: Precleanse. This stuff is wonderful. You massage it into your dry skin, prior to cleansing, and get gets deep down into your pores to release the gunk underneath.
Then I cleanse with my favorite cleanser ever: Philosophy's Purity. I buy this stuff in the biggest bottle I can find, since miraculously it works not only for Ben's oily skin, but also my combo/dry skin.
My next step is exfoliation. I don't do this every time I was my face - usually only two or three times a week. My skin can handle it, but I know many people have much more sensitive skin and only exfoliate once a week. So I discovered this scrub while shopping with my sister-in-law in Portland. We wandered into Lush and I had just run out of my old Dermalogica cleanser (one I continued to buy for years after leaving the spa). I decided to give their Ocean Salt a try and oh my, do I love it. It smells like a margarita and is made with salt, vodka and lime juice (among other, non-margaraita-ish ingredients). It makes my skin so soft and radiant - I'll never go back to my old exfoliater! You can also buy this one in a big tub, which I love. Saves me trips to the store!
My next step is toning. I totally credit my friend Shannon for teaching me that you simply MUST use a toner, as it helps restore your skin's pH balance and ensures you get the most from your moisturizer. I picked up this Weleda Toner at Pharmaca with a gift card I had, as I had recently used up the last of my Murad spray, and while I don't notice anything particularly wonderful about it (and don't so much love the packaging - it's a glass bottle and it doesn't have a spray), my skin really responds well to it. I guess I'll keep it around.
And the last step is an important one: moisturizing. Another brand of skincare I fell in love with while working at the spa was Pevonia. I loved their collagen cream (mainly because it smelled like roses...) but really couldn't afford the steep price tag without a discount. My mom told me her dermatologist recommended she use a brand called CeraVe. I wasn't particularly attached to the moisturizer I was using at the time, so I picked up a tub (literally, a TUB). This stuff is incredible. It soaks right in, and despite being a cream, is light and non-greasy. It even has a semi-matte finish, which I really love under my mineral makeup. I rarely flake up and it's even done good by evening out my skin tone. A total keeper, and the price is right. (Around $18 for the whole tub)
So there you have it! Here's to happy skin!
