my current skincare routine

My skin and I have been getting along pretty well lately, so I thought it'd be a good time to share my current skincare routine. I'll preface this by saying that I do take a women's multivitamin and a cod liver oil pill once daily, as well as something else a lot of women my age take when they're not ready for young'ns, if you get my drift. ;) That might be TMI for some of you, but I know for a fact that it helps my skin - I was actually prescribed it at first to help with my skin.

I had pretty bad acne as a teen, and was put on a pill (unfortunately I can't remember what it was; not Accutane!) by a dermatologist in high school that really helped clear it up. Currently my skin problems are redness and the occasional breakout (usually around my chin or jawline). My skin is combination - oily t-zone, dry cheeks. My skin is also sensitive - lots of products break me out!

Hope this is helpful!

1. Basic Cleansers

I use bareMinerals Deep Cleansing Foam in the shower in the AM most days. It's very gentle and has a nice light scent. I love how it builds up a lather when you rub it between your hands.

At night I use Origins Checks and Balances Frothy face wash (which has a relaxing, herbal scent) with Sephora's pink rubber cleansing pad. I just wet the cleansing pad, put a pea size amount of face wash on the pad, then apply it in circular motions all over my face.  I then use a hot, wet muslin cloth (trust me, you don't want to see a photo of that rag!) to rinse my face. I feel so refreshed afterwards!

2. Exfoliators and makeup remover wipes!

Before I cleanse my face at night, I remove my makeup with Neutrogena's Makeup Remover cleansing towelettes. It only takes one towelette to get rid of pretty much everything. However, I don't find it sufficient to just use this without washing my face afterwards.  Trust me, without cleansing, there *will* be makeup left behind!

I use Origins Brighter By Nature peel pads twice a week (as directed) after cleansing at night. They leave my skin feeling extra clean and refreshed. 

Two to three times a week I use Lush Dark Angels cleanser in the AM. It does an amazing job of exfoliating and has a beautiful herbal scent that really wakes me up. If you liked MAC's Volcanic Ash exfoliator, you'll love this.  I can't believe it doesn't get more love. One thing I will recommend, though, is that you really rinse this stuff off good, or else follow with a toner, or you might find pieces left behind.

3. Toner, Moisturizer, and Spot Treatment 

On the rare occasion that I use a toner (overall I find them unnecessary), I reach for Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner. I like that it's alcohol-free, so it's gentle on my sensitive skin.  The rose scent is very light and non-offensive as well.

Origins Vitazing is my go-to daily moisturizer. It goes on smooth, contains SPF, makes skin "glowy," and is just fun to use (beads!). I don't currently use a moisturizer at night as I have yet to find one that doesn't irritate my skin.  Right now, I think my skin's doing just fine without the extra moisture. :)

A skincare trick I've learned is that clay masks make AWESOME overnight spot treatments! My favorite is the Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra-Cleansing Mud Mask. I just dab it onto problem areas at night before bed and by morning any pimples are significantly shrunken.  It works especially well when you feel a pimple coming in - when I apply this, the pimple that was forming under my skin is gone by morning! I've used Fresh's Umbrian Clay treatment bar for this purpose as well (not photographed, because it's in a well-loved state!), and while it gets the same results, it's also waaaaay more pricey than Deep Down Detox, which is $5.99 at Ulta (and coupon-eligible). The Fresh treatment bar is $38 at Sephora.  Pick your poison.

So that's my routine!

For reference, my completely bare face. Oh, by the way, I'm blonde again! :)

And after makeup... (sorry it's not the best quality - it was getting dark out!)

FACE: 

Boscia BB Cream

Dior Aurora

NARS Luster blush

TheBalm Mary Lou-Manizer

EYES: 

Wet 'n Wild Walking on Eggshells palette

MAC Blacktrack fluidline

MAC I Get No Kick eye kohl

Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara

LIPS: 

Clarins Rouge Prodige in Tender Rose

Thanks so much for reading!  And please, if you have any recommendations for a nightly moisturizer, do share!

xoxo,

<3 Jess