Note: This post was published August 8, 2015. One of the questions I'm asked most frequently is how I know what to use in each routine / how I know what my face needs / why I don't do the same routine every morning and night. The short answer as to why I don't do the same routine is that my skin isn't the same every morning and night. If I don't pay attention to what my face wants/needs, it goes downhill pretty quickly. If you have a headache, you take an Advil and get a coffee. If you're going out, you wear a different outfit than the one you put on to get coffee that morning. That being said, if you're hormonal, you reach for a purifying cleanser. If you're dehydrated, you reach for milk or oil. If you're super oily, you reach for a clay or gel. It depends. I was reminded of this topic this last week, as I hit a dry-spell in the middle of the week. Why? Who knows- perhaps lack of sleep, stress, and too much acid than my skin was really wanting. Thus, I had to completely change up my nightly routine. Instead of Tata's purifying cleanser, one which I often use in the evenings, I reached for oils. I used an oil to cleanse, no acid tone, a moisturizing toner, a hydrating serum, an oil as treatment, and my favorite moisturizer for dehydration- Clinique's moisture surge. Dryness (lack of oil) and dehydration (lack of water) + stress are definitely not a good combination. Would I ever think I would be using multiple oils and hydrating serums in August? Absolutely not- I'm usually slightly oily; however, it happens. Your skin is your largest organ. It is a part of your body. A while ago, I wrote this in an Instagram post: "You know your face better than anyone. Be its friend, don't attack it. Attacking is not the answer. I have a hormonal cheek that loves to flare up. Especially when I'm stressed. Treat when necessary- I don't treat my entire face like it has acne, I focus on the cheek. Treat it, then also reach for recovery treatments: oils and non oil-free moisturizers. You can do different things on different areas- it's all about balance, which is why I use different and different kinds of products. Start with how it feels... Oily/grimy/dry/dehydrated/in need of resurfacing/congested, and go from there." As obsessed as I am with skincare, it's important to remember that a spot on your face is not equivalent to your demise. It's simply just not going to be 100% perfect all the time. Half the time, what you see is not what everyone else sees. No one pays more attention to your pores than you do. So take care of your skin, but be kind.
And a side note: you don't need 100003892 products by a thousand random brands to take good care of your skin. You know what works for you, and it might not be on trend or the product in the spotlight right now. Sometimes, I go an entire week picking from the same group of products for cleansing and treating. And oftentimes, my morning routine will be the bare bones: cleanse, tone, moisturizer/SPF. The important thing is that you are properly cleansing your face with products your skin enjoys. (Does this mean you should still stay away from mineral oil and harsh SLS foaming cleansers? Yes) A few other questions I've been asked: -What's the proper order? Morning: Cleanse, tone (acid tone and/or nourishing tone), serum, moisturizer, SPF. Evening: First cleanse (to remove makeup/SPF, should be less expensive than what you use as a second cleanse), second cleanse (this is cleansing your *skin*, not removing makeup), acid tone, nourishing tone (to rehydrate and balance), serum(s), oil (if needed/wanted), moisturizer, eye cream. Note that oils always come after serums. Remember that some mornings/evenings you may need less or more product. Also, pay attention to ingredients- this is key for making sure the products sink in properly. -How do I triple mask? Start with a resurfacing mask to clear off dead skin cells, then a clay mask to deep cleanse pores, then a moisturizing/hydrating mask. You'll see a difference immediately. -Low end vs. high end products- it's all about ingredients. Ingredients are more important than the $ amount; however, remember the best ingredients are often pricier. Serums are always the place to splurge. -What don't I mix? An exfoliating scrub with an exfoliating acid (this is going to strip your skin), multiple products with highly active ingredients, and proceed with caution using retinol with strong acids. -Two things I think most people need yet are afraid of: a good oil cleanser and proper acid toners. -My most universal problem solvers: Tata Harper replenishing nutrient complex, Caudalie instant detox and moisturizing cream masks. Questions? Leave a comment below!!
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