As promised I have an update on my Oil-Cleansing Method post I did a while back.

So, my skin was going crazy, and all dried-out. Horribly dried out! We’re talking chunks of skin randomly peeling away.

I did a few days of the oil-cleansing method and immediately after doing it my skin looked really soft and had a nice glow about it, but after a while it would start to go back to the desert landscape I was trying to abolish.

So I started to do a little thinking, and realized that just over a month ago I had started to use a new product on my face because the one that I usually use was not in stock so I thought maybe it would be a good idea to try something new.

As much as I’m opposed to change, I generally enjoy trying new products for my hair, or new makeup but I have stuck to the same routine with my skincare for a few years now and it has served me well so I should have known better than to go messing with it. It took me a whole month to figure out what was causing my skin to break out and drying my face out so badly, though!

I went out and bought the old product and noticed a change within a couple of days. My skin is almost back to it’s old self, which isn’t saying a ton because I was not genetically blessed with good skin. I’m sad for my kids and the faulty skin genetics they are doomed to inherit from me.

I hadn’t done the oil-cleansing method for a while, and since my skin was starting to get back to normal I decided to try it again last night before bed. I have to admit that I really do enjoy the process of massaging the oil into my skin. It’s really relaxing! After I was done doing it my skin looked nice immediately following it, but after a while I noticed it felt a little dry. I’m sure that means I need to adjust the ratio of oils I’m using, but in all honesty I’m not sure I feel very motivated to mess with it. The only reason I decided to try it was because my skin was going crazy on me, but since I’ve figured out what the problem is I think I might want to just stick with the old way. It was working for me, so there’s no need to give my skin any more reason to act up again.

So, I’ve decided to share with you what products I use on my skin. Prepare to be underwhelmed, because I can’t afford any high-end beauty treatments so it will be entirely comprised with things that you can buy at Wal-Mart, or Target if you want to feel a little extra fancy.

For cleansing my skin I use Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. I heard about it a long time ago and was told that it was a really gentle, non-irritating cleanser. I used to use the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser but it didn’t do a very good job at getting my makeup off. I think the Daily Facial Cleanser is new within the past couple of years. It does a much better job at removing makeup.

After I cleanse, I tone. I use Clean and Clear Deep Cleaning Astringent for Sensitive Skin. I really can’t give you a good reason for why I use it, but it does remove any extra makeup that I miss when cleansing. I might be able to skip this step, but since the whole package seems to be working I just keep it in the routine.

After I’m done toning I brush my teeth. I can’t really tell you what brand of toothpaste I use because I don’t pay attention. I can tell you that I tried the cheap, generic brand of toothpaste that was a dollar and I hated it. I am generally a fan of buying generics, but I could tell a big difference in how clean my teeth felt with the cheap brand. I can tell you that I use a Sonicare toothbrush. I love it! It’s pricey, but David and I have had ours for a long time. I’m pretty sure that I got it in my Easter Basket the year before David and I were married. Yes, folks, when your dad is a dentist you get toothbrushes in your Easter Basket along with your candy!

I brush my teeth in the middle of my whole skin care routine so that the astringent has time to dry before my last step. My last step is to use Neutrogena On the Spot Cream. It’s a cream that has 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide in it. I put a generous amount on my whole face. This was the step that I had messed with, and that caused me so many problems. They were out of it when I went to buy it, so I tried something different that had Salicylic Acid in it. After using the other product I realized that the Neutrogena cream was helping keep my skin clear without drying it out.

So, that’s my bedtime routine. In the morning when I wake up I sometimes wash my face, but if it doesn’t seem overly oily I just leave it. Most of the time I don’t have to bother washing it. I just move straight on to moisturizing. I’m a huge fan of moisturizing. Even if my skin doesn’t look dry or feel tight I always do it. It’s got SPF in it so I figure that’s always a good thing. I don’t use any fancy moisturizer. I just use Wal-Mart’s generic Equate brand. I’m not really sure what the official name of it is since I can’t find it online, but it’s just the generic brand of Oil of Olay. It’s cheap, and does the trick for me.

That’s what I’ve been doing for the past few years. It’s nothing special, but it’s been working for me so I think I’ll stick with it. I have been toying with the idea of giving Retin-A a try. I know a few people who are using it, and have been told that long-term use helps protect against fine-lines and wrinkles. I’m fairly pleased with how my skin has been aging so far, but I figure there’s nothing wrong with a little prevention.

I’m always experimenting with makeup and hair products, so I’m not going to overwhelm you with any of that information. Maybe at some point I’ll share some of my favorites, but for now I will cut this off before it gets too boring!

Vitamins, cosmetics, natural skincare, chamomile tea, organic foods and other health practices come to mind when you think of health and beauty. Many things are important to the health of your body as a whole, including your dietary routines, your exercise regimens, the care you take of your psyche and your physical health and appearance. However, how you act and feel about yourself are clearly partly determined by physical appearance. Over time it can even affect your physical health. In order to remain as healthy and beautiful as possible, be sure to understand your options.

The science of health and beauty encompasses a lot of areas. Here some of the major players are introduced:

* Health and Beauty Protection - Health and beauty protection includes the things that make your body resistant to difficulties. This may include taking a daily vitamin each day to keep your body in healthy shape. You might elect to use cosmetics or natural skincare to protect yourself from weathering factors. Usually it includes items to protect you from free radicals which cause skin cancer. Health and beauty protection incorporates a lot from your emotional state as well. Include meditation and organic foods in your daily lifestyle in order to maintain a low stress level.

* Natural skincare factors - Natural skincare has become increasingly popular in recent years. This happened as people realized that some of their cosmetics were harming their skin. They learned over time that the best route to health was natural skincare and cosmetics that worked with their bodies. You will likely find that many of these items are made from organic foods. Both topically and internally, they benefit you through vitamins. Successful health and beauty come with understanding the science behind natural skincare.

* Getting to know anti-aging elements - Anti-aging practices include a lot of different health and beauty routines. Ultimately, your anti-aging goal will be to make your body behave in a youthful manner. This might mean using cosmetics and natural skincare tactics to keep skin healthy. It can mean implementing a vitamin regimen to fool your body into acting younger. This leads to fewer pains! You also may end up with improved memory and stamina. Anti-aging often involves eating a diet of organic foods as well.

Your health and beauty depend on your dedication. If you do not pay attention to your body and physical appearance you may end up with serious deterioration. It is important to understand how and why your body works with different health and beauty products in order to get the best personal results for you. You will need vitamins, cosmetics, natural skincare and organic foods to create a perfect blend of well being.

距離上次發保養紀錄文
已經過了1個多月了
現在已經4月底了~
想說趕快來發一下4月份的好了!

先來說一下我目前的膚況:
偏乾的混合敏感肌
不太常換保養品 因為敏感肌很容易對新保養品過敏 =.=
能不換就盡量少換保養品啦! (不過當然還是得看季節換保養品啊! xD)

所以跟上個月的保養程序上大部份都差不多!
(卸妝, 清潔, 去角質, 化妝水/保濕噴霧 都沒變~) 有興趣的人請按這篇保養紀錄文最下方的連結 看3月份保養程序清單
保養程序有變的是在精華液, 臉部乳液, 眼霜 和 防曬的部份:
(這個月開始使用的保養品有Underline)

• 精華液
  Avene Soothing Hydrating Serum (雅漾 長效保濕)
  MAC Lightful Essence (MAC 亮白精華液)
  Bliss Peeling Groovy Facial Serum * 之後會發心得文
  Lancome Blanc Expert Neuroshield X^3 High Potency Whitening Spot Eraser ( X^3 超瞬白精華)
  

• 臉部乳液/面霜
  Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief  (倩碧 超水感新一代水磁場保濕凝膠)
  Merlot Grape Seed Moisturizer
  Clinique Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer – Dry Combination Version * 之後會發心得文

• 眼霜/膠
  Vichy Aqualia Thermal Eyes
  Clinique All About Eyes Rich (倩碧 全效晶潤眼霜)
  Avene Soothing Eye Contour Cream
  La Prairie Cellular Lipo-Sculpting Eye Gel
  

• 防曬
  Lancome UV Expert Neuroshield High Potency Active Protection SPF 50 PA+++
  Acnes SPF 50+ PA++
  Merlot Grape Seed Moisturizer SPF 15
  Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 32 (資生堂 國際櫃 SPF 32 眼霜) * 之後會發心得文

新的保養品並不多啦!
就下面照片裡頭的4樣 + La Prairie 眼膠忘記拍了 (其實LP 眼膠之前就有用過了.. 只是把它遺忘了一個冬天.. 忽然就又開始用了!)

夏天要到了 就很”難得”的想說來試試看Lancome 的美白精華吧! (右手邊藍色那條)
我很少用美白的保養品 而這瓶才剛剛開始擦 擦了3次.. 可是都是一天記得擦 隔天就把它忘了.. 直接跳過擦其他的精華液 xD
=.= 所以………….. 我不知道到最後我能不能把 Lancome X^3 超瞬白精華的心得文給生出來 =P
這個不能保證啦~ xD 我對美白真的不太熱衷嘛~

至於Bliss 的Peeling Groovy Facial Serum 是之前在 Sephora 拿到的 Deluxe Sample~ 5 ml 的小包裝 有3包~
我用掉一包了 主要的訴求是改善膚況 (溫和去角質) 讓皮膚透亮 改善毛孔和細紋 的精華液
我 5 ml 的小包裝可以每天晚上擦.. 擦一個禮拜左右~ (擦臉和脖子的份量)
而且正在擦的那個禮拜有覺得皮膚特別滑特別好摸!! 很神奇!~
可是比較刺激一點~ 所以用完5 ml 我就先暫時停一下~
(等我剩下的10 ml 用完之後會發詳細的心得文啦!!)

還有就是倩碧的 Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer – Dry Combination Version
這瓶當初剛出的時候 廣告讓我印象很深刻
很多水果 抗氧化的廣告形象照 我到現在還記得 xD
這個擦了1個禮拜多了~
目前皮膚完全沒有過敏的現象..
等我擦完一整瓶 50 ml 也會有心得文啦 除非我又失去發文章的動力了~ >.>

最後就是資生堂 國際櫃的防曬眼霜~
這個我從買回來就好愛用它 O.O!
我找有防曬係數的眼霜好久了…
終於找到一個清爽又有足夠防曬係數的眼霜~
而且最重要的是它沒讓我過敏 整個很開心 xD
我眼周整個很敏感……. 不對.. 應該說我皮膚整個都很敏感 xD

以上就是我基本保養的東西囉

面膜那些的我沒拍
不過平時就是1個禮拜敷一次清潔面膜
(Origins 的奇蹟面膜
or
LUSH 的 Mask of Magnaminty
or
Aspirin Mask)
1~2個禮拜去角質一次 (敏感肌不能太常去角質哦!)
比較勤快的時候就會1個禮拜敷 2~3次 保濕的面膜
(我的美麗日記: 白金保濕, 山茶花極潤保濕, 黑珍珠, 保加利亞白玫瑰, Q10, 冰沁活氧面膜…etc.
或是
Neutrogena 的 Fine Fairness 深層美白修護面膜)
懶惰的時候………. 保濕面膜最起碼2個禮拜有敷1次吧 xD
有時還會敷個玫瑰花水眼膜
或是濕敷玫瑰花水當面膜啦~
有人對上面的任何一樣有興趣~ 有問題的話 可以留言囉! =D
或是如果喜歡我發保養文的人 請讓我知道!
最近開始有點懶得發文了 T_T
請給我動力!!!!!

延伸閱讀:
914上一個月的保養紀錄

I recommend this to anyone who is less than satisfied with the state of their skin. I bought this Detox kit (≈ $45.00) for stressed skin by Skyn Iceland as a travel kit for my Miami trip, but my skin has become so incredibly even and baby-soft that I won’t stop using it even now that I’m back. Granted I rarely break-out, medium coverage tinted moisturizer had always been a necessity as I had this evil redness around the ridge of my nose. Alas, it has vanished. I am going to buy the whole Skyn Iceland set of glacial face wash, arctic facial mist (toner), and the antidote quenching daily lotion, as soon as I find a good deal… or even if I don’t. 

I was using: 
Makeup remover: La Mer cleansing fluid (oil-based)—————————————$65.00
Cleanser: ReVive gentil (one of THE most expensive face wash) (177 mL)———-$70.00
Toner: Kiehl’s herbal toner (250 mL)————————————————————-$24.00
Pre-moisturizer:  Dr. Wu’s hyaluronic acid serum——————————————-$78.00
Moisturizer: Chanel hydramax + active moisture gel cream (50 mL)——————–$70.00
Occasionally: Neutrogena rapid-clear treatment pads————————————-$6.00
————————————————————————————-Total of $313.00

With Skyn Iceland: 
Makeup remover: La Mer cleansing fluid (oil-based)———————————$65.00
Cleanser: Skyn glacial fash wash (176 mL)————————————————$30.00
Toner: Skyn arctic face mist (118 mL)——————————————————$35.00
Pre-moisturizer:  Dr. Wu’s hyaluronic acid serum————————————-$78.00
Moisturizer: Skyn antidote quenching daily lotion (52 mL)————————–$45.00
Occasionally: —-
———————————————————————————–Total of $298.00 

Okay, I guess the glaring conclusion here is damn I’m high maintenance… but my point was not this but that Skyn is the better routine. I feel ashamed now. I think I will switch to a cheaper make-up remover.

來紀錄一下最近在用的保養品~
(冬季保養) — 整個冬天都是差不多用這些 o.o

• 卸妝
  Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution (貝德瑪 舒妍高效潔膚液)
  MAC Wipes

• 清潔
  Shiseido Perfect Whip Foam (超微米)
  Avene Cleanance Soapless gel cleanser (雅漾 清爽潔膚凝膠)
  Clinique Liquid Facial Soap- Mild (倩碧 三步驟洗面膠- 溫和型)
  Lancome Blanc Expert Neurowhite X^3 Ultimate Whitening Purifying Foam (蘭蔻 x^3 超瞬白精華洗面霜)
  (主要是用超微米… 其他3瓶偶爾拿來洗個一兩次~)

• 去角質
  Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-off Formula (倩碧 七日按摩霜-水溶性配方)
  Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub
• 化妝水/保濕噴霧
  Pranarom 普羅芳 大馬士革玫瑰精露
  Pranarom 普羅芳 橙花精露
  MAC Charged Water- Youth Aura
  Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray (倩碧 水磁場長效保濕噴霧)
• 精華液
  Avene Soothing Hydrating Serum (雅漾 長效保濕)
  MAC Lightful Essence (MAC 亮白精華液)

• 臉部乳液/面霜
  Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief  (倩碧 超水感新一代水磁場保濕凝膠)
  Merlot Grape Seed Moisturizer

• 眼霜/膠
  Vichy Aqualia Thermal Eyes
  Clinique All About Eyes Rich (倩碧 全效晶潤眼霜)
  Avene Soothing Eye Contour Cream

• 防曬
  Lancome UV Expert Neuroshield High Potency Active Protection SPF 50 PA+++
  Acnes SPF 50+ PA++
  Acnes SPF 30
  Merlot Grape Seed Moisturizer SPF 15
  

打完才發現…
這個冬天從以前一直很愛用的藥妝品牌 ( Avene, Vichy…etc.)
有轉移到Clinique (倩碧) 和 MAC 懷抱裡的現象 O.O
有好幾樣保養品已經寫過心得文了~
有人有對哪一樣特別有興趣嗎?
有的話我可以先寫~~~~~~~~~~ xD
請留言讓我知道! =P
不然我可能會看心情寫吧~ xD 噗~
其實有好幾樣的照片之前都有拍了…
可是中了病毒 =.= 都沒有了 *哭*
今天剛重拍了 MAC Lightful Essence 的照片…
如果沒有什麼”意外”的話…. 應該會先寫這個~
不然就是Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirt Relief  ..
因為這兩瓶都再幾天就用完一整瓶了!!
這兩樣我都有存貨勒~ xD
這真是篇落落長的紀錄文~  xD

]]> http://nuts4makeup.wordpress.com/2008/10/25/my-skincare-routine/ Sat, 25 Oct 2008 09:01:54 +0000 nuts4makeup http://nuts4makeup.wordpress.com/2008/10/25/my-skincare-routine/

In case anyone is curious, my skincare routine as of now is

day:

Usually just splash face with water then sunblock and moisturizer. I use Aveeno sunblock for the face. *TIP* apply your sunblock or moisturizer while your face is still damp because it helps with absorption and seals moisture into your skin!

night:

- remove eye makeup with cold cream, like Pond’s cold cream
- oil cleansing method 1-2 times a week
- Olay moisture balancing cleanser
- Nivea soft moisturizing creme
- Ly-na pearl cream
- exfoliate with aspirin mask 1-2 times a week
- sulfur mask [Like Queen Helene Mint Julep or Mario Badescu Drying Mask] when my skin needs extra help! Like when I’m PMSing haha

I used to do the oil cleansing method everyday, but it gave me a bunch of whiteheads, it was probably just too rich for everyday use. I cut back and my skin is responding well to that. I also tried using a witch hazel toner in my routine, but I never saw any improvement while using it and I’m trying to simplify my routine so it’s not so long and complicated. That’s what I’m doing for now… my skin has it’s ups and downs so I’m always tweaking it.

Oh yeah and I used to get really bad cystic acne like constantly before when I was using the University Medical 3 step acne kit. It was mostly a benzoyl peroxide based product. BP used to work for me when I used BP in middle school and part of high school, but maybe my skin became immune to it cuz it was completely ineffective this time around. What helped my skin out was incorporating products with some oil in it like the oil cleansing method and basically products that won’t dry my skin out. This is just what I do, I can’t say it will work for everyone, but sometimes when you’re at your wit’s end you’ll try anything right? haha

And here’s a FOTD with the Mario Badescu drying mask…gorgeous, this should totally be my new foundation!

-

I’ve had several people ask me what I thought about the Maybelline Mineral Power foundation, so I’m going to do a quick review on it. First of all, I would like to say that it shouldn’t be called a foundation, because it is very much a tinted moisturizer instead. The coverage and consistency remind me a lot of the Stila Tinted Moisturizer that I used to have which I hated

Ok so here we go:

These pictures are taken in natural lighting without flash. Some are kind of dark so I tried to adjust the brightness of it without compromising the color, I hope it worked.

Shade: Light Beige – has very strong yellow and olive tones. It is a bit dark on my face and it also casts a yellow shadow which doesn’t look very good. Maybe the next lighter shade would work better. I have never been matched with a MAC shade so I have no idea what NC or whatever I am lol, but generally I would describe my skintone to be light beige or light-medium.

Somewhat blended:

Consistency: Pretty creamy and moisturizing, again it is definitely considered a tinted moisturizer. I don’t believe this is oil-free so it might not be a good choice for people with oily skin. It gives a very dewy finish and is most definitely not a mattifying foundation. Feels very sticky when applied, probably due to the SPF, either way, feels kind of icky on my skin :/

Completely blended:

Coverage: as you can see, the coverage is very light, more like a tinted moisturizer. I found that it didn’t even out my skintone or cover up anything really, just made me look kind of yellow and dark. It also looks like it settles into fine lines on my hands, since I don’t have fine lines on my face I wouldn’t know if it does the same there. After I apply a layer on my face I dust some loose transparent powder over it and it takes away the dewiness and leaves my skin pretty smooth, but coverage is still very poor.

Application: I find that the coverage is a little better when applied with my fingers instead of a foundation brush, as it goes on really streaky with a brush.

Wear: It doesn’t seem to last very long on my face, and is pretty much gone by the end of the day. I think I much prefer my mineral foundation!!

Overall: If I would have to rate it out of 10 stars I would give it a 3 or 4. Not a very impressive product in my opinion, and I use this very very rarely, sometimes I just feel like giving it another chance but right after I apply it I regret it because it sucks. I am now on the hunt for a good liquid foundation, preferably high-end since I am kind of weary of drugstore foundations now. Anyone have suggestion?

OK moving on, also to fulfill a request, I’m going to post my skincare routine. I posted one a while back but that was kind of outdated, I’ve changed some stuff around now! I think my skincare routine is pretty simple and basic. Mornings I cleanse and moisturize, and sunscreen. Nights I remove makeup, cleanse, tone, and moisturize. Very standard, I don’t use any special serums or treatments or anything.

Here is what I use in the mornings:

1. Wash face with DHC Washing Powder. This stuff is DA BOMB. I got it on sale and it was only $5! And it’s lasted me…a whole year. That’s right, I still have about 1/4 of it left. It doesn’t foam, but when combined with water turns into a creamy lather, very gentle, doesn’t strip my skin of moisture but still leaves it feeling incredibly fresh and clean. I love this stuff.

2. Twice a week I substitute the Washing Powder for the Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser. The bottle is pretty big and it has lasted me more than a year lol especially since I only use it twice a week and you only need a little bit for the whole face. This one is more drying and cleans more thoroughly, it also has glycolic acid which is an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) so it serves as my exfoliating cleanser and leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean afterwards. It has a light soap smell which I love. My skin is pretty sensitive and physical exfoliants are too harsh for me so I use this as an alternative. Those with sensitive skin should try it!

3. Apply Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control eye cream with SPF30. I’ve been using this for a few weeks now and it is an OK product. I use it because I think that it’s important to not neglect your under eye area when applying sunscreen because most of us tend to forget to apply sunscreen there, and since regular sunscreen is not suited for the sensitive area around the eyes this is a great product for that. However, I heard that this is not as good as the Shiseido one so I might exchange it for that one, I’m too lazy to look for the box and take it back to Sephora though. It sinks in very well and makes my eye area feel very moisturized. So far so good.

4. Moisturize face with Lancome Aqua Fusion oil-free moisturizer cream with SPF15. I got this after I read the review by blu3, and at first I loved the texture of this, it feels so light and refreshing, but I think that my skin is a little too dry for this, it doesn’t feel like I get enough moisture with this so after I finish it I’m going to have to look for another morning lotion. It is also heavily fragranced, while it smells good, I still don’t think it’s a good idea to be using such a heavily perfumed face cream because of my sensitive skin. I’m almost done with the jar though, it goes pretty fast.

5. Finally, if I’m not too lazy and if it’s a sunny day I apply Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock SPF 70. i love Neutrogena sunscreens, they’re awesome. I’m a huuuge fan of the Dry Touch sunblocks so I was really excited to get the face version. I have to say the one for the body and the face are pretty much identical, same texture, same smell same everything. I like that it’s oil-free and non-comedogenic, and even though when first applied it feels kind of thick and sticky on my skin, but give it a few minutes and it leaves my skin completely matte, I find that it works great as a primer for foundation.

Night time routine:

1. Remove makeup with DHC Cleansing Oil. I cannot stress enough how big of an HG this is for me. I am running very low on my bottle so I dumped the rest in this little travel container to save space. I’m going to have to order a new one pronto, it took me so long because I was waiting for it to go on sale…but I guess it’s not going to happen anytime soon so I’m just going to have to get it. It’s such a great deal, the big bottle lasts me 5-6 months!! So I only need 2 for the whole year. Removes everything including waterproof mascara and eyeliner, and makes my skin feel uber soft. It’s the best.

2. Tone with Boots No.7 Soft and Soothed Gentle Toner for Normal/Dry Skin. It’s a good toner I guess, can’t really tell the difference between using this and not using this, but I like to swipe some toner on to remove the last trace of makeup, it just makes my face feels cleaner. I love that it doesn’t contain alcohol, alcohol = bad news!

3. Apply my sample of Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream. I’m just testing out this sample that I got with my last order. So far it’s pretty nice, the texture feels light and hydrating, but OMG it takes FOREVER to sink in. After 30 minutes my area is still looking like I just applied the damn thing. Kind of annoying. I’ve given up on any miracle eye creams that will take away my dark circles so I only use eye creams to moisturize. There are no miracle products guys, only surgery

4. Before I started testing out the MB eye cream, I used the Clinique Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream. Uhh yea it’s like for older people or something? Sounds like it’s trying to save you from wrinkles. My mom gave me this because she didn’t like it anymore after only trying it for a few weeks, and there was so much product left that I didn’t want to throw it away so I started using it. The texture is amazing!! It feels like butter! But other than that I don’t see anything special about it except that it’s a pretty standard eye cream. Pretty moisturizing though, and wayyy better than All About Eyes Rich, that stuff sucked.

5. Finally moisturize my face with Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre, aka 24-hour Miracle Cream. Holy shit this cream IS a miracle cream. What? I said that I don’t believe in miracle products? Well I do in this one!! I’ll make an exception for this one. I bought it when I had a really bad allergic reaction on my body including my face, but the doctor told me to use a prescription cortizone cream + Cetaphil lotion so I put off using this after I was all better. The texture of this cream is velvety smooth and feels very moisturizing without being oily or sticky at ALL. It also has a very light scent that smells like jasmine tea. It doesn’t contain fragrance so it must be the natural ingredients producing the scent. Every morning when I wake up after using this my skin is super soft and glowy, I love it. It feels like it would be too rich and break me out but it has never happened, if anything it has made the condition of my skin even better. The only thing I don’t like is the bottle, when it was first opened the cream kept on oozing out!! I couldn’t stop it, and if I tried to squeeze it back in more would come out, it was really annoying, but it’s better now.

Mask, treatments, etc.

1. Boots Botanics Ultimate Lift Eye Gel. I don’t use this all the time, only when I need to de-puff my eyes, like during that special time of the month when everything feels bloated and puffy, or when I’ve had a good cry the night before lol. The effect is subtle but I do believe that it actually works, my puffy circles are a lot less noticeable after I use this. It has a cooling effect so that could be it as well. You probably don’t need this stuff, and can just use some cucumber or green tea bags instead and it’ll work just as well, if not better.

2. Twice a week I use the Mario Badescu Strawberry Tonic Mask. This is a great mask and it is one of the more gentle clay masks. It doesn’t dry out my skin and definitely improves the texture of it. I only apply this on my T-zone and a very very thin layer on my cheeks. I can see this lasting me a long time, I hope it doesn’t go bad!

3. Then maybe once a week or if I can even remember, I’ll use the St. Ives Microdermabrasion. I like that it’s very gentle and it’s not harsh for my sensitive skin, but leaves my skin feeling baby soft afterwards. But I am SO not a fan of the strong fragrance, why do you need such a strong fragrance in a microdermabrasion thing?? It’s not even a good smell. I’ll continue to use it if it doesn’t irritate my skin, but otherwise I’m kind of on the fence about this product.

Acne treatments:

Finally for those pesky little zits and pimples that refuse to go away, I usually just use the Neutrogena On-the-Spot treatment. It has 2% Benzoyl Peroxide so the concentration is pretty low and it’s pretty gentle. It doesn’t always work though, so I recently got the Clearasil Vanishing Cream with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide, I think this is the ideal concentration for fighting pimples. My boyfriend uses ZapZit and I LOVE THAT STUFF!! But I couldn’t find it anywhere! I was so frustrated that I just picked up the Clearasil one. I dont’ really like it, I think it kind of irritates my skin. Damn I want some ZapZit, I always steal my boyfriend’s, I’m going to have him pick me up a tube. That stuff really does what it says, zaps those suckers away.

So that’s it for my skincare routine, not very complicated I think, and this regime is working out well for me so far, but as soon as I finish a product I’m going to try something new because that’s just the product whore that I am. Except for the DHC Cleansing oil though, I’m a loyal fan.

If you’re looking for a proper skin care routine for maintaining a healthy skin, you have come to the right place.

In order to have the best skin care routine works for you, you needt o identify your skin type first. Basically, there are three main skin types: OILY, DRY and a COMBINATION of both. If you’re not sure how to determine your skin type, the easy way is to talk to one of the ladies working at the makeup counter in a shopping mall. They should be able to help determine your skin type.

Once you know your skin type, the first essential for starting your best skin care routine is selecting a good cleanser. It can be a challenge to select the right cleanser for your skin, if you’ve found one that suits you, stick with with. However, nowadays many cleansers are specially formulated to fit any skin type. This makes selection process become easier.

Cleanse your face twice a day. Use small amount of cleanser, apply gently using a circular movement, rinse with lukewarm water, use a clean towel and dry your face gently by tapping (don’t rub it).  Do not over cleanse as it can cause damage to your skin. Never use a bath soap to clean your face!

The second essential for best skin care routine is the Moisturizer. Moisturizer is important to make your skin relax, revitalize and restore natural oils. Some moisturizers even contain sunscreen to help protect you from the sun during the day. NEVER apply body lotion on your face.

The third essential for best skin care routine is drinking WATER. Always remember to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water everyday. It can help to cleanse your body and flush out toxins. Always remember that skin care products such as cleanser and moisturizer only work from outside, you must also make sure that you are healthy from the inside.

Next, always remember to include plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits in your daily diet. A healthy diet with plenty of veges and fruits will strengthen your immune system, it will also supply good nutrients to your body and skin.

Last but not least, always remember to exercise regularly. Do not make excuses that you don’t have the time to do exercise. Treat it as an investment for good health in return. If you find yourself giving excuses, just think what happens when you fall sick, you will lose and waste more time when you’re falling sick.

Maintaining the best skin care routine may not be easy as it requires significant amount of self-discipline and commitments on your part. But if you can cultivate the 5 essentials above in your life, you will have a healthy body and young-looking skin.