Being on vacation for the holidays, I’ve given my skin a break from the daily makeup routine (much needed) and instead spent a lot of extra time doing masks and trying out new skincare products. It may be because I’m now in my 30s, but my skin really craves and enjoys a good face oil and extra moisture. It soaks it all in!
I get a lot of questions about my regular skin routine, which includes using mattifying micellar water to remove makeup and then washing my face with a facial cleanser followed by applying a serum, moisturizer (separate versions for day and night) and eye cream. Also, I follow the cardinal rule of NEVER going to sleep with makeup on! And finally, I try to do professional facials at least every three months, if not more 🙂
Pro tip: mix it up. Similar to the way I feel about shampoos and conditioners, I believe in shocking my skin with a variety of products, so it doesn’t become complacent. This is a mantra for many things in my life from haircare and skincare to working out. Too much of the same thing results in no change and a definite plateau.
So with that philosophy in mind, I usually use a few different masks, face oils and other skin products every week to ensure my skin never gets too used to one product type. The good news is there are so many products, it makes it fun to try different ones out and they last way longer since I’m not using them exclusively.
Another tip, look for gift sets or variety packs to try new products without paying full price for an entire skincare line that may not end up being what your skin needs. I recently did that with Beautycounter’s Counter Match Anti Aging system and I’m loving it. I ordered the holiday gift set for myself and have been using the serum (a fave), day and night moisturizers and eye cream. The cost and size were perfect for trial and now I can order full size of the products I love moving forward.
Alway a favorite for discovering new products is Sephora! They have amazing sets for skin care, whether products from one brand or the variety pack. “Santa Sam” just gifted me the OleHenriksen “Glow Together” set and I’m in love. It includes nine products from the line from a Power Peel to a Truth Serum!
Here are some of my favorites by category.
Facial Cleansers
Your skin is a blank canvas and a facial cleanser is truly the foundation for all skincare. I’m a big believer in washing my face every morning and every evening. Once your skin is clean, you can then add all the extras like moisturizer, serum, oil, etc. Currently in rotation:
Origins GinZing Scrub Cleanser – this is great for a morning wash because it immediately wakes your skin up! The entire GinZing line is awesome – a few of the products will make other appearances in this post.
Beautycounter Rejuvenating Cleanser – cleans, replenishes and moisturizes skin. I’m also a fan of the brand’s Charcoal Cleansing Bar.
L’Oreal Pure Clay Charcoal Cleanser – brightens and cleans impurities with the power of charcoal. I’ve also tried the other cleansers in the line including “Exfoliate & Refine” and “Purify & Mattify,” which are equally great depending on what you’re looking for. This is definitely my go to drugstore brand.
Moisturizers
The older I get, the more my skin craves moisture. I use daytime and nighttime moisturizers because they serve unique purposes. Just like you have clothing for the day and PJs for nighttime, you should also have corresponding moisturizers 🙂 On my current love list:
Day
Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Gel Moisturizer – this is a great daytime moisturizer and the gel formula is fun to apply and adds instant hydration to the skin. Tired, dry skin? This is your go to.
Beautycounter Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion – a daytime moisturizer that constantly adapts to the ever changing climate and conditions “by adjusting hydration and oxygenation levels throughout the day.”
OleHenrickson Truth Advanced Moisturizing Creme – Another amazing anti-aging daytime moisturizer with Vitamin C and peptides. Your skin will thank you!
Night
Beautycounter Recovery Sleeping Cream – I love this formula because it’s thicker and made to repair your skin, while you sleep. It’s full of amazing ingredients including Plum Oil. You wake up with skin that feels well rested and hydrated.
L’Oreal Revitalift Overnight Mask – Super thick and moisture packed, this is a nighttime moisturizer that also doubles as an intensive sleep mask. I use this a few times a week.
Eye Creams
This area of your face definitely starts to wear with age and needs special attention. When you’re tired, stressed, etc. it shows in your eyes and that’s why a good eye cream is essential. That and lots of water and sleep! In my vanity:
Origins Refreshing Eye Cream – I suffer from dark under eye circles and this eye cream definitely makes a difference. It brightens and depuffs the eye area. This is one of my go to daytime eye creams!
Beautycounter Eye Rescue Cream – This is lightweight and helps brighten your under eye area for a more awake and refreshed look.
First Aid Beauty Eye Duty: Triple Remedy – I’m a huge fan of this brand and many of its products. This one in particular is delivered via a rollover to your skin, which I love and is made to brighten, depuff and smooth the under eye area. A winning combo!
Serums
If you’ve ever seen the Meme with the old Steve Madden slider shoe and you recognize it/owned a pair (I did), then you know it’s time to incorporate serum into your skincare routine.
Belif Hungarian Water Essence – This is a lightweight serum that adds moisture that lasts.
Beautycounter Countermatch Serum – Power packed with moisture, vitamins and two forms of hyaluronic acid. This is the serum for your third decade 🙂
OleHenrickson Truth Serum – Anti-aging serum packed with Vitamin C and collagen! It brightens and moisturizes.
Face Oils
As I mentioned, my skin currently craves extra moisture and while I never would have thought a face oil would be a good idea (I thought it would make my skin oily and gross), I’m a fan and convert. I first tried face oil in my Birchbox a few years ago and have been using them ever since including:
Fresh Seaberry Face Oil – One of my favorite brands, this face oil smells amazing and is packed with omegas, which helps maintain the skin’s youthful appearance.
Caudalie Overnight Detox Oil – A plant based oil that is made for overnight use, to clean and detoxify skin.
Clarins Santal Face Oil – Sandalwood, cardamom, and lavender tone and calm skin, while hazelnut oil soothes, smooths, and reduces redness.
Masks
Last, but certainly not least are masks. I’m a bonafide mask junkie. I use them multiple times a week — everything from sheet masks (Walmart and Target have a huge variety of brands and types of sheet masks usually 2 for $5) to sleep masks (these are great for overnight repair), peeling masks and everything in between. I truly believe masks make a huge difference in your skin. While I use a wide variety, here are a few favorites:
GlamGlow Gravity Mud Firming Treatment – Confession, I always feel like a total Hollywood superstar every time I use these products. They are rich and decadent and leave your skin feeling amazeballs (as Guiliana Rancic would say). This particular mask is a peel-off treatment, which comes in the prettiest silver you’ve ever seen. You lather on a healthy layer onto your skin, sit back for 20-30 minutes and then peel off. It feels so awesome to peel off the silver layer to reveal firmer looking skin instantly! I’m pretty much a fan of every product GlamGlow makes, so look around explore and find the one that’s right for your skin needs.
Too Cool For School Egg Cream Hydration Mask – If you’re into K-beauty, this is is an awesome brand. I’ve tried a lot of the egg based products including the mousse and this mask, which is a favorite. It’s a sheet mask, so you cover your face with the sheet, wear it for 10-15 minutes and then rub in the remaining serum.
LUSH Cup o Coffee Mask – This is like a shot of espresso for your skin. The handmade mask has coffee pieces that exfoliate and the delicious coffee smell will wake you and your skin up! One of my favorite things about LUSH is the fact that they include info about who made your mask. Mine was made by Kevin 🙂
I would love to hear about any products you love to use. Always in the market to expand my skincare toolbox!
XO,
Ivette
Ivette Faulkner 