Self care Saturday | my skincare routine
Cleanser
For the past eight months, I’ve been using Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser and, since then, I’ve noticed a significant difference in the way my skin looks and feels. It’s powerful enough to remove eye and face makeup, but gentle enough to keep my face feeling soft and fresh.
Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, Face Wash
Retail Price: $18 USD
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Benefits: hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, safe for the eye area, ophthalmologist tested, soap free, paraben free, sulfate free, cruelty free, vegan, soothing, purifying, nourishing
Serums
didn’t quite understand the point of serums. That is, until a friend gifted my Kenzo’s Moisturizing Skin Guardian Serum. Made with wild pansy to restore natural hydration, Japanese Lily to maintain moisture, and white lotus to protect against free radicals, my skin came out feeling lush and smelling wonderful.
Since my introduction to serums, I’ve switched from using Skin Guardian Serum to Glossier’s Super Bounce Serum. I was drawn to the fact that it has hyaluronic acid (produced naturally in the skin and good for retaining water to keep your tissues well lubricated) and vitamin b5 (good for keeping skin soft, smooth and healthy looking). While this has been a recent purchase, so far I am digging the results.
Skin Guardian Serum*
Retail Price: Gift*
Rating: 3 out of 5
Benefits: Moisturizing, paraben free, sulfate free, phthalate free
Super Bounce Serum
Retail Price: $28 USD
Rating: 3.5 out of 5, * however too soon to really tell. *
Benefits: hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, paraben free, fragrance free, cruelty free, soothing, hydrating, softening
Toner
For a toner, I’ve been using Thayers’ Witch Hazel Facial Mist, with Aloe Vera and Rose Petal. My feelings on this product is mixed. While sometimes I feel it works wonders, other times I find my face feeling irritated. However, as far as what it’s meant to do, which is to add moisture and tighten pores, I feel it does a pretty good job at this. I’d be open to try out a different product with the same benefits, although I do really appreciate the natural, vegan, cruelty-free qualities of this product. I also love how long this product lasts.
Thayers Witch Hazel Facial Mist
Retail Price: $10.95 USD
Rating: 2.5/3 out of 5
Benefits: Natural Botanical Ingredients, mild antioxidant properties, reduces irritation, balances skin pH, clears skin, tightens pores, controls acne, alcohol free
Moisturizer
The past few months I’ve been using Glossier’s Priming Moisturizer and, complimented with their cleansing face wash, I think it’s the perfect pair to add a hydrated glow to your skin. Like their cleanser, I feel like I have no ill feelings towards this product and plan to repurchase till the invetible future.
Glossier Priming moisturizer
Retail Price: $22 USD
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Benefits: hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, reduces redness, oxygenating, buildable, long-lasting moisture, paraben free, fragrance free, cruelty free
That Extra Boost
Another recent Glossier purchase of mine has been their Futuredew Serum Hybrid. Futuredew is to be used after moisturizer, as the last step in your routine. Directions indict to add more to the high points of the face for extra glow. It’s an oil based serum that acts as a serum and highlighter in one, which was the big appeal to me. As I’ve gotten older, skincare has become more important to me than makeup. I like how Futuredew is a two in one, adding that highlight while also hydrating your face in the places it’s needed most.
Glossier Futuredew
Retail Price: $24 USD
Rating: 4 out of 5
Benefits: hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, cruelty free, vegan, enhancing, nourishing, moisturizing.
Eye Cream
Another thing I have been more into as I’ve gotten older is eye creams. I usually use Kenzo’s Ice Cold Eye Cream (also a gift) or a sample product of Givenchy’s L’intemporel Global Youth Eye Cream. However, I am almost out of both products and, while they’ve served me well, I am on the hunt for a new, more cost effective, cruelty-free and vegan eye cream. If you have any recomendations, let me know!
Face Masks
As of now, there isn’t one face mask I exclusively use. In my bathroom, I currently own Queen Helene’s Mud Pack Masque, Borghese’s Fango, Active Mud Mask, and a sample size of Peter Thomas Roth’s Pumpkin Enzyme Mask. There’s debate about whether or not face masks truly work and, while I’ve never had unbelievable results, I have found my skin feels quite clean and new after wearing one, plus taking time out of your day to pamper your face is a gift in and of itself.
Queen Helene’s Mud Pack Masque
Retail Price: Depends on where you purchase, roughly $7 USD
Benefits: Cleanses pores, tightens loose skin, relaxes tired face muscles, softens lines and wrinkles, cruelty free, vegan, environmentally friendly
Borghese’s Fango Active Mud Mask*
Retail Price: Gift*
Benefits: Evens skin tone, moisturizing, made with avocado and sweet almond oils, revitalizes skin, defense against dullness and aging
Peter Thomas Roth’s Pumpkin Enzyme Mask
Retail Price: $60 USD, however I only had a sample size
Benefits: - Paraben free, sulfate free, phthalate free, exfoliator, evens skintone