Skin Savers
I have NEVER been one of those girls with perfect skin. You know the ones - no blemishes, can't see their pores, never need to wear makeup. Yep, not me. I've always had trouble with my skin. Since I was probably 12 or 13, I've struggled with acne. It would intermittently get better, then come back, and the vicious cycle would continue.
I've probably spent thousands and thousands of dollars on skincare products. From drugstore cleansers to high end topical treatments, I've tried every remedy in the book. I recently started a new routine that I'm FINALLY seeing results from so I wanted to share!
After doing some research, I found that one of the reasons that my face was breaking out is because I wasn't using products that were non-comedogenic. Comedogenic products basically clog pores and cause irritation to your skin. If you have acne prone skin, using comedogenic products could really irritate your skin and cause breakouts. To check if your products are comedogenic or not, you can go to www.cosdna.com and plug all your skincare products in to the search bar on the top. Check the acne column once the results come up - if they're rated as a 3, 4, or 5, this could be what's causing your face to break out! I found this super helpful article on curology.com if you want more info: https://bit.ly/2QdXmrK.
I try to let my face breathe and be without makeup as much as possible, but I usually wear it to work. So first and foremost, I remove my makeup with Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes. They're gentle on my face, disposable, and pretty cheap.
Next, I use this Dermablend Makeup Dissolver to remove any other traces of makeup that might still be on my face. It's lightweight, not greasy, and has no sulfates or parabens in it. It's also fragrance free, allergy & sensitive skin tested, non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic, which is HUGE for me. I take a dime sized amount, rub it onto my face, and then rinse it off before I apply any cleanser.
Next, I use the Rodan + Fields Unblemish line. This stuff is pricy, but it WORKS. I've used it before and got great results, but I stopped using it for awhile and my face broke out again. It's honestly worth every penny, it really works. It typically lasts me 3-4 months, so for me it's worth the money. I would suggest reaching out to an R+F Consultant before just buying something, since they can help you create a regimen that will work for your skincare concerns. If you need someone, let me know and I can give you the info for my girl, she's great!
After using all 4 steps, I also apply this Vitamin C Serum
that I found on Amazon for $7.99. It has vitamin c
and collagen, which helps with firmness, brightness,
and anti-aging. It also adds a lot of hydration to my skin,
which is key in the harsh New England winters!
Last but not least, I started using new, non-comedogenic foundation that's helped immensly to clear up my skin! It's Naked Skin Weightless Foundation and I am OBSESSED. When I wear it, I literally don't even feel it on my skin. It's medium buildable coverage with a natural finish, which looks so much better on my skin than my old full coverage matte finish makeup did. It also minimizes pores and lasts for up to 24 hours. I wear it to the gym and it doesn't budge! I highly, highly recommend this foundation. It also comes in FIFTY shades, so you'll definitely find one that fits your skin tone! I'm shade 40NN, light-medium neutral with neutral undertones.
I've struggled with skincare issues all of my life, so I know how much your confidence can decrease because of it. I've always felt like I need to wear makeup when I leave this house. Now that my skin is clearing up, I'm so much happier and more confident, and I'm finally feeling like I can go makeup-free more often. I hope these skincare tips & products help you - if you have any skincare favs, drop them in the comments!
xoxo,
Carina