everyday skincare

This is the holy grail of daily products I cannot live without that give me clear, glowing, and plump skin. I’m always trying new things but these are tried and true. There is a full method to my madness that I will explain in detail so don’t go rogue unless you get the details down. I will cover what products to use in the morning vs. evening vs. in what order. So let’s get into it!

Evening

We’re starting with the end of the day because if you don’t get this right you mess up the morning. One thing you need to know is that I don’t believe in trad face washes. I think they are a scam and so messy. I’m not about that water dripping down my arms hunched over the sink, eyes closed feeling for a towel while I hope nothing gets in my eyes. We’re not doing that. I swear by micellar water and that’s it. I’ll put the links to everything if you want to buy on amazon but you should be able to get it all at target - except for A313, you have to get that online.

Step 1: Cleanser - Micellar Water

Remove all makeup from the day with Garnier Micellar Water for Waterproof Makeup on a cotton pad. I normally use a couple cotton pads to get it all off. I love this stuff because it takes everything off without the mess, leaves your skin moisturized, and truly takes off everything. If you are used to using a cleanser that you have to wash off with water this might feel really weird but your skin is going to love it. All that scrubbing and then using a bath towel that might have bacteria isn’t helping you. You’ll notice that your skin isn’t all red and irritated, its calm and glowing. Also don’t feel weird that you are left a little greasy. I promise it doesn’t lead to acne. In fact it helps repair your skin barrier and keep your skin moisturized in a clean environment, so let your skin soak it up!

Step 2: Toner - Witch Hazel

To get some of the left over cleanser off I then use Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner once again on a cotton pad. You might see a little more makeup and dirt come off. That’s perfect. Witch Hazel is the best natural toner that exists. It helps rebalance the pH of your skin which is so crucial for anyone who deals with acne, oily skin, or dry skin. It’s like magic because it helps your skin naturally rebalance no matter what kind of skin you have.

if you have no time - the minimum you need to do every night is micellar water and witch hazel!! it takes 2 mins you can do it :)

Step 3: Retinol - A313

After witch hazel I brush my teeth and let the witch hazel dry, then I use a retinol. I found A313 circa 2018 from a blog on how french people have such good skin. I used to order it from a sketchy online pharmacy in France that would take 2 months to get to me!! Thank goodness you can now get it on Amazon. A313 Vitamin A Pommade (Ointment) 200,000 IU – French Dermatological Night Treatment is not for the weak. It took me probably 4 months of slow introduction and some minor chemical burns (be careful!) before my skin really got used to this stuff. If you haven’t used a retinol I recommend this one but start off easy (I wrote a whole post on how to start using and the amazing benefits you will notice). Make sure you don’t have any water left on your face when you put this on. A dap will do ya, trust me.

Step 4: Moisturizer - La Roche-Posay

I always follow my retinol with a moisturizer. My favorite is La roche-posay - another French product that I used to order from weird websites but now it’s at Target! My favorite is La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+MAX Triple Repair Moisturizing Body Cream. It doesn’t have a smell and isn’t oily AND it has niacinamide in it which saves you a whole other product. Niacinamide keeps your skin calm, controls oil production, strengthens your skin barrier, minimized the appearance of pores, and will fade any dark spots.

Most nights i only get to steps 1-4 i'll be honest. But when i'm on that self-care grind i add in step 5.

Step 5: Massage = Rose Hip Seed Oil + Guasha

To seal it all in with a massage I use The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil all over my skin on top of everything. Only use like 1 drop it’s super viscous you don’t need much. And I put it on my skin with my hands and down my neck, then I guasha. I got my guasha years ago at a farmers market from a hippy lady, but the closest one to mine is here. I put an example of how to guasha below. Just google a tutorial and follow it. You really can’t do it wrong. But you’ll notice this massage with oil brings more symmetry and blood flow to your face.

I will also do step 5 in the morning if i need to depuff. i normally only do at night because i hate being super oily before makeup and feeling greasy throughout the day.

Morning

No matter how hard I try to wake up earlier and get a morning routine together I’m always in a rush so I keep my morning routine to the minimum. I wake up a little greasy from all that goodness I put on in my evening routine so I take that off with the witch hazel and then do azaelic acid and I’m ready to put on my sunscreen and head out the door! No need for anything else. :)

Step 1: Toner - Witch Hazel

I use 1-2 cotton pads with some witch hazel and wipe my face. It’s so refreshing and cooling in the morning and leaves my skin the perfect consistency. Not greasy anymore but so soft and even. It also tightens the pores and in a way cleanses whatever might be on your face first thing in the morning but leaves the skin calm and ready for whatever products you will wear for the day. I’m always surprised to still see some dirt in the mornings even when I went to bed with a perfectly clean face!

Step 2: Treatment - Azelaic Acid

Lately I have been putting Azelaic Acid on in the mornings before i do my sunscreen because I’ve been wanting a more even skin tone. Azelic acid isn’t sunscreen but it can help protect against UV damage and free-radicals, it’s like an extra barrier. I live by the beach so everything that helps prevent sun damage I’ve been trying. This acid is also super gentle, it won’t irritate you like salicylic acid or glycolic acid. Also it goes on like a moisturizer so it’s perfect under makeup, no weird separate or cakey-ness if you put foundation on top.

That’s it!!

These don’t fail me and they will work on all skin types. Less is really more and I keep this whole routine down to 5 mins max because otherwise I wouldn’t be able to keep up with it. Some days I don’t get to step 5 and that’s ok. I used to have terrible acne, huge zits and pimples all over my face and I tried it all. I didn’t heal myself just from topical products but they make a huge difference. If you are struggling with acne, the best thing you can do is try to understand what is causing it. That’s why I created a quiz below that will tell you what the exact cause of your acne is and when you take the quiz you also get a FREE 7-day personalized clear skin plan based on your root cause. It’s all free because I know how horrible it is to keep trying everything under the sun without getting anywhere. Clear skin was my dream and I was able to heal my acne naturally and on my own because I discovered the root cause, and now it’s my mission to help others do the same! If you’re curious take the quiz below!