Updated Holy Grail Skin Care Routine for AM & PM
At this point, most of you know I am a complete & total skin care product junkie and have tried and tested so SO many things - many I have liked and many I have hated. I finally have it narrowed down to what I truly LOVE. While there are many things I have tried and liked, I still didn't repurchase some because I have streamlined and focused on high-quality products that I see a big difference with.
That said, I have also moved to using as clean of products as I can for skin care (and all body related products like shampoo, body wash, shaving gel along with food - mostly!). So some of these are pricey and some of them have maybe 1 ingredient I still don't love, but it is certainly a huge improvement and better than before.
I've listed them all out in the order of use - I don't use them all every time, but I noted that below! I probably only wear makeup 1-2 times per week at this point, so I have made skin care the focus and where I spend way more. Makeup always looks better on a good canvas.
I have used these for months now and have noticed such a difference in my skin texture and tone. The only new ones below are the melting butter and makeup eraser and I have been using a different variation of it. These have even pretty much stopped hormonal breakouts (fingers crossed) so I have full faith and it goes to show how much crappy chemicals irritate your skin more than help. You may recognize some of these from the Sephora Sale post I just did and it's because I stocked up! That sale is still happening until 5/06!
Cleanse:
Drunk Elephant Makeup Melting Butter - I use this to remove my makeup first
Caudalie Makeup Removing Oil - If I have a lotto eye makeup, I use this there too
Makeup Eraser - Along with the first two, I use this to wipe away the makeup with water
Drunk Elephant Pekee and Juju Bars - I'm a fan of double cleansing so I wash with these
Caudalie Deep Exfoliator - If I need to really exfoliate, I'll use this instead of the bars
Tone/Serum:
Drunk Elephant Framboos Glycolic Serum - This is exfoliating with 12% AHA/BHA (pm only)
Vintner's Daughter Botanical Serum - This is pricey but the best - packed with all needs
Augustinus Bader Riche Cream - Testing this but doubt I'll rebuy - Vintner's the splurge
Drunk Elephant C-Tango Eye Cream - I think I am losing the undereye line battle this helps
Moisturize:
Drunk ElephantProtini - This is packed with peptides and really hydrating
Farmacy Lip Balm - for the morning
Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask- for sleeping
OR
AM:
Drunk Elephant Pekee Bar
Vintner's Daughter
Augustinus Bader
Drunk Elephant Eye Cream
Farmacy Lip Balm
PM:
Makeup Removers if needed
Drunk Elephant Pekee or Juju Bar
Drunk Elephant Glycolic Serum
Vintner's Daughter
Drunk Elephant Protini
Drunk Elephant Eye Cream
Agave Lip Mask
If Needed:
Drunk Elephant Daily SPF - I do not wear spf daily (bad on me, I know) but oh well
Coola Anti-Aging Face Tanner - If I tan my body, I use this on my face mixed with Protini
Masks for Fun:
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask - great for moisturizing
Dr Jart Rubber Lover - great for moisturizing
Caudalie Moisture Mask - great for moisturizing
Drunk Elephant Baby Facial - great for exfoliating
Origins Charcoal Clearing Mask - great for clearing skin
Caudalie Detox Mask - great for clearing skin
Sand & Sky Pink Clay -great for shrinking pores / blackheads
Dr Brandt Pore Vacuum- great for shrinking pores / blackheads
TaTa Harper Resurfacing Mask - great for texture
Origins Retexturing Mask- great for texture
Other Tools:
Dermaplaning - I do this one every few weeks / when I remember to really exfoliate. It helps products sink deeper into skin and gets rid of dead skin then use my usual products
Facial Steamer - I use this before a clearing/pore shrinking mask to steam my face and open my pores
Pore Vacuum - While steaming, I will use this to literally vacuum my face. sounds crazy but works and I apply a charcoal mask after! Cleanse, steam, vacuum, mask, products
Microneedling - I do this when I remember as well (theme for all of these things) and it helps to boost collagen production and allow products to penetrate further
*I also have and like ice rollers, jade rollers and the gua sha tool. None of these tools and extras are needed, but they're fun on a relaxing Sunday and do make a difference if you have the time/dedication.
If you only buy a few of these, The Drunk Elephant Framboos Serum, Vintner's Daughter and any good cleanser would be the musts! I use masks for fun and if there is some sort of issue I am having so I do not by any means use all of those all the time! I have tried and liked them all though.
As rule of thumb, the brands I lean toward that are cleaner are Drunk Elephant, Caudalie, Origins, Farmacy, Herbivore and others I haven't used as much but fit the bill are Tatcha, Youth to the People, Indie Lee, Supergoop, Biossance, TaTa Harper and REN.
Follain has a really good guide and ingredients list to avoid along with Drunk Elephant and you can always check EWS and Think Dirty for product ratings.
XO