For the past month and a half, we’ve been able to give our skin a little more TLC. With the stay at home orders and working from home we’ve both been going make-up free, are less exposed to the sun and we’ve been able to keep up with both daytime and nighttime skincare routines. After all, we believe in self care above everything!
If you’re a babe who remembers growing up with TV shows like Friends and Full House, and being obsessed with Lisa Frank and Polly Pocket, well it’s time you take your skincare routines seriously! The more you take care of your skin now (and you don’t need expensive products to do so), the less visible signs of aging + sun damage you’ll see in your 30s!
We’ve rounded up both of our skincare routines and favorite products so you can discover new items and start investing in your #selfcare, especially with summer just around the corner!
Alessandra’s Skincare Routine
Age: 28
Skin type: Dry
Although my skin tends to be pretty normal, spending expended time inside with the AC on + sudden weather changes + being hungover can make my skin extremely dry, especially around the nose. I always look for makeup foundations that are light and creamy to help my skin look extra dewy – I once made the mistake of thinking I could pull off a matte foundation. BIG MISTAKE!
Skin Concerns: Sun Exposure + Minimizing Pores
Growing up, my mom always made sure my brother and I wore SPF to protect ourselves from the sun. I am not someone who gets a sun kissed tan at the beach, I turn into a red tomato, so protecting myself from sun exposure has always been a big concern of mine. A year ago I started working with an international skincare brand, and through their lead scientist I’ve learned so much about the importance of having SPF in your skincare routine! Additionally, I’ve always been concerned about the size of my pores – getting in front of a mirror with magnification is my worst nightmare!
Daytime Skincare Routine:
The first thing I do when I wake up is wash my face – I use Olay’s Sensitive Facial Cleanser with Hungarian Water Essence in the shower. Once I hop out of the shower, I cleanse my face with toner + cotton pad; right now I am using Skoah’s turbo tonic which contains malic acid, plant extracts and oleanolic acid to cleanse and purify the skin.
I’ll let my face rest for a bit while I get dressed make coffee and started checking emails and then apply Olay’s Hydrating Serum. I just recently started using serums and they are a MUST HAVE for any skincare routine! Why? Serums are lightweight yet saturated with a higher concentration of active ingredients – they are perfect for targeting specific skin concerns! I then “lock in” the benefits of a serum with a moisturizer that has SPF – right now I’m utilizing Olay’s Whip SPF 25 as my daytime moisturizer. It’s rich yet airy and it doesn’t feel oily or too thick.
Nighttime Skincare Routine:
At night, I have more time to put on all of the products, especially now that I’m home all the time! I start by cleansing my face with Yes to Cucumbers Hypoallergenic wipes – I love these wipes because they are very affordable and leave your skin feeling extra refreshed. I then apply Murad’s Prebiotic Cleanser face mist, this mist is rich in peptides, replenishes your skin with prebiotics and moisturizes (if you utilize it during the day you can use it as a make up primer).
Once the mist sets in and dries up a bit, I use Rael Beauty’s Good Chemistry serum – this serum is made with protective Fullerene, healing Green Tea Leaf Extract, and penetrating H3O Hyaluronic Acid Complex for deep moisturizing. I love it because it’s very light and refreshing! I lock the serum with their Daily Restauration Gel Cream – again, a super light and refreshing product (I hope to one day have one of those beauty refrigerators because this would be extra good if it was cool when applied)! Finally, I add Olay’s Deep Hydrating Eye Gel and voilá, I’m ready for bed.
Products I Splurge on Every Now and Then:
I love to mix up my routine every now and then, especially at night time. Here are some of my current favorite products that I don’t use every day as they tend to be pricier and therefore, I need to make them last!
- Skoah’s aha mask – before Coronavirus, I was getting monthly facials at Skoah Oak Forrest (I miss them SO much! My skin had dramatic results after the first facial). This is my favorite product they use during the facials and they have a version you can use at home. The peppermint infused mask helps loosen and lift dead, tired skin. I use apply this mask about once a week!
- Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Face Sleeping Mask – I love this one but recommend you apply it at least an hour before bed, otherwise your pillowcase can get a little messy.
- Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask – this mask smells sooooo good! The gel texture feels amazing and you’ll wake up with a glowing complexion. I love putting this one on before bed, but I also recommend at least an hour before going to sleep. In the morning, wash off as soon as you wake up!
- Ballon Blanc Therapy Masks – these aren’t expensive but I like to spread out my use of them. I’ll wear one of these sheet masks once every two weeks or so. They smell so good and my skin is so smooth after I wear them.
Maggie’s Skincare Routine
Age: 29
Skin type: Normal
My skin is pretty normal, but can lean oily. I’m prone to getting some shine if I leave makeup on too long. For this reason, I usually always do a makeup “change” between day time and night time activities. I’ve always been jealous of my friends that can wear a full face of makeup from day to night and still look fresh!
Skin concerns: Wrinkles
The laugh lines surrounding my eyes have definitely gotten more prominent in the last couple of years (boo late 20’s). That and the “tech neck” lines on my neck are probably the two things I’m most self-conscious about. On another note, I read a quote a couple of years ago that said something along the lines of “if sunshine and laughter are what cause wrinkles then I’ll take them.” That’s something that has for whatever reason stuck with me and makes me feel better when these lines start to bother me! My face and eyes also get puffy super easily especially if I’m hungover or have cried – even if it’s the night before! It drives me crazy.
Daytime Skincare Routine:
If I am experiencing puffiness, I start my day by rolling my cold jade roller (keep it in my freezer) on my face and around my eyes.
Then, I use a light gel cleanser. I don’t like anything too fancy for my morning cleanser and am also not super picky about this. Two I have recently purchased that I loved are the Murad Prebiotic 4-in-1 Cleanser and the Glo Skin Purifying Gel Cleanser. Then, I spritz my face with the Rosewater Mario Badescu Spritz, apply Derma-E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum and apply Olay Whip SPF 25 moisturizer. If I think I will be getting extra sun that day, I’ll also add EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen SPF 46 (a splurge item I keep stocked) and if I notice dark circles under my eyes, I’ll also pat on some Olay Eyes Illuminating Eye Cream.
Nighttime Skincare Routine:
At the end of the day, I start by soaking a large cotton ball will Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water to remove dirt and makeup from my skin. If I had a full face of makeup on, I’ll use a Neutrogena makeup removing wipe before that step, but I rarely have a full face on unless I’ve gone out for the night, which isn’t happening at all these days! Then, I like to use an oil based cleanser to remove the rest of the dirt and makeup and cleanse and moisturize my skin. Because, I won’t be going anywhere for the rest of the evening, I’m not worried about shiny skin at this point. I am currently using Drunk Elephant’s Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser for this. A bonus to this cleanser is that it comes with charcoal powder that you can mix into the cleanser to exfoliate. I add that to my cleansing process about once a week! Once my face dries, I’ll spread a small pea size squirt of retinol over my face and neck. I usually only do this step about 3x a week to prevent dry spots which can be an issue with too much retinol. Then, I spray one of my Mario Badescu Spritz‘s, usually the Chamomile & Lavender which is a relaxing aroma in the evening, then apply a heavier nighttime moisturizer such as Murad Youth Renewal Night Cream and finally pat Olay Ultimate Eye Cream around my eyes.
Products I Keep Stocked for Every Now and Then:
I try and remember to apply a mask about once a week for extra moisture and cleansing. I’m a big fan of the Belei Charcoal Balancing Mask and the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay mask, which is a super no frills, but awesome product if you use it correctly. I also like to steal some of my boyfriend’s Kiehls Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque every now and then (shh) and have my eye on the Drunk Elephant baby facial as a splurge. I use the super moisturizing sheet masks that come in my Allure Beauty Box when they come once a month too. Another product I’ve had my eye on for a while and really need to bite the bullet on is The Glow recipe Avocado and Watermelon sleeping masks! I’ve been using Fresh Sugar Lip Polish once a week on my lips for softer lips for years and can’t live without that little ritual.
Shop both of our skincare routines on our Amazon shop.
We hope you indulge in some well-deserved self care this week, babes!
xo