Thursday, May 1, 2014

skincare and aging…do we have to?

 

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Now that I’m nearing my mid-30’s, I’m starting to feel like I need to get a bit more serious about my skin care regime. I know I should have started years ago but I figure at least I’m starting now.

Due to years of loving the sun and disregarding sunscreen (um, don’t do that) my skin, especially my face, isn’t in the greatest condition. I have huge crows feet/smile lines that I’m sure are partially hereditary and now that I’ve gone through pregnancy, I have some darker patches due to Melasma that haven’t fully gone away.

So with another summer coming and another baby on the way, I want to get things under control or at least try, now. To be honest, I think I haven't been bothered to figure this out because I’m kind of a low maintenance girl and I’m not super into beauty. But I know the benefits are there because when I take the time not only do I feel better, I usually look a bit more put together as well.

My friend Sarah wrote a post awhile ago about creating a skincare routine and after reading her post I frantically added the book, Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me by Paula Begoun to my library list. After reading through it and then borrowing it again this week I’ve come up with a plan that I hope will begin to help slow the aging process and help my skin to feel better.

Before I read this, I had a very low-key system (well I still do because my order hasn’t arrived yet):

PM: Clean & Clear Sensitive Foaming Cleanser to remove makeup, then apply Apple Valley Natural Soap Argan oil (which I love by the way).

AM: I wash my face in the shower with natural soap from AVNS (we switched over about a year ago and have really seen a difference) and apply Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer. Then L’Oreal BB Cream, a bit of powder if needed, and mascara and lip-gloss/chapstick.

That’s it folks. If I’m going out I’ll add eyeshadow and try to make sure its lip-gloss and not chapstick. Pretty minimal.

After reading reviews on Paulaschoice.com, and the EWG Skin Deep site, I’ve made a few changes.

I’m adding a toner, a facial serum, switching up my BB Cream and my moisturizer. And I’m going to strive to make sure lip-gloss and eyeshadow become a daily occurrence, just because it gives me a bit more pep in my step.

 

So curious, do you have favorite products?

Are you serious or lackadaisical about your skincare regime?

 

Ps. If you don’t want to get the book, you can also browse all her reviews and information on her website. It’s super informational and very interesting!!

11 comments:

  1. I'm not really into beauty products either, but there's one product I am a huge fan of... When I got off the birth control pill (not for baby-making reasons - just thought I should include that lol), I got really bad acne that I thought would go away once my hormones adjusted, but months later, it was still bad, so I tried coconut oil. I now use coconut oil for my make up remover, face wash, moisturizer, body lotion, eye cream, and shaving cream. I love it! My skin is looking way better and I'm not breaking out like I was before. Maybe I'll want to change my beauty routine to something fancier as I age, but for now, I love how low maintenance it is with such great results. Easy peasy! :)

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  2. What kind of coconut oil do you use? We use TJ's for cooking but it definitely smells "coconutty" ;)

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  3. We get giant containers online because we use it so much: http://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-extra-virgin-certified-organic-coconut-oil-54-fl-oz-21/?csrc=EM-BZVPR

    There is a slight coconut smell, but I guess I just got used to it. Once my essential oils arrive (so excited!), I want to start adding it to the coconut oil and do this: http://dailymom.com/make/handmade-natural-coconut-oil-lotion/

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  4. Since I last wrote that post, I've added washing my face with the Clarisonic Mia, and I moisturize with the healing balm from The Honest Company. I also slather some coconut oil on my face every day. As for makeup, I'm still using the Revlon foundation because it's cheap and often on sale at Target, but now that it's going to be summer (I hope!), I want to switch to a lighter BB or CC cream. I want to order the serum from Paula's Choice again. I've also started using the Benefit mascara, and I LOVE it! I also use an eye makeup primer from Urban Decay and the Naked3 eyeshadow pallette, and thanks to the primer, my eye liner and shadow now stay put! Wow, I am so girly. Haha!

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  5. And thank you for the reminder to apply sunscreen! :)

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  6. We have a clarisonic too:) I forgot to mention that but I don't use it as often as I should. To be honest I've been using the Argan Oil as my main moisturizer since I ran out but it obviously doesn't have sunscreen so now I'm hoping to find a BB cream/CC Cream with a higher SPF to make up for that. I ordered a anti-aging toner and the serum and I know they will help. AND I LOVE that mascara too!

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  7. With all the natural options it gets harder to remember to use sunscreen and yet I still think it's probably the most important component. Though I'm sure there's some natural "sunscreen" :)

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  8. That looks amazing:) Maybe you should have a lotion making morning:) I'll bet if the smell needed tweaking oils could be added. Ps. Do you still like your juicer?

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  9. Coconut oil is SPF 10!

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  10. We don't use our juicer that much, to be honest. Cleaning it is a little fussy and we prefer smoothies which are way faster/easier to make. It's really nice to have the option though! For example, being able to make fresh delicious orange juice on a slow Saturday morning with pancakes is super nice! It's also fun to make cocktails with fresh juice. We just don't use it very regularly.

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  11. At night I use the Norwex face cloths - removes makeup and mascara and leaves my skin soft. Some nights I use the Clarisonic with Philosophy Purity cleanser. I alternate AVNS Argan oil, coconut oil and a Clinique anti aging cream on different nights. I have stopped washing my face in the morning, just let it get rinsed in the shower if I am taking one, or splash water on it. I use Dr. Brandt BB cream (for oilier skins, which I totally have but is lessening as I age), Clinique mascara and sometimes their eyeliner, MAC neutral eye shadows and Bare Minerals Buxom lip gloss - I love the smell, how my lips feel and it comes in a massive amount of colors - I think I have 6 different ones in my purse all the time.

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