Skincare and Beauty Routine

I strive every day to take good care of my skin. I spent the past few years battling with many issues that centered around an unbalanced lifestyle. I ate too much dairy, drank too much coffee, and there was too much stress. I’ve learned that what you put into your body makes all the difference. Beauty starts within and taking good care of yourself is the best way to achieving skin. Now, I make it a point to take time to relax and get at least 7-8 hours of sleep (something I was guilty of not doing in my twenties). I also make it a point to eat a plant based diet as often as possible. Putting vitamin rich foods into your diet, really makes a difference in your skin. Also, hydration is a key factor!

I wanted to share a few products I’ve been using lately and a little more about my skincare routine.

Cleanse – This is always the first step in skincare. I wash my face twice a day with Neutrogena’s Deep Clean Cream Cleanser. It’s refreshing and oil free. I would recommend using a cleanser that works for your type of skin. My skin isn’t too oily and isn’t too dry. However, it’s very reactive to anything I put on it. A creamy cleanser seems to make a difference for me. It’s gentle and moisturizing, however still removes dirt out of my pores.

Exfoliate – I was never big on exfoliating until I started subscribing to Birch Box. I love this subscription service, and am frequently sent different exfoliators to try out. I really like Dr. Brandt’s Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant.  After cleansing, use it 1-2 times a week before you put a mask on. Be careful not to rub your face too hard. When you exfoliate, you want to gently remove the dead skin, that way new skin can peak through.

Treat – After reading an interview Julia from Gal Meets Glam did a while with International Orange, I came to terms with the fact that I needed to put on a mask a few times a week. Before reading this interview, I made putting a mask on a big ordeal – but really, it only takes a few minutes 3-4 times a week. If you are a gal on the go, just put one on after cleansing and brush your teeth, make your bed and drink a quick cup of coffee. Voila! You will be able to remove it in no time. I’ve been using a white charcoal mask from Nuance by Salma Hayek (because who doesn’t want her skin?!) Her products are fantastic and she helped create the combinations in each formula. You can only buy them through CVS – but are very affordable and easy to get a hold of. 

Moisturize – I have to admit, this is one I struggled with a few years ago. When I first moved to Houston I was in the humidity all the time for my job in sales. Here it’s very moist and I would come home to only wash my face. Overtime, my body tried to compensate for the lack of moisturizer that I wasn’t putting on it and it started to make more oil. Which led to problems. Lesson learned! Moisturize. I now use Aura Cacia’s Frankincense and Jojoba Oil. Frankincense has many healing qualities and was used for thousands of years medicinally.

Nourish – Last but not least, drinking Green and Chamomile tea is one of the biggest lifestyle changes I made. I switched from coffee first thing in the morning to Green Tea. It’s still gives me caffeine, but has antioxidants which help with inflammation in the body. During the evenings, part of my bedtime routine is to have 2 cups of Chamomile tea. I do not add sweetener, to either but drink warm and find it relaxes me in the evenings.

Make sure you drink plenty of water, exercise and eat enough vitamins in addition to the items listed above. Please email me with additional questions or place a comment below!