DAYTIME:
Face cleanser: Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Bar Soap: Baby Mild
I read that Drew Barrymore uses this for her face, and she has such a great complexion! I love this soap because it's super gentle and made up of natural, organic ingredients. It has no fragrance and is non-irritating. It removes makeup easily. I buy it from Mom's Organic Market for $2.99, but they also sell it at Trader Joes, Target, Whole Foods, and a lot of other places. My face feels soft and clean after using it.
Face brush: Clarisonic Mia
You may have seen my earlier post about the Clarisonic. I absolutely love mine! It exfoliates so gently and I've definitely noticed a reduction of acne when I use it. It also allows the products you put on your face to absorb more deeply, and for makeup to appear smoother. Of course, I bought mine in leopard print! Sephora sells it for $119, but I love that they have a try-it return policy. If you buy something and you don't like it, you can return it. I figured I'd give it a try and I never looked back.
Astringent: Dickinson's Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is used to treat many skin conditions and ailments, but it's wonderful as an all-natural astringent that helps to clean and tighten pores. It's cheap (around $6 for a big bottle) and soothes my skin. I usually swipe a cotton ball of it over my nose after cleansing.
Anti-Aging Serum: Skin Ceuticals C E Ferulic
Dermatologists say that you need to use a vitamin C serum on your skin in the morning to help fight wrinkles. This serum has been highly rated in many reviews, and also contains a UVA and UVB protection. It's expensive at $153 for 30 ml, but it's the real deal. A drop or two every morning is all you need, so it lasts a long time. You put the serum on your skin before you put on your moisturizer.
Day Moisturizer: Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Control Moisturizer SPH 30
Everyone needs to wear a moisturizer with sunscreen in it, and dermatologists all tout that nothing less than 30 sph will do. I like this one because it's not greasy and absorbs well, and most importantly, does not contain cancer-causing parabens like so many of the drugstore products do. (Just look at the ingredient list, and anything ending in the suffix -paraben is not good). Manufacturers use it as a preservative, but it's bad, baby. Anyways, this moisturizer runs about $10 at Target.
NIGHTTIME:
I cleanse my skin with the Dr. Bronner's Baby Soap and Clarisonic brush, then I alternate between putting one of these on:
Night Moisturizer: Creme de la Mer
Yes, it's expensive as hell but worth every penny. I kept reading about this moisturizer in magazine after magazine for years, but at $150 for 1 ounce, I was not likely to buy it. Then I read a blog where the writer was getting her makeup done out in LA and gushed about her artists' skin. She had to know what her secret was, and the makeup artist swore by La Mer. So, I went out and got a free sample, and WHOA!!! It made my skin so luminous and hydrated! It didn't make me break out, which is really saying something because my skin is so sensitive, I break out with every change. I use it as a night cream, every other night. I've been working on the same jar for over 6 months because a little goes a long way. The secret is that you put a little on the tips of your fingers and warm up the cream. Then you pat it into your skin instead of rubbing it. It feels and smells amazing. I wake up and my skin is glowing.
Night Wrinkle Treatment: Retin A Micro Pump
This is only available by prescription, but I love it! Everyone in their late 20's on up should be using this. It not only fights acne, wrinkles and sunspots, makes skin smoother and stimulates collagen production. The pump doles out the perfect pea-size dose each time. Not a lot is needed, and you have to gradually build up your tolerance to it. I use it every other night (not the same days I use Creme de la Mer). I first put on a little moisturizer around my eye area (use a normal moisturizer, not Retin A), then apply the Retin A on my forehead, cheeks and chin. Don't put it too close to your nostrils or your lips. Just about every dermatologist personally uses this product, so use what the pros use! I have insurance, and so this doesn't cost me much...I think about $10. Just be careful when you go out in the sun...it makes your skin prone to burning, and make sure you stop using Retin A a few days before getting your eyebrows waxed or any cosmetic procedure, like a chemical peel.
BODY:
After workouts, I use this scrub on my chest and back to prevent clogged pores and breakouts. It's cheap, around $3-$4, and is gentle enough to use every day without drying out your skin. It's also one of those highly-rated products in skin product reviews. Also, paraben free!
Shaving Gel: Dr. Bronner's Shaving Gel in Spearmint Peppermint
I love this product! It's not like what you are used to; it won't foam up into a creamy lather. But once you get over that, you'll love how smooth and moisturizing it makes your legs. It's organic, no scary ingredients or parabens, and comes in a variety of different scents. My favorite is peppermint. It wakes you up in the morning, but the peppermint doesn't sting your legs.
Body Wash: Dial Body Wash
This has the perfect consistency and lathers and dissolves really well. Dial has several light, unisex scents. I love their new Coconut Water scent. These go on sale all the time, and you can find them from $2-$4.
Body Lotion: St. Ives Collagen Elastin
I've used this for over 10 years. I've tried others in between, but always come back because this is the best! It's thick, but not greasy. It has a light, pleasant scent. It's free of parabens and phthalates. It's about $5.
Multipurpose: Coconut Oil
I love coconut oil! It smells so nice, but not overwhelming. It comes in a jar as a solid, but once you scoop out a little and put it in your palm, the heat of your hand will liquify it. I love to massage this on my feet at night and put some cotton socks on over it. I also rub a little on my arms and legs, on the ends of my hair, on my chapped lips. It's actually a very light oil and won't make you break out. It's all natural, too!
Shaving Gel: Dr. Bronner's Shaving Gel in Spearmint Peppermint
I love this product! It's not like what you are used to; it won't foam up into a creamy lather. But once you get over that, you'll love how smooth and moisturizing it makes your legs. It's organic, no scary ingredients or parabens, and comes in a variety of different scents. My favorite is peppermint. It wakes you up in the morning, but the peppermint doesn't sting your legs.
Body Wash: Dial Body Wash
This has the perfect consistency and lathers and dissolves really well. Dial has several light, unisex scents. I love their new Coconut Water scent. These go on sale all the time, and you can find them from $2-$4.
Body Lotion: St. Ives Collagen Elastin
I've used this for over 10 years. I've tried others in between, but always come back because this is the best! It's thick, but not greasy. It has a light, pleasant scent. It's free of parabens and phthalates. It's about $5.
Multipurpose: Coconut Oil
I love coconut oil! It smells so nice, but not overwhelming. It comes in a jar as a solid, but once you scoop out a little and put it in your palm, the heat of your hand will liquify it. I love to massage this on my feet at night and put some cotton socks on over it. I also rub a little on my arms and legs, on the ends of my hair, on my chapped lips. It's actually a very light oil and won't make you break out. It's all natural, too!
