The lovely Honna E. asked me eons ago to do a post about skincare. I did, actually - but my computer ate it. Seriously. Or the internet did. Something did. I was not pleased. And I'm pretty anal, after years of learning THE HARD WAY, to save works-in-progress. (It was not quite finished.) So. That is my reason. Here is my second try. :)
I am not an esthetician, though that would be fun and I considered it at one point. I am merely a person who is kind of hyper about my skin - my face, especially. I want to find things that work for it, that are easy to use, that don't cost one million billion dollars. In other areas of my life, it's certainly fun to mix it up and try new things - makeup, clothes - but not with skincare. Trouble is, my face CHANGES, not only from season to season, but also as I get older. So. Finding solutions is not always easy.
Here are some steps, though, that I recommend (and the products I use, italicized):
1. Wash your face at least once a day. If you can only do it once, do it at night - clean the day off your face, and then protect it with good moisturizer. I admit to being this person. I used to be better about washing it of the morning, too... and I recently decided to commit to getting back to that. First, I have to get over my commitment to procrastination. But why is it a good idea to wash your face of the morning, too? See: #2. (Also, it is my theory that a double dose of moisturizer, morning and night, will aid in keeping my face fresher and younger-looking.)
Purity Made Simple by Philosophy (I will never buy anything else)
Occasionally, Oil of Olay cleansing towelettes (handy for travel)
2. Wear sunscreen. I have read this here there everywhere: preventative treatment is your best bet, if you're young, and even if you already have wrinkles and damage, sunscreen will protect your face, still. A lot of moisturizers have sunscreen in them already. Your makeup, might, too, but I've read that you shouldn't rely on that. If you wash and moisturize of the morning, just get a moisturizer with sunscreen in it.
Neutrogena SPF 70 for face, but also, sunscreen is in my moisturizer
3. Exfoliate. Either get a product that naturally does this for you, or get a good but gentle scrub - or both. Why? Well, if you are prone to blemishes, it will help clear the face of dead skin cells and other business that could clog pores. If you are prone to dullness or dryness, the culprit might once again be dead skin. I try to use an exfoliator at least every other day. A good rubdown with a nubby towel is, of course, a great frugal way to do this, as well. (In my opinion.)
The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash by Philosophy (expensive and am not sure if I'll buy again)
4. Moisturize. This was mentioned in #'s 1 & 2. Why? Well, let me just tell you a little story. You see, I have bangs. And somewhat oily skin. To avoid having oily bangs, for years now, I have avoided putting as much moisturizer on my forehead. Question: do you think my forehead skin is less elastic, less youthful-looking, than the rest of my face? Hm. It is markedly different. Perhaps my bangs always being on my forehead has something to do with it, but I doubt it. I just haven't taken as good of care of it. Moisturizer DOES work and it IS important to protect your skin. It does the work of keeping things smooth and hydrated.
Enriched Moisturizer by Mary Kay (a standby that I never get tired of)
Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 15 by Neutrogena (just started using it, so who knows)
There are other issues to consider, of course. Skin type, and specific concerns... but I will write about those later.
Take care of your skin. It will pay off.
