MY SKINCARE ROUTINE

Since the last time I did a post about my skin care routine just about errrthing done changed. Well, so my process is exactly the same as it used to be, but the products are, more or less, completely not the same. So I thought I'd do an update and let you all know what I've been using lately. All those fantastic things that people come to blogs for.

// 1. ORGANIC COCONUT OIL // After falling a little bit out of love with Dove over the last year (and with the entire Unilever Corp all together), and after reading all about the Internet's love affair with coconut oil, I decided to try washing my face with it one night, fully expecting to wake up the next morning to the break out of the century. Instead, my skin felt great! My pores seemed pretty chill. I used it a few more days and then never went back to soap. It's like we've reached some kind of odd agreement with each other, me and the oil, so I'm sticking with it. I keep my coconut oil in a pretty little jar in the bathroom where it stays pretty warm (strongest heaters in the joint!) so the coconut oil never gets too solid. I use my hands to rub it all over my face (my eyes as well; it's not that fantastic for removing eye make up, but then, lazy), and then I wipe it all off using one of the baby wipes we will never stop buying from Costco in bulk. Ideally I'll learn to use a towel instead of a wipe and save the earth while I'm at it, but then I think of the water that it takes to clean the towels, and . . . did the Universe ever come up with a conclusive decision on that one? I'll have to check.

// 2. ORGANIC ROSE WATER // Rather than wash my face in the morning I like to use a "toner" (for lack of a better word) to freshen up and prep my skin for the day. I was using raw Apple Cider Vinegar, but then Brandon asked me not to use it anymore because he didn't like for the bathroom to smell like a salad, so I started to look for an equally natural, but better smelling option. After doing some research I ordered a bottle of rose water and it was just love at first scent I tell you. Rose water is anti-inflammatory, rich in anti-oxidants, naturally cleansing . .  it also just feels nice. I keep mine in a spray bottle and spray it directly on my face first thing in the morning. Ahh. I've also used micellar water for this same purpose, which I like a lot and like to keep handy for those mornings when my skin needs an extra boost of freshening, but the micellar water leaves a bit more of a . . . residue? Which is good, I hear? But I don't love it-love it.

// 3. KONJAC SPONGE // Some nights after the coconut oil I'll use my Konjac sponge to exfoliate. You only need to soak it in water for a second or two to un-dry the thing out and then you're good to go. I'm sort of new to the Konjac sponge situation, so I'm still mildly weirded out by it, haha. I learned about these while hunting around for an exfoliation alternative to my face brush that was nose-ring friendly (don't you imagine those whirring scrubbies on the Clarisonic Mia and just cringe, nose ring friends?). Weirdly, it really really works.  I probably use it three or so times a week. It's made from something called a Konjac Potato? If you like that sort of thing 

// 4. AESOP CAMELLIA NUT FACIAL HYDRATING CREAM // I started to notice the Kiehl's was leaving my skin a little dull, so I went on a hunt for a night cream that would be organic, heavy duty enough to work, but not so heavy duty that I couldn't use it comfortably in the summer, and I wanted pretty packaging too, please and thanks. I've been fairly happy with the Camellia Nut cream, as I've been with most of Aesop's products. I mostly only use it at night, but sometimes I mix it with my BB Cream in the morning. (Next time I might just spring for the big daddy Perfect Facial Hydrating Cream and get it over with.)

// 5. KIEHL'S BB CREAM // I consider this a "moisturizer" because it's what I use as a moisturizer in the morning, even though it's supposed to be a cosmetic. And I tend to find this stuff pretty thick, too, which is why I started to dilute it with my night cream. It's not perfect, and I still hold out hope that Kiehl's will bring back their tinted moisturizer. Please, Kiehl's! Pretty please!!!

// 6. CAUDALÍE VINEXPERT FIRMING SERUM // The women in my family lose their skin elasticity first, so I'm pretending like I can have any impact on that by trying out all the skin firming serums that exist. I'll be honest with you, I think I only like this one because it's French. ;) (Just realized I'm describing things out of the order that I use them in. Oops.)

// 7. & 8. LA ROCHE-POSAY EFFACLAR DUO & BURT'S BEES BLEMISH STICK // I still get my hormonal moments, so I keep these on hand for the just-in-case. I picked up the effaclar duo on a tip from a friend, but later learned that La Roche-Posay isn't cruelty-free, so while I use up the last of it I'm on still the hunt for a better option--know of any? As for Burt, I will never stop loving the sting of that blemish stick. Die, pimples! Die!!! 

Special Note: I picked up a prescription for Retin-A the last time I saw my doctor (see also: apparently you can just get it on Amazon now?!), and I can't say for sure whether it's any more potent than the RoC I was using before. FYI!