I always thought that my body talks to me, and that every time I have a pimple or I gain weight it is because my body is trying to tell me something.
So after several tries to reach the perfect balance with my skin, I found the perfect skincare regimen. My skin still isn't perfect but at least I can control my pimples and can wear pretty much any kind of make-up without breaking up like a volcano.
Maybe one of the thing that "saved" my skin was that, despite having oily skin like my daddy, I was firmly convinced I had dry skin. As a matter of fact I slathered on tons of dry skin cream and guess what: my oily skin got better!
Oily skin is a very good skin: skin is an organ and was not meant to be washed. Every time you wash your skin, you are stripping good oils from it that are meant to protect it. WHY!!!! DON'T!!!
Of course there are certain medical conditions like eczema or acne that require specific treatment and I don't mean to imply that if you have acne you should use isopropyl myristate (pore clogging ingredient which is very good for dry skin!)
Here is the "diet" that my skin follows and it is looking pretty good so far.
MORNING:
1. Before I even look at the mirror:
To the surprise of many, I keep Aloe Vera gel in my fridge and I use it on my under eye as soon as I wake up, to enhance blood circulation and... physical appearance.
2. Cleanser
If I put moisturizer the night before, I'll wash my face with castile soap or a lovely soap bar from a niche skincare brand from Italy called Fitocose, which I am obsessed with.
If I did not use any moisturizer, I only refresh my skin with Mario Badescu's Grapefruit Toner.
3. Serum:
Be warned, I use something with fairly BAD ingredients [review will follow shortly!]. Therefore, do as I say, not as I do. [but it really works!! I couldn't find anything better... *whiiiiiiine*].
Our hero is Lancôme Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate!
I have to say: it really brightened my skin and it is not looking dull anymore. It really improved the texture and my appearance. It is important that you use a moisturizer after this even if you have oily skin because it contains alcohol. In the long run, it can potentially dehydrate your skin and that is not ok.
Be warned, I use something with fairly BAD ingredients [review will follow shortly!]. Therefore, do as I say, not as I do. [but it really works!! I couldn't find anything better... *whiiiiiiine*].
Our hero is Lancôme Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate!
4. Moisturizer
If I have to put make-up on, I go with a lightweight. I don't have anything specific so far because I change a lot when it comes to moisturizers. As usual, I am obsessed with Fitocose and I used their products before moving here in the States.
I would avoid products that contain mineral oil, paraffinum liquidum and isopropyl myristate: they are pore clogging and combined with make-up they WILL break you out.
If I don't have to put make-up on, I'll use something more dense. As I grow in this blogging adventure I will try suggesting you good creams with green INCIs.
If I have to put make-up on, I go with a lightweight. I don't have anything specific so far because I change a lot when it comes to moisturizers. As usual, I am obsessed with Fitocose and I used their products before moving here in the States.
I would avoid products that contain mineral oil, paraffinum liquidum and isopropyl myristate: they are pore clogging and combined with make-up they WILL break you out.
If I don't have to put make-up on, I'll use something more dense. As I grow in this blogging adventure I will try suggesting you good creams with green INCIs.
NIGHT
If I didn't wear any make-up and I didn't go out, I will much probably leave my skin alone. I'll use maybe some lemon juice on a cotton ball or some face wipes to blot out excess oil.
If I did go out in the dirty city, I'll use Neutrogena Acne Wash SPARINGLY because it contains salicylic acid, a very potent exfoliator which makes your skin sun-sensitive (so this is why you should not use it in the morning - review will follow!) and I apply it with a natural sponge.
If I did wear make-up, which is what I do almost everyday ... then...
1. MAKE UP REMOVER
I use certified organic Almond Oil to remove make-up. It is really delicate and doesn't sting my eyes. I used Lancome Bi-Facil but a. it was too expensive b. it contained bad ingredients.
2. CLEANSER
I use castile soap or Neutrogena, depending on the weather. When it's cold I use the former. Obviously it's never sooo cold in California.
3. SERUM
Again, I use Lancôme Genifique because it is really impalpable and doesn't make my skin puffy.
4. MOISTURIZER
I generally don't use a moisturizer because my skin is crazy so she thinks she can deal.
3 times a week, I use Pangea Organics Himalayan Geranium Balancing Oil.
Yes. Oil on oily skin. It works. I apply some water before I do. Oil without water will not
moisturize. I apply before I go to bed so I don't have to worry about my skin looking translucent or oily.
2 times a week, I use a gentle scrub for my face and generally I do it in the shower so that the steam will facilitate the process.
2 times a month, I use a moisturizing mask made of 3 tbspoons honey [natural anti-bacterial], 1/2 cup grinded oatmeal, 1/3 cup milk. I don't use purifying masks or clay masks because I found that they dry out my skin too much but that's personal.
That was an intense reading, huh?
And I spared you my hands and body regimen...
We'll save for next time! :)
If you have any question about the steps, ingredients or products, just message me!
1. MAKE UP REMOVER
I use certified organic Almond Oil to remove make-up. It is really delicate and doesn't sting my eyes. I used Lancome Bi-Facil but a. it was too expensive b. it contained bad ingredients.
2. CLEANSER
I use castile soap or Neutrogena, depending on the weather. When it's cold I use the former. Obviously it's never sooo cold in California.
3. SERUM
Again, I use Lancôme Genifique because it is really impalpable and doesn't make my skin puffy.
4. MOISTURIZER
I generally don't use a moisturizer because my skin is crazy so she thinks she can deal.
EXTRA!
3 times a week, I use Pangea Organics Himalayan Geranium Balancing Oil.
moisturize. I apply before I go to bed so I don't have to worry about my skin looking translucent or oily.
2 times a week, I use a gentle scrub for my face and generally I do it in the shower so that the steam will facilitate the process.
2 times a month, I use a moisturizing mask made of 3 tbspoons honey [natural anti-bacterial], 1/2 cup grinded oatmeal, 1/3 cup milk. I don't use purifying masks or clay masks because I found that they dry out my skin too much but that's personal.
That was an intense reading, huh?
And I spared you my hands and body regimen...
We'll save for next time! :)
If you have any question about the steps, ingredients or products, just message me!
