After receiving a number of skincare questions recently on Instagram I decided it might be easiest to share a more in depth skincare post here. What keeps my skin happiest, what I’m loving at the moment and what skincare laser treatments I’ve tried and have worked for me over the years. My skincare routine has pretty much stayed the same (same steps at least)… for years. I love trying new skincare products but I also have sensitive skin / am acne-prone ;P so I like to test new products from time to time in small doses but then always come back to a super simple routine… and these holy grail products.
Now at 36 I’ve noticed a lot more sun damage / pigmentation and fine lines––my skin can get super dry, especially in the heat of summer and winter months so I try to focus on hydration and brightening. I have found that a simple routine consisting of a hyaluronic acid, some kind of serum (Vitamin C or anti-aging serum) and a moisturizer with spf works best for me.
My holy grail products…
Hyaluronic Acid | I like Vintner’s Daughter Essence (I know the smell of this one bothers some people but it doesn’t bother me… or at least I’m used to it now, it’s sort of like putting apple cider vinegar on your face––a toner / hyaluronic acid in one and keeps my skin breakout free). I’m also obsessed with all Dr. Barbara Sturm products and love the hyaluronic acid or super anti-aging serum.
Hydrating Serum | Next step is a newer step to me––including a serum. I know you should incorporate a Vitamin C into your regimen but the Vintner’s Daughter has that in the essence and I’ve noticed such a change in my skin (more hydrated) since incorporating Dr. Babor’s Collagen Cream. I love the smell of this one and everything about it! I really don’t need a moisturizer after this step but at night I do just to lather up!
Moisturizer | During the day I just wear a tinted moisturizer with spf–Saie Slip Tint and Beauty Counter’s Dew Skin are my favorites (I’ve tried them all by now!). I love that both of these give my skin a dewy glow and just enough coverage to make me feel like I don’t even need makeup. You really don’t need makeup after using these and most days / nights this is all I use because it’s that slight coverage but you still look barefaced / like your natural skin.
And at night instead of spf I’ll use just a moisturizer. I like a lot of moisturizers but a holy grail now for me is, Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream. This has transformed my skin––making a noticeable difference in my hyperpigmentation, acne scars and the overall glow of my skin. I also love face oils but use these sparingly, mainly on my cheeks when they’re feeling dry because face oils can break me out. Vintner’s Daughter has been a holy grail oil of mine for years. I use it on my neck and decolletage.
Holy Grail Skincare |
For Acne | For spot treating blemishes, Skinceuticals Blemish & Age Defense works like magic! Within a day anything is gone. I really love all Skinceuticals products. I also use their Retinol Cream.
Other Brands and Products I Love | I love everything from Tata Harper (for a all-natural line)… I’ve been a longtime user of the Regenerating Exfoliator. Another gentle microscrub for exfoliating that I’ve been using every night and just rebought is Babor’s Gentle Peeling Cleanser. I also really love Goop’s products (especially their Glow Lotion which was my go-to daytime moisturizer this summer for a lightweight moisturizer, and I love their Microderm Instant Glow and their lipgloss!). Osea Malibu is another amazing natural line (this Hyaluronic Sea Serum is amazing) as well as Earth Tu Face… oh! and Jenni Kayne’s new line, Oak Essentials* (formulated by Sarah of Earth Tu Face). It’s a great hydrating line… if you like Earth Tu Face you’ll like Oak Essentials. I really love a Cleansing Balm for removing makeup and this is a great one.
* If you’re curious to try Oak Essentials you can use code: GLOWCOMMUNITY30 for 30% off
Lasers | As far as lasers and treatments, I am all for doing what will make you feel your absolute best! I treated myself to my first major laser treatment (Fraxel) after breastfeeding Rex and then again after breastfeeding Willow and I think it’s just the best way to treat yourself. I’m not sure if it’s the hot Sacramento summers, my fair skin / amount of time in the sun / age / or if it was pregnancy… probably ALL OF THE THINGS ;)… but I have a lot of pigment / sun damage and old acne scars that were bugging me so the Fraxel is basically peeling off that top layer of skin. I’ve also had a few microneedling treatments over the years and for me (it’s been over a five year period of a treatment or two a year)… it’s helped fade my acne scars as well as helped with fine lines etc. Obviously, go to a dermatologist that you trust and see what they would recommend for your skin type! This is just what has worked for me.
Also, we have an older nanny who has amazing skin in her 70s and she’s always telling me to take care of your skin, eat right etc… and to treat yourself to those treatments because there’s nothing better than feeling good about your skin and how you look. It’s so true. Nothing makes you feel like the best most confident version of yourself than glowing skin! Also, I’m so low maintenance that I don’t want to have to feel like I need to wear makeup everyday––so I try to take good care of my skin so I can feel good about rolling out without it on most of the time.