Recently I've found myself having frequent conversations with my female friends about aging. Most of my closest girlfriends are in the late-twenties/ early-thirties age range, and all of them have joined me in bemoaning our changing skin and facial features. While there are lots of makeup tricks to keep you looking young, preservation starts with well-kept skin. This Makeup Monday post will be dedicated to recognizing some of the best skin care products out there for keeping your skin smooth, tight, and glowing.
Good skin starts with a good skin care routine. If you had asked me five years ago about my skin care, I would have laughed in your face and pointed to the bar of Dial in my shower. Now that the wrinkles are threatening the corners of my eyes and mouth, I have a far more serious approach to my skin.
Here’s the formula: cleanse, tone, moisturize. Repeat every day. EVERY DAY. No more sleeping in your makeup, ladies. Taking good care of your skin takes very little time and can be easily incorporated into your post-shower morning routing and your pre-bedtime night routine.
And now for the products you need:
Cleanser:
Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple
[caption id="attachment_3479" align="aligncenter" width="450"]
available from philosophy.com[/caption]
Honestly, I love everything Philosophy makes. This cleanser, however, is their one product that I cannot live without. It’s an award-winning moisturizing cleanser that will remove all dirt, oil, and makeup. But be warned: using this cleanser could result in a full-on Philosophy addiction.
Toner:
Thayer’s Rose Petal Witch Hazel
[caption id="attachment_3480" align="aligncenter" width="350"]
available from thayers.com[/caption]
This product is an awesome natural secret. Witch Hazel is an extract with incredibly soothing properties, so using it as a toner can even skin tone, fight blemishes, tighten skin around the eyes, and reduce any redness or irritation.
Moisturizer:
Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer (with sunscreen!)
[caption id="attachment_3476" align="aligncenter" width="360"]
available at your drugstore[/caption]
For my fellow drugstore-devotees, this light face lotion from Neutrogena is the best. It’s won all sorts of awards, and with long-lasting results and awesome anti-aging ingredients, it’s easy to understand why.
Origins Starting Over Age-Erasing Moisturizer (with Mimosa!)
[caption id="attachment_3478" align="aligncenter" width="250"]
available from origins.com[/caption]
This face cream is bananas. It feels and smells heavenly and really works when it comes to keeping your skin hydrated all day. This product is also an award-winner, as it reduces fine lines and wrinkles while being okayed for all skin types. If you’re ever feeling like splurging on skin care, bookmark this one.
Well ladies, there’s your daily recipe for great skin. But wait, we’re not quite finished.
Exfoliating Scrubs and Masks
Every so often, our skin needs a little extra TLC. So once every couple of weeks, treat your face to some resurfacing with an exfoliating scrub and then a moisture reinforcing mask.
Burt’s Bees Peach and Willow Bark Deep Pore Scrub
[caption id="attachment_3474" align="aligncenter" width="280"]
available at your drugstore[/caption]
This natural scrub removes dead skin without sucking all the moisture from your face. The willow bark naturally contains salicylic acid, so this product is also really awesome on problem skin.
Boots’ No. 7 Beautiful Skin Purifying Mask
[caption id="attachment_3477" align="aligncenter" width="350"]
available from target.com[/caption]
Now available at Target, the awesome No. 7 cosmetics brand has taken the US by storm. This thermal mask is excellent for nearly everyone and leaves your skin feeling softer and pores looking smaller.
Now that it’s all been broken down, there’s no excuse for lackluster skin. By keeping your skin clean, luminous, and well hydrated, you can postpone the signs of aging and feel much more confident in your beauty skills.
Now remember to wash off your makeup before bed tonight. Especially that lipstick you’re about to go put on.
