Skincare Products I'm Reaching For Lately

​Hey guys....I know the blog posts have been sporadic lately. I'm still very sick and I know you're probably tired of hearing it but I'm tired of it to. I used to do blog posts to take my mind off being sick, that's how this blog started, this time was different. I am very very sick. Anyway, I thoroughly miss testing makeup and trying new skincare. However, I've been too tired to even think of what products I "need" to use, or "test", or what routine I'm going to put together for the night. Needless to say I've not done a million steps in my PM skincare like normal. Which gave me the idea to actually do a blog post on what I've reached for without even having to think about it. Some of the products are kinda new anyway. So let's talk about it.

My skin has really taken a beating the last few months. I don't know if it's due to the antibiotics or medicines I've had to be on, or if it's because of being sick in general. I get weird fevers, I break out in crazy night sweats, it kinda feels like I have a minor rash around my jaw line and around my temple and hair line, so it's been a rough time.  

The texture issues is what drives me insane the most. I feel tiny bumps that would remind you of a rash but they aren't red or itchy...it's just texture. So I had two thoughts off the top of my head: first a little more exfoliation in case this is actually congestion, and pump in the hydration because just feeling the skin it feels so rough and depleted of all moisture. 

When I have texture issues there's two approaches that I think of which is exfoliate and retinol. Exfoliation in both physical and acid for the surface, and retinol as something that's going to work within the skin. In this case I've reached for the exfoliation and I'll work in retinol later. I've been rotating Kate Somerville "Exfolikate" in both the 2 minute treatment and the liquid Exfolikate. They're both obviously acid exfoliation, and potent at that. The original Exfolikate which is the 2 minute treatment has some grit to it which is where the physical exfoliation comes in and it's a strong acid exfoliator that I use once a week, sometimes twice. You put it on for literally 2 minutes and then rinse it off. It's quite strong. I also use the liquid version of the Exfolikate when I don't use the 2 minute treatment. It's a liquid acid toner that I apply with gauze pads. That's right medical gauze pads. I seen Caroline Hirons recommending gauze pads to apply liquid toner because they are more rough in texture and you get the physical exfoliation that comes with it. You're also getting the acid exfoliation but I don't have to rinse it off. It absorbs immediately and I think it penetrates the skin easier.  It's been a really good system so far of rotating them. 

I feel like I'm rambling so much, but anyway....

Next I think of hydration and protecting the skin. From a protection stand point I've been using the REN "Flash Defense Anti-Pollution Mist". It's kinda taken place of my regular toners as of right now because it's easy and quick and feels lovely. I like to hit hard with hydration in serums and also in my last steps of the routine at night to lock in the treatments I've done prior to that. I've been reaching for the OSEA "Vitamin Sea Serum" because it's like you dunked your head into water. I always have a Hyaluronic Acid serum somewhere but like I said instead of thinking of what to use I've went with a no brainer which is Drunk Elephant "B-Hydra". 

I use oils or concentrates towards the end of the routine and I either leave it there or I will add a cream that is like a sleeping mask or something to that effect. So in regard to oils/concentrates and I've really been using Maya Chia "The Super Blend" pressed concentrate. It's really lovely and with concentrates I find that you never feel super "greasy" afterwards. It's hard to apply too much of it in other words.

​In regards to a cream to lock everything in but it will be very hydrating while I sleep I've only been using the Glow Recipe "Avocado Sleeping Mask". It hasn't congested my skin and it's just really nice man I don't know what else to say. Like I said, I don't have to think about it.

I just can't and/or won't be without Drunk Elephant "Protini". It's Holy Grail. I'm a major fan of peptides and I love the formula. I've talked about it ever since it came out. I don't know how many I've went through. 

Aside from the exfoliation for the texture issues my main concern has been keeping the skin as nourished and comfortable as possible. So that's why I use so much Hyaluronic Acid and plenty of facial oil/concentrates and antioxidants to "feed the skin" but I also take a gentle approach to cleansing and lately I've been using Maya Chia "The Great Cleanse" cleansing oil. Not only is it so gentle but it being a cleansing oil it's really hydrating and makes the skin feel comfortable as well as having beautiful ingredients to replenish. It's basically all I've used for weeks. 

Those are the products I've been reaching for because I don't have to think about it, they're that good. It's also the categories/steps that are most important to me. When I feel better I will more than likely add in retinol again (and hope that my skin doesn't try and fall off terribly). I'll get back to my Perricone Firming Serum which is super potent and you can feel the tingle. I'll get back to a stronger Vitamin C, like I just got the Inkey List Vitamin C because they're in Sephora right now. It's very strong and it's  30% L-Ascorbic Acid in a silicone base with literally 4 ingredients in the product. I will start using it and scale back any other treatment that is a bit more harsh like strong acids, retinols, etc. Just to see how my skin handles it and how it works with other products. So we have some fun stuff coming up that I'm excited to talk to you about. 

I know this has been long and if I went on too long, just overlook it. I just have a lot to say right now lol. Anywho, I hope you have a great day. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter if you like. Links below.

Instagram: @lovemascara
Twitter: @loveand_mascara