Getting Even

Over the last year, I’ve been actively trying to find different skin care products that will help even my skin tone and lighten my acne scars. I’ve gone through dozens of serums (in addition to all the cleansers, toners, moisturizers, and masks) and these are the ones that are currently working for me. I use 2 in the morning and 2 at night before I apply my moisturizer. Check ‘em out...

These are my winners. 

This one from Klurskin (Ultra Bright Hyaluronic + Vitamin C Serum) is actually one of my first serums ever. It's perfect for everyday--I use this one in the morning after/on top of my Glossier one, but before my moisturizer. This really lightened my dark marks on my forehead and cheeks.

This Glossier Super Glow serum is super lightweight--has the same texture as water. I use this one in the morning after I cleanse, but before my Klurskin serum. Sometimes I use this at night as well. I noticed it dramatically lightened slight dark circles under my eyes. 

I bought this 111 SKIN Celestial Black Diamond contour gel/serum from Space NK and I initially got it because the salesperson said I had frown lines and that this would help, but it also helps even skin tone because of the retinol and other things in it and depuffs my eyes. I keep the applicator in the fridge, so that I can apply it to depuff my eyes. It was super expensive, but it honestly makes my face look and feel like a dream. I use it at night before I put on the Darphin face oil. 

This is more of a face oil, but I still consider it a serum. This Darphin Niaouli Aromatic Care oil is sooooo soothing. I put it on at night after the 111 SKIN serum. It feels and smells really good. I noticed it actually cleared up my skin while keeping it moisturized. It has a slight tingling/menthol-ish feeling too, which I love. 

Even though black don't crack, I still feel like I needed something more to keep my skin as vibrant as it was in my early 20s (as I approach my 30s). I think my regimen is working. My skin is getting clearer and more even-toned as I age and I think it's with great help of the wonderful skincare products I keep stumbling upon. I encourage everyone to really get in the habit of good skincare--you'll thank yourself 10 years from now.

Face time

Soooo I've had quite a few people ask me about my skincare regimen lately and first of all, thank you--I'm flattered, but also, I spend a good amount of time trying to keep my skin healthy, so if it still looked shitty, I'd be really concerned. One of the main things I'm still struggling with when it comes to my face are the dark spots from former pimples--I have exactly 2.5 on my forehead, one above my lip, and one on each cheek and one dot on my nose...all of which are fading--thank God!

The first step in taking care of your skin is to make sure you're hydrated inside and out along with using decent products. I'm not blessed with perfect genes to have perfect skin, so if you're anything like me, you'll have to work a little harder just as I do to keep things smooth and even toned. For starters, DRINK WATER--a glass of hot water with lemon is good when you first wake up and a glass of room temp water before bed is great. 

Next, make sure you are removing your makeup before you go to bed (or once you get home) and if you don't wear makeup, make sure you're washing your face and moisturizing before bed--keep your face clean. When I run out of Simple's Micellar Water Wipes, I use Origins Clean Energy cleansing oil to remove makeup--sometimes I use it in the morning too as my face cleanser. Then I use Glossier's Mega Greens Galaxy Pack  face mask (about 2-3 times a week). Other times, I'll use those Tony Moly sheet masks--I've tried them all, but I particularly like the tea tree and the rice ones. After that, I'll apply the Darphin Aromatic Purifying Balm (every other night--not everyday) and gently pat on the Amaki Jasmine & Rose Nourishing Oil. If I have a pimple, I'll put Uncle Harry's Hemp Blemish Salve on it. That's it for nighttime. Also, once I save up my coins, I'll buy the Folie's Prickly Pear Face Serum because that thing works wonders--I've tried the sample and I'm obsessed. My other next purchase is going to be the Klurskin Hyaluronic + Vitamin C Serum because I know that thing also works wonders.

In the morning, I wash my face with Skinfood by AB's Charcoal Cleansing Bar and then I'll apply the Amaki oil (very lightly) along with Klurkin's Rosemary & Willow Oil Control Serum and Glossier's Balm Dotcom and then I'll wait a few minutes and begin applying makeup. That's it for morning/daytime. My next purchase will be Little Barn Apothecary's Rosewater Face Toning Mist.

The Regimen

1. Aveeno Face Wash  2. MAC Lightful C Softening Lotion  3. Origins Eye Gel 4. Klurskin Oil Control Serum 
5. Neutrogena Gel-Cream 6. MAC Prep + Prime Natural Radiance Primer 7. MAC Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone 

Soooo over the last couple of months, I've had numerous people from co-workers to friends to strangers ask me about my skincare regimen and I finally took the time to share the full list of products that I use on a daily basis (this does not include my face mask treatments I do on a weekly basis—I'll share that next time). These are the items I use before I apply makeup and to be honest, I don't always have time to use every single one every morning, but when I do take the time to focus on my face (when I happen to wake up on time and not hit the snooze button a million times), I use the above products in those exact steps.

Let me elaborate on each...

-The Aveeno face wash has been one of my absolute faves for years (like since college)—it's super foamy and feels really good on my face.
-The MAC Lightful C Softening Lotion is more like a toner and it helps even out my skin tone. I mainly use it at night even though it's suggested to be used in the morning.
-I only use this Origins eye gel when my eyes are puffy—it works almost instantly.
-Klurskin's Oil Control Serum is the best one I've used in a long time—it keeps me shine-free for hours and I'm really infatuated with the scent...sooooo fresh and clean.
-Neutrogena's gel-cream smells good, but it literally makes my skin feel like butter. It makes my face feel baby-soft and it's great for my oily skin because it doesn't feel greasy or make my skin shiny at all. It's perfectly hydrating.
-MAC Prep+Prime Natural Radiance is a really great primer—it's actually so moisturizing that I can use it in place of lotion in the morning, but I normally only apply to my cheeks and around my mouth.
-MAC Prep+Prime Skin Refined Zone Treatment is the perfect primer for my t-zone. I have super oily skin, so normally my makeup wears off my t-zone by midday, but with this primer, it keeps my t-zone matte and the makeup fresh.

For all of you with super oily skin, consider trying the above products. They work great for me and if you decide to try any of the above, I hope they work for you too and that you love them as much as I do!

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