Skin Skin Skin!

OK peeps- as most of you who know me really well know- Im skin obsessed.  Seriously.  I am curious about every knew cleanser, toner, gadget, serum that comes out on the market.  I have been seriously fortunate to try a LOT of different brands out and find some winners that I mix and match together for my perfect skin regimen.  This has taken YEARS and let me tell you- it still changes on a week to week basis depending on hormones, weather, travel, and SEASON.  **side note- can we talk about how much I HATE my skins transition from winter to spring?  Seriously- I breakout on T- zone and it makes me NUTSO!**  

I thought that I would share a couple of things that I have found help.  I will mention specific products- but feel free to substitute what you find works for you.

First off- if you have combo skin- like REAL combo skin- treat your skin types differently.  I have SUPER dry eyes and cheeks and forehead and then an oil slick of a nose and chin.  IT. MAKES. ME. CRAZY.  I finally figured out a few years ago- after pro training and all that you HAVE TO treat the sections of your skin differently.  If I used a wash that was for normal or oily skin on my eye or cheek areas- I would be FLAKING.  If I used a moisturizer on my nose or chin that was made for my super dry patches- my face would look like the Valdez disaster.  

So I use my moisturizing cleanser on my main areas and and then my gel cleanser down the middle, followed with my clarisonic.  (you all KNOW how much I adore my baby- my clarisonic) Followed by a deep hydrating eye cream (Avon gold serum and eye cream), a light gel moisturizer down my nose and chin and then Embryolisse on the rest of my face.  Its a cocktail of perfection for my face.

Second- if you are wearing eye makeup- mascara, liner or even budge proof shadows- USE EYE MAKEUP REMOVER.  YES- you NEED it.  NO- Soap or cleanser is not the same.  Eye makeup remover breaks down the product on your eyes SUPER GENTLY and completely.  My favorite way is to use a makeup wipe and then pour eye makeup remover on it and use it that way.  Then when my eye makeup is gone- rub it on my face to remove the top layer of makeup gunkiness.  My favorite bargain brand is the Neutrogena Oil Free Eye makeup remover- and its seriously like $5 at your local Walmart.

Speaking of makeup wipes- makeup wipes are NOT a substitution for proper skin care.  That's like saying- I use hand sanitizer  why do I need to wash my hands?  DUH!  Wipes take the top crust of gunk off- they DO NOT cleanse your skin.  Then if you are using a moisturizer afterward- your just rubbing the crap back in your face!  Stop!   Just wash your face!

Stop over exfoliating   ESPECIALLY if you have acne prone skin.  The number one mistake I find girls with acne making is over scrubbing and over exfoliating   ESPECIALLY if you use a scrub.  If you are using a scrub- keep it to every 5 ish days.  If you are using a clarisonic or similar GENTLE facial brushes- you can get away with a scrub more like once every 10 days.  The more you scrub- the more you are micro-tearing your skin- giving bacteria a whole new place to infest.  Gentle is ALWAYS better.  Your face should be pink after washing with the increased blood circulation.  It should NOT be red.  If it is- you have gone too far.  

If you do things like facials or peels- expect there to be a recovery period for your skin.  DO NOT do a facial a day or two before a big event.  You can practically ensure a break out and if its a facial or a peel you have never done before- you might even have a reaction.  If you want perfect skin for a wedding or a big fun day- give your skin 5-7 days to recover from a facial.

Stop using toners with alcohol.  Another big acne mistake is toners with stripping alcohol.  Alcohol is SO SO SO harsh and drying to the skin and short of a medical procedure- should stay away from your face.  Read the label.  If there is alcohol- skip it.  Even better- skip toner all together.  Unless you LOVE your toner- they are kind of a waste and really don't do much to help the skin heal and rejuvenate.

Quit picking!  I know- its SO SO SO hard.  If a pimple has completely surfaced and is on its way to rupturing- you can go ahead and clean it out and spot treat it.  If its under there- leave it there.  ESPECIALLY if you have olive skin or skin that bruises or scars easily.  The zit may be gone in a week but the scar will last much more than that!     

MOISTURIZE!!!!  Everyday, twice a day- no exceptions!  Use a lighter version with SPF for the day and a richer more emollient one for night.  I know oil is a great moisturizer- aka- Argon,  Moroccan, Coconut- but if you choose to use those in the day- know that you may have an interaction with foundation.  Most foundations that are oil free will break down with oil on the skin- it can even break down primer.  So if you lube up with oil- read the labels of your products to make sure that you aren't running the risk of foundation melt down.  (it can even break down cream blushes and make powders wear uneven)

OK my lovelies- there you are.  The book of Kristen's Soap Box ( get it SOAP BOX- hahaha, Im so witty).  If you have questions- ASK!  Like seriously ask- thats why Im here!