UPDATED SKIN CARE ROUTINE 2019

Hi guys!!

So I’ve been on a quest for even better skin this year! I’ve always spent time and money on skincare but, hey, I’m getting married this year so you know the pictures need to be on point. And for me, that starts with good skin. Yes, there will be make up but, in my opinion, the first step to nice make up is good skin! Aside from wedding pictures, I just do not wear make up that often so having good skin is very important to me.

Like I said, for quite a while, I have paid a lot of time and attention to my skincare but I decided to do a bit more research and find ways that I could take it up a notch and get even better results. Towards the end of last year, I posted my skin care routine on Instagram and, not much has changed, but I’ve made a few additions and changes. You COULD say that my new routine is kind of like the Korean 10 Step skincare routine – it’s loosely based on that but with a few differences.

So the last skin care routine I put up (on Instagram) went something like this:

• Cleanser
• Exfoliator (2-3 times a week)
• Cleansing and/or hydrating mask (once a week)
• Toner
• Serum
• Eye cream
• Moisturiser
• SPF (during the day)

Now, like I said, my routine hasn’t changed thatttt much but I now double cleanse and I now use treatments as well as my serum. So here we go:

Oil cleanser

So I only used to do this step on days where I wore make up but now I do this everyday (unless I was home all day) and I am loving the results. I use the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. I’ve used this for a couple of years and I love it. Not only does it really melt off all that make up but it definitely seems to melt off dirt and sunscreen that’s been on my face all day. I just use a little bit and massage it into my dry face before rinsing off with warm water. I have a full post on oil cleansing coming at the end of the week so look out for that!

Usage: only at night

Image: clinique.com

Foam cleanser

This is the classic wash your face step. I’ve loved and used the Sukin Cream Cleanser for quite a while and it’s what I use on a daily basis – morning and night. It is really good for those of us with dry skin as it cleans without stripping. It is also a natural brand and it is affordable. However, I’ve added another cleanser I use on days when I wear make up or sweat a lot: The Body Shop Vitamin E Gentl Facial Wash. This cleanser properly foams up and gives a really deep clean so I only use this when I feel I need to reallyyyy clean my skin. When washing my face, I use the Foreo Luna 2 (Facial Spa Massager For Cleansing & Anti-Wrinkle Results) and I use the one made for normal skin.

Usage: morning and night

Image: sukinnaturals.com

Exfoliator

I kind of do this step a little later so I’ll explain in a second!

Toner

I used to think toner was totally useless but wow I was so wrong! I love a really good hydrating toner so I use The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Toner. I love this one. Not only is it super affordable but it works. It takes off any excess dirt or make up I may have on my skin but it leaves the skin soft and hydrated. It is also very soothing on days where my skin feels a bit sensitive. I’m about to start using the Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Alcohol-Free Toner so I will update you guys on that once I’ve tried it!

Usage: morning and night

Image: youtopiabeauty.com

Treatments/Serum

Okay here is where it gets a bit more complicated so I’m going to break it down one by one.

My main serum is the Kiehls Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate. This one is amazing if you have dry skin – like it really helped my skin. It contains glycerin which is a humectant (attracts moisture into the skin). I love it – it’s light, hydrating and absorbs quickly.

Usage: morning and night

Image: kiehls.com

Here is where my treatments come in. For this process, I use an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and a BHA (beta hydroxy acid). I know – the word “acid” is scary but don’t be scared. As long as you do your research, you will be fine. I’m going to do a whole post on AHAs and BHAs but, in summary, according to Paula’s Choice (an excellent skincare resource), they “act to ‘unglue’ the bonds holding dull, dead skin on the surface. Once those bonds are broken – gently and evenly – skin naturally sheds. So, although, you won’t actually see your skin exfoliating, you’ll soon see the smoother, younger-looking skin hiding beneath”.

One of the new things in my routine is The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA (Hyaluronic Acid). Mandelic acid is an AHA. Like many black women, I have hyperpigmentation – it’s mainly around my mouth. I also have a few dark spots from where I popped pimples (don’t do that!). While my case is not severe, I don’t like it lol! So I’m using mandelic acid to get rid of it. I like this one because it has hyaluronic acid, which is a dry girl’s best friend. I only use this at night. I suggest starting slow with this one – when I first got it, I started using it twice a week and worked my way up to everyday. I use this under the Kiehls one.

Usage: only at night

Image: theordinary.com

The next one is The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% – a BHA. This one is used only when I have breakouts and pimples that I want to treat. I simply apply it to the affected areas and go on with my routine. Salicylic acid essentially gets deep into the pores to treat whatever is causing that pimple and to kill any bacteria. I have definitely seen results with this one – it got rid of some veryyyy stubborn pimples I was dealing with. TIP: on days where you skin is really going crazy (like right now for me!), try applying this then applying some raw aloe vera to the skin. It is an amazing combo for treating stubborn pimples1

Usage: only at night

Image: beautybay.com

The important thing when it comes to AHAs and BHAs is that you MUST use sunscreen. MUST. These acids make your skin photosensitive so they are more sensitive to sunburn. I will do a full review on the mandelic acid and salicylic acid on my Instagram page.

Eye Cream

Please use eye cream. If you are 16 and over, you should be using an eye cream. The skin around your eyes is incredibly delicate so not keeping it properly hydrated is a one way street to dry undereyes, wrinkles and fine lines. I use the Kiehls Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado. This one is so rich and nourishing. It really smoothes and hydrates the under eyes. It may be a little pricey but a little really goes a long way. You only need a tiny amount. I haven’t found one that gets rid of dark circles yet but I’m dying to try the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème next which is supposed to be good for dark circles! BONUS TIP: massage it in with your ring finger as that finger has the least amount of pressure so will be the most gentle around your eyes.

Usage: morning and night

Image: kiehls.com

Moisturiser

Everyone, regardless of skin type, should be using a moisturiser guys! It’s 2019. Don’t be ashy. I use the Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream. This one is super hydrating without being too heavy or greasy. I loveeee it!!

Usage: morning and night

Image: kiehls.com

Face Oils

Of course, this one is optional but it really helps to keep my dry skin nourished and glowy. I like to add a few drops of oil into my moisturiser. The oils I typically use are rosehip oil (I did a full post on it), argan oil or the Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate. All you need is a few drops into your cream and you’re good to go. You can use any oil you like but there are some oils that are comedogenic (clog the pores) so you should do some research first.

Usage: always at night, sometimes in the morning

Rosehip oil

Sunscreen

Last but definitely not least, sunscreen! If you are not wearing sunscreen, I might be judging you! Sunscreen is so so so important. A lot of people don’t realise how damaging the sun can be to your skin. It can cause and/or worsen wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, dry patchy skin and possibly even skin cancer. I don’t use anything less than SPF 50 on my face. At the moment, I use one of three (depending which I can get my hands on) – Kiehls Ultra Light Daily UV Defense, MD Solar Science Mineral Creme SPF 50 and The Body Shop Skin Defence Multi-Protection Essence SPF 50. My current fave is the Body Shop one because it is just so light and it’s wayyy cheaper than the others!

Usage: only in the morning

Image: thebodyshop.com

Masks

So depending on the type of mask I do, it do it at different points in the routine! So if it’s a rinse off mask, I do it after cleansing my face but before my toner. If it’s a sheet mask or a leave on one, I do it after my serums/treatments. I typically do a cleansing mask once a week and then a hydrating or brightening mask once a week. Some of my favourite face masks are:

• Bentonite clay mixed with water (deep cleansing mask)
• Garnier HydroBomb Sheet Mask
• Dr Jart Hydration Lover Rubber Mask
• Kiehls Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque
• Kiehls Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
• Origins Hydrating…
• Homemade honey and aloe vera mask – superrrr hydrating!

I’m always trying new masks – it’s probably the one part of my skincare routine that is most flexible!

Usage: usually at night but I go with what my skin needs

There we go guys! It seems long but I don’t do all these steps each and every day and, hey nothing worth having comes easy!! If you put the time and effort into your skin, you will get results! I also have to say that eating right, drinking tons of water and never sleeping with make up on makes a HUGE difference. If you’re doing everything right but not getting results, you may want to start there!

Love,

Tara xXx