Skincare posts. I get it. It’s a cause for so many eye rolls whenever someone talks about their skincare routine. But in my case, I’m 45, my skin feels freaking fantastic, is hydrated, calm, and I haven’t had a big dermatitis flare-up for two winters now. Is it perfect? No (hello, I love the sun and being outdoors my whole life), but I’m using less makeup, and my skin’s been super calm and happy for a while now.
So yeah, get ready for me to blab on about my skincare routine. Or in this case, the products that deserve a medal in my world.
The beauty industry’s gotten to a point of ridiculousness on steroids, so hopefully this helps you stumble on a few gems that help.
I bought all of these (multiple times) pared it down a bit ( 3 step routine), stopped trying to scrub away all my bad decisions in life, and it’s all about calming, repairing, and protecting, and (doing my best) to not spend too much money.
And now the winners. I have them all grouped here, But please read below for the deets on each. Lots of K-beauty, some new technologies, and a little Nordic love.
CLEANSER: ma:nyo Pure Cleansing oil – I only wash my face at night these days, and this stuff does the trick, and then some. It’s won tons of awards. I just stumbled on it at the beauty section of T&T back in Washington, liked the ingredients, and haven’t turned back.
TONER/HYDRATING MIST: BIOHEAL BOH PANTHECELL Repair Cica Cream – I don’t really use a toner, just a spray moisturizer that I apply regularly during the day when my skin needs a moisture boost, or is freaking out. I also spray it on my neck, chest, and face as a final “glazing” before I go to bed. I’ve gone through three bottles of this stuff. It’s calming after too much sun, or when it’s dry and cold, and I swear it plumps my skin. It’s only $20…and another product I stumbled on at T&T and can’t imagine my skincare routine without it.
EYE CREAM/BALM – Froya Organics Hyper Potent Dark Circles and Bags Eye Balm. It’s super hydrating (and concentrated, so you don’t need much), definitely helps with kicking bags to the curb, and it lasts all day, so I don’t look like a Shar Pei when 5 pm rolls around. I think it’s marketed as a night cream, but I use it day and night.
DAYTIME MOISTURIZER – Froya Insane glow day balm – I’m a balmy kinda gal, mainly because these balms be-hydrating. I use this for my daily gua sha routine instead of oil, and I don’t know the science, but a little goes (and glows) a long way. If I wanted to save money, I’d just use it as my eye cream too. Big fan of Froya, Big fan.
DAILY SPF Pavise Dynamic Age Defense SPF 30. If I had to recommend one product, it’d be this. Yes, it’s expensive, but one bottle lasts me about three and a half months, and if I wanted, I could probably ditch the daytime moisturizer and just use this. It protects, it heals, and it helps with my sensitive, moody skin. I want to buy Sophie, the founder, a drink or two to say thanks.
EXFOLIATOR ma:nyo Galactomy enzyme peeling gel. I’ve stopped scrubbing my skin and do this gentle peel once or twice a week. You put a thin coat on, then keep on massaging it into your skin as it begins to peel off…with your dead skin included. So satisfying. The results are pretty darn impressive for a $15 bottle, too.
TREATMENT Adipeau volume creme. I’ve been using this cream for gosh, 3 years now, and it works. Did it happen overnight? No. But after a while, I was like, ohh yeah. That’s a niiiiice subtle change. I also just liked how it makes my skin look and feel, so it made sense to use it as an overnight mask. It’s a good sign when aestheticians are freaking out about it, and the word is starting to get out.
MASK numbuzin No.1 Sheet Mask | Pantothenic B5 Hyaluronic Active Clear – This is my go-to when my skin is breaking out, freking out, feels like sandpaper, or needs to calm the f*ck out. I was skeptical about the sheet mask thing until I used this for the first time. Then bought a pack of them.
What else? Face yoga works. So does Gua Sha. And I do both daily. I am that mom doing cheek exercises in the car pick-up line. It’s all about consistency, folks. Get a routine that works for you, and stick with it.
Hope this helps navigate the skincare world a bit. I’ve tried way too many skincare products over the years, and gosh, it feels good to have a set lineup.
Hopefully, I can just copy and paste these awards next year.
Here’s all the goods in one place again over on my ShopMy skincare shelf. If I forgot something or something else knocks my socks off, I’ll be sure to add it to the bunch. Promise it won’t turn into one of those things where I add like 80 products hoping to make a few bucks.