Learning to SkinCare
Skincare is a good way to practice self-care, but it’s also one of the hardest habits to maintain. It takes commitment and studying what works for your skin. It’s called a skincare “routine” for a reason because once you find what works for you, you have to be consistent if you want to see results. Before I got married, I used to have occasional breakouts, I had a lot of blackheads, and my face wasn’t “bright.” I couldn’t figure out what was good for my skin so I tried a million products and saw no results. After I got married, and especially after I had kids, I had less time for makeup. I just wanted to run out the house bare-faced but I didn’t want other people to run away from me lol. So I decided to work on my skin.
Routine, Routine, Routine
A lot of you have seen my bare face on my Instagram story and asked me what I use on my skin. I get a lot of compliments now about how bright and clear my face is. I love that so much because I know I have come a long way! Honestly, my skincare routine just consists of whatever my favorite products are at the moment as long as they get the main jobs done, which are cleanse, moisturize, and nourish. Sometimes I try new products when someone recommends it or I get a new sample, but I always keep the same overall routine.
Right now, I have my day and night routine down to a T! Even if I switch some products around, I make sure that every day I clean my face and I keep up with my products. Consistency is key! I’m sharing some details of my routine here but I encourage you to try what works for you and then stick to a routine.
My Current Skincare Routine
Every Morning
1. Exfoliator (Current fav is Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser)
I learned that it’s really important to exfoliate but it can be hard to find good products that work without damaging your skin. Right now, I’m loving this one from Kiehl’s. It cleanses my skin without being too rough on it. It leaves my skin feeling soft and clean every time.
2. Witch Hazel (Current fav is Thayer’s)
I learned about witch hazel in college but I never really knew about the benefits. I recently bought my first bottle and I’ll never go back. It helps me complete the cleansing part of my routine.
2. Bio Oil (You can buy this anywhere!)
Bio Oil is best known for fading stretch marks. It’s one of the few products I trust for removing dark marks on my face without bleaching my skin. For those with hyperpigmentation and scarring issues, this is definitely a must-have product.
3. Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate
This day oil is currently my go-to for hydrating my skin before starting the day. It leaves my skin feeling bright and full. I just switched over to it but I love it so far.
4. Sunscreen (Current fav is Makeup Artist’s Choice Enzyme Protect SPF 30)
This is so important! As women of color, many of us grow up being told we don’t need sunscreen because there’s melanin in our skin. FALSE! Turns out, we actually do need it. In fact, you’re more likely to have dark spots (hyperpigmentation) if you don’t use it. It helps protect your skin from the sun’s harsh rays and prevent keep your melanin even and glowing. I know it’s hard to find a good sunscreen that works on our skin without making us pasty. But believe me, they exist now. This one is the best one I’ve tried to date. It goes on like a moisturizer and melts into my skin. I highly recommend it. Like I said, I’ll share more sunscreens that work for women of color in another post soon.
Monday-Wednesday Nights
1. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate
2. Olay Deep Hydrating Eye Gel
One thing I noticed over the years is how dark and tired my eyes started to look. Stress and lack of rest really do have an effect on our bodies. I’ve been trying different eye creams and alternating nights to see how they work. So far, this one is one of my favorites.
Thursday Nights
1. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
First of all, The Ordinary is a need-to-know brand for skincare, especially as you’re experimenting with different products. Almost all of their products range from $5-$20, which is very rare for skincare. And more importantly, their stuff is the real deal – they only use the necessary ingredients to give you the purest product. I use this 10-minute peeling solution once a week to help me exfoliate and get rid of dead skin cells. This gives your face room for new and healthier skin to shine through.
Friday Nights
1. OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright Eye Crème
I can’t pronounce the name, but I love this product! I can definitely see my eyes brightening and I don’t have to use concealer as heavily during my makeup routine. Plus, I feel free when I’m wearing my bare skin out and about.
2. Vitamin C (Current fav is The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%)
My other must-have for brightening my skin is Vitamin C. I had heard about it but I didn’t think it would actually make that much of a difference. I highly recommend checking out The Ordinary’s guide to buying and using Vitamin C before jumping into this – it’s a really useful tool that explains each kind and even breaks down things like cost differences.
Everyday
1. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
This makeup remover is one of the best things I have ever used! You rub it into your hands until it turns into an oil and then apply it to your face and it melts your makeup off like butter! I use it to get all the dirt off from a long day. Then I go on with the rest of my routine.
2. A Moisturizer (Current fav is Ultra Facial Cream)
I learned that it’s super important to wear with a daily moisturizer. I usually put this on after my routine or even in the middle of the day if my skin feels dry.
How Do You Skincare?
I’d love to share more about my experience with skincare so look out for upcoming blog posts about things like the best sunscreens for black girls, my favorite oils, and which products to use for cleaner skin. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions! What does your skincare routine look like? Share some of your current skincare tips and tricks below!
