The older I get, the more I realize the importance of taking care of my skin and body. There are so many conversations I wish I could have with my younger self! I would use SPF more, avoid tanning beds and pay more attention to my skin care. Ultimately, I would have taken better care of myself and my skin. The past is the past though and moving forward, I have made the commitment to do better. It’s never too late to start investing in yourself, especially when it comes to your skin.
With that notion in hand, I am so excited to start yet another series on the blog: Self-Care Sunday! The idea behind this series is to establish ways to incorporate beauty products and routines in our weekly lives.
If you have been a regular reader of Never Without Navy, you might recall that I shared one of my first ever beauty posts back in June (here). And in that piece, I explained that I initially felt intimidated by the world of beauty products. With SO many products out there, how can one possibly wrap their hands around it all? Serums, oils, cleansers, toners, moisturizers, masks, mists, eye creams, face creams! Not only is it hard to narrow in on products, but also once you do, when and in what order do you use them? What better way then to start this series, then with this topic!
In What Order Should Your Beauty Products Go On
Step 1: Cleanser
Cleanser.
The first step in a beauty care routine is establishing a clean slate. Cleansing your face is a must in order to remove built up dirt, oil and impurities. Use warm/hot water to open the pores before cleansing your face followed by a cool wash cloth to close them back up afterwards. Once the face is cleansed, the skin surface is ready for the rest of the routine.
As for the actual product, a cleanser should be effective but should not leave your skin feeling stripped. It should be nourishing and not drying. That is why I love Pai Cleanser. It does all those things and is just perfect for anyone with dry skin or sensitive skin. (I dedicated a whole post on my love for this product (here)! I am still on the same tube months later, plus your purchase comes with a washcloth!
Another cleansing product that help prevents the stripping of your skin’s natural oils is a cleansing oil. Yep! Oil! Oil cleansing is a method that actually balances the oil production in your skin.
When selecting an oil for your skin type, look for these active ingredients:
- If you have oily skin or are acne-prone, it’s a good idea to look for cleansers that contain grapeseed, tea tree, tamanu and coconut oils which are lighter.
- If you have dry skin, look for products with avocado, jojoba, or sunflower oil.
- If you have normal to sensitive skin, look for cleansers with calming oils, such as rosemary and camellia seed oil.
In fact, a cleanser and cleansing oil can be used together for the ultimate cleansing experience. Clean skin will allow active ingredients to penetrate better and work more effectively!
Step 2: Exfoliation
Exfoliation.
I was always under the assumption that exfoliation came before cleansing. That is incorrect. If you exfoliate as the first step, you are actually pushing dirt and oil back into your pores. The object of exfoliation is to remove unwanted dead skin. Exfoliation should take place every other day or less. I personally love the June Jacobs Polishing Beads for this step. Some exfoliators peel off the skin (usually those with salicylic acid). I am not a fan of that. This product does a nice job of being effective yet gentle on the skin without leaving it feeling raw. Take special care to avoid the eye area when exfoliating your skin!
Step 3: Toner
Toner.
I never used to think toners were important. Growing up, toners felt more like a stringent and left my skin feeling stripped and dry. Nowadays, toners are more like tonics and often sprayed onto the face, leaving it refreshed. Toners also help prep the skin for the moisturizers that follow. After exfoliation, it is a nice to step to include in the beauty regime process. I love this Boscia Balancing Facial Tonic for this.
Step 4: Serums
Serums.
In truth, I could dedicate an entire post just on the different serums available to use. Serums perhaps are the most effective part of a skin care regime when it comes to skin replenishment.
When it come to a morning routine, Vitamin C serums are often used. They provide an anti-oxidant boost to your skin throughout the day. As they are very concentrated, a small amount goes a long way. I am currently using Marie Veronique Vitamin C, E and Ferulic Acid Serum.
Hyaluronic acid is another popular ingredient in serums. Hyaluronic acid is well known for alleviating dry skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Time and time again this one from SkinCeuticals receives the best reviews!
Finally, lactic acid is another serum gaining popularity right now. Typically used at night, lactic acid is a hydrating alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). While not quite a peel, it does exfoliate the skin by loosening the bonds between dead skin cells leaving you with a more radiant complexion by morning. With time and frequent use, it also serves as an effective spot treatment for hyper-pigmentation.
Step 5: Oil
Oils.
Not to be confused with cleansing oil, facial oils provide deep moisturizing penetration for the skin. In the winter, I usually apply a thin layer of facial oil to the skin before I moisturize. However, facial oil can also be mixed into your moisturizer application as well. I love Rosehip oil for this step. I have been using the InstaNatural Organic Rosehip Seed Oil primarily as a face oil. but this oil is also great to add to a bath or for all over skin moisturizing.
Step 6: Moisturizer
Moisturizer.
As the final all over step, moisturizing is a must for skin hydration. This is my favorite step! Even if you have oily skin, do not skip this step as this causes your skin’s oil production to stimulate in order to compensate for the dryness. I love trying out and incorporating different moisturizers into my regiment. I am currently loving Drunken Elephant’s product here for during the day. It is like applying whipped cream to your skin!
For a night cream, I am a huge fan of applying one with glycolic acid. The Nigh Renewer Glycolic Acid Cream is a game changer! My skin wakes up bright, glowing and youthful! If you had to twist my arm to choose one beauty product I could not live without, this would be it!
Eye Cream
Eye Cream. This product right here gives instant results! I just love this eye cream! Besides helping reduce the appearance of fine lines, it also illuminates and brightens the eyes. So it is the perfect product to finalize your morning regiment!
I am always open to beauty product recommendations! What are some of your favorites? Feel free to leave a comment in the section below!
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Thanks for stopping by!
L, M