Beach season is around the corner! Time for pool parties, bikinis, BBQs, and road trips. Summertime is all about losing the foundation and showing what beautiful skin you have. Did you just scream internally at the thought of not wearing foundation? Don't worry, here is a simple skin care routine get glowing, gorgeous skin that's ready for the beach.
1. Cleanse your skin well every night. Do not sleep in makeup...even if the brand says you can. Gel based cleansers will suds up and are better for oily and acneic skin types, whereas creamy cleansers won't foam and are better for dry skin types. If you have sensitive skin, find a cleanser that is fragrance free and dermatologist tested. Wet your face, pour a small amount of the cleanser into your hands and cleanse your face in circular motions. Not only does this get all the dirt and oil out of your pores, you're stimulating blood flow to your skin. A couple great tools to use are the Clarisonic and the Olay Pro X Cleansing System. Both cleanse 6x better than traditional cleansing, provide excellent stimulation for the skin, prepare your skin to accept product (serums, moisturizers), and are great exfoliators.
2. Exfoliate. Some say everyday, every other day, once a week...it really depends on the type of exfoliant you're using. Some cleansers have exfoliating beads in them that are gentle enough to use everyday. However, some people prefer to feel the grit of a physical exfoliant sloughing the the dead cells off their skin (like me), whereas some prefer a chemical exfoliant that uses alpha hydroxy acids to refine their complexion.
Whatever exfoliant you choose, follow the directions on usage or else you risk over drying or irritating your skin. Exfoliation is one of the most important steps because it removes all dry, dead, dull skin cells from your skin and allows new skin cells to come to the surface. It also stimulates cell turnover and helps decrease pigmentation. A fabulous exfoliant is Dermalogic's Daily Microfoliant. It's a physical exfoliator that releases chemical exfoliants to sweep away the debris on your skin. I'm also in love with Ole Henriksen products right now and since I'm a physical kindof girl, love their Sugar Glow Face Scrub. Smells delish too! What could be more sexy than soft, smooth, healthy skin?
3. Toner, not astringent. If it were up to me, I'd take astringents off the market. They are way too harsh for your skin. Toners help by reducing oil, getting excess bacteria off your face (great for acneic skin), and getting
your skin ready to accept moisturizer. If you think you don't need a
toner, go to a beauty store that lets you sample product, cleanse
the back of one hand and leave alone and then cleanse and tone
the other hand. You'll feel the difference. I love Ole Henriksen's
African Red Tea Face Mist.
4. Apply a serum and eye cream. Serums are concentrated treatments that instantly boost the look and feel of your skin and over time help to reverse problem skin. I love, love, love Ole Henriksen's Truth Serum Collagen Booster. It's loaded with Vitamin C and antioxidants to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, help prevent future damage to your skin, even out skin tone, bind moisture to the skin, and heal your skin. This baby does it all and smells wonderful while doing it! I also love their Ultimate Lift Eye Gel. Make sure when choosing an eye cream/gel, you choose one that's targeted to your needs. Mine are puffiness and darkness. This gel is doing wonders for it!
5. Moisturize. Even if you have oily skin. If you have oily skin and don't moisturize, your skin will overcompensate for it and produce more oil leading to clogged pores and acne. Use a moisturizer that's specifically designed for the face. Moisturizer for the body is too heavy and will clog pores. I love Olay's Total Effects Daily Moisturizer (anti-aging benefits, all skin types), Ole Henriksen's Sheer Transformation Moisturizer (great for sun damage, super sheer, all skin types) and Express the Truth Face Cream (anti-aging and smells like oranges!, all skin types), and Murad's Skin Perfecting Lotion (acenic skin types).
6. If it's morning, apply sunscreen. Or use a moisturizer that has UV protection in it. Protecting your skin from the sun is the most important part of the skin care process. UV rays age us faster than anything, so make sure you protect yourself. If it's evening, skip the sunscreen. Sunscreen isn't meant to be slept in, it's too heavy. Allow your sunscreen to soak into your skin for a few minutes before applying makeup. A few great lightweight sunscreens for the face are Neutrogena's Age Shield + Repair SPF 55, Aveeno's Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30, and Shiseido's Extra Smooth Sun Protection Lotion SPF 38. All will absorb into your skin without balling under your makeup.
I also recommend seeing an esthetician once a month. Your pores will be deep cleaned and you will get a skin care program tailored to your specific needs. He/She will also help you reverse bigger issues such as acne, pigmentation, and fine lines and wrinkles.
Still not convinced you can make it without foundation? I recommend using a tinted moisturizer with an SPF or mineral powder then. Jane Iredale is the best mineral powder to use. It's light, blends perfectly with most skin types, wears all day, and looks beautiful and natural in pictures. It also has built in UV protection which is a +++. A few great tinted moisturizers that contain SPF are Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20, Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30, and Tarte Smooth Operator SPF 20.
Have fun at the beach!
Peace, Love, and Lipgloss ~ Rachel
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