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When it comes to skincare it can be hard to find the right products that work best for your face. I have spent years upon years trying to find products that would clear my acne, clear acne scarring, work well with combination skin, firm and calm skin, prevent wrinkles, and help detox the skin. I mean is that too much to ask for for my face? Anyway, I have spent many days crying when I would have a terrible breakout and nothing seemed to be working. The best thing I did for my skin was to completely stop using products altogether and only used soap and water. When I did that, my acne started to clear up. Also, as time went on, I started to learn more about my skin and what it needs. I have sensitive skin that can easily be irritated and cause breakouts. I have combination skin that leaves me dry in some areas and oily in others. And I learned that my face is usually puffy and I need to lymph drain regularly. Eventually, I started to find the right skincare products that work for my face. What I look for in a product:
1) I try to only use products that are clean
2) I use products that are for sensitive skin
3) I want products that are not oily or heavy
4) Daytime products must have SPF
Here are the 4 skincare products I can not live without.
With having sensitive combination skin, finding the right cleanser took a lot of trial and error for many years. Some cleansers left my skin feeling greasy or dry and some irritated my skin causing acne. I found the Countercontrol Cleanser from Beautycounter works perfectly with my skin. Truth be told I only wash my face with a cleanser at night to get the day dirt off my face. In the morning I wash my face with Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar (the only type of soap I can use). I found switching between washing with soap and a cleanser has really helped clear up my acne and cause less irritation with my skin.
Who wouldn’t die for a good night eye cream? Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye Cream has been a favorite of mine for a few years now. I accidentally forgot to pack it, so I have been living without the eye cream since being in Columbus. I can honestly say I notice a difference. My under eyes look and feel dry. I miss my recovery eye cream.
If there is one skincare item I will never give up it is my Gua Sha and face roller. If you are not familiar with these wonderful beauty tools, let me tell you how amazing they are. A face roller (which you can get in either in jade or quartz, I have both) is used to stimulate and rejuvenate your skin. It helps with lymphatic drainage, detoxes the skin, clams and de-puffs skin, and helps the other products you use like moisturizers and serums to absorb better. A Gua Sha helps sculpt your face. Always stroke up towards your hairline (for your neck stroke down) . I can visually and physically tell a difference when I use my Gua Sha. I usually use my face roller and Gua Sha at night and in the morning when I first wake up but have been known to continuously do it during the day because I love the way my skin feels after using them.
I have to be honest, I am not the biggest fan of serums. They tend to make my skin feel oily, some even causing breakouts. I wad gifted the Primera Wild Seed Serum at a blogging event, and like most products I am given, I gave it a try. I found that I absolutely love the way it feels on my skin. It’s not an oil but a cream. It absorbs nicely and almost feels like a moisturizer but doesn’t feel heavy– even after I put my night moisturizer on over it.
*Originally I was going to include my nighttime moisturizer from Beautycounter in this list, but found out today they discontinued it. Is there anything worse than when your tried and true skincare or makeup product is no longer available. I reached out to my BC consultant to ask her about the product and she mentioned their new Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream is a good alternative. For my daytime moisturizer, I use Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion. It has SPF in it which I love, but during the winter it does not keep my skin feeling moisturized as it does in the summer. I am still in search for another daytime moisturizer for the winter season.
