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I'm new to skincare but I wanted to ask you all what you believe is an essential routine to keep healthy and beautiful.
I don't use makeup, and have dry skin (slightly eczema-prone around the eyes) if that changes any ingredients. I've been told not to use under-eye creams, some serums and retinols because I'm too young (?). I'm in college, so most of the skincare I buy now is low priced. Thankfully money isn't an issue, so I can purchase something more expensive, but I'd like to know if it's worth it first.
Before the pandemic I had the following routine very briefly (in this order):
morning:
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
night:
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
and now after the pandemic (during I fell out of maintaining myself to this extent and just did some basic moisturizing while finishing up those products) I have this routine:
morning:
St. Ives Tea Tree Acne Control Daily Face Cleanser
SNP PREP - Peptaronic Toner
Collagen serum--I'll post the specific name later
Maison de Pensee Black Truffle Hyaluronic Acid Ampule Toner
Innisfree Matte Priming UV Shield Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 37
through the day according to need:
THAYERS Rose Petal Radiance Boosting Serum with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C
a physical mixture of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and NIVEA Essentially Enriched Body Lotion
night:
St. Ives Tea Tree Acne Control Daily Face Cleanser
SpaLife Revitalizing and Smoothing Retinol Night Serum (White Pearl Capsules)
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
bath:
Lush Godiva Shampoo And Conditioning Bar (admittedly a bit old)
Luseta Jamaican Black Castor Oil Conditioner
Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash For Dry Skin
I'd love to know your opinion on skincare order, brand reliability and quality, etc. I don't know much about hair care--my hair is pin-straight and fine, so I don't think it needs much maintenance, but I'm really grateful for any tips.
Any thoughts on using products after their expiration date? Would you throw them out on the date, and if not, how long would you keep a skincare or hair care product?
Thank you all so much in advance!
Damn, that sounds expensive! My skin care routine is SPF-50 moisturiser.
If you want your skin to stay in good condition there are better ways than a jillion ointments that probably don't work better than a basic moisturiser. Don't drink alcohol, eat the rainbow, avoid sweets, and don't smoke. Have you seen what those vices do to skin? There is no magic formula to save you if you're destroying your skin from the inside.
The only things most people need to keep your skin healthy are 1) hygeine, just wash with soap and water at sensible intervals, 2) moisturize, not compulsively, but as needed to prevent chapping and cracking, and 3) protect your skin from the sun. Bonus item: dont use a lot of unnecessary products. Everything else you might do - serums, retinol, cleansers, fancy creams - are cosmetic, not health needs.
Damn that's a lot of products. Agreed with another comment that your product selection is all over the place.
I personally use Cetaphil gentle cleanser + COSRX snail mucin moisturiser + BOJ sunscreen. These three are consistent products in my routine for years and my skin is doing pretty good so far.
The biggest mistake people make is over washing/scrubbing their face. Your skin as naturals oils and healthy bacteria that need to be there. Scrubbing your face twice a day, morning and night is WAY too much. You are scrubbing away all your healthy bacteria and oils, no wonder you skin is dry. Tbh, less is more. I never deal with dry skin or acne and only exfoliate my face once or twice a week. Unless I need to wash off foundation then it'll be more often but your face doesn't really need to be messed with that frequently. I love hyaluronic acid though, but I'm 47 and definitely need the plumping effects as I have collagen loss form aging. You're still young and have all your collagen in tact. I like a zinc based daily moisturizer because zinc is nontoxic. A lot of skin care is internal. Lots of water, half your body weight in ounces, and a clean diet. Eczema is a sign of toxin overload. You may want to consider a vegetable juice detox for a week then eat only protein fruits and veggies.
1) I don’t wear makeup, just lash & brow dye for lift to my face
2) I wash my face with water and sometimes a very gentle cleanser
3) wear sunscreen/hat/avoid sunburn
4) drink lots of water
5) moisturise with a nice moisturiser that suits your skin (morning and night is good)
6) make sure to cover your whole face and neck when you moisturise - front and back - otherwise you will have a soft skin apron at the front of your throat when you’re old
7) drink lots of water and don’t smoke
8) I am nearly 40 and look 25
I’m pretty sure all this is good! I don’t think using tons of products on our face is that good. I have eczema too and using too much and a bunch of different things isn’t good for it. the most important thing is is moisturize and use sunscreen. Recently I’ve started dermaplaning and facial cupping and I’ve noticed a difference in how my face looks.
Please read my skincare posts about testing your innate skin type. Your product selection is a little all over the place with not enough thought given to why this item explicit helps your specific needs.
Aztec Clay. It will change your life
Vitamin c serum (one that smells bad) a retinoid like retin a ( but talk to your Dr about a retinoid if you have really dry skin because you might not be a candidate)moisturizer and SPF is all you really need.
Can I ask why you're asking? Is there something in your current regimen that isn't working for you?
A good basic routine is:
1) Face wash
2) Moisturizer
3) Sunscreen (in the mornings, and reapplied throughout the day)
This doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. I've had good experiences with CeraVe but prefer Neutrogena face wash and moisturizer, and as a bonus, you can find it at any corner drugstore. I've also used Neutrogena sunscreen but prefer Super Goop because it's transparent.
For cosmetic reasons and at my dermatologist's recommendation, I also use tretinoin and Sente serum, which is admittedly pricey.
I haven't had great experiences with Lush or St. Ives. Tried the latter's apricot scrub and it was horrific, like a cheese grater on my face. I avoid all their products now.
1) sun protection - UV tinted car windows, hats, protective clothes, sunscreen
2) hygiene - wash1-2 x a day
3) moisturize - after washing
4) healthy diet - ditch dairy and eat whole foods plant-based, drink water
5) sleep