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This is an old Skincare Routine Update post.
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Miriam
Quick Life Update
First of all, Happy 2021! I can't believe that I haven't posted to my blog since 2020 and it's already May. For my prolonged absence, I owe you all an explanation.
In November 2020, I finally landed my first full time job! Before November, I was working as an Adjunct Professor, and I had quite a lot of free time on my hands to keep up with my blog. Before my teaching job, I was a graduate student and blogging was my hobby that got me through some pretty dark times.
On top of my full time job, I'm also a full time parent! I have two amazing toddlers that keep me super busy whenever I am home. Needless to say, blogging has been put on the backburner for the last 6 months.
Now that my work and home schedule has become a lot more stable, I am going to be getting back to blogging regularly. I am way behind on my reviews and I have so many exciting blog posts planned out for the rest of the year.
Since my blog is very focused on skincare, I am going to start with a skincare routines update that I posted to my Instagram page in February.
I think it's important to see the products that I regularly use and how I build my skincare routine. I am not telling anyone that they need a skincare routine as long as mine, and I do not recommend copying my routine exactly. Everyone has unique skin and what may work really well for me may not work for everyone. Please feel free to use my routine as guidance and I encourage you to try any of the products that sound appealing to you based on your skin type/concerns.
February Skincare Goals
Every month, I re-evaluate my skincare goals and adjust my skincare routine accordingly. I highly recommend doing this with every season change or when skin issues arrise.
My February Skincare Goals:
- Hydration, hydration, and hydration
- Acne prevention
- Minimize the look of fine lines
February AM Skincare Routine
Cleanse
I the AM, I like to use a gentle cleanser to remove any residual skincare from my PM routine. This gives me a fresh canvas for my AM skincare, and I find that my skin doesn't feel as clogged throughout the day. The cleanser that I was using in February is the Rovectin Skin Essentials Conditioning Cleanser*. I have been using this cleanser for a few months now, I keep switching it from my AM to PM routine, and I have been really liking it a lot. This cleanser is great for all skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin, so it can really be enjoyed by everyone. I am finally getting to the end of the bottle, and I will be pretty sad when I run out.
Treatment
Since I do get some acne, I like to include a treatment step at least once a day. In February, I was using the Cosrx AC Collection Calming Liquid Mild* as my acne treatment. This toner has salicylic acid, which works really well for me as a preventative acne treatment. I really enjoy how mild the toner is, and I find that I can use it daily without experiencing any drying effects. You can read my full review here. Needless to say, I really love this toner.
Toners
I am a huge fan of layering toners. I usually start with a treatment toner (if there is one in my routine) and then I follow up with hydrating toners. The concept of layering hydrating toners is well established as an effective method for a healthy skin barrier, and I have been using this technique for a few years now. My skin barrier is pretty resilient at this point, so I highly recommend trying out toner layering for yourself. You can apply several layers of one hydrating toner, or you can layer multiple different toners to get the benefits of each of their ingredients. Since I am sent so many toners, I have the luxury of applying a few different toners. In February I was layering the Rovectin Skin Essentials Activating Treatment Lotion* and the Vegreen Nature Mucin Toner*. The Rovectin toner is amazing for soothing and hydrating the skin without causing acne or rosacea flare-ups. The Vegreen toner is an amazing vegan alternative to snail mucin. If you are uncomfortable with applying snail mucin to your face but you want the protective benefits of the thick mucin texture, this toner is a must-have! I will be reviewing this brand soon, so keep an eye on my Instagram stories for an update.
Serums
In the AM, I like to apply a Vitamin C serum. The one that I was using in February is the Leven Rose Vitamin C Brightening Serum*. I'm not too picky with the Vitamin C serum that I use, but I do like it when they come as a clear liquidy serum (you will be hearing about one that doesn't fit this description in my May 2021 Skincare Routines Update). This serum from Leven Rose is great! It helps brighten my skin, doesn't cause me to break out, and it is pretty affordable. As with my toners, I like to layer my serums. After my Vitamin C serum, I layered the Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum* for a boost of anti-aging benefits. I'm pretty sure that this serum is out of stock, but if it ever gets restocked pick one up ASAP. This serum is amazing for fine lines, and it helps blur the skin so it's perfect for the AM. Again, keep an eye on my Instagram stories for an update on my upcoming blog review.
Eye Cream
I know that some people hate using an eye cream, but I love them. There is nothing that you can say that will change my mind about that. In February I was using the Leven Rose Coffee Eye Lift Cream*. I was honestly a little nervous to try this at first. I get milia under my eyes pretty easily, and this eye cream is pretty rich. I have been using it sparingly for the past few months, and I am happy to report that the skin under my eyes is milia free. The eye cream is great for fine lines and droopy eye lids, so I highly recommend this one to anyone in their 30s and up.
Moisturizers
I normally don't use two moisturizers, but in February I was using a separate moisturizer for my neck. I used the Dr. Zenovia Peptide + Ceramide Repairing Moisturizer* on my face and the Cellromax M+ Creme de Fill Up* on my neck. The Dr. Zenovia moisturizer is one of my absolute favorite moisturizers. If you have aging or very dry skin, this one is a must-have for you. I already have a backup that the company sent me, but I'm saving it for when my skin needs a little TLC. The Cellromax cream is a very interesting product. The brand sent it to me a little while ago and I wanted to test the cream out on some more heavy duty wrinkles. Since I only have fine lines on my face, I decided to try the cream out on my neck. I don't know if it actually helped my wrinkles, but it did make the skin on my neck feel a lot more firm. I wonder if the cream would help with wrinkles if used for longer than the tube the lasted me. I can't find the cream for sale anymore, so I guess I will have to wait for it to come back to the US before I can give it a second chance.
Sunscreen
As a skincare blogger, I feel that it is my moral duty to stress the importance of using a sunscreen 365 days a year. I use an SPF of at least 50 every single day, even if I am spending the day at home. UV rays can enter your home and car through the windows, so please take care of your skin every day. The sunscreen that I was using in February was the Dirmafirm Labo de Dermafirm Sun Defense Fluide*. This sunscreen is not like the tradtional American sunscreen, it is very thin and applys to the skin effortlessly. There is no greasy feeling or white caste left behind on the skin, so it makes sunscreen feel a lot more comfortable all day. I did experience a little pilling with my foundation when using this sunscreen, but I'm not sure if that was due to the ingredients from my primer or foundation. If you aren't going to be wearing makeup, I highly recommend this one!
February PM Skincare Routine
Double Cleanse
If you have been following my blog or Instagram page for a while, you already know that I always start my PM routine with a double cleanse. Since I wear sunscreen and makeup daily, I like to remove everything with an oil cleanser. I have been using the Huangjisoo Pure Perfect Cleansing Oil for a few months already, and it's definitely one of my favorites so far (my absolute favorite is this one). I apply two pumps to my hands and massage the oil into my dry skin. I then add a little water to my hands and continue my face massage. Once I feel that my makeup and sunscreen has been completely removed, I wash everything off my face. I then cleanse my skin with the same Rovectin cleanser as the AM. The double cleanse really helps keep my pores clean and my skin nourished. If you haven't been double cleansing, you are likely leaving sunscreen and/or makeup on your face all night. Go get an oil cleanser or cleansing balm now!
Treatment
Since I was using a salysilic acid treatment in the AM, I decided to include a glycolic acid treatment 2-3 times a week in the PM. Glycolic acid has been my secret to clear skin for many years now (you can read all about that here) but I also love the ingredient for its anti-aging benefits. In February, I used the Dr. Zenovia 10% Glycolic Acne Control Peel Pads* and instantly fell in love. These pads are literally a game change for acne-prone skin, and I highly recommend using them a few times a week for a clear complexion.
Toners
After the glycolic acid pads, I applied the same two hydrating toners as the AM. The combination really helped keep my skin hydrated after the glycolic acid treatment. Again, I recommend layering hydrating toners for a well maintained skin barrier.
Ampoules
Instead of using serums for my PM routine, I ended up using two ampoules. If you have never heard of an ampoule before, they are basically highly concentrated serums. If you have oily or combination skin, layering multiple amoules may be a little too much for your skin to handle, so please use caution if you decide to try them. In February, I layered the Ample:N Peptide Shot Ampoule* and the Earth Harbor Helios Anti-Pollution Youth Ampoule*. The Ample:N ampoule has a really interesting texture, there are little strings of peptides that melt right into the skin. I have been loving this ampoule, it's pretty lightweight for an ampoule, so oily skin types can use this one without any issues. The Earth Harbor ampoule is the opposite, it's very rich and thick. I chose this ampoule to test because I live in a pretty polluted city, and I like to apply anti-pollution skincare products to protect my skin from the city grime. This ampoule gives my skin the most amazing glow, but I don't think that oily skin types will enjoy this one. If you have dry to normal skin, I highly recommend checking this one out!
Eye Cream
Again, I love using an eye cream. My eye area can get very dehydrated, even when I apply a regular moisturizer. Additionally, I am in my 30s and I have fine lines around my eyes that I like to treat with retinol in the PM. I have been using the Dr. Zenovia Retinol Recovery Eye Treatment* for a few months already, and I have already noticed a huge difference in the severity of my fine lines. Although this eye cream contains retinol, it is gentle enough to be used all around the eyes! The only thing that I hate about this product is the packaging. It is very difficult to get the pump to work so I have been unscrewing the cap to get the product out. Maybe I was just sent a defective pump, but you have now been warned.
Moisturizers
Like in the AM, in February I used the Cellromax cream on my whole neck. I definitely think it was a great for firming up the area. As for my face, I used the Murad Intense Recovery Cream* all February long. Let me say right off the bat, this cream is not for oily or acne-prone skin. The cream is very rich and thick, and it will definitely clog your pores if you have oily skin. However, this cream is amazing for dry skin! If you have any dry spots, you need this cream in your life. You will also enjoy the intense hydration and nourishment if you have normal or aging skin. I am really sad that I finished the tub so quickly. I highly recommend this one!
Sleeping Mask
I'm one of those people that really enjoys a sleeping mask or oil at the end of my PM skincare routine. Since I really love the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner, I decided to pick up the Hyaluronic Acid Water Sleeping Mask. I quickly fell in love with this lightweight sleeping mask, I would literally wake up with glowing skin every morning! A few warnings before you run out and buy this for yourself; this sleeping mask is not suitable for dry or very skin, some people will be allergic to hyaluronic acid, and this product will suck moisture out of your skin if you live in a dry climate. For everyone else, this sleeping mask is a must have for that coveted K-Beauty glow!
Final Thoughts
I'm pretty happy with the state of my skin right now, and I think that the routines I followed in February really helped get my skin through the winter. I emptied a few of the products I mentioned in this post, so my current skincare routine looks quite different.
I plan on updating you all via my blog more freuqntly (once a month) so that you can see how I change up my routine based on the season and my skincare goals.
I hope you enjoyed this post! You can check out my other skincare routines by clicking on the Skincare Routines Series tab at the top of this page.
Before You Go
If you have any questions or concerns, please leave them in the comments section. I would also love to hear from you if you have tried any of these products!Don't miss any of my posts, enter your email here to receive my weekly newsletter. You can also find this form by clicking the Subscribe option from the drop-down list at the top of this page. By signing up, you will opt-in to receive a maximum of one email a week with links to my latest blog posts.
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