I read a post earlier this week about how waking up early every day is a real game changer and can significantly improve your life. This isn’t a surprise to me given that for the past ten years I’ve been planning to implement this “life change” and yet every morning when that alarm goes off I think, nah I’m good.
Except for today.
I actually did it! And by “early” I mean I got up at 6:45 a.m.. You can laugh, it’s fine. My normal time is 7:20. So what did I do with this extra 35 minutes you might wonder? I drank a LOT of coffee. And now I can barely type this post because I have so much caffeine surging through me. That afternoon crash is sure to be EXTRA fun today.
Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.
Where was I?
Oh yes, trying to write a blog post. Once upon a time I used to boast about how “low maintenance” my skin care routine was.
“Skin care routine? What does that even mean?” I’d say. So young and so stupid.
As I’ve learned, it’s easy to be low maintenance with your skin when you’re 21. Late 20s… not so much.
It all started with a sun spot on my right cheek. For the past 6-7 years I’ve stayed out of the sun and have been super careful with wearing sunscreen every day. Unfortunately for the first 20 years of my life I worshipped the sun. I was a life guard, worked outside every day in the summer, and worst of all… I can barely get myself to type this…. But I used to lay in… in… I used to spend my time in a TANNING BED.
It’s disgusting, I know.
Long story short, I’m desperately trying to make up for lost time now and am always seeking out new skin care products to prevent damage/maybe even take away some.
First things first, let’s talk about dark circles. Where did these come from? And why do they just come and go at random? I don’t know the science behind these nasty things, but I have found a good way to treat them.
When my eyes are looking extra dark, or if I have something the next day I’d like to look awake and chipper for, I’ve started sleeping with little oxygen masks under my eyes. They’re kind of like puffy bandaids you wear to bed, except they’re not sticky and they actually feel like cool little pieces of heaven under your tired eyes. I love THEM. And they work!
I use the VII code found here. (I wear them to bed almost every Sunday evening, or nights after long days of travel.)
And since we’re talking about eyes, this Bye Bye Makeup cleansing balm is the best for removing eye makeup. This is the first balm I’ve used before and I’m wondering why it took me so long. It’s said to be a makeup remover AND an anti-aging serum, I like it because it feels so soft on my face and takes the makeup off quickly. (And I’m very lazy when it comes to taking off my eye makeup, or I used to be anyway!)
For those dark spots… Sun or not sun related. I have quite a few little spots on my chin that aren’t because of sun, but have more to do with my touching and scratching at certain “imperfections” on my face that I shouldn’t. They’re gross and I’m embarrassed of them because every dermatologist I’ve ever seen has always said to me, “don’t touch your zits!” But did I listen? No. So now I’m on a journey to correct this mess.
Derma e scar gel. You put it on twice a day under your moisturizer. I just started using it so I’m not sure if it’s working, but all of the reviews were great and I’ve got nothing to lose. I’ll do a follow-up post in 3 months.
In an attempt to even out my skin (and also dull the sun spots that have popped up everywhere) I’ve also started using this vitamin C serum. I found this serum and the scar gel mentioned above by simply doing a little research on google and ordered both off amazon for pretty cheap.
I use the serum on my face and neck, and according to reviews it helps with both spots and wrinkles! Dare I say this is a miracle serum? Time will tell…
And then we have a Microdermabrasion Scrub. Just like the last two, I found this on Amazon and the reviews are amazing. So I’ve got VERY high expectations for this one. Apparently it’s supposed to diminishe the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars, and absorbs excess skin oils.
If it can really do all of that I will be blown away. If anyone has used this one before, let me know.
And I can’t write a skincare post without mentioning my very favorite tinted sunscreen by Elta. This stuff is awesome! I’ve been using it for 2+ years now and I will never ever stop. I first bought it at my dermatologist’s office after the doctor suggested it, but then I got smart and found it on amazon for much cheaper and order it by the bulk now.
If you only take away one thing from this post let it be this sunscreen! You can find it here. Also, my friend who is married to a dermatologist uses it, so I basically try to do whatever she does because her skin is awesome and her husband knows what he’s talking about.
And those are six products I’m currently using. Curious to know what you use? (Most specifically for dark circles/dark spots since those are my number one nemesis.)
Do you ever check into the ingredient lists for your beauty products and/or for these listed? I downloaded the app Think Dirty a few days ago and "scanned" my bathroom and apparently everything I have is going to kill me. Not sure if I should jump on the Jessica Alba organic beauty train or not…also I'm pale and blonde and just joined Planet Fitness and thought for like 1.5 seconds that I would lay in the tanning bed for like less than a minute just to remember what the sun feels like and you totally just shamed me out of it!
I look for cruelty free items. Is there more I should be looking for? :/
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I'm all about trying to fix my skin now that I'm turning 30 this year. I started using It cosmetics bye bye under eye cream and I swear by it now. Better than any other under eye cream I've used before. I put it on in the morning and at night and I can notice a difference in the puffiness and fine lines.
I use that as well and love it!
Oh dear… I don't worship the sun but I never wear sunscreen. I really know I should, but I can't be bothered. Maybe I should… don't worry, you aren't the only one who's neglected your skin in that department!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
So excited to try your suggestions especially the SPF. Confession…I used to go in tanning beds too (Ew)and I deeply regret it!
you will LOVE It!!
I feel into the tanning trap, too! For under eyes, I have used Clinique's All About Eyes and am now trying Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with avocado. I think both are good, but prefer Clinique's!
So I will be purchasing all the things now…My freshly posted paycheck will be depleted quickly…
Chels @ Red Velvet Rooster
Loving this! I especially want to try those dark circle oxygen pads. I don't get particularly terrible bad circles but I hate those mornings where you wake up and your eyes just FEEL tired and not fresh and puffy and horrible and it sets up your mood for the morning as being foggy or fatigued. Does that make sense?! Haha!
Rachel
theblessingcollective.com
I read the title of this post and almost cried realizing I'm about to enter my "late" 20s. Gah! But also, I've tried that microdermabrasion scrub from a subscription box. I like it, but I don't know how well it works since I don't use it often. (I need to start a real skin care routine tbh…)
I swear by Beautycounter. It uses safer ingredients and things that aren't dangerous. They have the best masks. I just recently starting selling it because I love the discount. If you want to try a few masks, let me know.
Elta MD is my jam too! I really need to try the IT Cosemtic stuff again…I hated it the first few times I wore it.
Your nails look great and I know you what you mean about too much coffee! Lotion with SPF is my go-to!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
When I was 19 I started using Retin A to combat acne and I've been using it on and off ever since. I'm not in my late 20s, I'm in my late 30s but I am regularly told I look like I'm in my late 20s and I attribute a lot of it to retin A used 2-3 times a week at night. It's stupidly expensive in the US which is why I buy mine at pharmacies in Mexico or Costa Rica, France, Thailand, wherever I am going on vacation or have a friend going. In Mexico a big tube that will last me a year or more is $20. And it's SO worth it.
Use tretinoing ONLY at nightime, before you go to bed. Facial redness will occur if you use it in daytime because the skin cannot toleate sunlight when Tretinoin is applied.
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Over a year ago, I really got into Rodan+Fields products. I have never had a product really work and actually change my skin for the better. They are the best-literally. They were actually recently ranked the number one skincare brand in the country. They have my fav eye cream and a regimen that will get rid of brown spots (from the sun or not!) and even out/brighten your skin tone. I love it so much I became a consultant on the side… let me know if o can help you! https://aluedecking.myrandf.com/Shop/REVERSE-BRIGHTENING
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