The first step for me is always makeup removal. I had been using the MAC makeup remover wipes, but I always found they were sort of rough, which is not always a bad thing. They were great for removing eye makeup, but I wanted something a little smoother on my skin. I've discovered that I love the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes, especially the night calming ones. I usually only remove my makeup at night anyway, so no need to remove my makeup in the morning. They have a wonderful lavender scent and have an extremely calming effect when I use them in the evenings. They are gentle, ultra soft calming cloths for clean, fresh, makeup-free skin in one easy step. These wipes remove all traces of makeup with a calming fragrance that helps me unwind and prepares me for a good night's sleep, which we all know is a problem for me. I don't do this in the morning, as I have no makeup to remove of course.
After removing my makeup for my evening routine, I use a Lush Cosmetics cleanser. Depending on how my skin is reacting to the enviornment or my hormones, I use one of two that I have come to love. If my face seems sensitive, dry, or unbalanced, I use Angels on Bare Skin. The kaolin clay base deep cleanses while ground almonds gently exfoliate dead skin away. It also contains rose and lavender which soothe and help balance out combination skin, and it's great for all skin types. If my face seems oily or breakout prone on that day, I use Dark Angels. Dark Angels is a soft black sugar scrub that feels quite exfoliating and chalky when I rub it into my skin. It contains black sugar and powdered charcoal to exfoliate and cleanse away excess oils. Rhassoul mud and vitamin-rich cold pressed organic avocado oil soften, moisturize, and nourish the skin, while sandalwood and rosewood oils soothe the skin. I don't always use a toner, but if I do, I use the Eau Roma Water from Lush if I'm using Angels on Bare Skin, or Tea Tree Water on the days I use Dark Angels.
I use a face mask about 3 times a week, but I've used so many, it would be too many to list. I have found my favorite one to be The Sacred Truth from Lush. After my face is cleansed and detoxified, I use a moisturizer. It is extremely important to moisturize your skin. I had so much trouble finding a moisturizer that would do what I really wanted it to without it making me break out, be too greasy, be too light, or having an allergic reaction to it. Thankfully I have found the Shiseido Pureness Matifying Moisturizer. This is the perfect moisturizer for my combination skin. I tend to have an oily T-zone and dry cheeks and forehead. It's pH-balanced, improves the texture of my skin and helps reduce surface shine. It provides wonderful hydration to skin and it protects the skin's natural moisture balance.
The next step in my night skin routine is to use an eye cream. I have always liked Philosophy's Eye Hope, however when I ran out of that, I decided to try Lush's Enchanted Eye Cream. The area around our eyes is very sensitive and delicate. This cream gently rejuvenates and soothes without causing any irritation. It livens up the eye area. I just dab the cream gently along the bone below my eye and around my eyes and eyelids right before bed.
When I wake up in the morning, it's time to get ready for work again. I can't go to work without a shower to wake me in the morning. In the shower I wash my face with Fresh's Soy Face Cleanser. I love the scent of this gentle cleanser. It's for all skin types and is supposed to be fragrance-free but to me is smells of cucumbers. The gel formula instantly whisks away impurities, removes any excess makeup from the day before, and is safe to use on the eye area. It's also soap free and doesn't leave behind a film or residue. It preps my face for my primer, and makes my face feel clean and fresh...no pun intended. What's your favorite cleanser or skin routine? Leave a comment letting me know what you do to take care of the gentle skin on your face to keep you looking clean and young.
