My Skin Care Regimen

The basics of great, effective skincare is cleansing, exfoliating, nourishing and moisturizing, and protecting.

In this article I am going to outline my skin care routine. I have aging skin and so will be addressing the concerns unique to this issue.

I have been using Retin-A on my skin since I was 38 years old and although I use a milder form of it now it is readily available over the counter at this point.  Until about 5 years ago I used prescription strength Tretinoin. But as my skin became dryer because of my age I switched to a combination of Bakuchiol and milder Retinoid products. I, like most Dermatologists, absolutely swear by Retin-A use for maintain firmness and minimizing wrinkles.

The Basis for cleansing are twofold, removing dirt, makeup and sweat. And exfoliation, helping slough off the top layer of dead cells, exposing the new skin underneath. This smooths the skin and makes other products more effective.

The Products I Use

Double cleansing is a method of cleansing your face twice: I do this about every 3rd or 4th in the evening. I tend to get slightly clogged pores on my cheeks from moisturizers. First, with an oil-based cleanser and again with a water-based cleanser. It can help remove stubborn, pore-clogging and acne-causing impurities that can remain on the skin even after washing your face once.

The benefit of double cleansing is that the first cleanser will break down any makeup, remove dirt and excess oils from the day and clean your skin. The second cleanser will remove the oil and finish cleaning. This method leaves the skin truly clean. The second cleanser can then gently remove the oil without stripping the skin and drying it out. While this is important at any age, it is crucial for dry or mature skin!

Bear in mind that the products I use are extremely clean and non-toxic.I have a severe allergy to Propelyne glcol so my choices are driven by avoiding that ingredient as well as phalates, any other glycols and silicones because they just sit on the skin and do not let other ingredients be absorbed by the skin.

The products I use are:

I make the oil mix that I cleanse with. It contains the following oil; jojoba oil, rose hip seed oil. grapeseed oil. carrot oil, moringa oil. sea buckthorn oil and camellia seed oil.

In the mornings I use The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser that I add an exfoliating and nourishing powder to that I make. The ingredients are finely milled rice powder, Papaya powder, Red algae, Green tea extract, Madagascar vanilla, spirulina. Available on Amazon or Ulta Beauty.

In the evening I use Acure Radically Rejuvenating Cleansing Cream available on Amazon or at Health Food Stores. I add a bit of the enzyme powder every other night. The other nights I use lactic acid 20% after cleansing.

After cleansing or using the Lactic acid I use aloe and the serum. The serum I use is The Ordinary Granactive Retinod 2% Emulsion. This is light enough to use under makeup and moisturizer.

To Moisturize I switch it up day to day rotating between Kinship Supermello Gel cream, Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum and occasionally Caudlie Vinsourse Moisturizer. The last one I use more in the winter.  I add a little bit of Libelulle Cerimide Treatment also.

I add a drop or two of Moringa oil, Carrot Oil or Sea Buckthorn Oil to the moisturizer. All of these are very nourishing and have strong anti-aging properties.

I use very little Makeup on my skin. Most Days I use Pur Mineral Powder that has enough coverage for me. For a more polished look or if I am going out in the evening I use Vapour Foundation that also can be used as a Concealer. It doesn’t crease or get in to the lines on your face.

And for during the day I use Beauty By Earth Sunscreen. It is a physical as opposed to a chemical sunscreen, but doesn’t look white-ish after a minute or so.