If there is one thing that I believe a person should invest in, it is without a doubt your
skin. Here are some personal tips I have on skin care, as well as products that I love and swear by.
First and foremost,
DRINK. WATER. and lots of it. And when you think you've had enough for the day, drink some more. There are a plethora of benefits that come with drinking enough water. Some people have said to drink your weight in oz. of water daily, and others say about 8-10 glasses a day. By drinking this much water, you're improving the way you look
and the way you feel.
Drinking water helps to:
- clear your skin
- keep your skin hydrated
- maintain your body's fluid balance
- control the amount of calories you consume
- + 100,000,000 other reasons but you get the point...
I would recommend trying to stick to solely drinking water while eating, or drinking water along with something else, whether it be just eating at home or out at a restaurant... water is always a good idea.
Now for skin care products, here are some that I use currently or have used in the past and I swear by.
Face Wash:
Recently I've been using face washes with subtle exfoliants in them. I feel like they're better at taking off any excess makeup than any foam cleanser. However, I use these after using makeup remover on my eyes and face. Don't rely on these cleansers to do both jobs.
This is the cleanser that I'm currently using. This high end cleanser is a "mud-to-foam", which I've never even heard of before. That being said, it's an amazing cleanser, and it's completely worth the $39 price tag. It's an anti-aging cleanser intended to smooth fine lines, and improve radiancy of the skin. You only need to use a pump for the entire face, so this product will last a while. I honestly don't know how to describe the smell of the cleanser, but it's not a powerful smell that some people could find irritating. The only word I could think of is a muddy but clean smell, if that makes sense (it probably doesn't).
I've been using this cleanser on-and-off for years now, and it's amazing. I buy the size that's only $14 and it lasts for months. Lush is a natural cosmetic brand, so their products expire (the expiration date is always on a sticker on the packaging). I usually barely use the entire jar before the expiration date comes around. With finely ground almonds and lavender flowers, this soothing cleanser always leaves my skin feeling super soft and hydrated.
This face exfoliating scrub is more harsh on the skin, so I would only use it once or twice a week. It leaves my face feeling fresh, clean, and super soft! The only negative with this is that the smell kind of bothered me. But that's just my personal opinion, it does a really good job at exfoliating, and you can't beat that price.
Toner:
This toner is my favorite. I even bought a bottle for my boyfriend and made him use it, but he loves it too! This is an anti-bacterial toner spray, and the tea tree helps get rid of acne scarring. I spray this after I wash my face at night and when I wake up in the morning. I also spray it before/after I work out because I'm sure there's tons of nasty germs everywhere at the gym, not to mention the sweat that comes with working out. You can also just spray this on your body anywhere that gets those red bumps from clogged pores. This is a product that I always recommend to my friends.
Moisturizer:
I don't have distinctly dry or oily skin, but moisturizers are a must. It's important to keep your skin happy and hydrated, and these moisturizers do it best.
This hydrating treatment is amazing. It's a bit more of an investment, but it is totally worth it. I use it after I wash my face, and it really does keep my skin looking and feeling super hydrated. Also, I die for the packaging! Not that that's necessarily important with face products, but it is what drew me to it.
I like this moisturizer because it's a lightweight gel formula rather than a lotion, so you can put it on in the morning and it won't feel heavy.
Eye Cream:
It may seem early to start using anti-wrinkle or anti-aging eye cream, but I will be thanking myself when I'm crows feet free at 50.
I know that I'm only 19, but it's better to start early with anti-aging products. I think the best time to start buying anti-aging products would be late teens/early 20's. This eye cream has algae and chamomile making it really soothing to put on before bed. I love Origins products because they're free of Parabens and Sulfates.
Masks:
For me, masks are a must. The options for masks are endless, and they're available everywhere, from the drug store to any high end department store. There are sheet masks, peeling masks, and regular face masks that rinse off.
I can't get myself to pay $70 for a face mask so I just buy the $19 one. I don't put this mask all over my face, usually I just put it on acne spots and on my nose. This mask visibly draws out any clogged pores and impurities, and you can actually see them as the mask dries (which is cool and also really gross). The $19 size is pretty small, but if you only put it on spots it really will last a while.
This mask works to draw out impurities and unclog pores. My face always feels fresh and clean after using this mask. And for the price of $25, it is a pretty good deal. Again this is an Origins product, so it's free of Sulfates an Parabens.
I love all of the Dr. Jart+ sheet masks. This mask works to replenish the skin and hydrate it. I would recommend checking out all of this company's sheet masks at Sephora.
I've been using this mask for a while and I still love it. It contains peppermint which makes it cool and tingly, and also honey and vanilla that make it soothing. It also works as an exfoliating wash as you rinse it off, so it really lives up to its reputation as the "ultimate face mask".
If you actually made it this far... thank you for reading! If you have any face products that you swear by, let me know and I'll try them. :-)
Disclaimer: none of these photos are my own, I got them from Sephora.com and Lushusa.com
