Jenn’s Skincare Regimen

It’s now been two years since Beautypendence launched in September 2011. Wow! In that time, not only have I partaken in wonderful spa treatments and tried on A LOT of makeup, but I have learned tons about skincare. More specifically, I’ve honed in on what works best for me. We are all unique and different, so each of us requires a customized routine.

I have dry skin, fairly sensitive with mild rosacea. My skin responds better to gentle treatment. The more I do to my skin, the angrier it gets at me. All in all, I count myself lucky. (Thanks for the good genes, Mom!) But don’t you doubt for a second that I work at maintaining my healthy complexion. Here’s a look into my current skin regimen, day and night.

P.M. REGIMEN

CLEANSER: I only wash my face at night, using CeraVe Hydrating Cleaser. Are you washing your face correctly? I splash a little water on my face to wet my skin. Then I use a pump or two of CeraVe and massage my face in circular motions with my fingertips. I try to do this for a minute, then rinse with water. ($11.99 for 12 fl. oz.)

EYE MAKEUP REMOVER: I soak a cotton pad with one of my Prized Products, Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. It’s the best! I try not to rub my eyes, but rather, press the soaked pad onto my closed eye for a few seconds and then gently wipe off my eye makeup. On occasion, I wear a hefty amount of eyeliner and shadow, and this remover gets it all off. ($15 for 3.75 fl. oz.)

EXFOLIATOR: Twice a week, I use Naturopathica Oat Facial Polish. It gently exfoliates and leaves my skin soft, thanks to aloe and soothing oats. I have my fabulous facial from Woodhouse Day Spa last year to thank for learning about this great line of products. ($52 for 5 oz.)

SERUM: I’m a big fan of serums. Think of them as topical vitamins for your skin. I’ve tried lots of nighttime serum options, but I haven’t found anything I like as much for my money as Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair. It’s a classic and solid choice. ($92 for 1.7 oz.)

MOISTURIZER: Yes, it’s called a Daytime Moisturizer, but I love this product from Hard Night Good Morning so much that I use it day and night. I’ve gone through several jars of this moisturizer since I first learned of and wrote about it last year. ($34.99 for 1.7 oz.)

A.M. REGIMEN

Since I thoroughly clean my face every night, no need to cleanse the next morning. I simply splash some water on my face to lightly rinse off.

SERUM: For the day, I like to use a serum with antioxidants for the extra protection from free radicals. This Naturopathica Vitamin C Revitalizing Complex has vitamins A, C, and E, as well as a plant-derived enzymatic antioxidant. Translated, lots of good ingredients for your skin. ($58 for 2.5 fl. oz.)

MOISTURIZER: I make sure that the serum has had time to soak in (i.e., skin no longer feels tacky) before applying Hard Night Good Morning Daytime Moisturizer. The key to flawless makeup application is moisturized skin, so this is an important step.

SUNSCREEN: You’ve all heard me say it – NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT SUN PROTECTION! SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense is my sunscreen of choice. It’s a SPF 50 physical sunscreen with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, thereby offering instant protection from the sun. Plus, it works perfectly under makeup. ($34 for 1.7 fl. oz.)

As you can see, I spend the most money on serums – the products that treat the skin. Also, I take an oral medication for my rosacea. It’s the only real treatment I’ve received from the dermatologist that has given me results. But all in all, whenever I get asked for skincare tips, I offer three non-negotiable steps:

1. Drink lots of water.
2. Get enough sleep every night.
3. Wear sunscreen every day.

If you do those three simple things, you’re meeting the minimum to achieve beautiful skin. All the rest is bonus!

IMAGES: Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, Naturopathica Oat Facial Polish, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, Hard Night Good Morning Daytime Moisturizer, Naturopathica Vitamin C Revitalizing Complex, SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense