Let's talk about skincare for a minute. I have struggled, and I mean really struggled with my skin for as long as I can remember. If you're thinking, "oh, please...your skin looks fine!” then I have one word for you, concealer! So here's the thing, I have what I like to call freak skin. It freaks out over everything little thing that I do! If I eat too much sugar it breaks out, if I exfoliate it gets irritated, if I look at it cross-eyed in the mirror I get a massive pimple, and it's always been this way. As a teenager I waited for the day that I would grow out of my bad skin. Now at 31 years old I am still fighting breakouts, pigmentation and large pores while also combating the new and dreaded appearance of fine lines. (I don't use the "w" word quite yet)
Photo by Joanne Pio
So, what's a lady to do? Drink more water and give up? I think not! I am constantly on the hunt for new products that are sensitive enough for my skin but still treat what ails it...and I'm working on the whole water thing. So while my skin care regimen is far from perfect I thought I would share a few products that I currently use with you in hopes that you might benefit from my trial and errors. So, do you have freak skin? What products do you recommend?
1. Clarisonic Aria (with a sensitive skin brush attachment). This is my favorite thing ever. I just started using the Clarisonic and already see fewer fine lines, my skin is much softer, and my pores are starting to look a bit smaller. I only use mine once a day (at night-time) and on the lowest setting to prevent irritation.
2. Murad Essential-C Cleanser. I just started using this cleanser and I like it so far. It has a nice fresh citrus scent and feels moisturizing.
3. Shiseido Purifying Cleansing Foam. I really like this cleanser because it lathers well and is super gentle.
4. Murad Acne & Wrinkle Reducer. I love this product! It's a pimple & wrinkle fighter in one. Hallelujah!
5. Boscia Revitalizing Black Hydration Gel. This is a really interesting product. It's a natural gel moisturizer with a bit of glycolic acid and a surprising cooling effect. The only downside, no SPF.
6. Origins GinZing Eye Cream. I really like this eye cream and it really brightens the under eye area! Plus it has a nice subtle natural shimmer effect
7. Peter Thomas Roth Camu Camu Vitamin C Serum. I've sadly only ever used this product in sample form because it's pricey. I am obsessed. It makes my skin feel super hydrated and nourished.
Skin Tips I've Learned Along the Way:
1. Never, ever go to bed with your makeup on. This has always been an obvious one to me but I think it's important to mention that washing your face morning & night is the start of good skin care routine.
2. There is such a thing as over exfoliation! You can actually damage and weaken your skin by over exfoliating it so limit your scrubs and products with exfoliating agents like AHA, glycolic, etc to once a day or even a few times per week.
3. Oily skin needs moisture too! Drying out your skin with harsh products in order to fight acne or oil is never a good solution. Dry skin will only work harder to produce more oil.
4. Water really helps. Drink a lot!
5. Breakouts or bumps on the forehead can be signs of dietary problems while the chin/cheek area are hormonal.
6. Always wear sunscreen.
As For Makeup:
I may not have this whole "perfect skin" thing down just yet but I sure know a thing or two about makeup! Here are just a few of my very favorite everyday makeup products that I can't live without.
1. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage. The best little concealer that ever was! I apply this with a small concealer brush and mix the two shades to match whichever area of my face needs a little more coverage.
2. Laura Mercier Oil Free Supreme Foundation. I really am in love with Laura Mercier face products. Also, if you have a lot of yellow undertones to your skin (like me) you will love this line! I found a perfect match for my light olive skin.
3. Angle Brush. So necessary for filling in eyebrows with powder! Here's a tip: use an eye shadow color that matches your brows! It will last all day.
4. Watt's Up. This is the greatest little highlighter for the top of your cheek bones! Just blend in and glow away.
5. YSL Baby Doll Mascara. I recently tried a sample of this stuff and I was immediately hooked. It's pricey for mascara but might just be worth it to achieve big lashes! Plus it doesn't flake.
6. NARS Lipstick. I am obsessed with NARS lipstick! It lasts all day and doesn't bleed all over the place. My favorite shades are Funnyface, Barbarella, Schiap & Heatwave.
7. MAC Blush. I wear "Fleur Power" for a coral pink pop or "Well Dressed" for a soft pink shimmer.
What are your go to skin care & makeup products? I'd love to know!
christin says
Everything by Boscia is amazing. I love their foaming cleanser. They're new moisturizer with SPF is amazing and great for oily skin - it's so light!
jacquelyn | lark&linen says
I have skin care woes myself. One thing I use that works WONDERS for me is almond oil as a moisturizer. It's nice, natural and super soothing. My skin has been infinitely better since I started (bonus, it's only $4 for a bottle that lasts me up to 8 months)
Lauren Cooper says
Many beauty products have come and gone for me, but the one thing that I have used for over 10 years is Kiehls Sodium PCA Oil-Free Moisturizer. Even if I try something else, I always come back to this. I have combo skin so this gives me plenty of moisture without feeling oily. Downside is that it doesn't have SPF, but my foundation does. LOVE IT!
Nichole Ciotti says
Girl, I can relate to this! You must (and I mean MUST) read No More Dirty Looks, if you haven't already. It is a huuuge wake-up call. Victoria over at Vmac + Cheese recommended it to me and it's just like... holy cow. It's the truth about your beauty products. To give you a little example... Europe has banned more than 1,000 ingredients for use in personal-care products. The United States has banned nine. I feel like these crap ingredients are the culprit! I hope to see you soon. xx
Brynn says
For sensitive skin I love Dermalogica's UltraCalming line. And their Daily Microfoliant is a gentle exfoliant that can be used everyday. They have a concealing spot treatment for when I get a breakout that covers up and treats the zit. Amazing.
Michelepratadesignerlifestyle says
I love hearing you share what you use on your face for cleansing and beautifying!
Chelsea says
Love hearing more about your routine Leah. I never would have guessed you have problem skin... you must be a wizard with the concealer!
xoxo,
Chelsea & The City
Luv and Kiwi says
I'm about to start trying oil washing as soon as the wedding is over. (no sudden moves before!) Both my sisters swear by it so I have to try. My skin went bonkers this year...I blame wedding planning and negative energy lol. Currently using a clarasonic and proactive. Working for now (knock on wood!)
Christine | Life in a Dress says
Thanks for the tips, your skin looks awesome. I suck at skincare and go to bed with makeup on like 5 nights a week. Disgusting, I know.
I swear by MakeUpForever HD foundation though. It's a miracle worker and looks great in photos!
Emily West (@sparklemeetspop) says
I was going to ask - loved your makeup at the Alice in Pinterland party! I have the worst skin, too, and thought my issues would be long gone by now. Nope! Thanks for sharing!
Emily | SparkleMeetsPop.com
Joy Uyeno (@frockfiles) says
Leah, I read that first paragraph and thought, "Oh, thank god, it's not just me." I can totally empathize. Right now I've got my skin under control by using an oil cleanser by Tu'el, Mario Badescu's buffering lotion, and Get Gorgeous tea by the Republic of Tea. Moving back to Boston made my skin go haywire, but these three things seem (at the moment) to have me back on track. And yes, thank the lord for concealer!
weekendingblog says
I have always hoped to grow out of my "bad-skin stage" but let's get real, what started at age 14 is just as bad at 24. It seems its here to stay! But love your tips and product recommendations! Of all of them, I've only used the amazing Clarisonic (I swear by it) so I can't wait to try your others! xo
audrinajulia says
this topic is intersting and it looks like you have no skincare problem at all. Love your list of products and i heard many good feedbacks reg murad but did'nt yet try one. Luckily i seldom have a breakout, maybe one pimple every quarter if i remember it riht.:) you are right drinking a lots of water help so with a good sleep and maybe it's also on the genes. I'm currently using estee lauder, clinique and the face shop products (korean bramd) and i must say they are worth it and also some marykay product, but this time around i also qorking on natural product to work on my skin, a tip from derma told me that using the same skincare for a long period of times makes the skin immune. Oh and i kove your make up list too! Nars is also a favorite, definely schiap lipstick, it's just too pricey but worth it, right? Oh and lastly seeing your clarisonic makes me even more excited to have one, just thinking of ordering and i knoow i won't feel sorry having it. Have a great day!
Angie
Audrinajulia.blogspot.com
audrinajulia says
"looking"just using my phone and hard to type please bear for some mispelled words, so sorry.
rebeccamarilyn says
I would really highly recommend Liz Earle products. They from here in the UK but I think you can get them in the US too.
They use natural ingredients and have an ethical approach to everything from testing to packaging (read more here: http://uk.lizearle.com/our-principles ).
Their Cleanse, Tone & Moisturise line smells divine, is gentle on sensitive skin and actually works - it always leaves my skin feeling light, fresh and clean. My mum and I have different skin types but both love it, and I don't know of anyone who didn't like it after trying.
http://uk.lizearle.com/
Erin Haslag (@erinhaslag) says
My first signs of stress always show in my face (sigh!). I have a relatively "clean" diet but am still finding there are problems. My routine is simple (Clarsonic 1x/day or every other day with facial oils and vitamin C) and hasn't really changed ... time to see if there's something in my diet that I haven't already cut out (dairy, sugar).
Will be trying the Nars colors suggested. Even if my skin is being a pain I always feel confident with the perfect pop of color on my lips!
Nic@diningwithastud says
I have been the same with my skin. I have really blocked pores so on the surface, everyone says my skin looks fine, but I know how bad it is and its been like that since I can remember. Great makeup tips 🙂
Melvina says
Have you ever tried Korean skincare? I've been getting into that a lot lately and love it!
Leah Bergman says
Yes in fact! I really like Laneige which I believe is a Korean line. What are you using/recommend?