a stay-at-home skin care routine
resources for beauticians + scroll to read popular editions of this newsletter
Hi! As what has become a staple in this newsletter since COVID-19, a few resources for beauticians. Feel free to pass along.
Are you a healthcare worker currently dealing with irritation from masks? Check this out.
Apply: Professional Beauty Association “PBA COVID-19 Relief Fund”
Donate or apply: Bonnti’s Beauty Relief Fund
Beauty, barber, hair stylist , and nail tech relief funds. Also, check in with your own stylist or nail artist!
Donate Beauty: A donation project started by editors and writers to get products, like moisturizers and face masks, in the hands of healthcare workers.
A walk around my neighborhood. Yes, I 100% have my mask on onside down.
You may remember the subscription confirmation to this newsletter contained my skincare routine. I recently updated that confirmation email, so of course, I need to update my OGs!
A gentle reminder that my intention isn’t to sell you products. I love talking about skincare and I love sharing what I use because it sparks conversation. Beauty is one of the few things left you actually have to show up for. That makes it special to me.
Skin type: Combo, dry
Current situation + goals: Here’s the thing you have to understand. I’ve stopped testing so many products because it’s really sensitized my skin. The result? I’ve become more prone to break outs. I get small but consistent break outs (I’ll talk more about this later). In addition, my skin is dryer than normal skin and I’m spending less time outside. So I’ve toned down the rigorous cleaning I have done in the past while I focus on cleaning appropriately without drying.
At night:
Oil cleanser: Dermalogica’s PreCleanse
Smooth in texture and sweet in smell. So much of beauty, for me, is actually about the experience. This first step in my routine is such a pleasant start. Plus, it’s packed with vitamins and Dermalogica generally has an emphasis on environmental pollutants which I like.
Cleanser: Epi.logic’s Clean Reveal // Brightening Glycolic Gel
Lately, I’ve been breaking out in different areas of my face. I’m not sure if it’s stress or a product I’m using, but I’ve been trying a more potent cleanser to combat these breakouts. This cleanser contains 10% glycolic acid, which should help with skin clarity.
Toner: Tower 28’s SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
Ugh. I’m a huge fan of testing toners, but I haven’t tried one recently that I’m in love with. I’m not too deep in with testing this Tower 28 spray, which contains hypochlorous acid. Found in your white blood cells, it can helps your body to fight inflammation and harmful bacteria. It smells like chlorine and I HATE IT HERE. But I am determined to keep using it to see if I notice a difference in my skin, especially since my skin has been so irritated. Forever a stan of Indie Lee COQ Toner.
Prescription Retin-A
As I always say: If I’m using a retinol (Vitamin A), I don’t believe I need much else in the treatment/serum/ miracle product department. Retinol is the umbrella term for all retinoids. I mainly use it as a way to exfoliate and then of course long term: decreasing fine lines and wrinkles.
Squalane: The Ordinary’s 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
Naturally found in the skin, Squalane absorbs into my skin so quick, I felt that my Curology lotion was so thick, it was blocking the effectiveness of the Squalane. So I swapped the order to see how it does.
Oil: Codex’s Bia Facial Oil
Key ingredients include rose hip, bog myrtle, prickly pear and serrated wrack. I’ve noticed a difference in the firmness and texture of my skin. For me, Codex is a clean brand not only because of how their ingredients are sources, but because of their Beauty Code.
Curology’s lotion
I’ve been using this lotion for at least 6 months. It’s a must-pack on trips. It’s simple, doesn’t clog pores, and as their site says: “The combination of plant sugars creates a unique barrier effect that locks moisture into skin, keeping you naturally hydrated.”
In the morning:
Toner: Unless I wake up drenched in sweat, I spray my toner and swipe any dirt with a cotton pad. My face has been so dry, a full cleanse and reapplication of moisturizers is not something I’m interested in. I’m far more interested in building a strong skin barrier again with natural oils.
SPF: I still use it inside. I have tried some awesome physical sunscreens that don’t leave a cast, because some can help defend against blue light (phone screens, laptops.) But I have noticed that physical sunscreens — albeit very moisturizing — break me out. So I stick to this chemical sunscreen, Make P:REM UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream.
Thoughts? Comments? Questions? I’m here.
Until next week —