Changing Skin Care Needs

To the dismay of my mother, I never paid much attention to my skin care.   Occasionally I would (half heartedly) try something like a department store 3 step system or whatever what cheapest in the drugstore.   I wore my makeup to bed and almost never used sunscreen.

As I’ve gotten older I’ve started to pay more attention to my skin.  Not because I want to prevent wrinkles but because my skin has changed!  I’ve become the queen of uneven skin tone.  My skin is much drier than ever.  I also never knew what “flakey” skin was, until I developed it.

Pregnancy hormones have been fun too.  They were the gift that kept on giving.  Dark spots, dryness, and more uneven skin tone long after giving birth.

I’ll be honest I haven’t thought much about my skin for the last few years.  I started really paying attention to my cosmetic ingredients and got really freaked out.  I dumped about 90% of what I had and just didn’t have the desire to begin research on better products.

For the longest time I was just using a bar of local goat’s milk soap.   It didn’t really do anything for my flakey skin, but I felt better about the ingredients.

About a year or so, I was given a few samples of Badger Balm Argan Cleansing Oil and Face Oil.  WOW!  After the first use I saw a major difference. The cleanser removes everything without leaving that so-tight-my-face-will-crack-if-I-smile feel. The Argan oil was very hydrating and left me with very smooth skin.

I’ve since switched to the Badger Balm Sea Buckthorn cleansing oil and hydrating oil.

One massive bonus about the Badger Balm cleansing oil is it takes makeup off so well.  I don’t wear makeup often, but when I do the  cleansing oil removes it in one to two swipes with a washcloth.

I’m not trying to “stop the clock”, I just want to pause longer in the mirror.

About 2 months ago, I started to really look into different products and ingredients.  My main goal is to just take care of my skin, the largest organ on my body.  But I’m not going to lie, there is a certain amount of vanity in my desire for nice skin too. 

I’m not talking about the type of vanity which makes me dread each birthday. On the contrary I enjoy getting older, I’m not going to fight what is a very natural process.  However I do want to like my reflection in the mirror.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like my best self when I look in the mirror and see dry, cracked skin.  

I also don’t wear a makeup everyday.  Sometimes my skin looks fantastic (hello ovulation time!), other times more zombie like.  I would really just like consistency.  I don’t think that is too much to ask.

Setting Realistic Expectations

These photos were taken 3 weeks apart.  Of course I know 3 weeks is nothing and there is no such thing as a miracle product.  This last month or so has been more about finding products that don’t cause me to break out.

I didn’t start using all these products at once.  I introduced one product each week at night to make sure I didn’t have any adverse reaction.  The vitamin C serum I started using 3 times a week then slowly increased it.  It is slow going and I still have a few more products to try out before I commit to the one.

My Current Routine

The basic guidelines for creating any skincare routine is

1. Cleanser
2. Toner
3. Exfoliant
4. Serum
5. Moisturizer
6. Sunscreen

There are other in-between steps that can be added, like acne treatment, but I’m not having additional problems right now.  I’ve seen some routines with as many as 10-15 products and some that only have 5 (they skip serum).  There is no “right” number of steps, it is all about YOUR skin needs.

I am still in the trial and error phase.  This means I’m still testing out different products, finding the ones that work best for me.  This means I will inevitably try a products that is all wrong for me and it will go into my “no” bin.  My goal is to finalize my routine then become boring.  Meaning I stick with it and do not change it.  The goal of being boring is to just let the system work.  It won’t be an overnight miracle, it will be me being consistent that will make the difference.

Here is my routine right now.  This week I’m planning to add the Mad Hippie Hydrating Nutrient Mist.  I want to see how it works with my skin before deciding if it will be a keeper.  If the reviews are anything to go by the hydrating mist will become a permanent addition.

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