Just recently I stepped up my nightly face-cleansing routine as well as what’s in my make-up bag. An epic trip to Sephora will to that to a person. I’ve found that while I am not getting the sleep I should be getting, I can take steps to avoid looking like I was hit by a truck every morning.
What works for me: at night I remove my makeup with cleansing wipes- I think they are just plain Target brand. Then I’ll usually wash with St Ive’s apricot face scrub, also from Target. In the morning I’m looking fresh. This is what I try to remember each night when I’m too tired to think about a “routine”.
Now, before I put on my makeup I have been using the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer SPF 20 and hello, this is heaven in a tube. Very expensive but I’d probably pay double (don’t tell them that.)
All of that primpy stuff (which I’m usually not that into) totally does make me feel more fresh faced and like a younger Mom. I should also add that I always have a water or iced green tea (unsweetened) in my hand, hydrating all day long. I am hoping that I can make up for all the years I didn’t pay enough attention to my skin, and for all the sleepless nights of motherhood.
It’s all worth it, of course.
What’s your routine? Any products you can’t live without?
I’m in love with the Philosophy cleanser Purity Made Simple! It’s gentle enough when my skin gets dry in the winter but also cleans deep enough when it’s oily in the summer. A tiny drop can clean your whole face makeup and all and it’s the only thing I’ve found that doesn’t irritate my skin. Their moisturizer Hope in a Jar is also amazing in that it’s light enough in the summer and great in the winter too!
I am reminded of Harriet Nelson of “Ozzie and Harriet” fame told her daughter, Tracy Nelson (also an actress)to always remove her makeup before going to bed. At least you are getting into good skin care in your thirties and it will pay off in good skin as you age. Remember when you likened the raindrop shadows on your skin to age spots? That is what you will avoid using good sunscreen because you get sun damage even in the car with the windows up.
most of the time I’m super lazy about it and just use a stick of cocoa butter from walgreens. After washing my face I run the end of the stick under warm water to get it oily on the end, wipe it on my fingers and pat it around my (dampened) face, smooth it in slightly, then pat off the excess with a damp washrag. I do it morning and night. once in a while I’ll substitute with an expensive night cream with AHA to try to minimize wrinkles but my skin is too sensitive to do that much. I also avoid sunburning.
I eat lots of cucumbers in the summer especially. they have silica, good for skin.
Do you make your own green iced tea?
I LOVE the apricot scrub. Use it every time I show (not everyday, yeah, I know, haha…) I also have a fab locally made face cream, all natural, SO GOOD.
What a fun post! I just bought Boots no7 night cream (4 Good Housekeeping awards-coupon here http://racked.com/archives/2011/02/03/boots-no7-wins-four-good-housekeeping-awards-heres-a-coupon.php) to fight my post baby pre 40year old skin. I currently use Mary Kay Timewise, have been a fan for about fifteen years. After an enlightening tour of http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com I switched to Burt’s Bees cleanser & moisturizer for a year…but missed the oomph from all the nasty (but effective) chemicals in my Mary Kay stuff. MUST pamper face skin…and don’t forget the neck!