My Recommendations: Part I - Skincare

The next few posts will be my skincare and makeup recommendations. Who am I and why should you listen to me, you ask? Well considering I've been doing makeup since I was in middle school (if it helps, I'm 27 now) and I've had every possible skin type transformation in those years (including bad acne, going from oily, very oily, dry, very dry, combo, etc.), it has allowed me to be able to get to know skin very well. It has also allowed me to try almost every product on the market today for skincare and test almost every makeup. I've been fortunate and feel that I have a pretty good grasp on what works and what doesn't.

Before I start, let me just clear up a few misconceptions about both:

1. No matter your skin type, you always always ALWAYS need a good moisturizer. If you have oily skin and you don't use any sort of moisturizer daily, your skin is going to actually produce more oil to make up for the fact that it's dehydrated. Use a moisturizer daily.

2. ALWAYS WASH YOUR FACE BEFORE BED. This, I cannot stress enough. Even if you don't wear makeup during the day, washing your face before you go to bed is an absolute necessity. We don't realize how much we touch our face during the day and how much can build up on our skin. I don't care if you have perfect skin in every way, wash your face before bed.

3. If you have extremely dry skin, you do not need to wash your face in the morning. Just a splash of cold water will do.

4. Makeup is actually good for protecting your skin from environmental irritants. I had a friend once who argued me up and down on how makeup is so bad for your skin and that when we were 40, she was still going to look 25. I just had to laugh. Makeup, in general, is not bad for your skin. Actually, most makeups now have SPF in them and are mostly oil and irritant free, thus not hurting your skin at all. Granted there are exceptions, but they are usually easily spotted, just do your research. When paired with washing your face in the evening, you're not hurting your skin at all, you're protecting it.

5. Even if you don't burn or aren't out in the sun for extended periods of time - EVERYONE NEEDS TO WEAR SPF DAILY - at least on your face for starters. SPF is really important, hands down. The sun and ozone layer are worse than they were 20 years ago, 10 years ago, and even 5 years ago, so the risk of skin cancer is much higher. Even if you don't burn, aren't in the sun often, care about getting a tan, etc, you still need SPF on your face at least. If you don't, talk about massively aging prematurely.


Part I - Skincare

1. Face Wash

(All Skintypes): Chandrika Ayurvedic Soap

I just recently (within the last 6 months) discovered this soap. Made from natural ingredients - I know they all say that now, but this one truly is - it is the best face wash I've ever used, hands down. As I said earlier, I've struggled with acne almost my entire life and while I did have to turn to prescription medication to practically get rid of it, this is the only face wash that has actually helped. I've used every anti-acne product available and even though this isn't specifically anti-acne, this soap has cleared up any breakout I've ever had, within a day or two. It also is the only thing that makes my skin feel clean, without further drying it out. For oily skin, it's a dream. Perfect for all skin types and budgets, this stuff is absolutely amazing. 

Where you can buy: You can find it I believe at Whole Foods, but I get mine off of Amazon in bulk. For $1.00 a bar (told you it was wallet friendly!), a pack of 18 will last you well over a year. $20 a year? I'm down with that.

2. Daily Moisturizer 

(Normal to Dry Skin): Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 (or if you can find it ANYWHERE - Dove Deep Moisture Facial Lotion, SPF 15 - it so ridiculously has been discontinued but it was the best daily moisturizer I've ever used)

I've always liked Neutrogena and thought they have produced great products (even if they are a bit pricey). I've struggled in finding a decent daily moisturizer that won't make my makeup cake up, but will give me the moisture that I need, even when my skin was more on the oily side. This has worked well for me and it's got the added bonus of SPF 30. Being from down south, I was a little late to the SPF bandwagon, because I was just always out in the sun and didn't burn. Now I understand that that was silly and I need a good facial SPF. I fell in LOVE with Dove's Deep Moisture Facial Lotion, but they discontinued it for some insane reason. This is a good alternative, especially if you have normal to dry skin. It keeps your skin hydrated and doesn't irritate it. It also sits well under makeup.

You can find this in any drugstore or Amazon for about $13.

(Very Dry Skin): Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream

This I swear by. I use this as my nightly moisturizer and it is wonderful. I recommend it to everyone I meet! I also used this while on Accutane and with EXTREMELY dry skin. Only thing that saved it; it's why I have it on the daily moisturizer list. This is also great if you don't have extremely dry skin or have combination, etc., as a nightly moisturizer, so you'll see it again on this list. When it comes to overnight creams, you want something a little heavier to help the skin rejuvenate overnight. I know it doesn't contain SPF (one of it's only drawbacks), so make sure your makeup has at least SPF 15 in it or you put SPF on separately.

You can find this at any drugstore or Amazon for about $17. It's a little bit on the pricey side, but very worth it and a tub lasts for months.

(Combination to Oily Skin): Neutrogena Oil-Free Daily Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin or Neutrogena Oil-Free Daily Moisturizer SPF 15

I know, another Neutrogena entry. Neutrogena has great products, what can I say. When it comes to oily skin, it's almost a no-brainer that you need a product that is oil free. Both of these are fantastic and never once broke me out further. I prefer the one with SPF, but if you have very sensitive skin and don't want to risk it, then stick with the oil-free, sensitive skin version. Just don't forget to add SPF, either in the form of makeup or sunscreen itself.

Again, these products are readily available at any drugstore or Amazon for about $12.

3. Nighttime Moisturizer

(Normal, Combination, Dry/Very Dry Skin, Oily): Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream

Again, hands down, one of the best moisturizers I've ever used. I would put for all skin types, but this may be a bit too heavy for those of you with very oily skin. If you have some oil, then this still works, but if you're face is producing copious amounts of oil, then I have another recommendation. 

You can find it almost everywhere for about $17, again pricey, but it lasts forever.

(VERY Oily Skin): Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion

This is the lotion version of the Cetaphil Cream and it's lighter than the cream. It's great for very oily skin as a nighttime moisturizer. 

Again, you can find it almost everywhere for about $10-$13.

Those are the basics of skincare. If you would like any further recommendations, such as toners, sunscreen, eye cream, etc, feel free to ask! 

Look for my next post, which will be makeup recommendations! I hope to have it up by the end of the day, if not, then first thing tomorrow!