Kelly the Culinarian: My Skincare Routine

Sunday, April 14, 2013

My Skincare Routine

My sister recently mentioned that I have such great skin, which was kind of surprising to me as I never thought about it.  I have much better skin that I had when I was younger, and she asked me what I've been doing differently.  I've paired down my skincare regiment significantly through the years and I thought I'd share what I've been doing lately. None of these brands asked me to post about this, these are just the things that work for me and my skin.

Daily Skincare Tasks

This is the off-brand Proactiv cleanser. It works just the same as the original in my opinion. During my morning shower, I use a quarter-size portion and let it sit while I wash my hair. Before I put on make up, I use a moisturizer with sunscreen. I usually use the private-label version of Olay for sensitive skin. When I get home from work, I splash warm water on my face, then rub in a dime-size portion of coconut oil. I use a soft wash cloth to remove the excess, which takes off my make up as well. This is a separate jar of coconut oil than what I use for cooking, by the way. Because that's just gross otherwise.

Weekly/As Needed Skincare Tasks

Once a week, I'll use the Proactiv Refining Mask, usually while I'm doing my ice bath after a long run. I let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse and shower, using this astringent after. On the right is the private-label version of Seabreeze astringent  I have found no substitute for this Proactiv mask - it's almost $30 a tube if you buy it at a mall kiosk, and slightly less if you're a Proactiv member. However, this one lasts me at least one year and is worth every penny.  I also use it for spot treatment as needed, applying it to a pimple and leaving it for an hour.

Let's get real about one thing, while we're talking skin care: A few years ago a beautician recommended that I use this astringent on my back, which has done wonders for my bacne (back acne). I just put it in a little spray bottle and apply it after showering a few times per week. What also helped in that department is using soap rather than body wash with an exfoliating loofah and doing so after washing my hair. What, I'm a runner, my skin can get nasty from all that sweating, and I'm guessing I'm not the only one.

What is your skincare routine? Did it take you a while to find the right products?

5 comments:

Nicole and Scott Kesten said...

totally use astringent on my back and where my sports bra hits.. definitely helps!

Losing Lindy said...

You know I was trying to remember this morning who used coconut oil for their face. I just bought some and need to try to use it for baking, when it gets lower, I am totally going to try it on my skin. My skin is horrible lately.

Unknown said...

I use Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser and moisturizer at night. During the day I use Nutrogena tinted moisturizer. I spent years trying to figure out my skincare and up until a few months before my wedding I really struggled with hormonal acne. After trying about three different birth controls and simplifying my skin routine, my skin is the clearest it's been in ages!

Maggie W said...

Right now I try to keep things really simple. I only wash my face when it "needs" it - after working out or something. Otherwise, I'll just rinse with water in the shower or do nothing. I have this "natural" oatmeal face bar that I picked up at an outdoor festival last summer. After I wash/rinse my face, I'll use a moisturizer - in the AM, I use one with SPF, in the PM, I have a Target private label (Booth's) for sensitive skin. Also I use jojoba oil to remove my mascara.

I've had terrible skin since junior high, so I feel like I have tried EVERYTHING over the years, including various prescriptions. The only thing that made a significant difference was Accutane, but that is some serious stuff with crazy side effects. Nowadays, I prefer to go at it myself rather than go to a dermatologist who wants to give me scary potions and pills. Also, I've tried to significantly decrease my dairy intake, and I think that has helped more than any product I've used.

I also very rarely wear make-up anymore. Just mascara daily. If I'm going to a wedding or something else, I'll wear make-up, including mineral powder foundation.

In that past I've done the oil-cleansing method, using castor oil + jojoba oil. I might switch back to that (maybe with just straight jojoba oil or EVOO) once I use up all the conventional face washes that I have on hand.

Unknown said...

I might have to try that astringent on my back thing. It does okay usually as long as I shower immediately after a workout or at the very least change my clothes, but if I leave on a sweaty sports bra I have a major bacne breakout.
I use St. Ives apricot scrub and Olay moisturizer.