Hello Friends!
Thank you for coming over to read my blog post today! I cannot wait to share this with you!
Skin Care is definitely one of my passions.
I have used many, many skincare brands over the years, and I have found my favorites from each company and combined them into one Ultimate Skin Care Guide, for you!
A little background on my skin: In high school I had oily skin and large pores. In my college years, my skin was still oily, but also dry in some patches. Now my skin is almost as normal as possible, thanks to my new routine!
There are four mains steps to skin care that everyone should follow:
CLEANSE
TONE
TREAT
MOISTURIZE
I wanted to share some tips & tricks for anyone and everyone.
- Drink LOTS of water
- Bring the products down your neck and chest as much as possible.
- Always rub in an upward and out direction, towards your hairline.
- Wash your face TWICE a day. Your skin will thank you.
- WEAR SUNSCREEN EVERYDAY!
- Be consistent with your skincare routine, even if it is only a few products.
If you have no idea what “type” of skin you have set an appointment with a dermatologist or local esthetician.
Now onto the GUIDE portion of this post…
All of the products below that I am recommending I have, or have used in the past.
Cleansers:
Tula Kefir Replenishing Oil – I am a huge fan of the “double cleanse.” This is the first cleanser I use to remove my makeup, when double cleansing. I will use two pumps of this and rub it in all over my face, neck, and eyes. I just wash it off with warm water and then follow up with my second cleanser. It takes off my makeup beautifully. It works well for all skin types.
Tula Purifying Face Cleanser – This is the second step in my double cleanse. But it is also the current cleanser I use by itself. I am so glad I tried this cleanser. It makes my skin feel SO CLEAN. The bottle this also lasts me six months. I only use about a dime size amount, twice a day. It works well for all skin types.
*Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Facial Cleanser – This creamy cleanser emulsifies makeup and gently removes impurities while nourishing skin with essential antioxidants and vitamins. It infuses skin with high levels of antioxidant vitamin C to brighten as it cleanses.
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash – This is a great cleanser if your skin is very congested or just feels off-balance. It works well for all skin types.
Toners:
Younique Rose Water – This is my ride or die rosewater. It has been a lifesaver hundreds of times. Red/puffy face? Younique Rose Water. Random pimple that won’t go away? Douse it in Younique Rose Water. Dry Skin in the winter? Younique Rose Water. Hot by the pool in the summer? Younique Rose Water. Feel gross about getting off an airplane? Younique Rose Water. I have an odd obsession with this stuff. It is the best rose water I have ever used, hands down. This is best for all skin types.
Trader Joe’s Rose Water – I love to pack this one when I travel. It is small enough to fit in a carry on, or a purse. Plus it is the most affordable rose water I have found. This is best for all skin types.
Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea – This stuff smells amazing and it very refreshing after a long day. I love spraying this on before applying a mask or treatment. This is best for all skin types.
Tula Pro-Glycolic 10% PH Resurfacing Gel – I use this on a daily basis. It tones my skin, without drying it out. I love to mix this with the Tula Aqua Infusion Power Liquid. This is best for all skin types.
Tula Aqua Infusion Power Liquid – This is probably considered more of a treatment, than a toner. But I mix it with the Tula toner and it is wonderful. I use this in the morning under my makeup to tone, add moisture, but not excess oil. It is the perfect combination for me. I tend to use this combination in the morning. This is best for dry skin types.
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel – This is another product that is also considered a treatment for dry skin, than a toner. But I love using two pumps of this, mixed with rose water. It is also a great toner for skin, under makeup. I tend to use this combination in the morning. This is best for dry skin types.
Treatments:
Spot treatments:
Kate Somerville Acne Treatment – This is the best spot treatment I have found. I will apply one drop of this, using a Q-tip, after my moisturizer, at night. This is great for stubborn pimples that will not go away. I sleep in this, and wash it off in the morning. It is best for acne prone skin. It is a drying treatment, only use for specific spots.
Applicable masks:
Younique Detoxifying Mask – If I had to recommend one mask to everyone, for the rest of their life, this would be it. It use this bad boy for everything! If you have clogged pores, black heads, puffy red spots, basically any facial skin problems… This mask will solve it for you. I try to use this at least twice a week. It keeps my skin clear and not congested. I also use this mask as a natural detox for my under arms, about twice a week, as well. This is best for all skin types.
Younique Oil Control Mask – This mask gives healthier-looking skin with less oil, smaller-looking pores, reduces redness, and fewer imperfections. The patented SaniSkin blend helps reduce oil and mattifying your skin, so all you’re left with is brighter, healthier-looking, clean skin that’s totally under control. This is best for normal and oily skin types.
Younique Brightening Mask – This peel-off mask visibly improves elasticity, minimizes pores, and evens the tone and appearance of your skin. This is best for all skin types.
Younique Exfoliating Mask – I have three favorite exfoliating masks. This is the most “intense” of the three. If you have lots of dry, flaky skin, this si the mask for you. I like to massage it on my face in the shower, and let it sit for five to ten minutes. It leaves my skin feeling the softest. This is best for all skin types.
No 7 Total Renewal Micro-dermabrasion Exfoliator – This is a great exfoliating mask if you want a quick exfoliation. It can be done in about three minutes and leaves your skin feeling smooth and refreshed. This is best for all skin types.
Young Living Satin Facial Scrub – This is my third favorite facial scrub. It has peppermint oil in it and larger exfoliator beads. I love using it in the morning when I need a wake up. It smells amazing and leaves my skin smooth and calm for the day. This is best for all skin types.
Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask – This mask is great for plumping skin and improving elasticity. It is best for dry skin, when you feel like your skin needs a “lift.” This is best for all skin types.
Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask – I love this mask when my skin is feeling congested. It has a nice mint smell, without being too overwhelming. I like to apply a thin layer before bed and sleep with it on, when my skin is really feeling congested. It is best for all skin types.
Sheet masks:
Peach & Lily Good Skin Day – This mask is my high-moisture go-to. I love that there is barely any clean up with sheet masks. I leave these on twenty minutes and then rub in the leftovers.This is best for all skin types.
Peach & Lily Chubby Cheeks – This is best for those who need lifting and plumping. I love this mask after a long day in the sun. It makes me skin noticeably plumper after each use! This is best for all skin types.
Peach & Lily Reset Button – This mask actually feels like a reset! If my skin is super irritated it calms it down and feels me feeling very refreshed. This is best for all skin types.
Other Treatments:
Tula Dual-Phase Reviving Treatment Pads – These bad boys are like an at-home facial. I love that they exfoliate and have a serum to help lock the moisture back into your skin. I used these leading up to my wedding and loved how soft and glowy they made my skin. I cannot recommend these enough. They are great for normal and dry skin types.
Moisturizers:
Lotions:
Tula Aqua Infusion Oil-Free Gel Cream – I love this as an everyday moisturizer. It is perfectly light, and still moisturizing under my makeup. This is best for all skin types.
Tula Hydrating Day & Night Cream – This is my go-to winter moisturizer. It has enough moisture for the dry season, without making my skin look like a glazed donut. This is best for all skin types.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion – I am pretty sure this is one of the first moisturizers I ever used. I like to keep one on hand, in case I ever need a basic moisturizer. It is best for all skin types.
Younique Time Correcting Night Cream – This is my favorite extreme hydration night cream. I just found out that it is retiring soon, so it is on sale, but only for a limited quantity. I love how this makes my skin smooth and extremely hydrated. I usually look like a glazed donut when I apply this before bed, but it is worth it. The next morning after using this, my skin is glowing! This is best for dry and normal skin types. I will also be on the hunt for a new night cream, so I am open to suggestions if you have one that you love!
*None of the facial moisturizers I use have sunscreen in them, so I add the It Cosmetics CC Cream before I apply my foundation. I love that this has sunscreen built-in and gives me some extra coverage under my foundation. It is best for dry and normal skin types. But they do have a matte version, for oily skin.
Body Lotion:
Young Living Lavender Hand & Body Lotion – A little goes a long way with this lotion. It smells amazing and is completely non-toxic. This is best for all skin types.
Serum:
Younique Uplift Beauty Serum – This is my go-to night time serum. It is great for all over, your eyes, neck, and face. I use this every night. This is best for dry and normal skin types.
*Image Skincare Vital C ACE Serum – I use this serum in the morning, under my moisturizer and before makeup. With vitamins A, C, E, and a power blend of plant antioxidants including green tea and echinacea extracts that help to reduce visible signs of aging such as fine lines and dryness. Bearberry extract naturally helps to brighten skin’s appearance. A complex of five amino acids supports healthy collagen and elastin.
*Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum – This is a serum I use at night. It works effectively on all skin types to soften the appearance of wrinkles, support collagen, and protect skin against oxidative damage. It acts as a wake-up call on the skin to fight the visible signs of stress and fatigue that commonly appear in aging skin.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum – I LOVE this vitamin C serum. It dissolves dead skin cells, giving you a smoother texture and a youthful glow. This can be used with all skin types.
Other Skin Care Products I Love:
Eye Masks:
*O2M Oxygen Eye Mask for Dark Circles – This eye mask is the only one on the market that can be worn all night! I love how instantly refreshing it feels, as it reduces fine lines & wrinkles. This oxygen eye mask is easy to use, you just have to peel, stick, and go to sleep.
Crystal Collagen Gold Powder Eye Mask – I am using these as I type this. This is a fun eye mask that I like to do at least once a week. I put them in the freezer about 15 minutes before I use them. I leave them on for about a half a hour, and then rub in the left over serum into my skin, when I take them off. This is best for all skin types.
Anti-Aging Eye Mask by Petite Amie Skincare – This anti-aging eye mask helps firm your under eyes, under under ten minutes. I love quick and effective this eye mask is. This is best for all skin types.
Lip Care:
Younique Lip Exfoliator – I use this every morning, during my makeup routine. I love that is removes the excess makeup off my lips, while gently exfoliating my lips before I apply my lip product.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – This is the best lip treatment I have ever used. I apply a thin layer of it every night. I suffer from cracked lips year round, but they get really bad in the winter. This stuff has completely saved that from happening. I cannot recommend this lip product enough.
Image Skincare Lip Enhancement Complex – This lip treatment is what I like to use during the day, when not wearing any other lip products. Especially, in the winter.
Makeup Remover:
Before I talk about my favorite products for makeup removing, I want to urge the importance of taking your makeup off before cleansing. If you do not physically wipe off your makeup, even if it is just with hot water and these makeup removing wash cloths, your makeup is just going to get moved around on your face by your cleanser, and not removed. Rant over. 🙂
Young Living Baby Wipes – I use these when I travel, or when I am feeling lazy and do not want to use my Tula Makeup Removing Cleanser. I love that it only takes one wipe to take off all of my makeup, while gently cleansing my skin. I still suggest cleansing your skin after using a wipe to remove your makeup.
Physicians Formula Eye Makeup Remover Lotion – I love to use this when I travel as well. It removes my eye makeup so easily! I will typically use the wipes for my face, and then apply a drop of this to a round cotton pad and use it to gently remove my eye makeup. This is what I use when I wear a lot of eye makeup.
Facial Tanner:
I do not like to use the same tanner on my face, as I do my body. It causes me to break out, as it is not sensitive. When I tan my face I typically only use on the products below. But I will use them daily, when trying to keep my face and neck tan. I usually only apply this at night, not under my makeup in the morning.
Coola Sunless Tan Dry Oil Mist – This is my go-to sunless tanner for my face. I love that it is a dry oil and leaves my skin glowing, without looking like I used a sunless tanner.
Coola Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum – When I use this oil I like to mix it with my nightly moisturizer.
Lash Serum:
Younique Esteem Lash Serum – I apply this at night and then wash it off in the morning. I have significantly longer, thicker, and darker lashes since starting this over a year ago. I had naturally blonde lashes, and now my lashes are so long they touch my eyebrows, without mascara.
Supplement:
Tula Daily Probiotic & Skin Health Complex – I love this supplement! It promotes digestive health, but also supports skin smoothness & hydration. I have noticed a huge difference in my skin health since starting these about a year ago.
Tools:
Younique Mask Applicator – This rubber mask applicator is best for thick or gel-like masks.
Younique Foundation Brush – This brush is best used with a light or liquid mask.
I like using applicators to apply my masks because it helps them go on evenly, and reduces the contaminants that are on my hands.
Lil’scrubbies – These are face cleansing pads that are reusable. I will use these with my cleansers and face masks. They really help work the product into your skin, gently. They travel much better than a face wash cloth. They rinse off and are super affordable!
Clarisonic Mia – This is my favorite skin care tool! I love how clean my skin feels after using this. I like using tis with my cleanser and masks. I try to only use this once or twice a week, since I use so many masks and exfoliators I do not want to damage my skin, but using this too often.
Jade Roller & Face Slimmer – I use these to apply oils to my face. I keep them both in my freezer. They help reduce puffiness and redness as I apply my oil at night. I also like to use the face slimmer while I steam my face. I think it really helps open my pores, for the steam to cleanse.
Facial Steamer – I love using this facial steamer to really open my pores and allow my products to sink deep into my skin. Plus it doubles as a towel warmer, which is a nice little luxury to hand at home.
Headbands, I have two like I use when applying makeup or doing my skincare. This one is fluffy and has a bow on it. These have velcro and easily adjust to any head size.
The last product I am going to discuss is Retinol, aka retin-a. I am going to try this and let you all know what I think. I have read great things about it and it’s benefits. Some include speeds up cell turn over (which means you are getting new skin cells faster, new skin cells = younger looking skin), helps with texture of the skin, and acne. I will update you all once I have tried it.
Here are some over the counter retinols to try, if you are interested.
The routine part is going to look different for everyone. I even mix up my routine daily, to keep my oiliness/dryness in the “normal” range. Once you learn your skin type, it will be easier to know what products to use.
Example Routine for Oily Skin:
AM
Cleanse: Younique Pore Purifying Cleanser
Tone: Tula Pro-Glycolic Resurfacing Gel
Treatment: Younique Rose Water I will usually douce any acne spots.
Moisturize: Tula Aqua Infusion Oil-Free Gel Cream
PM
Cleanse: Younique Pore Purifying Cleanser
Tone: Younique Rose Water
Moisturize: Tula Aqua Infusion Oil-Free Gel Cream
Treatment: Kate Somerville Spot Treatment
Example Routine for Dry Skin:
AM
Cleanse: Tula Purifying Cleanser
Tone: Tula Pro-Glycolic Resurfacing Gel
Treatment: Tula Aqua Infusion Power Liquid
Moisturize: Tula Day & Night Cream
PM
Cleanse: Tula Purifying Cleanser
Tone: Tula Pro-Glycolic Resurfacing Gel
Treatment: Tula Aqua Fusion Power Liquid
Moisturize: Tula Day & Night Cream
My current routine for Normal Skin:
AM
Cleanse: Tula Purifying Cleanser
Tone: Tula Pro-Glycolic Resurfacing Gel
Treatment: Tru Skin Vitamin C Serum
Moisturize: Tula Aqua Infusion Gel Cream
PM
Cleanse: Tula Purifying Cleanser
Tone: Younique Rosewater
Treatment: Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask
Moisturize: Tula Hydrating Day & Night Cream
Now I know I suggested a ton of products and it can all be overwhelming of where to start. But I would highly suggest trying sample sizes, or travel kits to learn what products work best for you. Everyone is different and I hate to buy a full size supply of a product and then have a reaction to it. I always try to buy the sample/travel kits to try new products out. Here are some of my favorites ones.
I also like to keep travel size items on hand, so when I am traveling my skin is not neglected. I always have a travel skincare bag ready to go.
I would also recommend getting a facial as often as you can. I like to get microdermabrasion, hydra-facial, or derma-planing. I would definitely speak with the esthetician to find out what your skin needs, but starting fresh with a skincare routine after a facial is such a great feeling.
I know this was SO much information but I truly hope this is helpful! My routine is changing all the time because I love trying new things and trying to find the best products for you all but I am loving all of these products I am using right now! A lot of these are staples in my routine and will be for a long time! Let me know your favorite products below.
Here are some other products I have talked about previously, but not in this post that are skincare-related.
If you have any questions about your skin type, or what products to use, please feel free to comment/message me for help. I would love to talk skin care with every single one of you!
As always, if you use any of the products mentioned in this post please share with us using #ForeverVanLandingham.
xoxo,
The VanLandingham’s
I really like it when individuals come together and share thoughts.
Great blog, continue the good work