Current Skincare Routine for Serious Anti Aging

Hi ladies! After l shared my current skincare routine on Instagram stories last week I got so many follow up questions that I thought it would be a good idea to give you a blog post to hopefully further clarify any confusion. I’ve always loved skincare and all things beauty. So much so that I went to beauty school, worked at a fancy spa in Seattle and eventually ended up working for a Skincare company for some time. I definitely don’t claim to know it all and I’m no aesthetician but I’ve tried a lot and know what works for me. Hopefully some of my tips and favorites will also work for you!

First of all my skincare type is Normal to Dry and I’m 41! Eeekk that’s the first time I’ve written or SHARED that with my followers! What the hell, I’m good with it so hopefully you are too! Also, full disclosure I’ve had some help, I have been getting botox since I was in my mid 30’s as preventative and will continue to do so. It’s a personal choice and not for everyone, I get that.

Now back to skincare, my current skincare routine is to target Serious Anti Aging. I use products with the goal of results so everything I use is pretty active. Now I know all the products listed are going to feel like a lot but honestly it only takes me 5 mins in the morning and maybe 10 mins at night max! I will also say that doing my skincare routine is also self care time that I love! There’s nothing more indulgent the soaking in a bath with a nice face mask after working all day and chasing after my kids. So pour yourself a glass of wine and give your skincare some love!

Morning Routine:

1. I wash my face every morning with Kate Summerville Exfolikate Wash. It’s a long time favorite that doesn’t dry my skin but keeps it nice and clear.

2. I always wear a Vitamin C Serum during the day. It helps fight off free radicals that are basically environmental pollutants that age your skin, brightens the complexion and evens out the skin. I LOVE the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum but it’s expensive. BUT I saw a dramatic difference in the brightness and evenness of my skin!

3. I apply Kate Summerville Age Arrest Eye Cream. To be very honest this eye cream is just ok. I bought it and I’m too cheap to throw out a new eye cream so I just committed to finishing the bottle. It’s a great eye cream if you have sensitive eyes so I love that BUT I want more richness in an eye cream! I asked you ladies for your favorite eye cream suggestions and by far your top recommendation where this Skinceuticals Eye Balm, this Neo Cutis Balm and this Teamine.

   UPDATE: I just started using this eye gel and like it for daytime! Super gentle and hydrating and using this as my night Eye Cream more rich!

4. Daytime I moisturize with La Roche Posey SPF 30 because it’s hydrating enough to make my skin feel nourished but not so heavy that I can’t wear it under makeup. I’ve gone through 3 tubes of it and pick it up at Ulta for a great price! I don’t think a product has to break the bank to be great, case and point this gem.

5. If there is one thing you can do to slow down aging, pigmentation and overall health of your skin it is wearing sunscreen! Every day all day! I’m a sunscreen freak so I double up and finish my morning routine with Physical Matte Skinceuticals SPF 50. This sunscreen has a perfecting effect so it’s perfect before makeup because it fills in all the fine lines and blurs all imperfections.

Evening Routine:

The evenings are a bit more involved. I need to remove makeup so I always do the Double Cleanse Method to make sure my face is free of makeup and prepped for my treatment products. I started incorporating this method about a year ago and I can’t tell you what a huge difference it made. I use this a cleansing cloth and I can’t live without these ever again!

1. Cleanse #1 with Elemis Cleansing Balm and cleansing cloth with warm water. If i am wearing a lot of eye makeup I will use a cotton round and this Eye Makeup remover first then apply my Cleansing Balm.

   Cleansing Cloth How To’s: I use 1 cleansing cloth every other day or so and drape it over my towel to dry between uses then drop in the laundry with my white towels to wash. I buy them by the 10 pack here.

   Cleanse #2 I love my Kate Summerville Cleanser! It is a foaming cleanser so make my fave feel nice and clean without ever over-drying it and keeps break outs at bay!

2. Bioloqique Recherche P50 Lotion: This is not a lotion it is an exfoliator but for the sake of making this more comprehensive we’ll say toner. After watching about 100 YouTube videos of this cult followed product I decided to invest! It’s a game changer to your skincare routine. This product, exfoliates, hydrates, and balances the PH. There’s a slight tingle but that’s the product balancing things out and you might have a little redness but once your skin gets used to it you’ll be good. You can use this as your everyday ‘toner’ but I would not on days when you do ANY other peel products. Basically I use this every night unless I’m peeling. The application is really interesting an it really does blur fine lines when you use this technique. Here’s tutorial video. Also, if you are in NY or Philadelphia I’ve been told the Rescue Spa Facials that use all the Biologique product line are life changing! I promised myself a visit next time in NYC.

3. I do some sort of peel or exfoliator 3-4 times a week. Basically every other night and I choose which one of the below 3 depending on my skins needs at that time.

   *Dr Dennis Gross Peel Pads: I use these around the time of my period or if I’m traveling to help with flight/travel congestion and that sluggish travel face!

   *Dr. Zoe Perfect Face Retinol Serum; retinol was really a game changer in my skincare routine. I truly believe it is the fountain of youth of ingredients! It exfoliates and encourages new cell/collagen production so basically new skin! If there is one exfoliator I would recommend to see results in your skin it’s this ingredient! I ONLY use it at night and only when I know I won’t be in the sun, up to 4-5 night a week. For example I don’t typically use on weekends because i know I’ll be outdoors with my kids most weekends. Also never when I’m traveling to beach destinations for obvious reasons! With Retinol you have to work your way up to use it because it is very active. Basically start with just 1 time a week and every passing week add another day.

   For example: Week 1; one day application, week 2 ; two days of application but spread the days out and give your skin a break every other day. Week 3, three applications per week and so on…

   *Beauty Counter Overnight Peel; this is a great option if you are somebody that wants to use a more natural vs clinical product or if you are just starting out with peels. I choose this one right after I’ve gotten a facial or like after I have completely healed from my micro-needling this is what I’ll start with. I’ll have brand new 25 teenage skin so I don’t really need to go agressive!

4. I apply Skinceuticals Hydrating Serum and wait for it to completely dry in before I go on to my next step. This serum is all moisture and vitamin enriched.

5. I use this 3Lab Perfect Cream Moisturizer every night and love. Honestly , this is an expensive moisturizer but it’s the only thing i have found that leaves my skin feeling nourished and plump!

   ****Self Tan 4-5 nights a week . I mix in 2-3 drop of my obsession Tan Luxe Drops into my above night time moisturizer and apply mixture from face, down the neck and my shoulders/decollate. I use the Med/Dark. make sure to wash your hands afterwards **

6. Apply Eye Cream. Currently using this Kate Summerville but trying this Skinceuticals one next!

7. The last step to my nighttime routine is applying my Lash Boost Lash Serum. This stuff is crazy and seriously makes your lashes insane! I’ll never do without it and I ONLY apply at night.
   

I’m a Little Extra-Self Care Sundays’ Treatments

There are a few things I do on a need basis. When time avails I try to go the extra mile and use these tools and products. Especially if I have a free Sunday evening, I kind of treat it like my at home spa day!

• Face Razors/Derma-planing; Yes it’s true, I shave my face! I have been derma-planing my face for about 2 years now when one of my Korean girlfriends mentioned it to me. Apparently women in Korea have been doing this forever and you know Korea is SO ahead of our time in all things beauty?! Basically what your are doing by shaving your face is exfoliating all the dead skin off and also removing all the peach fuzz on your face. The result is the softest smoothest, visibly brightest skin you’ve ever had! The first thing you’ll notice is that your foundation will go on so even and flawless and your overall makeup will just lay so much nicer. AND NO your hair does not grow back thicker or stubbly! Promise! I generally shave on dry clean face but some recommend using lotion or shave cream too. Maybe try both to be see what your preference is. Also, DO NOT use any peels or toners after you’ve shaved! It will sting, learned from experience and you’ve already exfoliated!

• Peter Thomas Roth 24 K Gold Masque; Once a week or if I have a special event I also love to use this Glow mask, it seriously gives you the most youthful glow! I’ll do this right after I use my Biologique PW50 Lotion toner, rinse off and continue with my night time routine. And I found it here for almost half the price of other retailers!

• LightStim For Wrinkles: I received this about a week ago so i can’t really give it a full review yet but so far I am really liking it. I first was introduced to it by my aesthetician who gave me the treatment with a facial and it was seriously the best facial results I had ever had! I made a note to research the device and then I was lucky enough to receive one! It is LED light therapy that emits UV-free, beneficial light rays that energize cells, stimulate the body's natural renewal processes, plumps the skin and naturally erasing fine lines and wrinkles anywhere on the face. Firms your skin, reduce the appearance of pores, increase elasticity, and recapture a radiant glow. I use it every night for about 30 mins in bed while I work and watch TV. The warmth is actually really relaxing too! BTW they also have a LightStim for Acne that is supposed to be amazing!

• Rose Quartz and/or Nurse Jamie Rollers: Lymphatic drainage is big right now for its’ incredible benefits such as reducing swelling and water retention, detoxifying the body of impurities, increasing immunity, promoting healing & reducing headaches. For me the biggest thing I notice is the face looks more sculpted and it helps tremendously with water retention in the face! I actually just took my mom to have a consultation with a plastic surgeon for her eyes and he recommended using the rollers to help with her puffy eyes! I’ll use it when ever I remember to or if I feel really puffy after travel.