Top 10 Ultimate Tips for Radiant Skin

1. Cleanse your face twice daily

Cleansing your face removes all impurities that tend to accumulate on the skin during the day and night.  Failure to do this one simple step can make any products you apply to your skin useless, as they cannot penetrate deeply into your clogged pores.  Cleanse your face before applying makeup and then again after removing makeup.  My long time favorite cleanser has been the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser.  The full size bottle is a little on the pricey side at $38.00 for 5.1 ounces, but one million percent worth the investment.

2. Apply a moisturizer after cleansing

Moisturizer will not only help your skin lock in hydration, but it will also seal into place any other skincare products you use beforehand, such as eye cream, anti-aging serum, or toner.  Acne-prone skin needs a moisturizer, even though it may feel counter-intuitive, and will help your skin heal because drying out your skin will actually cause it to over-compensate and produce more oil.  Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion has been a favorite of mine for years, which feels incredibly light on the skin but packs a punch when it comes to hydration.

3. Remove your makeup every night

Although it may feel tempting to skin this step, it is important and very necessary to continue to have healthy skin.  When you wear your makeup to bed you are not only clogging your pores with the day's makeup, but also with dirt and grime that accumulates daily on your face.  It also doesn't allow for your skin to recover from the free radicals and particles that land on your face every day, which causes a break down in the collagen on your skin and leads to the development of lines and wrinkles.  Mascara and eye liner, when left on your face for long periods of time, accumulate germs and can lead to infections.  

So what is the quickest solution to removing makeup?  Thankfully, you have many options.  The very first thing I do is I don't wait until bedtime to remove my makeup, and instead to do it right after I arrive home for the night.  I find I am not as tired at this point and I am more likely to freely expend the effort to cleanse my face.  For a medium-to-high-end product I recommend Josie Maran Bare Nakes Wipes, which are packed with natural and soothing ingredients that easily remove makeup and leave your face feeling fresh and clean within less than a minute.  For a drugstore product I recommend Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes, which are ultra soft and are great at removing even waterproof mascara.

4. Drink A LOT of water

Drinking enough water every day is skin hydration 101.  Check out this article from the Mayo Clinic on how much water you should be drinking on a daily basis and the health benefits. Add lemon to your water to act as an internal cleansing agent.  I carry around the Hydr-8 32 ounce water bottle with me everywhere I go every single day.  People always comment on how they love the "time stamps" on the side, which allows you to see when you need to drink more water.

5. Wear SPF every day

Applying a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 will protect your skin from harmful UV rays.  Even if you are stepping outside for only a few moments, sunscreen is not only the best thing you can do to protect your skin, but it is the only thing you can do to prevent premature aging.  Apply every morning as your last skincare routine step after your moisturizer and serums, and before you apply any makeup.  Apply every morning and reapply throughout the day as needed.  Any drugstore sunscreen will do the trick, although I prefer to use the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30 for those days I just need a little extra color on my face.

6. Use an at-home face mask once per week

Face marks will target blackheads and impurities, and draw out residue clogged deep inside pores.  Masks that contain clays in them are especially great at deep cleansing and removing impurities to leave you with the ultimate fresh and healthy looking skin.  A high-end favorite of mine has been the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, but there are plenty of drugstore alternatives to choose from, such as the cult favorite Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, which is only $12.00 for a one pound jar on Amazon.

7. Use a sheet mask once per week 

Sheet masks have long been a staple in Asian beauty, but have just recently found more popularity on Instagram and in stores like Ulta and Sephora.  Sheet masks infuse the skin on your face with nutrients and come in a variety of styles and leave your face feeling refreshed and brand new.  One of my personal favorite is the Too Cool for School Egg Cream Hydration Mask, which you can also find in Firming and Tightening.

8.  Clean your makeup brushes

While it makes sense to clean makeup your makeup brushes, it is often a chore that is overlooked or put off until later.  However, taking the time to do this one step will not only ensure that your make up looks better once you've applied it, but also prevent your brushes from transferring any old face oils onto your face.  At a minimum you should be washing your brushes weekly, and at a maximum after every use.  

All you need is a bottle of Johnson's Baby Shampoo, apply a small amount to a wet makeup brush and swirl in the palm of your hand until all the excess makeup is removed, and then set on a towel to dry.  If you're looking for that quick fix I highly recommend Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleanser, a professional grade cleanser that is quick drying and rinse free.  It cleans and conditions quickly, and is perfect for the person that wants to clean their brushes daily.

9.  Wash your pillowcases

Similar to washing your brushes, washing your pillowcases is one of those chores that needs to be done weekly to ensure healthy skin.  Pillowcases are notoroius for housing oil and dirt, and are often the causes of acne breakouts.  Pillowcases made from natural fabrics breathe better and transfer less oil, however nothing makes up for a good regular wash.  Word of caution: do not use fabric softeners on pillowcases, as they leave behind a waxy residue that is highly pore-clogging.

10. Exfoliate your body with a sugar scrub once per month

Exfoliating will help remove the dead skin cells that live on the surface of your skin and makes skin smoother and brighter.  Similar to using a cleanser on your face, it gets rid of debris and allows the rest of your skincare products to work their magic.  A high-end favorite of mine is the Josie Maran Argan Sugar Balm Body Scrub, which gently buffs away dead skin cells and impurities, then moisturizes with argan and coconut oil to leave your skin feeling smooth and soft.  While the drugstore has limitless options in terms of affordable body scrubs, I encourage you to make your own and try my recipe for DIY Coconut Coffee Body Scrub, a natural and easy alternative.

Interested in MORE skincare advice and tutorials?  Check out my YouTube!

    

SNAP ME! @AshleyEBeauty

The 7 Best Nightly Beauty Products for Amazing Skin

Today we are talking about night time skin care!  I have found through trail and error over the years that my skin is always at its best when I am faithful to my night routine.  This means applying the right type of products to my skin in the right order, and never skipping a night even if I am beyond tired.  Healthy skin will not only make you feel great, but it will significantly help your makeup look and feel better over your skin.

I start by removing my makeup with either a makeup removing wipe or my favorite Pond's Cold Cream.  Below are the current products I am using and the order in which I apply them.  

Step #1: Exfoliator

Once your skin is clean of all makeup, always start first with an exfoliation.   Exfoliating your face on a regular basis can completely change your skin.  Ridding your face of dead skin cells will help clear out acne and breakouts and reduce the appearance of large pores.  It also improves your skin's texture, allowing for newer and fresher skin cells to take the place of the dead skin cells.

The reason you should exfoliate as the first step in your nightly skincare routine is because serums and moisturizers are better absorbed when there isn't any dirt or dead skin cells in the way.  Exfoliating on a regular basis will allow your moisturizer to work more effectively and your makeup to go on smoother.

My current favorite is Origins Modern Friction.  It is a plant-based and cruelty-free formula that is soft on my sensitive skin.  I make sure that my skin is wet before massaging the product into my skin.  If you do not have an issue with sensitive skin you can apply this product to dry skin.

Step #2: Cleanser

Cleansing your skin will remove any additional dirt, makeup, impurities, or excess oil that is still on your face.  You can cleanse your skin anywhere from 1-3 times.  The more times you use your cleanser the more dirt and oil you will be eliminating, and the better your skin will feel.

Your skin is a vital exit route in your body's expulsion of toxins and chemicals and 1-3 rounds of nightly cleansing will result in better skin hydration and keep your skin vibrant and healthy.

My current favorite is the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, but I recently ran out and quickly picked up Biore Baking Soda Pore Cleanser.  This product is great for combination skin and works for me in both warmer and dryer weather conditions.

Step #3: Sprays or Mists

Facial sprays or mists are often a forgotten essential within the skincare routine.   Face sprays can soothe and refresh skin, especially important in a hot weather environment, and prepare the skin for premium moisturizer and serum absorption, which is particularly significant in colder climates.

My current favorite is Mario Badescu's Facial Spray.  It contains aloe, herbs and rose water, which have long been a skincare favorites of mine because they are natural products with many great benefits for the skin.  In addition, Mario Badescu makes other amazing and affordable skin care products and I urge you to give them a try!

Step #4: Toner

Using a toner, even if you do not have an acne problem, is a skin care essential.  Toner shrinks pores, moisturizes and refreshes skin, as well as prevents in-grown hairs.  One of the most important functions of using a toner is that it gives your skin pH balance.  After cleansing your skin's natural pH balance is disturbed due to the alkaline nature of soap, and using a toner will help to restore that balance.

My current favorite is SK-II Facial Treatment Essence.  The price for this product is quite steep, but it is well worth the money if you can budget it.  My skin has never felt so soft, smooth and refreshed as it has while I've been using this product.  I've noticed pigmented areas on my face diminishing, and the places where I normally get break outs are clear.

Step #5: Serums

The final step before continuing on to a moisturizer is to apply any type of additional serum of your choosing.  For most people this is usually an acne or anti-aging serum.  It is important to do this step after the toner because it is at this point that your skin is most primed to benefit from these additional serums.

The only serum I currently use is Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Power Serum.  I started noticing my fine lines diminishing within a few weeks of using this product and definitely plan on re-purchasing once it is finished.  This is the first anti-aging product I have ever used, and chose this specific one because of it's plant-based formula.

Step #6: Moisturizer

The next step in the process is the moisturizer!  You should be moisturizing your face after you shower, before you apply makeup, and before you go to bed at night.  You should always choose a moisturizer based upon your skin type.  Moisturizing helps in the natural healing of your skin, helps protect it against damaging chemicals, and can promote skin cell regeneration and stop premature wrinkles.

I have one moisturizer that I use for during the day and before makeup application, and another one that I use primarily at night.  My current favorite night time moisturizer is Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins.  This product is very rich and creamy, and packed with extra vitamins and minerals to bring ultimate hydration into the skin. 

Step #7: Eye Cream

The final step in my night time skin care routine is eye cream.  The skin around your eyes are thinner and more sensitive, and needs to be treated delicately.  A regular moisturizer should not be used in this area because your dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines or wrinkles need extra care.  Eye creams should be applied in a gentle dabbing motion working inwards towards your nose.

My eye cream favorite for quite some time has been Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream.  It makes my under-eye area feel hydrated and refreshed with a cooling sensation as I apply it to my skin.  Over time I have noticed it has made my eyes brighter, my dark circles less noticeable, and puffiness has completely diminished.

I am always tweaking and changing up my skin care routine to include new and better products.  Using this routine I have found that my skin is always clean, clear and refreshed.

What are some of your most coveted night time skin care products?

 
Snap Me! AshleyEBeauty