Skincare basics

Some don't realize that good skincare is the key essential in aesthetics beauty. A pretty face isn't based upon how much foundation or makeup is slathered on it, but how well one can maintain skin's natural beauty. Babies have that flawless, smooth, "soft as a baby's butt" skin, because they have not yet dealt with the toll of school, work, hormones, and everyday stress. As we get older, these factors in life reflect in the appearance of our skin. This is why it is important to have a good skin routine to combat impurities and to keep that fresh, clear looking skin we all want. Unless, you’re going for that pimply or fatigue look.

Basic tips:

1. Most cliché advice, but its cliché because it works: drink lots of water. Water flushes out the toxins in your body, which is great for not only your skin but your overall health.

2. If you wear makeup, make sure it’s non-comedogenic, and non hypoallergenic. Basically, non acne producing and non allergy inducing makeup. Most makeup should have this information on the labels. It’s also best to use oil free makeup. The best skin beneficial drugstore makeup would have to be Neutrogena, in my opinion. They have a wide range of skincare products, and also create skin improving cosmetics, all at affordable prices.

3. Change your pillowcases often. Oil from your hair transfers to the fabric, when you lay your face on that pilow, it will clog your pores.

4. Have a small cactus in your bedroom. They draw out toxins in the air. Weird, I know. I actually don’t have a cactus myself…yet.



My morning routine: (combination skin)

Shiseido pureness cleanser- best cleanser I’ve ever used by far. It gives a good wash, makes my face feel really refreshed, while also evening out my skin tone. The cleanser gets rid of sebum (oil excreted by sebacious glands), dirt, and makeup. The micro exfoliating beads don’t irritate the skin, and I think they’re what makes my skin feel so soft. At around 20 USD it is a bit pricy, but well worth the money. All you need is a pea size amount, and it will foam up like crazy. One of these tube will last me almost a year. You can find these at any Macy’s store or online.


Olay Complete daily moisturizer for sensitive skin, SPF30: MOISTURIZE MOISTURIZE MOISTURIZE. Retaining moisture in skin is important in maintaining its elasticity and firmness. And make SURE your day moisturizer has SPF. Skins exposure to UVA and UVB rays accounts for 90 PERCENT of premature wrinkling. Not to mention, sun damage leads to skin cancer.

Even after this moisturizer, I make sure to apply Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock with SPF55. Prevention is the secret. Once wrinkles set in, you can’t reverse aging without using extreme measures. What you can do, is prevent. Moisturizing and putting on sunscreen are both effective preventive methods. Moisturizers with anti aging agents are worthwhile investments. Don’t think you’re too young to use them now. If you want healthy skin, you can forget about it if you go tanning. The mere idea of tanning beds make me cringe.


The most sensitive skin on your face is around the eye area. This area requires extra attention. Since the skin around the eye is so delicate, you want to use a cream formulated especially for the eyes. I moisturize daily and nightly with my Olay Complete Ageless, eye brightening cream. Also, on sunny days, make sure to wear sunglasses. Crows feet, know where they come from? Exactly.


Lips: my favorite chapstick is by soft lips. So smooth and yummy, with an spf20. This can easily be found at walmart.



Night Routine:


Shiseido cleanser, followed by my Dickinson’s witch hazel toner. Toners remove any excess dirt that your cleanser may have missed, removes the last traces of your cleanser, and also returns your skin to its normal PH balance. This toner claims to: tighten and refine pores, removes and controls oil, soothes irritation, and locks in moisture. I love this toner since its 100% natural, cheap, and effective. Mine was bought at Walgreens.

Toner has alcohol in it, which can make skin feel tight. Following the toner I moisturize my skin, avoiding my tzone area since that is already on the oily side. My favorite moisturizer is also by Olay (complete night fortifying). This products has aloe, vitamins E, B3, and pro-vitamin B5. It does its job without feeling greasy.

Benzyl Peroxide is an acne fighting agent found in a lot of treatments and cleansers. My favorite treatment is by Clean and Clear, called PersaGel -10. I apply this to my tzone every night to prevent and fight those blemishes. My tzone is the only area where I break out, since that area can’t seem to stop producing excess sebum no matter what I do.

I think one of the most important thing, is to let your skin breathe. If you wear makeup, its crucial to wash all that makeup off every night. Your pores need to be able to breathe.

So that was my basic tips and routines. More treatments and advice to come in the future. =)