Makeup-free and happy; similar dress in peach here, in blue here, in white here.

This past year, for obvious reasons (aka, the pandemic), many of us stopped wearing makeup or wore less of it, and focused on taking care of our skin instead. I have been makeup-free for most of the year and, as a result, embraced my skin the way it is. But that’s not to say that I gave up on trying to better it.

As I generally hid imperfections and other skin issues with makeup, once I stopped wearing it, I was faced with them in all their glory.

I have oily skin, and makeup usually took care of that, aka, absorbed or “masked” it. My skin is also prone to hyperpigmentation, which is caused by exposure to sun and heat, among other things (sunscreen does not stop it for me). Again, makeup covered that up, too.

The truth is, I never really enjoyed the process of putting my makeup on in the morning. I would have much rather slept for another 15-20 minutes before work, instead of using it for an activity that brought me no joy. I did it because I was self-conscious, and I carried with me the “you look sick” comments other women-coworkers got when they showed up to work bare-faced.

Because I have worn makeup every day for years, I became religious about my skincare routine. No matter how tired I was, or didn’t want to wash my face and apply the serums/face creams after my shower, I did it anyway. And when I really wanted to speed up the process, I only applied this luminous overnight gel face mask, or this one, and woke up to glowing, hydrated skin every single time - seriously, these are great masks and I wholeheartedly recommend them.

When it comes to face wash, I learned not to get too expensive or complicated with it, as it doesn’t stay on the skin long enough. The main purpose of a face wash is to cleanse the skin well, and for that reason, I have been using this one recently. It has tea tree oil and salicylic acid (which is the ingredient you want in the fight with acne), and I have noticed that it has helped with the occasional acne I was getting. If you’re looking for a cheap, yet effective (and calming) face wash, Beatypedia recommends this one (please note that these products are NOT tested on animals as is indicated on the page). I also use the good old Cetaphil, though I prefer the tea tree and salicylic acid one more.

To ensure the removal of all the skin impurities and dirt, I finish with micellar water (wiping my face with a few drops on a cotton round) and finish off with this toner (optional). If your skin is sensitive, I recommend using this toner to soothe it.

Another step I have been religious about in my skincare routine is exfoliation. Though I know that I might be overdoing it, my skin doesn’t look great when I skip it. For that reason, I do it every evening, which ensures my skin’s smoothness, as well as helps keep blackheads at a minimum. While I was using this charcoal cleanser + scrub regularly, now I only use it when I feel like my skin needs a deeper cleanse, and instead, opt for the face wash mentioned above, and my Clarisonic face brush (RIP the company), or this one (which, I’m afraid, is also defunct at this point). The face brush does the job when it comes to removing dead skin, and once a month or so, I use this resurfacing peeling system, though I would recommend skipping it if you’re going to wear a face mask after or even the next day, as it may cause irritation, and lead to pigmentation of the skin. If you want to safely exfoliate, I would recommend an enzyme exfoliator (I used to use a grapefruit one from “Yes to”, but it’s been discontinued, and I haven’t found anything to replace it with so far).

Note: Peeling solutions, including Lactic or other acids should not be used on broken and/or peeling skin.

Now on to the fun stuff… After cleansing and toning my face, it’s time for the serums/treatments and face creams.

I shared in this post that I have been using The Ordinary skincare products, as well as my experience with them. To this day, the majority of the products I use are by this brand and Olay. I have tried so many different brands over the years, and I have been disappointed, so I mainly stick to these now, as I know they provide results for my skin concerns, and, of course, the prices can’t be beat.

When it comes to taking care of my skin, I go by what it feels or looks like. Does it feel a little drier than usual (aka, dull, flaky)? I use hydrating products like hyaluronic acid and follow with a moisturizer (like this, or my beloved Regenerist), as well as amp up my water intake. I try to avoid most face oils, as they don’t absorb into my skin (the exception being this one), and I don’t enjoy them on my face as a result. Also, I don’t like layering too many products, especially serums since, for a product to actually work, it needs to be as close to the skin as possible.

An important note: Though many think that they are the same, hydrators actually fight dehydration, while moisturizers lock in hydration and form a skin barrier to keep it in. Both should be applied on damp skin, especially Hyaluronic Acid. Also, even people with oily skin should use a hydrator/moisturizer, as it prevents the skin from producing more sebum.

When my skin looks dull, at night, I use the EUK 134 0.1% for an antioxidant boost or this Lactic Acid (it helps with fine lines and hyperpigmentation as well), in combination with the Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA). While I had no bad reactions to the Lactic Acid, it does tingle when I apply it.

Note: Do not combine acids or use them at the same time — the exception to this rule being the Hyaluronic Acid.

When whiteheads or pimples form, I use the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% all over my face, followed by moisturizer; this serum heals them quickly and prevents more from happening. Note: Niacinamide should not be applied at the same time as Vitamin C.

When my skin feels sensitive, stressed, or irritated, I apply this calming face moisturizer - it does wonders for me.

If my skin is more oily than usual, I use this clay mask to detoxify it (it can be used for body and hair as well, but note that it is messy).

Recently, I have introduced retinol in my skin regimen as well, and am currently using this Retinol 0.5% in Squalane. I have had no bad reaction to it, and it has helped with fine lines and my hyperpigmentation issue. I also have lined up other retinol products from The Ordinary, as well as the Olay retinol, once I use the current one up. I avoid opening multiple products at the same time, unless I know I will use them consistently at any given time.

Tip: cosmetic products, like any other, also have a shelflife or expiration date. Apart from that, they also have a “period after opening” date, which is a symbol that shows an open container with a number on it, usually placed in the back of your product. This generally shows the period (in months) when the product is at its max/normal potency after the first time it’s been opened. I recommend following that to ensure you get the best out of your products. For more on this, read here.

Retinols are generally recommended to be used at night, as they make the skin more sensitive to the sun; sunscreen of at least 30 SPF should be used at all times, but especially when using retinol. I’m still searching for the perfect sunscreen (I’m currently using this though it’s best for under-makeup as it leaves a white cast, and it’s not great as it contains oxybenzone), so I’m eyeing this Olay one and this Supergoop! one next.

Though it may sound like a lot, my skincare routine is pretty simple if you think about it, and I intend to incorporate more retinol as this ingredient alone can improve my main skin concerns, which include hyperpigmentation, the occasional acne, aging, and overall skin appearance.

When it comes to skincare, the most important thing one needs to remember is that it starts from within. No matter how many or how expensive products you use, if you are not drinking enough water, and/or you don’t eat nutritional foods, you will not have the results you are looking for. Dairy is known to cause acne, so try limiting it in your diet; plant-based milk, especially, is so much more delicious than regular milk, and often comes with more benefits for your skin and your body.

Also, ensure that you eat a wide variety of vegetables, especially green ones, as well as fruits rich in antioxidants and vitamin C (blueberries, oranges, strawberries, etc.), drink green tea, and limit alcohol and processed foods, avoid sugar (natural sugar, aka the one found in fruits, is OK), and watch the changes in your skin. Note: your skin may break out at first as your body and skin cleanse (also known as purging), but that should clear after a few weeks, making way to a natural glow and healthier skin overall. Of course, I would recommend speaking to a specialist if you have specific skin concerns or questions about your eating habits.

To recap what I’ve talked about above in simple steps: a) always cleanse your skin well; b) follow with toner, then serum, eye cream, spot treatment (if using one), moisturizer, face oil (if using one), and lastly, sunscreen (during the day) as this is the correct way to apply your skincare products. Note that not all these products are absolutely necessary (i.e. serums), but they can help improve your skin, especially if you’re experiencing issues with it. At the very least, you should use an anti-aging product, and always, ALWAYS, a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF (it must say broad-spectrum).

I hope you found this post helpful, and maybe even learned something new from it.

Until next time.

xoxo,

Em