Summer Beauty, Part II: Skincare Favorites
My extremely simple skincare routine and advocating for less is more
Today, we’re continuing our Summer Beauty series and discussing one of my favorite topics: skincare. Like most people, I have a skincare routine that I stick to pretty diligently, however, unlike last week’s haircare routine, my skincare routine is much simpler.
I didn’t always have very nice skin. I had pretty bad cystic acne in high school, which I cleared up with the help of a dermatologist. In my early-mid-twenties, I was obsessed with skincare (thanks, YouTube beauty gurus), and I would save up money to spend on expensive products hoping to delay the aging process. If I could go back and smack myself for being nineteen and worrying about crow's-feet, I would, but I was a victim of my time.
Anyway, in the last few years, I had a very simple realization when it comes to skincare.
The secret? Less is more.
No, seriously. You need a good cleanser, moisturizer, retinol, and sunscreen. Unless you have specific conditions you’re working to target (acne, redness, discoloration, etc.) that’s pretty much it all you need. Something even better that I discovered is that, not only do I not need many products, but they also don’t need to be expensive. My skin is the best it has ever looked, and here are the low-cost products/methods that I have found to be the most beneficial.
My body wash is the most expensive skincare product I use, and it is the Nécessaire Eucalyptus Body Wash. I use this every day and love it so much. In terms of an exfoliant, I’m in the market for a new one so if you have a favorite, please let me know! I recently tried this one and, while it makes my skin feel pretty soft post-shower, in the shower it does sort of feel like it is leaving a residue on my skin. By the time I dry off, though, that sensation goes away so not sure how I feel about that.
Anyway, if I plan on self-tanning, which I do once a week in the summer, I always exfoliate, shave, and lotion up the day before. I use the Bondi Sands self-tanner on my body, and I use the Isle de Paradise drops on my face.
In terms of my morning and nightly skincare routine, in the morning, I use the Cerave Renewing SA Cleanser. I recently acquired the Great Skin Instant Glow Serum by Merit Beauty, and I have been loving that lately. More on this in Part III, but if I plan on wearing makeup that day, I’ll follow the serum up with the Great Skin Moisturizer as a primer and then apply my makeup from there.
Most days, though, following the glow serum, I’ll apply my Cerave moisturizer to my face, neck, and décolletage, and follow all of that with the Summer Fridays SPF 30.
My night routine is basically the same thing. I don’t use a makeup remover, so if I was wearing makeup, I wash my face twice with the Cerave cleanser and then apply my moisturizer and finish it off with Retinol cream.
These are the products that work for me, but I recommend finding a dermatologist who can help recommend products that work best for you. My purpose here is really just to share that skincare doesn’t have to be celebrity-grade, expensive products. I get most of my products from Target and they work just fine for me.
I found that when I was applying a ton of serums and creams to my face, it was too much for my skin. My skin is pretty sensitive, and I think the gentler, fewer products just work the best for it. I also make sure to drink plenty of water. It is so easy to forget to drink water throughout the day, especially on a busy workday but trying to remember to do so is important. I carry my Owala around like I need it for emotional support (and, at this point, I honestly kind of do— I go a little insane anytime I leave it at home).
Lastly, my diet is mostly vegetarian with the occasional chicken if I need protein, such as if I’m ordering a salad at a restaurant. I try to limit my dairy intake, which I think helps my skin, but honestly the reason I do that is mostly because I am probably lactose intolerant but am not ready to have that conversation with myself just yet.
Anyway, that’s what I’ve been doing for my skincare lately and it’s been working for me. Next week, we’ll conclude our Summer Beauty series with Part III: Makeup. Until then, stay moisturized, hydrated, and shaded.
xx Meghan