My Journey to a Healthy Skincare Routine

Growing up, I never had acne, so skincare wasn’t a priority of mine. Nor was I ever educated about which skincare products to use. I never saw my mom, grandmothers, and aunts ever use skincare products, so I didn’t know what to use. I was told Dove soap and water would do the job.  

There has always been an anti-aging philosophy that “Black doesn’t Crack” in the black community. However, this isn’t true because we still have to take care of our skin. 

I’ve always been told, “Wow, your skin looks great”, so once again, I didn’t think skincare needed to be a priority.  It wasn’t until I hit thirty that I started to learn about skincare. I went to see my dermatologist about my Keratosis Pilaris and she asked me about my skincare regime. My response was “Soap, Water, and Cetaphil Lotion”. She cringed and directed me to her esthetician to advise me on which products to use. I left their office spending $300 on skincare products but my life was forever changed. I now know what basics I need to jumpstart my routine. Fast forward to 2019, At that moment I had a skincare routine but I still lacked finding the right products for my skin. So I ditched the high-dollar skincare products and went with recommendations from friends on what they were using because their skin looked great. These were mostly drugstore or retail brands that they recommended.

It wasn’t until five months ago when I started going to monthly facial appointments and working with an esthetician at Faced: The Facial Studio in Atlanta that I learned the importance of having a customized skincare routine to meet your skin needs, medical-grade products, and using non-comedogenic products. 

I have dry, sensitive skin. During my first appointment at Faced, I learned that certain ingredients labeled hydrating might actually be drying my skin and clogging my pores. During my first appointment, my skin was dehydrated and my pores were so clogged. My esthetician Toni provided me with a list of recommended products to use and a daily routine. 

Looking back at how uneducated I was about skincare and what I know now has been a game-changer. I hope my story can help others. My skincare routine wasn’t horrible but needed some tweaks. First, let’s talk about how misinformed I was. I thought because my skin was dry and sensitive, I didn’t need to exfoliate my face. I exfoliated the rest of my body regularly because of my KP and eczema but didn’t think about my face. I also didn’t know I needed to use SPF on my face daily. 

I now follow the routine that Toni gave me religiously and I have a holy grail of products that I’m obsessed with. The difference in my skin five months ago and now is jaw-dropping. I’m now more educated on what products I need to use to keep my skin thriving.  Here’s a before and after of my skin.

I’m now skincare obsessed and I’ve learned that knowledge is power. I’m currently reading “Skincare: The Ultimate No-Nonsense Guide” by Caroline Hirons. This book is so informative. It deciphers facts from fiction and discusses the best way to get good skin for your budget. She includes practical skincare tips but isn’t afraid to bust your bubble on those age-old myths that you’ve heard for years. She also discusses the importance of reading ingredient labels and how to choose the right products for your skin. She discusses skin care needs for all ages. If you want to learn more about skincare, this is the book for you.

My Current Skincare Routine: AM and PM

My Cleansers 

I use a couple of different cleansers to aid in the cleansing process. 

Every morning and evening, I use Image Skincare’s VITAL C Hydrating Cleanser. It’s very hydrating and I love the way it brightens my skin. A little bit goes a long way. In the evenings, a couple times a week, I double cleanse using the Vital C Hydrating Cleanser with the Image Skincare Ageless Total Facial Cleanser. The Ageless Cleanser is an exfoliating cleanser that contains glycolic acid, AHAs, and BHAs. These are all great ingredients for revitalizing skin. It tingles a little bit due to the menthol. When I’m not using the Ageless Cleanser, I use the Image Skincare Ilumna Brightening Exfoliating Cleanser twice a week to get a deep exfoliation. I use this first and then double cleanse with the hydrating cleanser to add moisture back into my skin and calm it down. I love the way my face looks when I wake up the following day. It’s brighter and still hydrated. 

Serums

I just switched to using two new serums in the morning and the evenings. Previously, I used Tula’s Illuminating Serum and Specific Beauty Brightening Serum, but they just weren’t working for my skin. So now I’m using a combination of two serums after cleansing my face. First, I apply Image Skincare’s VITAL C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum to damp skin with Image Skincare Ageless Hyaluronic Acid Serum. These products help with aging, brightening and making my skin look hydrated and awake. 

Eye Cream

Dark circles and under-eye bags are hereditary traits that has passed down to me. So I’ve worked so hard to drink tons of water throughout the day and find a good eye cream over the past few years.  I finally found an eye cream that works for me. I use the Ormedic Balancing Eye Lift Gel. It reduces puffy eyes, keeps my under-eye hydrated, and diminishes the appearance of dark circles. 

Moisturizer 

I’ve tested out a few moisturizers on the market and have had trouble finding a product that keeps my skin hydrated 24/7. However, I found a few products that understood the assignment. As we approach the cold winter months, hydration is critical for my dry skin. I’m using Ursa Major’s Golden Hour Recovery Cream in the morning and evening. I love it because it keeps my skin looking and feeling hydrated. 

Facial Oil

Facial Oil is a new product that I started including in my skincare routine within the last month. I tested out Augustin Bader’s Face Oil and Naturopathica’s Carrot Seed Soothing Face Oil. I loved both, but Naturpathica’s Carrot Seed Oil was my favorite. I massage a tiny amount into my face after applying my moisturizer. It’s rejuvenating and keeps my skin hydrated. My skin feels silky and hydrated after use. 

SPF 

As I mentioned earlier, in the past, SPF was only a priority for me if I was going to the beach or planning to be outside for an extended time at a festival or on vacation. Little did I know that it aids in slowing down the aging process, and the lack of use has probably contributed to the sunspots on my face. Now SPF is a tool in my beauty toolkit that is a must-have. Skincare experts recommend that you use an SPF 35 or higher on your face. After testing out a few SFP products on the market from Beauty Counter and Specific Beauty, I finally found the holy grail product that I love. I’m now using Skinpharm’s Clear Defense SPF 45. It’s a broad-spectrum SPF that protects your skin from UVA, UVB, and infrared radiation. It also includes ​​niacinamide,  hyaluronic acid, and other ingredients that leave my skin looking plump, hydrated, and bright. 

Face Mask

I’ve been on the search for a good hydrating face mask for a while. I finally found one. I’m obsessed with the Image Skincare VITAL C Mask. I use it in the mornings every Sunday with the hydrating cleanser as a mini facial. I love the way it leaves my skin feeling hydrated but also has a nice glow. 

Now that I’ve shared my skincare journey and routine with you. My ultimate goal is to have healthy, hydrated, clear and smooth-looking skin and wear less makeup. I will continue my daily routine as well as my monthly facials and regular beauty treatments. In my next two posts, I’ll share my journey with trying injectables and some of my favorite skincare resources.

What products do you love?! I hope that this post has inspired you to schedule an appointment with your esthetician and dermatologist to develop a customized skincare routine to meet your skincare needs. Remember everyone’s skincare needs are different based on skin type, age, and skin tone.

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