Sunday-daily face wash
masks
Monday-daily face wash
astringent/toner
Tuesday-daily face wash
pore strips
Wednesday-daily face wash
astringent/toner
Thursday-daily face wash
exfoliate
Friday-daily face wash
astringent/toner or masks
Saturday-daily face wash
and face wash for make-up removal
*Daily face wash should be a soft face wash preferably a soap free wash. Face wash for make-up removal should be used when cleaning up a full face of make-up this should be oil free and/or sulfate free.
*Astringent or Toner basically contain the same ingredients. Astringent is more suitable for oily or combination skin. They are either chemical or alcohol based. Toner is more suitable for dry or sensitive types of skin. They aren't chemical or alcohol based, but they could leave the skin dry and chapped. When introducing skin to an astringent or toner, its best to go slow and with less start out using this once or twice a week for up to 2-3 weeks before deciding to use more frequently.
*Masks/pore strips should be used once or twice a week. Using masks in a routine because they suck out impurities that are embedded in the skin throughout the week.
*Exfoliate is important to have. An exfoliate removes dead skin cells, its good to have one for your face and body. Our skin fluffs off skin cells everyday that rise to the top or outer most layer of our skin; which in turn will make skin appear rough and dull. An exfoliate is really really important to have.
**Moisturizer. Now, I didn't mention it because it would seem redundant. I suggest having a moisture. I use it everyday. It hydrates and repairs skin, basically its skin food.
Products
These products are in my routine unless stated otherwise.
Daily face wash-I have two besides the one for make-up removal.
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Essence Soft Gel is soap free and very gentle on the skin. Lime and cucumber scent is lightly scented, I don't like overly perfumed products.
My second daily wash, used once or twice a week or when I see a small breakout happening. It has small micro beads that are gentle, I don't classify this as an exfoliate.
Make-up removal facial wash
Biore Steam Activated Cleanser with SteamActiv beads. After I've used a make-up remover wipe, I wash my face while taking a shower (end of day) this wash uses the steam of the shower to open pores and gently cleans them. Its oil-free, sulfate-free and hypo-allergenic.
Astringent or Toner
I used this in high school for whenever a breakout occurred. For astringent and toners use cotton ball and use a thin amount, like stated above.
Currently using this Essence Anti-spot toner and powder. This combo absorbs oil, deep cleans and reduces blackheads. It mattifies the skin but doesn't make it dull or dry looking. I will be repurchasing.
Masks and Pore strips
Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque dries up pimples, rinses away blackheads and shrinks pores. It tightens/hardens and draws out the impurities from your skin. Skin will be silky smooth, love everything about this masque. I've been using it since high school.
Peel off masks are one of my favourites. It peels away impurities leaves skin smooth. I use this before the mint julep masque for a deeper clean. Also, loved peeling off Elmer's glue from my fingers as a kid, this is the adult equivalent. Ha!
Strips perform the same tasks as a mask but in a specific location. The two I use the rid your skin of blackheads and other impurities.
I use my strips once a week. Biore is about $7 over here. Buy the time I use up a box, new coupons are out. Essence strips are 1.99 Euro which is about $3-4.
Exfoliate
I used St. Ives Sensitive Apricot scrub until I discovered Origins Modern Friction. The cost of St. Ives is around $4. Origins is my splurge item the cost is around $30.
Moisturizers
After cleansing, moisturizers should be applied. I have a day and a night moisturizer.
Essence anti-spot moisturizer is a light moisturizer that I like to apply for daytime wear. It fights spots and is a great make-up base for liquid foundation.
Vitamin E moisturizer is made for all skin types. This is a bit of a splurge, cost is around $11.
After I'm done with my current jar, I'll repurchase and also buy the night time moisturizer. This is technically a daytime cream.
**Out of all my products my "holy grail" items are:
Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque
Biore Pore Strips
Origins Modern Friction
Vitamin E Moisture Cream
**Tips
-Wait 3-5 minutes before moving on to the next step of your routine. For example: after washing my face I wait 3-5 minutes before applying toner after toner wait another 3-5 etc., this gives your skin time to adjust and for the product to sink in.
-When washing or applying moisturizer, use the middle and ring fingers and work the product in small circular motions. The middle and ring fingers are the weakest and facial skin is thin and sensitive especially the skin around the eyes; it shouldn't be handled roughly
I do love all the products I have mentioned in this post but the holy grail items are my loved loves. I hope this post helped. It takes time to work in a routine and find the right products.
I don't know everything about skincare but love skincare products. Visit E-how and About.com to get more in depth about skincare.
Most jpeg's were found off Google Image.
