My Favorite Skincare Products

Skincare. It's something I get asked about a lot since I am pretty outspoken about safer products. Or maybe people just think I have fabulous skin? We'll go with that ;) I am finally settled in to a skincare routine, and I didn't want to do this post for you until I felt 100% confident recommending certain products. Our skin is with us our entire lives, so we need to take good care of it, right?

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Cleanser

Primally pure cleansing oil Oil that cleanses? YES. This cleanser works because oil is meant to dissolve oil. Instead of using a harsh cleanser that strips your skin of it's natural oils, this pure oil cleanser works into your pores to dissolve the bad stuff, and then you replace it with the good stuff. I have super dry skin, but I also am prone to break outs. Oil cleansing has totally balanced my skin out. No dry patches, no oily patches, and no major breakouts. I know it's a great option for oily skin as well because it slows down your skin's own oil production! Primally Pure is the best oil cleanser I've used, and the packaging is absolutely gorgeous which doesn't hurt either. Make sure you choose the oil that best serves your skin type, and know that you'll have to moisturize with oil as well. I know it sounds crazy, but it really works. You can cleanse with this at night and just cleanse with warm water in the morning. Or use baking soda and water if you need a little bit of exfoliation.

Toner

Fatco toner I never really got the point in using a toner until I consistently started using one! And now there's no turning back. This toner has a simple ingredients list, made from ACV, witch hazel, and essential oils. Apple Cider Vinegar and Witch Hazel help balance out your skin's PH. Essential oils like Lavender and Rosemary help heal and regenerate your skin. This toner works really well with my oil cleansing routine. I use it morning and night.

Serum

"Buffet" from The Ordinary "Serum" was another thing I didn't really know much about or know I needed. And then I had three kids and turned 30. Gimme all the serums!! This magical "buffet" targets multiple signs of aging at once. It's a multi-peptide serum in a base of 11 skin-friendly amino acids and multiple hyaluronic acid complexes. It's very light weight, but very nourishing. It evens, softens, and brightens my skin. I use it morning and night. You need a tiny amount so it will last you a long time. And don't let the low price point on The Ordinary's products make you think they don't work - because they perform just as well as many high end products! 

Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane from The Ordinary I hope all the safe skin care people don't come after me for this one. Balance, ok?! Retinol generally gets a pretty bad wrap because it can cause bad reactions in sun light and can be harsh on your skin. This retinoid from The Ordinary has caused zero irritation on my skin, and it's paired with squalene oil which is very moisturizing. This formula has been shown to offer better results against multiple signs of ageing than retinol without any of the irritation and drawbacks common with retinol. This, or any other form of retinol, should only be used at night. Make sure you cleanse your skin in the morning, limit sun exposure (which we all need to be doing anyway, right?) and wear sunscreen daily (I love Dew Skin from Beautycounter, and it doubles as my day-to-day foundation).

Eye cream

Beautycounter rejuvenating eye cream Magic in a bottle for your under eyes. It's very moisturizing and actually reverses the effects of all those sleepless nights thanks to our precious little children ;)  A good eye cream generally has a high price tag, especially when you see the little container it comes in. But it will last you months! Promise!

Moisturizer

Squalane Oil from Biossance or The Ordinary You would think with dry skin I would need a thick creamy moisturizer. Nope. This one ingredient solution does the job. The human body produces its own version of squalene oil (known as squalene), but the amount made and retained in the skin decreases over time. It can prevent ongoing loss of hydration that impairs dermal suppleness. It doesn't clog pores and it's great for all skin types. It can also be applied to your hair! Two for one, y'all. I use 2-3 drops of this as my morning moisturizer (the retinoid I use has squalane in it already so I don't need to use another moisturizer at night). It's best to press oils into your skin instead of rubbing them in.

Mask

Aztec secret Indian healing clay This is my weekly go-tos. I know this one looks like it might be sketchy, but if you don't believe me just read the reviews or take two seconds to google it and you'll see hundreds of people singing its praises. Clay works to pull impurities out of your pores like no one's business. You can literally feel your face pulsing as it visibly brings the junk out and improves the blood flow to your skin. You can mix the clay with water or with apple cider vinegar. Using it with water is better if you have sensitive skin. 

Extras

Micro-Roller - Normally I wouldn't be all about a device that is covered in needles, but trust me when I say you need one of these! It stimulates epidermal growth factors to boost collagen and elastin that plump and firm skin and increases absorption of serums and moisturizers by more than 90%, making it one of the most powerful and effective ways to stop early signs of aging and prevent new fine lines and wrinkles from occurring. GLORY! And no, it doesn't hurt. Not even a little. I use my roller 3-4x a week after cleansing and before putting on serums and moisturizer.

Norwex body cloth - Ditch the makeup remover wipes that tend to leave behind a residue. The norwex body cloth is one of our can't live without items. I talked about Norwex in my safer cleaning products post, but they apply the same principles when it comes to your body. The microfiber cloth is able to pull all the gunk and junk off your face with just water. Seriously - all your makeup! I use it to pull the oil cleanser off my face at night and it works perfectly. It also contains a micro silver agent, which goes to work with self-purification properties against the mold, fungi and bacterial odor within 24 hours so that it is ready to use again.

Jade Roller - Jade rolling reduces wrinkles and puffiness, stimulates collagen production, minimizes toxic build up, closes and minimizes enlarged pores, boosts elastin and improves blood circulation, increases absorption of your daily face products, and it's simply relaxing. I started jade rolling a couple months ago and saw the benefits of it almost immediately. I keep my roller in the freezer and use it first thing in the morning to help with morning puffiness and to wake me up!

Water - Half your body weight in ounces at minimum. Every. single. day. This makes a huge difference in so many things, including your skin! 

Probiotics - At the end of the day, you could spend all the money in the world on skincare, but if you're not taking care of your gut it will all be for nothing. I notice a huge difference in my skin if I forget to take my probiotics everyday. When I take them, it really helps to keep my complexion free of flare-ups from too much dark chocolate ;). 

Skincare can feel really overwhelming if you're trying to find what works for you. I hope this made it a little bit easier. I have tried so many things, so if you want some help beyond this feel free to comment below or reach out to me on Instagram, Facebook, or email! And let me know some of your favorite products in the comments!