People are always asking me about my favorite products; and if I stick with one line of makeup and skincare, and my answer is no. There are so many great products out there, but how do you know which ones to choose?

From my many years of experience in trying different products for both skin and makeup, I have come up with what I believe to be a very good basic skin-care regime for combination skin. And the next  blog posting will be a must have makeup list.

 

The most important thing to remember when taking care of your skin is to be consistent. Keeping your skin clean is just as important as applying sunscreen. This means you must remove your makeup every night no matter how tired (or drunk) you are—no exceptions!

 

You may notice that most of the skin care products are “affordable” items, while some are “splurge” items. I figure that if I save money of a few things, that will allow me to not feel as bad when I purchase a few of my splurges. And note-ably these are items that I feel are worth it.

 

Remove all traces of eye makeup with Chanel Eye Makeup Remover by using a small amount on a cotton square or round; swipe down for best results.

 

Cleanse am/pm with Cetaphil cleanser. It is important to keep your skin clean while maintaining your PH balance. Use a pea-sized drop on a washcloth and remove all of your makeup from the day...

 

Tone with Thayers Witch Hazel. They make many different kinds, I love the smell and feel of the Lavender. Saturate a cotton square or round and remove any traces of makeup and dirt left behind by your cleanser.

 

Apply a half of a pea-sized amount of the Avon Anew Clinical Eye Lift all the way around your orbital bone. This should go nowhere near the eye itself. Tap it in gently. Use the gel, during the day and the cream at night. The gel will help with puffiness and dark circles, while the cream will focus on fine lines and wrinkles. Everyone should use eye cream—from the age of 15 +! That means YOU!

 

Environmental damage is the single worst contributing factor to premature aging. By using a moisturizer with at least SPF of 15 (30 if you are very fair), you are not only hydrating your skin for the day, but you are protecting it from the environment. I recommend Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 15.

 

UVA and UVB rays are extremely damaging to the skin. So, as great as it looks to be tan now, it is speeding up the aging process by 100%, so please stop going to tanning booths. Do you really want to look like a football when you are fifty?! If you must be tan, try Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel, or better yet—a spray tan by a reputable salon.

 

And a question that I get a lot is why should I moisturize at night? Moisturizing at night is important because this is when your skin is resting and essentially repairing itself. Nighttime is the time when your skin can handle a little more moisture and firming. Some night creams are too rich for combination skin and can cause breakouts. What I prefer to use instead is a serum by Origins. Origins Plantidote Serum was created by Dr. Andrew Weil and contains mushroom extract, which is a well-known anti-oxidant. This is one of my “splurge” items, but well worth it, as it lasts a very long time.

 

In my opinion, Origins is a very good skincare line, and aside from the serum, a very good price point. There are two more products that I am constantly recommending to my clients to improve the texture of their skin. If you use each of these products 1-2 times a week, you should see a noticeable improvement to your skins texture and clarity. Origins Modern Friction is an enzyme mask/scrub that helps exfoliate (or sluff off) the top layer of dead skin cells, leaving your skin brighter and softer. Origins Clear Improvement is a great clay mask that helps draw out any impurities such as blackheads. I recommend using this right after a hot shower while your pores are open. Both products require rinse off. And both products last a really long time. And one of the best things about Origins is that they have a wonderful recycling program. Check them out!





And finally, keep in mind that you never want to try a new skincare regime too close to your wedding date. Just as you would not get a facial within 2 weeks of your wedding. When dealing with troubled skin, you may expect your skin to get a little worse before it gets better. Be patient-- good things do come to those who wait! Remember that if you take care of your skin now, you will be thankful when you are older.