Ask SCB: What’s Your Skin Care Routine?

Happy Monday!

I can actually say that this week, because I spent my Sunday evening in Sephora, doing my homework like a good little beauty addict. I had to restock on some of my daily basics, which obviously meant I spent over an hour perusing each aisle and seeing what was new and interesting with each line they carry. I ended up having an extensive conversation with one of the ladies who worked there about what a face that was “young like mine” really needed, vs. what they tell us endlessly on the internet. I came in to stock up, but I was also in search of  a “daily” type mask, as I don’t have one I like that I feel I can use on my skin on a very regular basis (I use Bliss Steep Clean as my weeklyish at-home mask). After our conversation, I left with a new serum and eye cream, rather than a mask in a bottle as I had initially planned. Why? It makes perfect sense – long story short, this is what I learned…

My combination skin needs love, hydration and protection, not to be stripped down any more than it already is from my regular routine. Before I explain the magic behind serums, let’s break down my current daily skin care routine, I know lots of you have been asking!

morning

I wash with Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser. Next is a serum I have been using from the same line, their Truth Serum. After that soaks in, I moisturize with Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel – I like it better than the lotion because it absorbs much better for me. I have combination skin, so sometimes this won’t cut it, especially in the winter. One of my tricks is to apply two thin layers of the gel rather than a heavier lotion, which is great if you have shine in your t-zone and are hesitant to swap to a richer moisturizer.

night

Same cleanser, but I use my Clarisonic to get rid of all the grime for the day. If you don’t have one yet, seriously consider investing in one… It’s like a Sonicare for your face. Repeat serum plus Clinique gel, and we’re done. If I decide to use a heavier lotion, night is the time. I love Korres Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturizing Cream – it smells amazeballs and feels like a dense gel, not a heavy lotion when you put it on – I pat on and use a sparing amount.

My initial theory was that I needed a mask, or something at night to give my skin a little something extra. However, I learned that putting on a second serum and eye cream at night would be depositing ingredients my skin needed would be more beneficial than putting on a mask to exfoliate and/or remove any impurities would be – as my current routine is pretty sufficient in doing all of that. I had the right idea, but the wrong perspective – I was addressing the right problem, with the wrong solution.

What did I add? 

Clarins Double Serum and Clinique’s “All About Eyes” eye cream. The serum is richer and more potent than the one I use in the morning, so it would be ideal to replace a “night lotion” or this “night mask” concept I had in my head. Basically, rather than apply something to my entire face that would “treat” or “help” my skin in some way, I picked products that were targeted to what I was specifically NEEDING – even though it wasn’t what I was looking for. Serums are great (if you don’t already use one) and introducing a second one, rather than a mask, to effectively protect and help my skin, wasn’t an idea/technique that had even crossed my mind, until I thought about it and it made such great sense. I think it’s a really good reminder to be open minded when you are trying to care for your skin, as products often use generic terms and like me, you might have identified a problem or issue with your skin correctly but are seeking a standard solution, when there’s a better one out there. I’m not going to half ass anything about my face, so this was kind of an epiphany for me last night. Of course skin care is so specific – no two people are the same. Learnings here: Ask questions, especially if you have a live chat or knowledgeable rep nearby. What you might think you want, you might not actually need. When you’re incorporating new products, you want to make sure they’re going to play nicely with the system you have already worked out. This brings me to my real point about my skincare routine, and the best piece of advice I can give to all my stone cold beauties…

Consistency is key.

Consistency is ultimately what makes a skincare regime “successful,” to create that natural glow that can’t be achieved by any manner of creams or highlighting powders. I preach about not sleepng in your makeup because that’s a habit that builds on itself, and not in the good way. As resident Queen of Skincare Courtney would tell me, “stay young and beautiful and you won’t even have to worry about what Lana has to say!” As we get over my pay grade with skincare, she is my go-to expert source of information and attitude when it comes to the subject, as you can see… So, the secret to doing that? Give your skin the proper TLC (feel free to listen to “Unpretty” by TLC, if you need more motivation to do as I say) on a DAILY basis, so you are treating any potential pore-related problems before they start, and nip them in the bud just in case  you do wake up one Sunday morning with makeup smeared halfway across your face, and someone else’s pillow every once in a while. It happens to the best of us – and that’s why you always travel with makeup remover wipes.

xx SCB