my skin care routine

I woke up like this...

But 'this' didn't happen overnight! Even though my diet consists mostly of vegetables, which is great for your skin and I started taking Vitamin D supplements (I found out that I was deficient) and this helped get moisture back into my skin, I still would suffer from the occasional breakout. This wasn't your usual breakout,  but skin that had bumps that wasn't smooth and my pores didn't look fresh. Blame the magazines, but I have an obsession with having porcelain smooth skin, a look that I understand isn't very realistic, yet I still try to attain it. I have come up with a routine that has kept my skin looking as clear as a baby's skin. Want to learn it?

tools of the trade

1. After trying several different types of cleansers, I found that the best one for me is one that has salicylic acid as an active ingredient. I use this with a brush and without.

2. Sonic cleaning tool is great for really getting you skin clean. This beats using your hands, think of it as thousands of little fingers moving quickly at the same time on your face! There are different types of brushes that can fit any budget and sensitivity. I listed a few below that I've used and liked.

3. I jumped on the Argan oil bandwagon last year when I discovered how much my skin loves it. This oil isn't oily and is absorbed quickly into my skin. Argan oil is high in Vitamin E and fatty acids.

4. I also blend Tea Tree oil with the Argan oil. Tea Tree oil is great for acne prone skin and preventing future breakouts because of its antimicrobial properties that may kill bacteria and fungus, and reduce allergic skin reactions. Beware, Tea Tree oil is very concentrated and should be mixed with a carrier oil, like Argan oil especially if you have sensitive skin.

I have also discovered a great thick face cream that doesn't leave my skin oily at all. I stumbled on this cream for my face quite by chance. I was staying over at a friend's and left my moisturizer at home. This cream, I normally used for my hand and for my elbows.

I know, this isn't all natural. It's not even a little natural, but this cream doesn't clog my pores, feel greasy or causes my skin to breakout. It's kinda crazy because my skin became pretty sensitive in my old age and this stuff really helps to keep my face moisturized.

One last thing, I use my sonic brush every other night. I found that when I was using it every night, it made my skin very soft and sensitive.