Most days I tend to skip wearing makeup, but that's partly because I take my skincare very seriously. Since returning from Italy, I've tweaked my twice-weekly at-home facial routine so that it's geared towards making my skin as glow-y and radiant as possible, all while minimizing scars from old blemishes, redness, congested/enlarged pores, and any sun damage incurred from being careless with SPF on hot summer days. The products featured here have been talked about ad nauseum on the blog (and some of them look embarassingly empty in this post!). However, at the same time, isn't it reassuring that that a beauty blogger with access to countless samples would keep returning to these tried-and-true faves? These products work, and in the weeks of following this routine I've noticed a marked improvement.
Cleanse
Depending on whether or not I've been wearing makeup that day, I'll start my at-home facial by removing it with Caudalie Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil ($34 at BeautyMark, previously featured here). The oil has good slip and a nice scent and dissolves away makeup and sunscreen nicely, plus massaging it into skin doubles as a relaxing facial massage. (Bonus points for being all-natural!)
After that, I'll wipe off the cleansing oil three times with a warm wet face towel to emulsify the oil and get rid of everything. Then I dampen my face and neck and cleanse with Philosophy Purity Made Simple ($15-56 for various sizes, previously featured here). Although Purity Made Simple also removes makeup and tones in one easy step, I feel like this double-cleanse truly removes any traces of dirt, oil, and makeup. What's more, the moisturizing effects of a cleansing oil and the gentleness of the follow-up cleanser don't leave my skin feeling tight or dry.
Exfoliate & mask
Next comes exfoliation. I've been using Pixi Skintreats Peel & Polish ($34 at Shoppers Drug Mart, previously featured here), which is fairly potent thanks to its 6% lactic acid, papaya enzymes, and grainy texture. I leave Peel & Polish on for 2 minutes as per the instructions and lightly massage the product into skin for the first 30 seconds.
Usually exfoliating is enough to brighten my skin, but adding the L'Oreal black clay mask ($15.99 at London Drugs, previously featured here) into my routine to brighten and purify pores has been a real game-changer. In just 10-15 minutes, it really draws impurities out from deep within congested pores and improves overall skin tone. This mask does stain, so I apply it with a foundation brush and wipe off with a paper towel.
After the L'Oreal mask, I'll reach for a soothing mask that replenishes and hydrates like the antioxidant-rich Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask ($112, previously featured here). By the way, this is the same mask that took 5 years off my husband's face and had benefits that lasted up to 3 days when I used it on him, so needless to say it really works.
Nourish & protect
There's no sense double-cleansing, exfoliating, and multi-masking if you're not going to moisturize after all that! I layer on Caudalie Vinoperfect Concentrated Brightening Essence ($50 at BeautyMark, previously featured here) and Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum ($89 at BeautyMark, previously featured here) for a radiance-enhancing boost. Then I apply Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream with Super 7 Complex ($56) and an eye cream from The Face Shop's Hwansaenggo Escargot Collection. Both the moisturizer and face cream absorb into skin completely overnight with no tackiness or residue left behind.
Extra notes
- I try to do this routine twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays for the best results. It usually takes about half an hour each time and is so relaxing.
- In between steps when I'm cleansing product off my face, I'll wring out a warm wet face towel and wipe my face, then rinse the cloth and wipe again 3-5 times.
- To feel extra pampered and relaxed, I make myself a cup of herbal tea and journal as I have the face masks on.
- There's nothing like a good night's beauty sleep to lock in the benefits of all your efforts!
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