~Meryl Streep in 1979, 30 years old~
The winter months and our skin.
Depending upon where you live, the type of skincare you will need will be largely determined by the humidity (or lack thereof). The journey of my skincare regimen has been on-going and a savvy and more successful approach began in my thirties when I began to seek out professionals who provided their expertise based on examining my skin during one-on-one consultations (usually during my facial appointments).
Armed with the knowledge I gleaned and having shared eight tips for glowing skin in an early episode of the podcast, I have continued to hone and fine-tune my skincare routine.
Thinking I had it down to a science and loving how my skin was looking two years ago, this all changed when I moved to Bend – high desert country. Translation: über dry. More arid and parching than I had initially expected, not only do I need to drink more water, but my skin does as well in the form of moisturizers. I quickly realized needed to revamp my skincare routine, and that is when I drilled down and found products that provided the thirst, the protection and the nutrients my skin needed.
As always, you will find all of my beauty recommendations (based on my own personal experience) from skincare to beauty to hair in TSLL Shop’s ‘Beauty’ boutique. Click here to peruse. But today I wanted to share eight skincare items that I have discovered help keep my skin clean, moisturized and glowing before the make-up goes on.
1.Colorescience Primer
A few years ago I began applying primer to my skin before applying my make-up. A simple additional step, but one that offered an extra silk-like finish and softening allowing my make-up to work even better. I have been purchasing Colorescience primers (or perfectors as they are called) from Amazon and find that each small dispenser lasts about 2-3 months. While there are many to choose from, I gravitate toward the skin calming perfectors, but have used all of them below at one time or another.
Find can also find Colorescience products at SkinCareRx, Amazon and Sephora.
2. Rodin Olio Lusso Jasmine/Neroli Luxury Face Oil
The most needed skincare item in my daily routine (both morning and evening) is the application of facial oil. While I first began with item #3 (which you will see next), when I moved to Bend, I needed to amp it up a little bit more. Using 2 drops, I massage the oil into my skin, décolletage and neck (front and back) prior to adding my moisturizer. It soothes, repairs and smells fresh. Linda Rodin has a product that is being raved about for a reason, and now she offers a facial oil infused with lavender which I may have to try next time. (Each bottle lasts about 2 months.)
~If you were like me, I was very skeptical about placing oil on my face as I have combination skin and as a teen had to combat acne regularly in my T-zone. While I recommend speaking to an esthetician that knows your skin specifically, I was pleasantly surprised how receptive my skin was to this addition to my skincare routine.
~Linda Rodin, the facial oil’s creator, with her poodle Winks~
3. Eminence Facial Recovery Oil
If Rodin’s price point is too much of an investment, you will be quite pleased with Eminence’s Facial Recovery Oil ($100 cheaper). Having used this oil for three years, I have seen immediate positive results as my skin receives the moisture it is seeking and continues to reveal fresh, plump, beautiful skin.
4. Eucerin Original Body Lotion
Extremely moisturizing (there are other degrees of moisture available from the brand), this body lotion is my go-to and has been for as long as I can remember. Head-to-toe this lotion goes on immediately after showering and provides the hug my skin needs.
5. Eminence Lavender Night Eye Cream
The last item that goes on my skin each night is a small dab of lavender night eye cream from Eminence. Lasting 4-5 months, this item will pay for itself immediately as your eyes will no longer look tired and the delicate cream will feel as though you’ve kissed the sensitive areas around your eye with just the right amount of moisture.
6. La Mer – Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream
Okay, I honestly never thought I would use or recommend this product. Again, it wasn’t until I began living in a very, very dry region, that I knew my skin needed something more. I began looking in earnest at all of the recommendations and reasons La Mer’s original cream was so beloved by its users. I scoured the internet, and realized, this cream may be just what I was looking for.
Yes, it is expensive, but in reality, you don’t put a lot on your face. The smallest jar (1 ounce) lasts two months each time I’ve used it, and immediately, the skin I had remembered prior to my move had returned. Truly. Within a few days, the plump, soft, moisturized face I had remembered was back all day. I use the moisturizer twice a day, a small amount goes into my palm, I rub it until it becomes almost translucent, and then I apply to my face, neck and décolletage. There is a reason this product continues to be used and loved. It does what it promises.
7. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
On the other end of the spectrum with regards to prices, is a the most inexpensive beauty item you could use in your daily routine – Cetaphil’s gentle daily facial cleanser. For fewer than $5 this cleanser is what I return to again and again and again. I have strayed from time to time, but find, I always quickly return, as the cleanser is indeed gentle, has a touch of moisture as it doesn’t strip my face and saves me money and does the job of removing my make-up each night. (I do not wash my face in the morning, but rather splash with warm water.)
8. La Roche-Posay Facial Sunscreen
Even though most of the tinted moisturizers and even primers I use have sunscreen, I always wear La Roche-Posay’s 50 spf sunscreen when I know I will be out and about, even if for a short time. It is light and lasts for seemingly ever.
Our visage is what we greet the world with each day. And while it is indeed our disposition and capabilities that build the relationships we involve ourselves in each day, the face is the first impression. It reveals a tremendous amount about how we take care of ourselves, where we’ve been, what we’ve done, and what we know.
When I look in the mirror, I realize I am not in my twenties, but I know I do not look older than I am. I want my face to reveal subtle truths about my approach to life, I want the viewer I am speaking with to see me, but I don’t want to reveal I didn’t take advantage of an opportunity to look my best once I knew how to do so.
Taking care of ourselves involves so many different pieces of our lives to be tended to, and yes, that includes our skin. While it certainly involves what we eat, how we think and how we move our bodies, it also depends upon how we protect the delicate layer that encompasses it all.
~View more Beauty posts here in the Archives.