Current Skincare Routine

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Image was taken first thing in the morning with an iPhone 5S front-facing camera in natural lighting. This image is not edited in any way. Haha, like you thought it was!

 
This is the current state of my skin. I would never say it’s perfect, and definitely not brag-worthy, but it’s in a good place for me. It’s been a work in progress and it’s current condition could be described as “stable.” I’ve figured out it’s trickery and found products that do what they say they will for me. This is my current skincare routine.

current skincare graphic

Cleanser

Trader Joe’s All-in-One Facial Cleanser
I’ve gone mental over this before and with good reason. I try new cleansers all the time, high-end and low, but I’ve never liked one more than this. I buy multiples whenever I visit Trader Joe’s.

Facial Oil

NUDE ProGenius Oil
What more can I say about this that I haven’t already said? It’s expensive but I adore it, even if my husband asked why my face smelled like pepperoni when I got into bed one night. It makes my skin feel heavenly soft and I believe it has softened my expression lines! Omega fatty acids-sign me up!

Daily Moisturizer

Peter Thomas Roth Max All Day Moisture Defense Cream
After noticing multiple sun spots and learning a great deal about skin cancer, I decided my daily moisturizer had to have SPF. Non-negotiable! I didn’t want it to feel or smell like SPF though. Enter skincare God, PTR. I love the feel of this, the hydration and the beta glucan in it totally gives me a healthy glow.

Night Cream

Sephora Age Defy Night Moisture Cream
I’ve yet to find another night cream that I’ve been as happy with as I am with this. And for $30 too! This has Sephora’s special HydroSenn+, a more hydrating ingredient than hyaluronic acid. I love the thick texture and with my dry skin, it’s like magic butter.

Eye Cream

Algenist Eye Renewal Balm
9 times of out 10, I hear the word eye cream as ice cream and then I’m a little disappointed. I love this particular eye cream because unlike many, it’s safe to apply around the entire eye area, brow bone included. The texture is not greasy and soaks in lovely.

Anti-Aging

Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM and Philosophy Help Me
I. Love. Retinol. I’ve gone through 2 tubes of Help Me and it’s the best “beginner retinol” I can recommend to you. I have really dry skin and it never caused redness, flakiness or peeling. I loved the results of this so much that I decided to graduate to PTR Retinol Fusion.

Blemish Treatment

Murad Acne Clearing Solution and Murad Acne Spot Fast Fix
I don’t get frequent blemishes, but usually around that time of the month, things get real.
I like to apply the Acne Clearing Solution to prevent breakouts and keep skin in a good place during periodic or stressful times and use Spot Fast Fix on existing blemishes. It takes them down overnight for me! Neither of these products dry my skin out and they both have pleasant, non-medicinal scents!

6 Comments

  1. Coeli Nartey

    12/21/2014 at 11:28 AM

    I guess I need a private lesson on the importance of retinol! Good thing you’re my daughter!

  2. Kari

    12/23/2014 at 3:16 PM

    I was literally so close to sending you an e-mail last week about this very topic! Your skin looks amazing, and I wanted a recommendation for a good cream to reduce wrinkles. My mom has tried retinol before and said she thought it damaged her skin and caused more wrinkles. Do you think this retinol cream you mention above would be good for people with sensitive skin? Hope you’re having a great week, pretty lady!

    1. Ivy Boyd

      12/23/2014 at 4:54 PM

      Hi Kari! I’m glad this post was helpful. It was serendipitous! The Philosophy Help Me is one of the mildes available over the counter, containing about 0.15% retinol. The Peter Thomas Roth formula is 1.5% which is one of the highest non-prescription formulas available. I have dry skin that is somewhat sensitive and I have never had an issue with either one. I’m not sure what product your mom had tried but retinol is not something you want to jump right in with the highest concentration. Your skin really does need to get used to it. I used Help Me every 3rd night, then every other night, then every night. I went through 2 tubes before graduating to the PTR Retinol Fusion. Another thing that helps a lot is layering a moisturizer over it. It’s encouraged actually! If you’re looking for an even more affordable beginner retinol, I’ve heard GREAT things about ROC, sold at Target. There’s a coupon for it in the Cartwheel app right now too! 🙂

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