For the anon who has dry sensitive skin
I highly recommend switching from using a salicylic acid serum 4 times a week to a more gentle lactic acid serum or glycolic acid serum 2-3 times a week, which better suit dry and sensitive skin.
For retinol start using a low percentage either 0.1% or 0.3% paired with a good moisturiser.
I hope this helps!
A little addition to the skincare ask 🎀 Thanks for chiming in!
Hii^^ I have dry sensitive skin and I’ve been thinking on trying out retinol but i’m also using salicylic acid ( serum 4 times a week nightly) and vitamin C (serum in the morning)
i use spf consistently but i’m not sure on how to incorporate it into my routine?
Do I switch between it and Bha (Pm) and keep using Vit C daily or what do you think i should do?
i still want to incorporate all 3 of them into my routine
Hi flower,
I'm not an expert or licensed specialist, I'm just going to share how I incorporate it into my routine from the research I've done online.
Rinse repeat.
In the morning SPF is essential of course. And Vit C is best used in the morning, as it has antioxidant properties and protects your skin better from the Sun, moreso if combined with sunscreen. But if you combine Vit C with Retinol or other harsh products, it can cause skin irritation or sensitivity (source).
Meanwhile Retinol should only be used in the evenings (if you use in the morning, even with sunscreen it still exposes your sensitized & freshly regenerating skin to the sunlight which can cause issues). And same with any chemical exfoliants like SA (salicylic acid) or BHA (beta hydroxy acids) - only use them in the evening to let the skin regenerate and heal before exposing to sunlight again.
And lastly, it's not recommended to use chemical exfoliants and apply retinol right after - it's too much for the skin, so it's best to do only one per day. Retinol one evening, exfoliating next evening, etc, as per the routine above.
Hope this helps! 🎀
I thought I’d share my latest habits so that it may hopefully inspire others as well.
Starting with the Scorpio Full Moon from 15/05/2022, I decided to challenge myself every day with new habits and routines that propell me in the direction of my goals, but also improve my wellbeing and mental health (we’re all about the holistic glow up here, ladies).
I started drinking matcha daily, along with lemon water. I already drink black tea for the energy kick (or green if I don’t need extra energy) every morning instead of coffee, along with a glass of water. I tried matcha latte after being curiously spurred by all that girl reels on IG and honestly, I fell in love with it. I don’t resonate with running with the crowd for trends, but matcha is a good one. It has amazing benefits for your health, tastes great, and it’s also green.
Adding a big, nutritious salad to my lunch every day. Packed with goodies and topped with my favorite dressing: tahini + lemon. If you haven’t tried this combo, and want to incorporate more salads into your diet, you should definitely give it a taste.
Hiring a personal trainer and going to the gym 2-3 times a week has been a longtime aspiration of mine.
I have wanted to make going to the gym part of my lifestyle for a few years now, but after several failed attempts, I realized it had to be my way in order to be sustainable long term. I have high standards and expect quality for any service I go for, and as such have not been satisfied with the trainers I’ve worked with in the past (I can write a separate post on that if anyone is interested). Even so, I refused to give up!
I kept switching trainers until I finally found the perfect one for me, and I’m so happy I did. I know myself well enough that I do need a mentor to guide me. Worrying about researching posture, anatomy, movements, what to eat or how to formulate my workout plan, was not the way to go for me. I prefer an expert to do it for me, and all I have to do is show up and get the exercises done, so I can spend the rest of my time & energy on my other goals. Besides, having a mentor waiting for you at the gym, who motivates and uplifts you, makes a huge difference in creating consistency & good habits when you’re right at the beginning!
Doing cardio (jogging, jump rope, long walks) at least once a week. I have found that cardio, particularly jogging, does wonders for my body and my mental health. It boosts mental clarity, alleviates anxiety, clears my head. That boost of endorphins is better than anything you can do in the four walls of the house, there’s only so much you can journal, blog or paint your way out of negative thought patterns.
I’m a nocturnal animal, so I knew that integrating jogging into my routine would not be sustainable long-term if I forced myself to do it in the morning. (Scheduling it for the evening when I don’t need to slather myself in SPF50 is also an appreciated perk.)
I’ve also been making it a focus to add yoga and stretching into my routine – daily if possible, but especially after strenuous workouts.
Using sunscreen, Vitamin C serum and retinol in my skincare regimen consistently. Vitamin C is a new one, but I’m enjoying La Roche Posay’s Vit C10 serum so far, after seeing it recommended by every dermatologist on Youtube.
Less takeout, more homemade food. Cooking is not a favorite pastime, but I love wholesome, home-cooked food made with love – it does have a different energy than when you just order in. I’ve been enjoying baking bread, looking up vegan recipes and just creating meals from scratch.
Any negative thoughts after 9 PM are postponed until next day. No use stressing over things you can’t do anything about, and which may be caused simply by fatigue! All you need is some chamomille tea, a hot shower, and a good night sleep. Tackle tomorrow’s worries tomorrow.
hi i was wondering if you had any skincare product reccomendations, i've never done skincare before and i don't really know where to start. i know i have sensitive and relatively dry skin.
i have a suncream that has spf 50+ which i think is good but do i need a specific one for my face? i apologise for all the questions but any advice would be amazing!
thank you!
💛
Hi darling!
Skincare is a tricky thing, because everybody's skin is different and as such has different needs. What works for one person may not work for another.
Firstly, you should start with my top skincare tips post so you understand the basics, function of ingredients, and which products are essential or not. You can also check out my skincare tag if you're interested in additional reading.
That being said, here are the basics from my routine and what currently works for me:
Vitamin C serum: La Roche Posay - Vit C10 This helps brighten complexion, softens skin and helps to fade any blemishes, scars, etc. Pro tip: keep your Vit C serum in the fridge, Vit C tends to oxidize and turn orange with time, even if i doesn't affect its efficiency.
Sunscreen: La Roche Posay - Anthelios for Face SPF50 This is what I've been using for 2 years now, it's popular for good reason. Although I will say they recently changed the formula from completely dry to a little oily, and I prefer the former.
Cleanser: CeraVe - SA Smoothing Cleanser This is a chemical exfoliant (with Salicylic Acid) which is great for acne or break-out prone skin, to be used 2-3 times a week. For daily use I recommend CeraVe's classic cleanser, the Hydrating Cleanser.
Moisturizer: Bioderma - Hydrabio Riche Gentle, moisturizing, rich but not greasy. I always go back to this. (It's for dry skin, but if other readers have oily skin, try the Hydrabio Legere version instead.)
Skin-barrier repair (optional): La Roche Posay - Cicaplast Baume B5 This is a holy grail if you have damaged skin from using too many products, exfoliants, sunburn, etc. It's very gentle and soothing, and really does improve skin overnight. You can use it for face, body, even lips, but for that I prefer the product below.
Skin-barrier repair for lips (optional): La Roche Posay - Cicaplast Baume for Lips This is my go-to for intense hydration and repair (ie. chapped lips, wore drying lipstick all day, etc). Leave it on overnight and you'll wake up with smooth, plush lips ready for the day.
Retinol: The Ordinary - Retinol 0.2% in Squalane, CeraVe - Resurfacing Retinol Serum, La Roche Posay - Effaclar Adapalene 0.1% Topical Retinoid Retinol essentially regenerates your skin, helps with fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, etc. I'm still looking for the best retinol product, but I would recommend either of the above, all of which are direct recommendations I've found by dermatologists via Youtube or IG.
Hope this proves helpful, and let me know how your routine comes together. 💜
I love selfcare so much. There's nothing like actively choosing to nurture your soul & body by taking care of you. One of the highest forms of self love.
Currently focusing on leveling up everything to do with skin: tools, products, make-up, skincare routine, treatments, as recommended by my dermatologist. I'll be sharing my tips & experiences along the way. Here's my list which I'm going through one by one, testing products and if I should integrate them into my permanent routine: 💅✨
I always find it funny when people remark why I wear so much sunscreen, that I must have vitamin D deficiency, and that I should get a little tan - and in the same breath compliment my skin on how youthful & clear it is and ask for my secret...
Roses are my absolute favorite flowers for their fragrance, beauty and skincare benefits all in one. Beside hazelwater, rosewater is my go-to toner to regulate PH of the skin, toning as well as the refreshing glow it gives. You know the rosewater is effective when after the first use your skin already feels tighter. I always choose mine in organic versions, to use skincare that is as clean and pure as possible.
January: Day 1 If you could accomplish anything by the end of this year, what would it be? List all of them, don’t hold back. Write all the wonderful, wildly incredible things you want. New apartment, new house, traveling the world, meeting your soulmate, whatever it is, write it all down. Take your sweet time brainstorming on this delicious idea. Remember, there are no limitations in this challenge. This is your moment.
I made some small changes to my skincare routine and frankly my skin’s never been better. I invested in a collection of pure, organic oils (almond, argan, avocado, shea butter, castor), a Rose Quartz face roller, and a jade Gua Sha, and started implementing them into my routine with frequent massages and more frequent moisturizing than usual. It leaves my skin glowy, clear, soft and always moisturized.
Following up on the how to get (and keep) your life together post, let me know what other articles would you guys be interested in reading about, on the subject of: selfcare, skincare/haircare, self-maintenance, motivational articles, relationship advice, self love, mindfulness etc. I love writing about them and even better, I love being able to help others - I read through your comments now and then and it warms my heart knowing that it helps.
