t: joa, what’s your skincare regimen?
me: what? why?
t: you don’t wear any makeup do you?
me: no. i think i wear make up twice a year.
t: sooo how do you take care of your skin and where can i buy the products?
flattered, but my face-skin has many problems not easily seen by others – including minor broken capillaries. but no one really gets up in your grill and inspects your face so it’s fine to some extent (haha). i know it sounds stuck up to spend so much interest and money into skincare but i am truly concerned with having healthy skin and aside from your genetic material, there are things you can do!
i could go on and on about skincare stuff.
*please see your dermatologist for personal skincare regimens if you have skin problems! this is just a blog…..if you cannot afford to see a doctor, i suggest you do extensive research before investing in a skincare line.*
1. DRINK: stay hydrated. simple. you really don’t need to spend money on bottled water. just get a BPA free water bottle and you should be good. i have dry skin on my t-zone area and living in dry southern california doesn’t help. i have to make sure i drink enough water to benefit myself from inside out.
2. DIET: obviously, what you eat effects your body, including your skin. try to eat clean, healthy, foods. a balanced diet is a good diet. greasy, oily, fast foods too high in fat and sodium is terrible for your heart and eventually, will show on your skin. once in a long while is fine but eating natural, “real” foods is better for you and cheaper too – i don’t think i need to reiterate this that much - science and nutrition has told this to the masses over and over and over…..so, try it out: vitamin A for example, is often pumped into folks with severe acne (pill form). on a moderate level, you can find great sources of vitamin A in orange-y foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash. when cooked right, these are delicious!! and so much more wallet-friendly. but please do eat a balanced diet (based on your personal needs and health), don’t be excessive in one kind of “super food.” that’s a terrible idea for very logical reasons.
3. EXERCISE: do i really need to explain this one? okay, fine. i forget the benefits sometimes too. i can get pretty lazy about working out but sweating it all out and doing some good workouts can really help your body and your skin. it’s a hollistic approach – lopsided remedies never work and if they do, not for long periods of time. so get in the habit of an overall good health and perhaps take a buddy or two along with you for support and a morale boost. this should hopefully balance your stress level too.
4. HABITS*: okay…….it’s been proven that smoking harms skin. if you smoke, sorry, i obviously can’t help you quit but i suggest you consult a professional and do what is necessary and important to you. another bad habit i have seen that harms skin is tanning. please don’t abuse tanning! a healthy amount is hard to gauge so please ask your doctor and always under-do it if anything. ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN – rain or shine!
*sidenote: birth control pills can often help clear acne in many people. please do some research and find the best pill for you. it doesn’t work well for everyone and you have to use exactly as directed. first and foremost, see your OBGYN!
5. CLEAN: keep your pillow, clothes, hair, steering wheel, keyboard, etc. clean clean clean. bacteria/dust and all the nasty stuff definitely gets on your face. you dont have to be a neat freak, just use common sense and do a monthly clean and wash of all the things you touch on a regular basis. i’m not suggesting you clean all your doorknobs everyday or something – that is on a pathological level. addtionally, and a general good health tip, frequently WASH YOUR HANDS. don’t be gross….
6. WASH: similar to “CLEAN,” try being proactive and wash your face. if you are SO IMPORTANT and TOO BUSY (hehe) and you have to choose only one time of the day to wash your face, always do it before bed! always! why would anyone want to rub around in their own filth – yuck! think about all the pollutants that land on your face throughout your day – yeah, gross – and you’re going to rub it into your sheets and pillow? nothxbai. i use a lot of Arcona products. they are paraben and mysterious-chemicals-free. they don’t clog my pores or make me feel tight or sticky. the products are EXPENSIVE but i save money in other areas like food and gas so it’s worth it to me. i use their berry bar soap, white ice moisturizer, toner (keep reading), and protecting sunscreen (keep reading). these products help my skin stay clean and balanced. Pangea Organics is also carries some great products. PLEASE do not hesitate to ask these companies for samples – you never know how your skin will react. you can even stroll around department stores asking for samples. if they act stuck up about it, just move along.
7. EXFOLIATE: you don’t necessarily have to exfoliate everyday, but a couple times of the week is good. this is so your pores are cleaned out and none of the gunk is left behind and simply masked up with makeup or lotion. clogged pore = dirty. sometimes i will use masks to help me but not often – it depends on the type of skin you have. if i exfoliate too much, my skin gets dry. same with masks – too many uses and i start to see dry flakes. ew. i am currently trying a sample of Origins Modern Friction, it’s a bit too strong for me so i have to use less of it less frequently, otherwise, it really does get rid of some yucky stuff for me.
8. TONE: before moisturizing, use a good toner to help balance your skin. this also helps you slough off some of the dirty surface skin. it feels refreshing too 
as i mentioned, i use Arcona’s cranberry toner. i really like it. it’s gentle but effective for me.
9. MOISTURIZE: this is very important for the health and balance of your skin. it’s sort of a personal decision when choosing the right moisturizer for you. it’s best to research products - some products make my skin too oily, some make it dry, some don’t do anything at all. it helps to use a balancing oil once in a while in addition to moisturizing. here is an example. for me, moisturizers are a key part of my skincare regimen.
10. PROTECT: it’s very important to use a good sunscreen. try to pick a sunscreen that won’t clog your pores or feel too heavy/slimy on your skinn to avoid having dirt and other grossness stick to your face. i would go with something in the spf15 – spf30 range. protect your LIPS too with something like burt’s bees products or a natural lip product. like i mentioned, Arcona has a decent protectant one should use in addition to a gentle sunscreen to help keep your skin healthy and young.
IMPORTANT NOTE: always read the ingredients to each skincare product you use. prolonged use of some chemicals can cause damage to your skin, itchiness, red spots, etc. STAY AWAY from parabens and thalates!
well, i hope that was informative!
oh, and no, i’m not some spokesperson for Arcona or Pangea.
i WISH they would pay me to use and rave about their stuff!
<3
