I’ve been getting a lot of compliments on my skin lately, and that has, in my opinion, 1/3 to do with the products I use, 1/3 to do with the way I eat, and 1/3 to do with genetics. My pregnancy with Luca aged me quite a bit in that when I looked in the mirror during and after, I felt like I was looking at an older version of myself all of a sudden.
My skin was dull, sad, and looked worn down and out, so I started to be very thoughtful about what I put on my skin every day. The first big product swap was to Vintner’s Daughter which I’ve written about in detail. But there are a few other products and beauty tech gadgets that use and I’ve included them all in this post.
In addition to skincare, I have done a few treatments with my dermatologist (IPL and micro-needling) and get regular facials. This is your reminder that one product will not cure all of your skin woes at once. It is a mix of product, diet, wearing sunscreen daily, hydration, and treatments.
As far as diet goes, I’ve been trying to drink less often and when I do drink, have fewer drinks and that makes the biggest difference for me. I add chia and flax seeds to at least one meal or snack a day and I take collagen peptides (in powder or pill form) daily.
I also drink a ton of water. I try to get 80 oz daily which is a challenge but I get close most days. I try not to eat too much sugar because that is the number one thing that breaks me out.
My Daily skincare routine
1. Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum: Read my review here.
2. Kitsch Ice Roller: This might be the best $13 you’ll spend all year. I also love the Amazon ice roller but Amalia has hijacked it and uses it for boo-boos which is why I bought myself the upgrade.
3. Dr. Dennis Gross Extra Strength Daily Peel: After working with this brand last month, these peel pads are now a part of my routine, 3x/week. So many of you, as well as the esthetician who does my facials, recommended these, and now I understand why. My skin reacts really well to peels and being able to do a clinical-strength peel at home is exactly what I’ve been missing.
The peel promises to help with fine lines, dullness, acne and acne scars, pores, and shine. I personally like it for the way it gets rid of every little tiny bump and blackhead on my skin.
4. Isle of Paradise Tanning Drops: After spending lots of money on IPL to help get rid of my sun damage, I’m more aware than ever of keeping my face protected from the sun. I started using these in my pregnancy when I was anemic and looked like an actual zombie. I wrote a full Isle of Paradise review with application tips and more if you want those details. So to get a sunny glow, I use 2 drops mixed into my VD serum every other night.
5. Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Eye Masks: Everyone loves these eye masks because they actually work. If I have a big shoot or have been up with the kids at night, I pop these on in the morning and then ice roll over them. Good as new! You can also find them on Amazon.
6. Solawave Wand: Reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, blemishes, and dark circles with my favorite skincare wand. I use this red light therapy wand every night after my serum while I’m reading a book in bed. And check out my full review of the Solawave.
7. TULA Protect + Glow Sunscreen: Your daily reminder to use daily sunscreen… even in the winter! A lot of daily sunscreens make me break out but this one doesn’t. It also gives me a nice little glow.
8. Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch: When I do break out, I love these little patches. I put one on at night and in the morning the pimple or blackhead has significantly gone down.
9. Strivectin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Eye Cream: I’ve been using Vintner’s Daughter everywhere, including under my eyes lately, but my derm recently told me to continue using an eye cream specially made for the delicate skin under the eyes so I started with Strivectin again. I like the way it immediately sinks into my skin and fights wrinkles at the same time.
10. Drunk Elephant TLC Sukari Babyfacial: I like to give myself an at-home face mask once a week and out of all the masks I’ve tried, the cult-favorite Sukari Babyfacial gives me the best results. It tingles like crazy which is normal but the result is smooth, bright, clear skin. I never use it on the same night as my peel pads, however, because they’re both AHA and that would be a little intense.
For a mask that’s a little more gentle, try the Summer Fridays Jet Lag mask. I use this when my skin has really been through the wringer (like after travel) and just needs to calm down.
11. Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash: Unless you have very oily and acne-prone skin, don’t buy this face wash. It is made with tea tree oil and can be extremely drying. That said, I’ve tried everything ever recommended to me by estheticians and dermatologists and this drug store face wash works the best for my skin. Even though they all tell me it shouldn’t!
12. Rose Quartz Gua Sha: I use a gua sha in the shower with my face wash every day for a few reasons. I started a few years ago because it helps my sinuses during cold and flu season (I have major sinus issues) but stick with it year-round because of the lifting effects on my skin. Google a tutorial on how to use a gua sha because I’m no expert but it really does lift your skin.
13. Vintner’s Daughter Active Treatment Essence: Read my review here.
