Coming back here after being MIA for months is always awkward. It’s like reconnecting with the world after going off the grid for what seems like an eternity. Actually it’s is not like that: it is actually that. A little while ago the content of the blog shifted: there was more of a focus on the mental and spiritual stuff. And while I delight in those topics, I would like to bring more content about the light stuff too. While mental health and spiritual life are everyday life kind of topics, I also wanted to talk about the more practical things and get a little bit into perhaps hobbies, fashion, skincare, haircare, selfcare, etc… So to honor the broadening of my writing horizons, I am bringing to you today my skincare routine. So let's get into it, shall we?
We all know at least one person that when asked what they do for their skin to look nice, they respond: "nothing! I just drink water". Every time I hear that sentence, I roll my eyes so far that I can almost see my brain. Drinking water helps your skin look better but let's be honest: it takes more than that. Hence, this article. No gatekeeping here.
Today's skincare regimen is brought to you by my skin: she looks nice these days but she wasn't always like that. As a child (up until my late teenage years) I suffered with eczema, a condition usually associated with dry skin. And guess who has dry skin? Yup… That’s me! When I speak of dry, for me it’s more than my phone: it's my hair (a topic for another day) and my skin. It's drier than the Sahara. It's drier than a Popeyes biscuit. My skin being dry is [sadly] one of the most consistent things about me: always dry no matter the season of the year. Imagine winter ashy-ness but everyday. Not fun. While some people could skimp on the skincare, it is not a luxury that I had growing up. And it certainly is not a luxury that I have now. I had to learn early and quickly what worked for my skin. So I did and it worked (for the most part) until 2020. I was scrolling through my photo library on my phone and came across a video of me in July 2020 and let me tell you... the state of my skin in that video made wonder had me shooketh. My skin was giving stressed and raggedy. Sis was not cute at all. I remember being aware at that time that something was going on with my skin but being unable to figure out what it was. Living it was one thing but seeing my face in that video almost two years later hit different. I remember back then feeling desperate for my skin to get back to normal and looking up brands/products that I could use to create a skincare regimen because what was happening was just pure trickery and shenanigation. Something had to give.
The state of emergency my skin was in and my frantic research to find products that would nurse my skin back to health led me to Good Molecules. It was a game-changer for my skin. Some people swear by the Ordinary, well… I swear by Good Molecules (and I stand ten toes on that!). I took my time to read about the products and find something that would work for my skin type and the concerns that I had at the time. I was sold on the Hero regimen for dry skin. Since I started using this bundle in 2020, Good Molecules expanded the line by adding the Rosewater Daily Cleansing Gel and Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel; but originally it had the: Niacinamide Brightening Toner, Hyaluronic Acid Serum, an Overnight Exfoliating Treatment, Caffeine Energizing Hydrogel Patches, Instant Cleaning Balm, Silicone-Free Priming Moisturizer and an Ultra-Hydrating Facial Oil. Out of the original bundle I have used everything however, my skin seems to not agree with the hyaluronic acid (I dropped it) and I don't really care for the eye patches (not really using it them either). In addition to the bundle, I separately got the discoloration correcting serum and the daily brightening serum because, in addition to having unexplained tiny bumps all over my face and a rough skin texture, I was also struggling with hyperpigmentation (I still do but not as much) and my skin looked very dull.
The Hero Regimen bundle (then) vs. The Hero Regimen Bundle (now)
Due to my skin being dry and sensitive, I can only use chemical exfoliant rather than mechanical exfoliant and the Overnight exfoliating treatment was just perfect. I started using it once a week and worked my way up until my skin could tolerate it when used three times a week. It contains AHAs and BHAs which help getting rid of dead (and resurface new skin), smoothing out rough/ bumpy skin, fading dark spots and evening skin tone. The Niacinamide in combination with the discoloration correcting serum and the daily brightening serum help improve appearance of dullness, uneven skin tone (reducing hyperpigmentation), and enlarged pores. I do not have large pores but I have noticed that when my skin acts up/gets bumpy, the niacinamide toner calms my skin down. And if I get PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) after getting a pimple, it doesn’t take as long for the hyperpigmentation to fade. I use those products twice a day, applying the toner first, followed by the serums. For the sake of time (and because it doesn’t say otherwise on the website or on the products’ boxes), I mix both serums in my hand before applying them to my face. I have to say though that you should layer them first to see how your skin reacts and if it doesn’t freak out, then move on to mixing the serums.
Consistently using those products has drastically improved my skin texture and evenness. While it is not everyone’s experience, I can genuinely say that the results from sticking with those products and being somewhat consistent in my skincare regimen is beyond satisfactory. And in case you are wondering no… this post is not sponsored by Good Molecules (but maybe they should consider it… Just a thought). This post is a presentation of what my skincare foundation is made of and it doubles as a review. I went through the entire bottle of toner, daily brightening and discoloration correcting serums and repurchased it. No need to say more: this works. Because I have dry skin, I am only discussing the Hero regimen for dry skin and sharing my experience but, Good Molecules also has a Hero regimen bundle for oily skin. So if you have oily skin maybe look into it. You might like it and it is affordable.
To moisturize my skin I use Eucerin Skin Balance night cream at night and in the morning I use EltaMD AM Therapy. I found out (while writing this article) that the EltaMD AM Therapy is a light moisturizer. While it might work well for someone with normal to oily skin and be okay during the summer months for my dry skin, I might have to look into other options for the fall/winter.
The last and perhaps most important staple in my skincare is sunscreen. Doing all that work (especially when it comes to getting an even skin tone and getting rid of hyperpigmentation) is pointless if you do not wear sunscreen. It’s like throwing money out the the window. Actually it is not like throwing money out the the window,: it is throwing money out the the window. And plus, cancer is not cute. It’s ghetto. So put on your sunscreen. When it comes to sunscreen, the American Association of Dermatology recommends using an SPF of at least 30. I usually am in the 40-50 range and I go for broad spectrum as it blocks both UVA (responsible for premature skin aging) and UVB (skin burn, hyperpigmentation). Also check that it is water resistant. At the moment, I am using EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum SPF 40.
It is a 100% mineral sunscreen designed to improve sun-damaged skin and help revitalize it. It contains Squalane which is known for restoring skin's natural moisture and suppleness. This specific SPF is formulated with Ginger Root Extract and Saccharide Isomerate in order to promote a healthy complexion by improving skin smoothness, minimizing dark spots and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains antioxidants which combat skin-aging free radicals associated with ultraviolet (UV) and infrared radiation (IR) and offers high-energy visible (HEV) light protection. It doesn’t irritate my skin or burn my eyes. It doesn’t make me look greasy but it does leave a white cast. That’s the only downside. So far I have managed to make it work but in the future, I will probably explore other options from that brand that do not make me look like Casper the friendly ghost. Just like with Good molecules, EltaMD also has SPF that fits your skin type although the one that I use is fit for all skin types.
So there you have it: the fundamentals of my skin care routine. In the next article, I will share the other products that I use in addition to the ones mentioned in this article.
Until then, be well and put your sunscreen on 😊
