The Basics: Step 1

So I'm thinking a good starting post would be to talk about some of the skin care basics, because I am always surprised at how little the average person pays attention to these basic needs! I'll try to keep it simple:


Step 1: WASH


Do: wash your face every morning AND night (after gently removing makeup)
Don't: wash your face 80 million times a day. Twice is plenty, and washing your face like a maniac isn't going to do anything positive for your skin (besides irritate it and cause blemishes and dryness!)


Do: use a GENTLE wash; a lot of people say they prefer gritty scrubs or cooling washes because it makes them feel clean ... Preference and feel of a wash is important, but keep your daily regimen simple and gentle. Cooling agents are usually irritating (like menthol), and don't even get me started on super gritty scrubs (I will do a separate post about this because I am so against it!)
Don't: ... well, see above ^ if it feels like sand it belongs on a beach, not your precious face


Do: exfoliate every few days! Preferably with a chemical exfoliant like Glycolic Acid (an AHA, GREAT for dry skin!), Salicylic Acid (a BHA, super for cleaning out those pores), or Lactic Acid (less irritating than Salicylic, but still great for pores) ... there are more, but these are some of my favourites!


Don't: exfoliate right before a day tanning at the beach, especially if it is a leave-on exfoliant (eg. a cream with 10% glycolic acid)


General rule: If you have dry skin, you may feel most comfortable with a milk cleanser, although many don't like the experiences of cleansing with a milk cleanser. Those with oily skin should use a gel cleanser, and those with normal skin (or combination) can go with their preference. I generally have oily/combination skin, but I use a thicker cleanser in the winter and a more gel-like cleanser in the summer! At the end of the day, skincare really comes down to preference (at least in a cleanser, anyways!)


How I do it: I always splash some warm water on my face, then gently massage in my cleanser (I currently am using La Roche Posay - Toleriane Cream Cleanser because it is lovely and my skin has been dry) for about 10 seconds ... My cleanser is safe to use on the eyes because it is extremely gentle, but if you aren't sure of this, avoid the eye area =) Then I rinse it off with cooler water and gently pat my face dry with a clean towel!


Products I love: I have sensitive skin so they are often sensitive skin products, but I'll try to provide a variation!


- La Roche Posay Toleriane Cleanser (dry/normal skin, it's still a bit on the gel side)
- La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel (oily/blemish-prone skin)
- Avène Gel Cleaner (oily/blemish prone skin - dermatologists love this one!)
- Neutrogena Pore Refining Scrub (any kind of skin! It has AHA and BHA and gentle microbeads if you really want some gently scrubbing action!)
- La Roche Posay Physiological Cleansing Gel (any skin type! such a good gel cleanser)
- Avène has a milk cleanser for those with sensitive and/or dry skin, they also have a gel, but I prefer the La Roche Posay gel cleanser partially because it is cheaper


I will add pictures another night but this ended up being longer than I expected!