It’s hard to admit this, but the first time in my entire life that I’ve ever visited a dermatologist was about six weeks ago. I know. It’s not something I’m super proud of, but I wanted to share that it’s never too late to start taking care of your skin.
It’s interesting, but my anxiety was what initially brought me to make an appointment with a dermatologist. I’d followed a local dermatologist, Modern Dermatology, on Instagram for a while and they put up an IG story about it being skin cancer awareness month and prompted us to come in and get our skin checked by one of their doctors. I took this simple Instagram story and let my mind wander with it. Unfortunately with anxiety, your mind can easily go to places that you never want it to go. I’d convinced myself that because of the many years I’d spent at tanning beds and not wearing sunscreen while going outside, that I’d must have some form of skin cancer. Rather than dwell on it and force myself into an anxiety attack, I made an appointment with Dr. Robinson at Modern Dermatology for a skin check. To some, that might not seem like a big deal, but for those of you who are familiar with anxiety and avoid doctors in fear of the worst (like myself,) this was a huge step for me. Thankfully it paid off and the skin check went great without need to worry.
I’m going to take this moment to do a little PSA to tell you to go get your skin checked.
While I was at the office I thought I’d take the opportunity to let Dr. Robinson know about the problems I’d been having with adult acne. After evaluating my skin, we realized it was a combination of hormones, the sweat from my workout routine, and my lack of skin self-care.
Ready to finally start taking care of my skin (and realizing I am indeed getting older and want to preserve what I can for now,) I told Dr. Robinson I was ready to invest in products that would help. She recommended products and a routine that would help get my skin back on track.
“We all want to blame our parents for our skincare woes, but the reality is roughly 80% of how our skin ages is in our control – determined by lifestyle choices we make everyday. This includes things like sun exposure and smoking, but also the skincare products you use (or don’t!). I always like to stress to my patients that its never too late to make improvements to your skincare routine and lifestyle – our skin is really resilient when we treat it well!”
I wanted to wait and share these products with you until I had the adequate amount of time to try out this new skincare routine to see how it affected my skin. Not only did it help tremendously with my acne, but I’ve also noticed my skin has a more even tone and a nice glow. I also want to point out that it’s not cheap to invest in good skincare products. I’ve always been one to go to the nearest drugstore and get whatever. And to be honest, I cried a bit inside after purchasing these products at first, but now that I see the difference in my skin, I can genuinely stay it’s worth every penny.
I’m going to share my skincare routine (in order from AM and PM) that Dr. Robinson created for me. I can honestly say it’s been a game changer.
AM Routine:
CLn Facial Cleanser
As soon as I wake up, I’ll use this to wash my face. I also use it as soon as I am finished working out. It’s best for sensitive and acne-prone skin. I really love how gentle it is. Just one pump is all you need, which is nice because the bottle lasts awhile. It’s super gentle on my skin and doesn’t dry it out.
Pure Bioderm Antioxidant Super Serum
I put this on my face every morning right after I wash and dry my face. It has a blend of antioxidants, including Vitamin C, Ferulic Acid, Phloretin, and Peptides which help provide protection from environmental toxins. I’ve definitely noticed as I get older, my skin is changing and isn’t quite as smooth as it used to be, so very thankful this serum helps with premature fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation from sun and age related dark spots. One pump of this and it’s enough for your entire face. It’s super lightweight and not greasy.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
I’ve long been a fan of Supergoop products. I have a range of their products that I’ve used for a number of years. When they first came out with their Unseen Sunscreen I was excited to try it. It’s oil-free and goes on weightless. I love that it feels soft on my skin and it giving me the sun protection I need at the same time. It has SPF 40 protection against everything: UVA, UVB, blue light, infrared. It’s a perfect solution as a makeup primer as well.
PM Routine:
As mentioned in my morning routine, I always wash my face with the CLn Facial before moving on to a moisturizer. I have two different moisturizers I use. One is a retinoid base product and the other is more of a daily moisturizer.
Skinbetter Science Rejuvenate Intensive Alpharet Overnight Cream
A few months ago I almost gave botox a try because I was noticing more forehead wrinkles. At the time, I was completely unaware of how much upkeep you are required to do. It was then that I quickly changed my mind (I couldn’t commit to the upkeep) and decided I’d try alternatives until the Botox was completely necessary. I asked Dr. Robinson for something I could use that would help with anti-aging. She suggested a retinoid product. I use the AlphaRet overnight cream a couple times a week. The cream helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles while also providing moisture in my skin. Just one pump is enough for the full face and neck. This is probably my most expensive cream, but the bottle does last me a long time and it’s completely worth it if I can avoid paying for Botox for a few more years.
Tatcha The Water Cream
I spent a lot of time doing research on moisturizers. I knew they are typically expensive, but I also didn’t want to waste my money on a product that was only hype. After doing research and speaking with Dr. Robinson about what should and should not be in my moisturizer, I narrowed it down to a few and went to our local Sephora to get samples. I immediately fell in love with The Water Cream. It really does feel like water going on your skin and is not oily or sticky at all. It glides on very easily and a little dollop goes a long way. It’s well worth both the hype and is moderately priced compared to others on the market.
Restorsea Pro Lipmagic
I have VERY dry lips. They are constantly peeling and cracking. While I drink a lot of water during the day, dry lips run in the family. I’ve tried many many lips products and had yet to find something that worked until I found Restorsea. Active ingredient Aquabeautine XL helps get your lips softer, smoother, and more defined. This has been a serious game changer for my lips.
SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense
This has quickly become my very favorite product of all time and is worth every single penny. I’ve told so many people about this product. Yes, it’s that good. I don’t use this every night, but if I do have the occasional breakout due to hormones or stress, just put a dab of this on the zit and it will make it go away very quickly. When Dr. Robinson was telling me about it, I was a bit skeptical it could work as quickly as she said it would, but it really does. It is an acid blend combines 2% dioic acid with an optimal alpha- and beta-hydroxy acid formulation to reduce the formation of acne and clogged pores. It immediately dries that zit out and many times it will be barely visible in the morning. Not only does it help zap away the zit, but it also while improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. This stuff is like liquid gold.
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