How to develop a skin routine that's right for you

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Hey, It's Caroline!  So, I told you all I would do a post on skin.  I've finally gotten to the point where I'm comfortable wearing no makeup but mascara if need be, and I've walked to the grocery store once or twice with none on at all, though it makes me a little bit self-conscious, just because I feel like my eyes look dull without mascara.

When asked about my skin routine, people laugh and say "You can't possibly do all of that!"  But I do, and have for several months.  Now, I'm going to tell you what I do, and then explain how to adapt it for different skin types.

I have very, very dry skin, and it's prone to flake.  I've tried so many moisturizers, and none have worked.  I wake up in the morning and the dryness makes my foundation look cake-y instead of fresh and dewy.

Here's my routine.  In the mornings I don't do much, I just lightly cleanse my face with a little of this cleanser and some lukewarm water.  I slap on some of this moisturizer and let it sink in while I do my hair. I then put on this sunscreen and finish my makeup.

But at night is where the magic happens.

Via

I begin by pinning my hair back. I'm growing out my bangs, so they're in the awkward, heavy phase, so I keep them pinned back quite a bit, anyway.  I brush my teeth and put my retainer in Polident (it works better than brushing it).  Then, we get to the good stuff.  

I take off my eye makeup using Vaseline.  I don't use eye makeup remover because I heard about someone who went to a factory that made it, and said they had to change out the bins every few months because of corrosion.  EW!  I don't want that on my eyes!  So I use Vaseline to gently remove all eye makeup.  Then I run some water until it's just barely warm, and I put two pumps of the cleanser I mentioned earlier into my hands.  If I have any pimples, which I get maybe one or two a month, I would use this acne wash instead.  I gently rub the cleanser into my skin, and then rinse.  I pat my skin dry... don't rub!  You want to treat your skin very delicately.

Every two nights, I use "Angels on Bare Skin" which is an exfoliating, all-natural product from Lush.  They have some really fantastic stuff!  But for this, you only need a very small amount.  A little goes a very long way, so the product lasts for a long time.

Via

It looks gross, but it gives the skin a great glow.  Don't exfoliate more than three times a week... it can damage your skin and dry it out.  

After I've done all that good stuff, I put on a moisturizer.  I'm not picky about this part... The only thing is I can't use Neutrogena moisturizers or sunscreen.  The rest of their products are great, but for some reason these burn my face and make it very irritated.  Which makes me irritated.  

So I use an anti-aging moisturizer, the same as listed above.  I'm not acne-prone, so I don't worry about having SPF on my skin at night.  But if you get acne, don't use SPF at night because it can clog your pores.  I use anti-aging products now because prevention is key.  You don't have to do that, but I'm crazy about my skin and want it to stay this way as long as possible.

I put on an eye cream.  I use one from Dermalogica that I got a very long time ago, but you can use any one, no matter how cheap.  It really doesn't make a difference either way with eye cream.  

I then use a spooly brush to slather Vaseline on my eyelashes.  Ladies, this works wonders.  My lashes are so much fuller and longer than they used to be, and it will work for you.  Promise.  

Now here's the part where I moisturize my skin thoroughly.  I just take a big swipe of Vaseline and rub it into my skin.  I am a huge advocate of Vaseline... it has so many uses.  My skin has never looked better!  It glows now instead of looking flaky and matte.  I give my face a break from the Vaseline twice a week and it looks just fine the next day.  

All the sunscreen I use has reduced the amount of freckles on my face significantly.  My brother even commented on it without prompting, which shows you just how obvious the change is!  My complexion has evened out, and with the eye cream, my under-eye circles have faded.  I also sleep with my bangs clipped back, because hair on my forehead tends to give me a pimple or two once in a while.

• If you have oily skin:  I suggest this moisturizer, this cleanser, and no Vaseline all over your face.  The rest of the routine you can follow at your whim.
• If you have combination skin:  Follow the routine minus the Vaseline all over your face.  Just dab it in overly-dry areas.
• If you have acne-prone skin:  Use no Vaseline, except on your lashes.  Use this moisturizer, and this cleanser.  Only exfoliate twice a week.  When you pop zits, make sure your hands are very clean, or use two q-tips instead of your fingers.  And only pop the zit when it's absolutely ready, and put anti-bacterial ointment on it immediately after.  I know that all sounds gross, but this is real life, people.  

Amanda did a post similar to this a couple of weeks ago, so please check it out for more tips.  We're all about you being as informed as you can be about your skin!  If you have any questions you don't want to ask in the comments, email me at dressingroomdoor(at)gmail(dot)com, and I'll be happy to help you.

And please, no matter how sleepy, please don't neglect to at least wash your face and remove your eye makeup. You'll regret it in the morning if you don't.  

Have a good day!