The Essentials: Skin- Face

My face essentials are a little more involved, but taking care of your skin is very important. I started using eye cream a few years ago when I read that you should start using eye cream in your 20's to prevent wrinkles from starting. It's never to late to start taking care of your skin, and I'd rather use creams now than needles later!

Eye Creams

I apply eye cream in the morning & at night. I use a small amount & dot it along the orbital bone (the bone that surrounds the eye) gently using my ring finger. Since eye creams tend to migrate, I apply it directly BELOW my under eye area and both above and below my eyebrow.

Day // Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream - Let me just confess my love for this cream right now. It's hydrating without being greasy, and a little goes a long way. I first read about hyaluronic acid here. It helps lock in moisture to keep your skin properly hydrated. There's complex molecular science at work here, but I won't get into that (unless you're interested). It helps reduce puffiness, minimizes the look of fine lines, and is safe for sensitive skin. And if that isn't enough, it's very reasonably priced compared to other eye creams.

Night // Midnight Recovery Eye - Another one of my all-time favorites, this cream is very light weight and smells AMAZING!! I use this at night after I've washed off all my makeup. I've noticed a definite difference in my dark circles after using this cream for the past year. It's a bit pricier than my other eye cream, but one tube lasts forever since a little also goes a long way.

Face Wash

Day // Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash - I switched to this face wash after noticing that other washes were irritating to my skin. This face wash is free of dyes, artificial fragrance, and harsh chemicals, so it's perfect for my sensitive skin. Simple solution, right?

Night // First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser - I bought this as a combo pack with the Ultra Repair Cream on Black Friday at Sephora and it is seriously a game changer! Again, it's safe for sensitive skin and it's free of Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates (harsh chemicals that don't do your skin any favors). It also contains an Antioxidant Booster that defends skin from free radical damage (aka protects against premature aging!) This is something I will be buying again and again.

Moisturizer

Day // Eucerin Daily Protection Face Lotion - This moisturizer is lightweight, fragrance free, and contains SPF 30 sunscreen. I use this after washing my face in the morning to prevent skin damage from those pesky UV rays. I love the sun, but I don't want my face to look like a raisin!

Night // First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream - This cream is perfect for the winter months when your skin needs extra moisture. This thick cream is meant to be used wherever you have dry skin, but is safe to use on the face too. Like the Face Cleanser, it's made without harsh chemicals and it has the Antioxidant Booster, but it has the added benefit of Colloidal Oatmeal, the only FDA-approved, over-the-counter ingredient to treat eczema. I use this at night after washing my face to really lock in moisture.

Treat

Breakouts // Mario Badescu Drying Lotion - This is my Holy Grail for acne spot treatment. Trust me, it works. You just dip a q-tip into the pink stuff at the bottom (DO NOT shake the bottle) and apply enough to cover the pimple and keep it on over night. When you wake up in the morning, that sucker will be smaller and much easier to deal with. I've been using this for years and it hasn't failed me yet. 

Under Eye // Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector - I'll be honest, dark circles have always been a problem for me. My heredity/Greek heritage and career choice all play a part. However, this amazing product has made my dark circles manageable. The cooling metal tip feels great and depuffs as the cream lightens and brightens the under eye area. I usually apply this after my eye cream and before using under eye concealer (I know, I use A LOT of eye creams!). I noticed a difference the first time I used this, and it just keeps getting better with regular use.  

As far as face masks go, I use products I can find in my fridge and pantry. Stephanie Sterjovski wrote a post about her favorite DIY masks & I can't get enough of them. Especially the lemon + honey, it's great in tea, too :)

Thanks for reading about my crazy skin care obsession! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Next up for The Essentials: Hair Products & Tools.