My (upgraded) Skincare Routine

I’ve officially upgraded my skincare routine and I’ve come here to tell all of my (one) follower(s) about it! I’ve really noticed a difference in my skin these last few weeks and even my husband has noticed a difference. Well- that’s after nagging him like a puppy about it…howdoesmyskinlook, howdoesmyskinlook, howdoesmyskinlook? Good, he says. I’ll take it. Here’s the scoop:

1. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser: this is my OG facewash I’ve been using for the past 15+ years. I would classify my skin as “normal” but it works for all skin types (oily, dry, normal, etc). It’s basic, non-irritating, and I like that it easily removes my makeup. I use this twice daily, in the am & pm.
2. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant: that was a mouthful, eh? I’ve only been using this gem of a product for the past month but I noticed a difference in my skin within days of using it. My skin just feels cleaner after one swipe of this stuff which is evidence that the salicylic acid is really working to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells. Bonus points for the glow and evenness my skin has benefitted from. Talk about a glow up! I use this every morning. On the nights I’m using Tretinoin, I will skip Paula’s as I believe both products would be too harsh on my skin.
3. Maelove: The Glowmaker Antioxidant Serum: about a year ago, I journeyed to Sephora in an attempt to upgrade my skincare routine and purchase some holy grail tried and true products. I left with an eyebrow pencil and feelings of defeat. One of my main goals was to buy a vitamin C serum as I’d heard this product is essential to any decent skincare lineup but after the salesperson tried selling me on a 1 oz bottle for $80+, I hightailed it out of there. After, I went on a mission to find a vitamin C serum that wouldn’t break the bank. *Maelove has entered the chat* Their products are clean, the packaging is sleek, and they’re actually affordable! Quite the unicorn product, am I right? After using the Glowmaker for some time, I noticed a decrease in fine lines, increase in my skin’s glow, and I like that the serum doesn’t have an oily texture. Vitamin C is said to help slow down the skin’s aging process and serves as a barrier to protect your skin from environmental factors like the sun. After washing my face with Cetaphil and exfoliating with Paula’s Choice, I apply my Glowmaker.
4. Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen: do I need to elaborate on this one? It’s lightweight, packs a 40 SPF punch, and the ingredients are clean. I feel like the sheeny texture provides a nice foundation for makeup application. Bonus points for how long the bottle lasts! I use this every morning after applying the Glowmaker.
5. Tretinoin: I’m not quite ready to take the plunge on Botox yet so instead I did the next best thing and called up the doc for some of the good stuff. I’m seeing a reduction of fine lines and my skin just seems more new and fresh. Maybe she’s born with it….maybe it’s the tretinoin. I apply a pea-sized amount every other night and while I noticed drying and flakiness initially, my skin has acclimated quite well in the month+ I’ve been using it. One caveat: my insurance didn’t cover this one so cranky Carol was up in arms at the pharmacy when the $70 price tag was announced. However, with the small size application and the fact that I don’t use it every single night, I believe the tube will last at least a good 6 months. If not, I’ll be asking for the manager…
6. Maelove: The Night Renewer Glycolic Acid Cream: after 1 night of using this cream, I woke up and said “woah” in the mirror. I noticed a big difference in my skin- it felt and looked tighter, more glowy, and extremely hydrated. Apparently glycolic acid is another one of those ingredients that works to shed old skin cells, uncovering those newer, cuter ones underneath. I did notice a slight burning sensation upon the first few uses and Maelove recommends easing your way into it by using it 3 x/week to let your skin acclimate.