Skincare products to enhance your routine
My recommendations for noticeably glowing skin ✨
I’ve been experimenting with skincare products lately because I love the feeling of hydrated and dewy skin. I also love how confident I feel with a bare-faced look (aka no makeup). Sometimes I wish I had an on-call makeup artist that would glam me up for events, but a girl can only dream. I’d rather put my energy in a skincare routine that works for me and shows progress. And this comes with trial and error. I can finally say I have a solid skincare routine, but I can’t lie and say I don’t experiment with new skincare products because of their packaging or clever marketing. There are couple of items that passed the product trial stages of my experimentation process and I’m excited to share them.
Disclaimer: These are only my recommendations; please use these products at your discretion. Consult a medical professional if you’re seeking medical advice or if you have any skin allergies/sensitivities. No results are promised or guaranteed.
Ice Roller
It’s totally normal to sometimes wake up to puffy or inflamed skin. Our diet, stress, or hormones can all be factors. I incorporated an ice roller to my nighttime routine after cleansing—a secret from my mom who has beautiful skin and also doesn’t use too many skincare products (she always keeps it simple). She never misses this step and thanks to her, I’ve been using this method for close to four years now. Feel free to refreeze this roller after a couple of uses until it’s time to refill it with water. Freeze overnight and let the roller sit for a couple of minutes before applying the ice directly to your skin, including the face, eyes, and neck (never forget the neck and decollete area!). But don’t let it sit out for too long. After using the ice roller for a couple of days, you’ll see decreased morning puffiness and swelling. Think of this like a cold plunge for your face. I use this after cleansing my skin and before adding my nighttime products.
Therabody TheraFace Mask
A couple of months ago my boyfriend and I joined a wellness club called Reset by Therabody in Manhattan West to test out the wellness waters. We went pretty often and we even completed a January challenge, which meant we to go at least 20 times in the month to successfully complete it. It was quite the feat. We tried different services like whole body red light therapy, cryotherapy, IV vitamin drips/shots, and more. We also got introduced to TheraFace masks and that’s when we both knew we needed one at home. Red light therapy helps improve skin's appearance, smooths skin, and minimizes wrinkles. It also aids in firmness, facial contour, and improves saggy/loose skin. The TheraFace Mask has infrared red and blue-light with tension-relieving vibration therapy. A fun fact about blue light is that it boosts collagen production (which decreases with age) and can kill acne-causing bacteria. I use this holy grail product around three times a week at least in the morning and/or at night. This mask is the most essential part of my self-care routine and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve noticed positive results when it comes to skin elasticity.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ultimate Lip Plump and Repair Bundle
Protecting your lips is just as important as protecting your face (yes, this means you should get a chapstick with SPF). I wanted naturally fuller lips so I came across the LipWare Pro LED Device with the Dermfusion plump and repair lip treatment (10 ml) bundle during their online sale a couple of months ago. I blame my Instagram ads. I add the lip plump after my 3-minute lip mask treatment. The hyaluronic acid-infused lip treatment creates a tingly feeling, which is why I like to apply it before bed and wake up with a pronounced pout. This lip mask and plumper accentuate and hydrates lips.
Gua Sha
Gua sha is a Chinese healing technique that involves scraping the skin with a tool made out of jade, horn, or ceramic. I bought my gua sha made from stainless steel on Amazon. It even comes with a travel pouch for on-the-go snatched skin. This one is a bit on the pricier side, but you can find some for as low as $8 (or even lower if you browse through Amazon listings). A gua sha quite literally sculpts your face. It also reduces stress relief, improves blood flow and circulation, reduces inflammation, and gets rid of any excess and stagnant fluids from the body. If you find yourself doom scrolling before bed, you might as well throw in a gua sha session to make it productive.
Brightening Serum
It’s always cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, and then sunscreen. One of my favorite serums is Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Serum. My last bottle was used to the very last drop but lasted around three months after daily use. It brightens skin, evens out skin complexion, and reduces dark spots. I use this as a vitamin C alternative during the day.
Plumping & Hydrating Moisturizer
Plump skin is a good sign that your skin has healthy levels of hydration. I apply moisturizer day and night. There’s a specific moisturizer that I keep going back to even after testing our new brands. It’s Tatcha’s Rich Line-Plumping Moisturizer and it feels like my face is on cloud nine. It comes with a convenient applicator. As a copywriter who has written product descriptions in the past, I always check the three main product details as they are the most important ones. According to Tatcha’s website, this moisturizer reduces fine lines, offers barrier protection to seal in moisture, and provides antioxidant protection from premature aging. Plus, it gives it a nice dewy glow, and that it does. The science-backed ingredients behind this product include Hyaluronic Acid + Red Algae + Hadasei-3 for moisture, Biomemetic Squalane for hydration, and Japanese Purple Rice for anti-wrinkle protection. Feel free to look all of those ingredients up for a more thorough ingredient breakdown. Tatcha is a Japanese brand inspired by the wisdom and traditions of Japan and the stellar online reviews speak for themselves.
Broad Spectrum Sunscreen
I saved the best for last. I simply cannot leave home without sunscreen—even when it’s cloudy, overcast, or raining. It’s the last part of skincare routine and it also happens to be the most important part. I’ve tried many different types of sunscreens, including Chanel UV Essentiel Sunscreen and Supergoop! Play Everyday Sunscreen. After doing some research, I realized that I needed even more sun protection and that’s how I stumbled upon Elta MD UV Sheer Broad Protection SPF 50+. It’s compatible with all skin tones, does not leave a white cast, and is sweat and water resistant. This sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays—the two types of ultraviolet radiation that can reach the skin from the sun. In order to make sure you’re protect against both rays, check that your sunscreen is labeled “broad spectrum.” Fun fact: sunscreen SPF only indicates a sunscreen’s level of protection against UVB rays. So go for that SPF 50+, especially if your skin is more prone to burning.
It’s not essential to use all of these products for amazingly hydrated and dewy skin. Feel free to substitute some of these product recommendations for alternatives that meet your budget. There are cheaper alternatives to Therabody’s TheraFace Mask as well as serums on the lower price range. However, I’m a full believer that you have to invest in skincare products because the skin is the largest organ in the body. Your skin is a reflection of your health. Stay healthy <3.