Skincare Routines

I have “good skin,” likely because I have worn SPF 15 facial moisturizer daily since my teens. I am not trying to look younger, but I have gotten very much into skin CARE over the years. The Korean products are a trend that actually improve my skin...when I use them.

Unfortunately, my self-care has taken a dive for several months due to depression—but here is my skin care routine when I am “better.” I use a combination of Lancôme and Korean skin care products. Mainly Lancôme for initial cleaning and they have an excellent eye makeup remover called Bi-Facil. I also use one of their facial moisturizers with SPF and eye cream. I use a day and night version.

Many days, I go without makeup, but 99% of my products are Lancôme.

For Korean products, I have a toner that I use before moisturizing. I finish up with a few drops of facial oil ... it is Korean but I cannot recall the brand.

Hmmm....this is a good thread. It is motivating me to start taking better care of myself.

I occasionally use Korean facial masks and a Korean rice cleanser-based exfoliating cream on my face. Otherwise I use gentle Lancôme cleanser, it is very soothing. Shower skin care I typically a moisturizing body wash like Oil of Olay with a bath scrubby sponge. Makes me feel super clean but does not dry my skin.

After shower moisturizer, usually Nivea or Jergens. Vaseline on my lips.

Pravana shampoo and Purology conditioner. My favorite brand is Oi but is is terribly expensive. Redken hair treatment/leave in product after shower. I cannot remember the last time I used a hair dryer. I actually have a leave in cream called No Blow Dry by Redken so my hair does not look like a disaster as it curls up when it air dries. lol

Bubble baths, sugar scrubs and Epsom salts if I bathe in lieu of shower. Bath & Body Works.

***My daily routing 99% of the time the past several months after I cycled into bipolar depression

Most days I use a generic facial wipe to clean my face and body cleansing wipes for a pseudo “bath”....my OCD is out of control and the above products are gifts from my fiancé. Use Dove deodorant.

Also a line of bath aromatherapy for stress and sleep. Same store.

Why do I have all this nice stuff? My fiancé. I am agoraphobic and only leave my home for doctor appointments. So he gives me these gifts. And Yankee jar candles which I love. Not because he wants me to look better, just to show love and help me realize I deserve self-care.

My OCD leads to house cleaning frenzies yet I am likely the dirtiest thing in the house. Therapy and medication have failed to help. I force a shower before my pdoc appointment because he has put me IP due to lack of ability to care for myself, which extends to food and other things exacerbated by agoraphobia.

I love makeup and have ... plenty. Lancôme. I do not wear it for others. I have. It worn any for a few days, but most days Lancôme mascara and Juicy Tube Caramel Gospel.

I love nail polish, too, all different brands. Lots of drugstore brands are great. But I have not painted them in awhile.

The only time I want to go out and feel safe is if I have bipolar hypomania or mania.

I do have a plan to change. I hope it works. I have enough stuff for an army. I need a shove.

PS: I use Clean Freak Dry Shampoo, too.

I am meticulous about brushing and flossing.

You look decades younger than 61!

I have used Dr Gross facial wash before and really liked it, but I felt the price point was too high.

Where do you shop for your products, if you do not mind me asking? I have not heard of Drunk Elephant and Farmacy.

Maybe PM me if you like. On;y if you want to! I am new and would like friends, love beauty routines although I struggle right now.

Since we are on this subject: What can someone who only discovered good skincare about 10 years ago do? I am 44 ( I am quite sure I LOOK it too) and I grew up before they knew so much about skin cancer and baking in the sun. My mom would lay on the beach with baby oil and she used to slap some zinc on my nose and thats about it. Since I have gotten older I do not tan like I used to and for the last 10 years or so I always use sunscreen. But only in the last 5 have I been better with sunscreen on my face. Now I wash and moisturize with something that has spf in it and my foundation has spf but my skin has gotten much more oily with perimenopause. What is a good product I can use to do what I need it to do but that will stay on, not sweat off and not make my ridiculous pores look worse? Its weird how my skin has gotten to be more like a teenager's skin as I have gotten into my 40's! I just havent found the right products yet. I have tried expensive stuff by clinique and currently use something by garnier. I have a dermatologist that prescribed a facewash for me due to breakouts and I have a retin treatment for post-wash and I am aware of the importance in sunscreen when you use retin. Any thoughts?

I also love beauty routines! I shop at Sephora.

Hylamide Ha Blur. It's sold on Amazon.

Or Murad. You can pick it up at TJMaxx or Marshall's at discount prices.

Clarins though very expensive, goes a long way. Lasting longer because less is needed, I find their SOS Primer instantly revives and rejuvinates my skin. Clarins' Renew Plus body serum is another goodun. Throughout the day and night the cream moisturises. Before bedtime I'll smooth a little bit in near my eyes, nose and mouth so that next morning, those areas will feel supple and my skin looks bright - lovely to wake up to! I've been using Clarins for years. If you're travelling, their airport shops have special offer products, almost always up 60% off high street prices.

So it isn't so much a skin care routine as a change to luxury cosmetics. I still don't use anything other than soap and water - right now it is a essential oil based blend ("No More Thieves"). What I did do however was finally break down and buy some quality luxury cosmetics. Goodbye Maybeline and hello Lancome and Clinique. It wiped out my budget this month. My skin, at 52, is finally starting to change. I'm still fortunate to not have dry skin or wrinkles forming but the age spotting is arriving and my skin seems to have been absorbing make-up differently. I am happy thus far with the new products.

For facial skin care I totally agree with the effectiveness of Clarins products...and although a bit pricey, most definitely worth it. I top up my products round Christmas time, when the department stores offer discounts and sample sizes. I also mix and match with Clinique, which is another plant based natural & fragrance free product range. For body care I have discovered dry brushing, which not only smooths my skin, but increases circulation. After brushing I shower with La Roche Lipikar Gel, then follow with Lipikar Baume. Mid priced spectacularly beautiful products.

Finding products that are kind to us is often hit & miss....but keeping it light, simple, pure and fragrance free usually yields favourable long term results.

I use St, Ives brand Collegen and Elastin on my face. Makes quite an effective moisterizer and really smooths out the wrinkles. My primary recommended it. Its dirt cheap too.