New Skincare Purchases - What I've Been Loving
I recently posted my updated winter skincare routine. It was while writing that post that I thought about switching things up a bit. My skin tends to reach a plateau once I’ve used certain products for awhile and it seems to have done so over the last month or so. Instead of writing an Updated Updated Winter skincare routine I decided to talk about the items I have added to my skincare routine - and what they’ve replaced.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2 % + B5
I had been using The Ordinary Marine Hyaluronics for quite some time and was curious to see how the Hyaluronic Acid 2 % + B5 compared. The textures are very different. The Marine Hyaluronics is very thin and water-like, while the Hyaluronic 2% + B5 is thicker and more serum-like. My skin feels a bit more hydrated with the thicker formula. I use it both in the morning and the evenings after my toner.
The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Toner
Which brings me to the new toner that I have incorporated into my evening skincare routine. I am still using and loving the Ole Henriksen Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner for in the morning. But I wanted something a bit more hydrating for the evening since I decided to increase the retinol percentage I have been using (more on that below). It contain Vitamin E which is known to help soothe skin and has a nice fresh natural scent. .
Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment
I had been using Differin for nearly two years and felt that I had stopped seeing any noticeable improvement in my skin. That is generally when it’s time to increase the percentage of retinol you are using and so I decided to look around for options. I wound up buying two: Paula’s Choice and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion. I was hesitant to jump from using 0.5% to 2% and so I decided to start with the Paula’s Choice. I have been using it for about two weeks now (3 times a week so as not to irritate my skin) and am not seeing any marked difference in my skin. But I know that with OTC retinols the process is slower. And so I will give this a few more weeks (when I will bump up to using every night) and if I still feel it’s not making any difference I will switch to The Ordinary Formula.
Ole Henriksen C-Rush Brightening Gel Creme
I started using this by accident. Kind of sort of. I’d run out of my regular moisturizer, Ole Henriksen Sheer Perfecting Moisturizer and had forgotten to order another jar. I had a small travel size tub of the C-Rush Creme lying around that I’d received with my Glow 2OH Toner. And so I applied it at night after applying my retinol. And I loved it. It has a bright citrus scent. The feel of it is lightweight and silky, it doesn’t leave a residue and my skin feels hydrated. I also noticed after a few uses that my skin did look a bit brighter overall. And so I’ve decided to continue using it and see where it takes me.
Sephora 3.0 Nourishing Moisturizer - Hydrate & Repair
I went out on a limb and decided to purchase this as my nighttime moisturizer. I use this after applying my Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum. It is on the thicker side and at first I was worried that it would not work well with my oily skin, but so far so good. It isn’t greasy or heavy and sinks in nicely. I don’t wake up looking like a grease ball or dry. My skin just looks soft and hydrated.
Ulta SPF 50 Sunscreen Rose Water Setting Spray
I’ve been noticing lately that my foundation has been oxidizing (darkening or turning orange) like crazy. After doing some research and changing a few things up I believe I’ve found what the culprit (s) are: My sunscreen and not using a primer. Which is crazy because I have been using my sunscreen as a primer for the better part of a year now and wasn’t having any issues until recently. And so I have had to flip not only my skincare routine but also my face makeup routing on its head. I have discontinued use of my beloved Etude House Sunprise Airy Finish Sunscreen SPF 50 +. At least for now. Instead I apply a traditional primer as my base and apply my sunscreen after finishing my makeup. I first purchased this spray back in August to use before leaving work in the late afternoons. It was an easy way to reapply my sunscreen without disturbing my makeup. Now I apply this as my final step and so far it’s been working nicely.
What I’ve taken out of my routine
As I’m writing this I am realizing I have swapped out quite a few things. Let’s pour one out for these fallen soldiers. They are gone but not forgotten and are still products that I would recommend.
The Ordinary Marine Hyaluronics
Ole Henriksen Sheer Perfecting Moisturizer
The Ordinary Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil
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