Skincare I'm Using Lately
ROBE (XL) | MAKEUP USED HERE
Skincare
That I'm Using Lately
When I discovered I was pregnant earlier this fall (more on that here and here), my first instinct was not to check in on my skincare routine. Luckily, a friend of mine casually mentioned it to me, igniting my head to spin. I hadn’t given it much thought, to be honest, but I have since adjusted and found some products that have worked well for me. It makes perfect sense, having to pay more attention to what you’re putting in and on your body, but I guess it didn’t hit me until it did. I’ve learned a lot and hope to share some of my learnings with you, including many of the things I was using before that I’ve been able to continue.
This may shock many of you, but I am NOT a doctor or health care expert (sarcasm). One resource that I found incredibly helpful was 15minutebeauty’s blog. She is an actual doctor with extensive resources that are easy to search on pregnancy/nursing-safe skincare and beauty products. But like all things, I strongly encourage you to ask questions, speak with your healthcare team, and make an educated decision on your behalf! And I’m sure this goes without saying (because you’re all genuinely wonderful) but it’s no one’s place to shame or question what anyone else chooses to do throughout their own journeys. You may not know the whole story so please be kind if you feel inclined to interject!
If you made it this far without any of the above commentary applying to your current phase of life, I salute you. Luckily, there are some pretty fantastic products that anyone with skin at any age can use! Let’s get into it, shall we?
cleanse
Not going to lie; the first thing I searched was to make sure my cleansing balms were safe to use… Thank goodness they were because they have completely transformed my evening skincare routine. The key is to apply a cleansing balm to dry, with a full face of makeup, and really work it in to loosen and clean away all of the dirt and grime. I alternate between two different cleansing balms, I usually stock up on one when they’re on sale but you cannot go wrong with this one or this one! To make it as spa-like as possible, you can take a warm washcloth or one of these mini-face towels run under warm water to melt everything away. This combo has single-handedly reduced my overall consumption of disposable makeup-removing wipes. The cleansing balm even removes the peskiest mascara! There’s a handful of great cleansers out there, I’ve previously loved and used First Aid Beauty’s, but lately, I have been really liking this Marine Cleanser. I started using it early in the fall and still have over half of it left.
toner & serums
I love these resurfacing pads and use them a few times a week for exfoliating and toning. When my skin needs a little extra boost of hydration, I love using this hydrating toner with a cotton pad, just bought these ones and love them!
I’ve been keeping it pretty simple with serums lately, but I will never not love and use a hyaluronic acid serum. I’m constantly switching it up but HA is one ingredient I will never skip. This one is pricey but has been doing beautiful things for my skin in this current phase, my mom started using it, too, and she has noticed a difference even with more mature skin. I previously used this one if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option. I also was gifted a jar of this vitamin-c serum, which I like a lot. It’s not sticky or stinky at all.
moisturize
For moisturizers, I like to rotate between a few at a time, depending on the day and how my skin is feeling. I’ve rotated this one in my routine for years; it’s fantastic for year-round hydration and smells good. This rose deep hydration cream is newer to my routine but has quickly become a favorite. It is fantastic for dreadful and dull winter skin. Lastly, I cannot recommend this under $20 option enough. It’s hydrating but lightweight and lays nicely underneath makeup - travel friendly too!
mask, eyes & body
I was happy to see that these under-eye patches are still great to use. I love to use them on days I need extra love or before a special event! I had a sample of this overnight mask and quickly became addicted. I keep this jar next to my bed and put it on before bed, and it lasts a lot longer than I thought it would because a little goes a long way. I saw Lindsay Silberman recommend this under-eye cream alongside her dermatologist so I bit the bullet and tried it, it’s pretty wonderful but I don’t use it every day like I know I should! I went back to basics for my body and use the Dove Beauty Bar - it has never steered me wrong. My dermatologist has recommended this ultra-healing cream alongside this Vanicream to keep my skin hydrated and supple. Lastly, hormonal acne has been real and luckily, I’ve been able to use my old tried and true drying lotion with a q-tip!
ROBE (XL) | SIMILAR HEADBAND | MASK
go-to skincare brands LATELY
CAUDALIE | COLLEEN ROTHCHILD | ELEMIS | FRESH BEAUTY | MARIO BADESCU | PCA SKIN
If you’re new to the skincare game, there’s no shame in that, but I realize all of the options can be quite overwhelming. I would encourage you to start simple with a cleanser and a moisturizer. Make sure those are working for you (not causing any breakouts), and then assess what you think you need. From there, you can add in a serum or an eye cream gradually. Masks I’ll use it once a week or so, depending on when I remember and how I’m feeling.
What skincare do you love lately? Feel free to leave any of your favorites (pregnancy safe or not), always looking for new brands and things to discover! Feel free to leave any questions below and be sure to discover more of my beauty and skincare favorites here. Thanks for reading!
xx CMK
