Beauty doesn’t have to be complex or expensive.
Do you want healthy, beautiful-looking skin? Do you want to feel beautiful? I know I do!
There are countless skincare products and self-care tools to help with that. But do they all actually live up to their hype? Do they actually work miracles, as they claim?
Can one product turn back the clock and suddenly make you look years younger?
While that sounds amazing, unfortunately, there’s no miracle working products like that out there.
Maybe you’ve been fooled, like me, when you see celebrities promoting products and looking fabulous while claiming it’s all due to this one product. Then we splurge on these items because we want to look as youthful and beautiful as they do.
Are we really that gullible? Yep, sometimes we are.
Maybe it’s not all fabricated, maybe it has actually done what it claims, but is it really worth the pretty penny they’re asking for it? And is this one product the sole reason they look fabulous?
And who said we had to look a certain way or age to be beautiful? A woman in her fifties can be just as beautiful as a woman in her twenties.
There is no one true definition of beauty. We are all beautiful in our own way. We all see beauty with different eyes.
What matters most is that YOU see YOUR BEAUTY. That you FEEL BEAUTIFUL and YOU like what YOU see when you look in the mirror.
You live with yourself every day, and your reflection is the one that stares back at you every time you look in the mirror. Therefore, you should like what YOU see; anyone else’s perception of your beauty doesn’t matter.
Undoubtedly, we all need skincare products and self-care to help us look and feel beautiful. Whether it’s protection from environmental factors, such as the sun, or help reducing the negative effects of everyday stress on our skin, skincare products are essential.
I am all for using products that help me feel confident and beautiful. Even things like a fresh hair color or a particular outfit can help me to feel beautiful and boost my confidence.
When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you are more capable of showing up as your best self!
Having a good skin care routine is an important part of looking and feeling your best.
As I mentioned earlier, there isn’t one single product or activity that will magically transform your look. But there are multiple products and self-care activities you can incorporate into a great skin care routine.
Here I will share not only the great skincare products I’ve used and currently use (affordable, by the way), but also self-care habits that will help you look and feel beautiful.
Wanna know the best part about the self-care practices? They are proven to be effective, and you won’t have to keep spending money to find what works for you!
BELOW, I WILL SHARE AN EFFECTIVE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO SKIN CARE. WHETHER YOU’RE ALREADY BLESSED WITH BEAUTIFUL SKIN OR NOT, READ ON TO ADD MORE BEAUTY TO YOUR LIFE!
Use Sun Protection Every Day
Did you know the number one factor in having beautiful, healthy-looking skin is protection from the sun?
Unprotected sun exposure is proven to cause premature signs of aging and damage. At the same time, years of unprotected sun exposure can have more serious long-term effects.
Adding sunscreen to your skin care routine is not only simple but also essential.
Always apply sunscreen during the day as a protective measure. Even on cloudy days, UV rays pass through the clouds, causing damage.
SPF 30 or higher is recommended for daily use. I am very particular about what I put on my face. If I am spending the day at the pool or beach, I will apply a facial sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
For daily use, I like to use a facial moisturizer with sunscreen. I personally like Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream with SPF 30. Not only is it a highly rated moisturizer, but it also provides sun protection.
Protecting your face from the sun is essential to prevent wrinkles, sunspots, and long-term effects of UV damage, but don’t forget about the rest of your skin!
I like Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen as a sunscreen lotion. It not only smells good, but it is also highly rated!
Cleanse, tone, moisturize, and protect in the morning
A good morning skincare routine is essential to maintain hydration and protect your skin from the environment.
Your skincare routine doesn’t have to be extravogent or take up your entire morning. It also doesn’t have to be complicated and consist of overly priced moisturizers and serums.
All the products I mention, I have used or currently use, and I find them effective for their lower price tags.
I start with a gentle cleanser that doesn’t overdry my skin but still leaves it feeling clean. I currently use CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser. I decided to give it a try because it’s highly rated and developed by dermatologists. It does its job effectively and doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry; therefore, I have no complaints about this cleanser.
I have also recently used Olay Detoxifying Pore Scrub and Cetaphil Facial Cleanser, both of which are highly rated and great cleansers! I just like to switch it up from time to time and try new products.
Now, before I move on, I have to tell you about this inexpensive, little tool I use to wash my face – this thing is amazing! Medicube Multi-Pore Brush allows deep pore cleaning and exfoliation, and it can also be used to apply a face mask. I use this tool every time I wash my face, and now that I have seen it in action, I am never cleansing without it!
The next step in my skincare routine is one you may not already be doing. Some people steer clear of toner, but I personally find it beneficial for my skin.
Toner removes any residual dirt or grime left after cleansing and restores the skin’s pH balance. If you have a toner with a specific set of ingredients, it can also help minimize pores, soothe irritation, and control oil and acne.
Need help with oily skin or acne? The right toner could be just what you need.
The key to avoiding dry skin is to choose gentle, alcohol-free toners. I have always used Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner. It never dries my skin out, yet it leaves my skin clean and oil-free.
I recently started using a new toner based on rave reviews, and since I love the other products from this brand. Medicube has several toners, all with great reviews. The one I specifically tried myself is the Medicube Milky Toner with Salmon DNA. I love this toner, and I’m confident I won’t be switching back. I saw an improvement in my skin just after the first day!
Since I started using Medicube Milky Toner, my skin feels so much better that I’ve skipped this next step a few times, but I figure it will only benefit me to continue. What step am I referring to? It’s not necessary, but it could benefit you. The next step I’m referring to is using a Vitamin C serum.
TruSkin Vitamin C serum is the first and only serum I’ve used, so I really don’t have anything to compare it to. Although I can say I noticed an improvement in my skin when I first started using it. It helped to fade my dark spots and left my skin with a little glow. This specific serum also has vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, both of which are beneficial to your skin. I have recently noticed TruSkin Vitamin C Super Serum with Retinol, which I will be trying next.
Now, it’s time for a very important step in any skincare routine: moisturizing!
I am a huge fan of Medicube products, and while I was using a great moisturizer previously, I just had to try this Medicube Triple Collagen Cream.
What first drew me to it was, again, the rave reviews and the fact that it contains collagen. It goes on so smoothly and leaves my skin glowing! I definitely give this moisturizer a thumbs up!
The moisturizer I used previously is not your typical moisturizer. It’s actually a gel, and I think this stuff is amazing. When you put this water gel on, it feels like you don’t have anything on your face, yet your face feels moisturized. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is highly rated and dermatologist-recommended. It really feels so good on your skin, and if you have very dry skin, this water gel may be just what you need.
After you moisturize in the morning, be sure to use sun protection. You can skip a regular moisturizer and use a combination moisturizer with sunscreen. I use Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream with SPF 30. While the Olay Regenerist with SPF 30 can be used alone, I add it on top of Medicube Triple Collagen Cream because I like to use a moisturizer with collagen, which I get from Medicube, while still getting anti-aging benefits and SPF protection from Olay Regenerist.
We don’t want to forget to moisturize under our eyes. I have used Roc Retinol Eye Cream in the past. I saw several articles recommending this eye cream, which is why I started using it. It is a good undereye moisturizer, but I have never really noticed much of a difference in my wrinkles and puffiness with any eye cream.
I recently started using the Medicube Eye Serum because I love the Medicube line and, again, it has good reviews. This specific serum has Salmon DNA, pink peptides, and retinol. I can’t say for sure if I notice much of a difference, but it’s possible that with more time, I will.
I personally don’t wear foundation. I am very particular about what I put on my face. So all these products leave my skin looking smooth and moisturized. I am very happy with the products I am currently using. I may try some other Medicube products because I am such a huge fan of this line. I also like to try new products with good reviews, since I am always looking for what works best for my skin.
All the products I mentioned above are products I use and recommend. They aren’t gonna cost you your entire paycheck, and they leave your skin looking better than it did before.
So, products aside, what else helps your skin look and feel beautiful?
Eat a well-balanced diet and hydrate with water
From my own experience, I will always attest to a well-balanced diet and plenty of water as major factors in great skin care.
When I was younger, I struggled with some breakouts, and I even used some prescription skincare products for my face.
Looking back at the foods I ate every day, it’s no wonder I had skin issues.
Once I started changing my diet and eating more nutrient-rich foods, I noticed an improvement in my skin. So if I eat poorly for a couple of days, I start to see it on my face, and I know I need to be more mindful of my eating habits.
Aim for foods rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and vitamins. Things such as berries, leafy greens ( spinach and kale), nuts, avocados, and fatty fish. These foods not only protect against inflammation and UV damage, but they also promote collagen production and boost hydration.
Speaking of hydration, water is another essential factor in good skin care. In fact, more than half of the human body is primarily made of water!
That said, water is crucial for bodily functions and vital to life. That alone sounds like a good enough reason for me to stay hydrated!
Avoid toxins
One of the biggest factors of premature signs of aging and dry, dull skin is smoking. Smoking damages the skin by breaking down collagen and elastin, depleting oxygen and essential nutrients, and restricting blood flow.
Smoking can cause skin conditions and discoloration. So for healthier, more radiant-looking skin, avoid toxins from smoking.
Not only will you see the difference on the outside, but your insides will also benefit even more!
Cleanse, tone, moisturize before bed
Yes, we are repeating our morning cleansing routine before bed, with just a few minor adjustments.
It is important to cleanse at night to remove any makeup, dirt, or environmental toxins. Although you won’t need sunscreen at night, you should still follow the same routine.
I do use a different moisturizer at night instead of the Medicube Triple Collagen Cream. For my nightly skincare routine, I use Olay Retinol Night Cream. I chose this specific night cream for its retinol, its affordable price point, and its high recommendation as a starting retinol cream. As most retinol creams tend to be overly drying, Olay Retinol Night Cream is effective without being too harsh on your skin.
I noticed a bit of dryness when I first started using it. To keep my face from getting so dried out and irritated, I used Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel underneath. Applying the water-gel moisturizer before the retinol cream helped me avoid irritation as my skin adjusted.
Now that my skin isn’t sensitive to retinol anymore, I first cleanse, then use my toner and vitamin C serum, and finish with Olay Retinol Night Cream.
Don’t forget those undereyes! You definitely want to moisturize them, too. I use Medicube Eye Serum, or you could use an undereye night cream, or whatever you like best.
I am also a huge fan of Mighty Patch for overnight acne treatment. If you have a pimple or two, pop this patch on after you wash your face, and you will be amazed at the results the next morning. I love Mighty Patch; they even offer different shapes for areas like your nose and chin. It really does shrink your zits and whiteheads!
Get consistent, quality sleep
Yes, we all know the importance of quality sleep for our overall health. Did you know it also affects the appearance of our skin?
Poor sleep can accelerate the signs of aging and cause the skin to look pale or blotchy.
Lack of sleep causes this? That’s right, it does!
It is said that 7-9 hours of restorative, quality sleep enhances skin production, reduces inflammation, boosts collagen production, and regulates the body’s moisture balance.
Sleep is essential for all of us anyway, so adding a good night’s sleep to your skincare routine should be easy peasy!
There you have it! That is the simple skincare routine that helps me to look and feel my best.
We all deserve to look and, more importantly, feel beautiful. And sometimes it takes the right habits and tools to get us there.
One simple change can make all the difference. A few of the right products can give your skin a radiant glow, forcing a smile when you look in the mirror and feel good about what you see.
There is no limit to feeling beautiful!
If you already have skincare products or a routine that helps you feel beautiful, stick to it! If you saw something here that piqued your interest, give it a try!
I have always learned to read reviews before I buy a product. While all products aren’t created equal and reviews vary, if most are positive or align with what I am looking for, I will give it a try.
I will always only recommend products that I have personally tried and consider money well spent. With that being said, I hope you found this helpful, and maybe even found some products or habits to consider adding to your skincare routine!