Skincare Battle – Part 3

*This post is not sponsored by any of the products or brands mentioned therein*

Please see parts 1 and 2 here – https://amateurconnoisseur.com/2021/02/11/skincare-battle-part-1/ and https://amateurconnoisseur.com/2021/02/14/skincare-battle-part-2/

Hello beauties, I’m glad you are still with me and hopefully taking advantage of new ways to care for your skin. You and your body will be together for a long time, so you need to care for it always. So at this point, we are working with a cleansed and toned face. Now what?

Now we start applying the serums to your skin that will help you achieve that look you want. Anti-aging, skin brightening, acne fighting, exfoliation, hydration, and repair and renew.

Be sure to know what is in your serum as certain products should not mix, and if you have any reaction to products please discontinue use. Again these recommendations are not to trump your medical professional’s treatments.

• Anti-Aging Facial Serum

Anti-aging serums target fine lines, sagging, and wrinkles. It firms and plumps the skin. Retinol is a product that is often times recommended as it helps with cell turnover, increasing collagen, and also firms and hydrates.

The product I currently am using is from The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane. 1 fl. oz. for $5.80 at Ulta Stores. This product should be used at night as it does not play well with UV rays during the day and can do more harm than good. Simply use the dropper to put a few drops on your cheeks, and forehead and then massage it in, in an upwards motion. If you wish to focus on certain areas, such as your eyes, simply use your fingers to pat it into those areas.

• Skin Brightening Serum

Serums are also a great tool if you have dull skin, hyperpigmentation, or an uneven skin tone. It works by smoothing your complexion. These serums can contain extracts, like green tea, but more commonly you will find them with Vitamin E or C. I have used The Ordinary Buffet serum, 1.0 fl. oz. for $14.80. Currently I use this one in the morning, as I don’t want it to mix with the Retinol I use at night.

• Acne Fighting Serum

Serums can actually stop acne breakouts before they even start. They can aid in tightening the skin, unclogging and minimizing pores and help relieve irritation.

Prime acne fighting ingredients are salicylic acid, AHA, BHA, glycolic acid, and more. Please remember to consult with your doctor, or esthetician to find out which products may help you the most. I currently am not using an acne fighting serum, but there are many brands out there that offer them.

• Hydrating Face Serum

To aid your moisturizers and skin creams to penetrate further, start by using a hydrating face serum. Serums do not replace your moisturizer, but they enhance what your moisturizer can do. The major ingredients you should look for are glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, or vitamin E. You would use this serum, and then lock in that extra hydration by applying your moisturizer over it. The option I enjoy is also from The Ordinary, Hyaluronic Acid, 2% + B5, $6.80 for 1 fl.oz. You can purchase this at Ulta stores.

• Exfoliating Serum

Exfoliation should be a step in your skin care routine at least 1-2 times per week. Exfoliating serums can help with removing dead skin cells, as well as smoothing and toning your skin. It helps to diminish fine lines and wrinkles, improves the efficiency of other facial products, and helps with hyperpigmentation from natural aging and sun damage. Key ingredients to look for are citric acid, glycolic acid and enzymes from plant or fruit extracts.

• Repairative and Renewing Serum

It’s not only a goal to slow the hands of time, but to repair and restore what has already occurred. Think of this as your facial time machine. Not only do the products we use daily affect our skin, but our environment, the stress we face and our diet. The repairing serums help fade sun damage, promoting new cell growth and help protect against harmful free radicals. Look for ingredients that include seaweed, green tea, retinol, antioxidants and essential oils. A product I tried that I really loved is Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex, 1.0 fl. oz. $75.00 at Ulta Stores.

As you treat your skin appropriately, you will find, glowing, younger-looking skin, with less breakouts, and less appearances of fine lines and wrinkles. If you try any of these products, please drop a comment, or if you already do please share how you enjoy them!

Be strong, be beautiful, be you.