My Skin Care Regimen

My Skin Care Regimen

Everyone has a different skincare routine that depends on their skin type, lifestyle and specific needs...well...at least they should... : )

Here's mine:

BACKGROUND
First let me explain my skin type, lifestyle and specific needs.

My skin is combination/oily meaning I get oily during the day but after washing my face I do have some dry spots. My skin is pretty resilient and can take quite a beating.

I am also a mutt...ethnically I'm a mix of Indian and Black. So I don't get sunburns but I do have freckles on my nose...yep..check the photos : ). I do not tan (by choice) or stay in the sun for long periods. I'm 27 and do not have signs of aging yet.

I live in NY so we go through the four seasons. My skin gets oily in the summer but stays relatively the same throughout the entire year.I do darken in the summer months just from moderate sun exposure.

I am not acne prone (anymore...I had moderate acne in my teen years) because I use...dare I say it??!!...birth control pills (TMI??). These definitely help to keep acne away.

I don't drink water as much as I should. I barely get 4 glasses in per week much less per day. I drink a lot of coca-cola...I do mean A LOT.

Summary...after all that personal info...we arrive at...oily/combo skin, not acne prone, not sensitive, no need for anti aging products (I would like to think), rarely uses SPF.

No skin is really 100% comparable to another so this post covers what works for me based on my needs:

CLEANSING
I wash my face twice a day, in the morning and at night, usually at the same time I shower (yep...I shower twice a day even if my skin doesn't like it!). I wash in the morning to prep my skin for makeup (or just to wash the sleep off) and at night to remove all my makeup (or just to wash the day off).

I use Shiseido Skincare (click link for review) as the base of my skincare. I use Shiseido Pureness Foaming Cleansing Fluid each time I wash my face. I use circular motions all over my face and eyes for about 30 seconds and then rinse clean.

MAKEUP REMOVAL
I use a plethora of makeup removers...but my go-to are MAC Makeup Remover Wipes. These are good for removing stubborn, waterproof makeup or just general makeup removal. I only use these to remove traces of makeup left behind after washing my face or for cleaning up eyeshadow fallout.

EXFOLIATION
I exfoliate up to 3 times a week depending on how my skin is behaving.

If I notice dry spots or dullness, I will do a quick exfoliation. For this I use Philosophy's The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash. This is a cleanser with tiny exfoliating particles. It's quick, about 30 seconds, and leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth.


At least once a week I use Petrika Sonic Dermabrasion Facial Brush (from QVC) for deep exfoliation. This is a cheap alternative to the Clarisonic System. I use this brush in circular upward motions for about 1 minute with my usual facial cleanser. I must warn though, the brushes are not the softest but I don't have super sensitive skin so it works just fine for me.

MOISTURIZER
In the mornings, after cleansing I use Shiseido Pureness Balancing Softener Alcohol-Free (toner) on a cotton pad. I follow up with Make Up For Ever HD Elixir to moisturize and prep my skin for makeup (or not). Just two drops of this serum massaged into my skin and left to dry for a couple of minutes.

 
At night, when I need it the most, I use Shiseido The Skincare Hydro Nourishing Softener (toner) on a cotton pad, right after cleansing. Followed Shiseido The Skincare Multi-Energizing Cream (click link for review). Just a dime sized amount massaged over my entire face including around my eyes.

That's it. That's what I do to keep my skin refreshed and looking like it does now...if curious minds ever wanted to know.

Shiseido Skincare

Shiseido Skincare

Background:
Pronounced SHE-SAY-DO, Shiseido is the oldest cosmetic company founded in 1872. It is a company rich in Japanese tradition yet fiercely contemporary, for people of all nationalities, backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures. Shiseido is dedicated to high quality, high image and high service and has created skincare products and regimens for every phase of a woman's life. Within its full range of product offerings are three basic skincare lines, a high-performance category for special care and a brightening line. All Shiseido products are ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested.

My Experience:
The Shiseido Skincare line has been in my beauty arsenal for the past 4 months and I must say I am HIGHLY impressed! This is now my go-to Holy Grail skincare regimen. For reference I have oily/combination skin. My T-Zone gets really oily during the day but I can sometimes get dryness on my cheeks and nose. I am not prone to acne but I can have one or two pimples pop up every few weeks.

Here are the different products I have been using and what makes them great!

Shiseido Pureness Foaming Cleansing Fluid, 5 fl. oz - $21.00


A liquid cleanser that transforms into airy lather for gentle removal of the pore-clogging impurities, makeup, and oil that can lead to imperfections. Leaves skin feeling silky smooth and comfortable and is great for oily, combination or normal skin.

This is THE best cleanser I have ever tried. It is a luxurious liquid that lathers to a rich foam. It produces a thick foam when compared to the likes of Philosophy Purity Made Simple Foaming Cleanser, which has much lighter foam. You only need to use a drop at a time and there is no need to rinse and repeat. It cleans deeply and feels silky smooth when applied to the skin. It rinses clean and leaves your skin feeling refreshed, clean and smooth. Since it's not toted as a makeup remover, I did not expect it remove all my makeup. But, it does remove all my face makeup and about 95% of my eye makeup, which is a definite plus.  I have noticed a brightened skin tone and reduced pore size on my nose and cheek area. There is also less sebum and blackheads across my nose. After about 6 weeks of use I realized that my skin was producing less oil but...this was leading to drier skin. I had to adjust my regimen just a bit to compensate for this side effect.

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