Skincare Update
Over the years, I’ve shared bits and pieces of my skincare journey. A few years ago I shared how Drunk Elephant changed my skin, and I know that post helped so so many of you. We bonded over DE in the store, and so many of you would message me saying it worked for you too! I was so happy….
Unfortunately, at one point, it just stopped working for me. I was scrambling trying to find anything that would combat the breakouts, which is why I went pretty radio silent about anything skincare or make up for so long. It felt inauthentic to share something ‘I was loving’ when really, nothing was working for me.
I shared on Instagram a few weeks ago that I sought out a professional to help with my skin. I went to Anna at Anna Skincare in fall of 2021, and she really helped me get to the root of my skin and find products that would end up being my holy grail. By Thanksgiving, everyone was complimenting my skin and I finally felt confident again.
I know that you came to this post to click through and order some magical skincare but unfortunately, that’s not what you’re going to get here. The products that I’m using are pointed directly at my issues. What works for my skin specifically is just that: it’s specific. It’s been curated for my skin’s exact needs. We don’t eat the same, live in the same environment or have the same chemical make up, so our skincare solutions are going to vary.
What I can give you, are some of the tips and tricks I learned that I feel have made a massive difference for me.
My Top Skincare Tips
1. Diet audit
My number one tip: examine your diet.
Consider the foods you’re eating that are disrupting your gut or causing breakouts. For me, cutting out dairy makes a world of difference. Not gonna lie, it’s depressing as hell at first. I love cheese. Like girl…I.love.cheese.
Now that I have my skin on a pretty good track, I dabble in some charcuterie or top a bowl of soup with some shredded cheddar, but I make a very very conceited effort to no longer take in things like half and half, whole milk, etc. No yogurt, creamy soups, ice cream etc.
2. ICE.
Ice your face. And honestly, don’t waste money on an ice roller. Go free and use an ice cube riiiight on your face. I usually wrap the ice in a paper towel the apply right to my face.
Because acne is inflammatory, you need to cool it down. As a bonus, it’ll help you depuff too. I ice in the morning before I apply skincare. If I’m in the mood, I will sometimes ice at night after I have washed my face and before I apply skincare.
(But let’s be honest, that happens very infrequently because the nighttime wash/skincare routine is long enough without going downstairs to get ice.)
3. Ditch the liquid foundation
Lord help me I can’t believe I did it. But I did.
My skin was so horrible and I needed coverage, I lived for a thickkkk stick foundation- you know the kind. I loved the mask it put over my imperfections and turns out, it was only making them worse.
Introducing powder foundation was one of the big things that Anna taught me. I thought I was going to keel over when she restricted me from all liquid and stick foundations. I need coverage!
Right when I switched, I started to notice a change in my skin (it wasn’t the only thing that worked, I still needed to remedy diet, product etc, but this was a biiiig one for me).
I now use the Bare Minerals loose powder foundation. I use colors Golden Ivory and Golden Medium (depending on my tan status) often will use the lighter under my eyes or if I don’t have a spray tan. I use this brush for under eyes and this brush for all over application.
Also, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. I was super skeptical at first. I now prefer it. It is super buildable and gives me a great amount of coverage.
I use this setting spray after to help it stay put.
4. Seek a professional
I can’t recommend this enough. Do some research and ask around for professionals that your friends/family trust. You want someone that is going to help you with your specific needs.
If you are local to Pittsburgh, I obviously highly recommend Anna at Anna Skincare. If you are not local, google acne programs in your area.
I would definitely recommend going to a professional in person rather than signing up for one of the online programs that offers ‘personalized skincare.’ If someone isn’t talking to you about your diet, daily routines, and your hormones, you’re more than likely wasting your money.
I still can’t say I have perfect skin. Our skin ebbs and flows. When I indulge in too much dairy or splurge on some Cadbury eggs at Easter, it shows. But this process has worked for me and when I’m diligent, it shows.
