The weather has been stable enough to say that spring has arrived! Not only do we get to change our wardrobes (cue shorts!!!) but we also have to think about transitioning our skin care regimen as well! All of my skincare picks are organic products; I am a green beauty proponent! The thought of putting chemicals on my face just freaks me out, so I stick to organic products (that are just as potent and productive as non-organic ones) and some of these brands even use sustainable packaging.
(1) Cleanser. The first step of the skin care process is extremely important because if we don’t clean our skin from the day’s dirt and debris then it won’t be properly prepped for anything we apply afterwards. I split the cleansing process into two: cleaning oil and cleanser. Starting off with cleansing oil I find is the best way to go as it starts the cleansing process by removing your makeup. My favorite cleansing oil is Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics’ Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil & Makeup Remover ($38).
After my face is makeup free, I follow with a gel cleanser that isn’t so harsh that it strips my skin of its essential oils, while still giving me that feeling of a clean, fresh face. For my gel cleanser I’m a fan of Yuli’s Halcyon Facial Cleanser ($52). It’s a great choice if you are prone to blemishes and need some help keeping them at bay.
(2) Exfoliate. Exfoliation is actually a step that can replace the cleansing gel in Step (1) every 2 to 3 days a week, depending on the product you choose to use. It’s not the best thing for your skin if you exfoliate every day as it can lead to premature again (literally my worst nightmare) and irritation/redness. So make sure to read your product’s label! A personal favorite of mine is the Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser ($32.95).
It leaves your skin feeling so soft and it’s a great brightener! My skin feels amazing after using this – I even got my roommate to convert to using it and she’s also now in love with it too! If you need a deeper exfoliation as well try Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Mask ($55), it’s great for acne prone skin.
(3) Tone. Your toner can really do whatever you want it to (there are stronger ones for blemish prone skin and lighter, floral ones just to add an extra spritz of moisture). For spring I try to use a toner that’s in the middle of those two extremes. For blemish prone skin I really like Acure Organics’ Balancing Rose and Red Tea Toner ($15.99)
and for a lighter toner I’d try Renee Rouleau’s Elderberry Toner ($33.50).
(4) Eyes. If there’s one beauty product I’m willing to spend more on than anything else, it’s my eye cream. The skin around the eyes is super delicate and fragile so you definitely want to make sure its always super moisturized and if a moisturizer can do that while combatting dark circles and puffiness then it’s a winner. My favorite eye cream of all time is Soveral’s Forever Young Eye Balm ($52). It’s a balm so its thicker in consistency which keeps my eyes hydrated throughout the day without fail and even if I only get a few hours of sleep I never wake up with puffy, tired eyes. Great for helping you achieve that perfect brightened complexion!
(5) Serum. My winter serum is intensely hydrating, so for spring I transition to a brightening serum to make my skin look super glowy. Ren’s Keep Young and Beautiful Serum ($65) I find really leaves my skin with that “lit from within” look and it’s not too heavy to layer under my moisturizer.
(5) Moisturize. Moisturizer can go two different ways, some people love the oil route (I’m a fan!) and others can’t get over the fact that they’re putting oil on their face and just stick to moisturizer. During the winter I use both to save my skin from the harsh ATL winds, but now I just use face oil. A face oil is a great option for anyone with oily skin, this sounds strange but it totally works! Your skin overproduces oil because it thinks it’s dry so then when you use oil on your face, your skin realizes it’s moisturized enough and calms down on producing oils. I became a face oil lover a year ago and I haven’t gone back since! I am in love with RMS’s beauty oil ($78), it’s lightweight and easily absorbed and doesn’t leave me feeling greasy throughout the day. It’s also great for clearing up any breakouts.
For moisturizer, instead of oil, Pai’s Geranium & Thistle Rebalancing Day Cream ($60) is lightweight, smells divine, and is also perfect for sensitive skin as it calms redness. It’s an all around great moisturizer!