I originally had this post featuring both my AM and PM skin care routines but it was lonnnng. So, I’m going to break it up into two separate post’s this week for you guys. Starting it off with today’s post sharing my morning skin care routine.  I mentioned in my ‘A Year in Review’ blog post that taking good care of my skin is a major part of my 2018 goals. I really started caring for my skin when I got engaged in 2015 and even then I wasn’t doing all that I could have been. Before then, there were many times {more than I want to admit} where I’d go to bed with my make up on. I wasn’t following a routine and I thought a make up wipe, face wash, and a basic moisturizer was good enough. If only we could only go back in time to tell our younger selves to take better self care, sigh.

The older I get the more I realize how lucky I am to have a healthy body with no major issues. I am so grateful for that and I want to really start taking the best possible care of it that I can, which includes my skin. Jack McFarland from Will & Grace says it best, “There’s no shame in getting old. There’s only shame in getting ugly.” 😉 Aging gracefully is a goal of mine and I’m taking all the preventative measures I can in order to do so.

{my morning skin care routine}

I should start off by saying i have dry skin all year around and i have extremely dry skin right now during the harsh winter months. the products in both my am and pm routines are by no means going to be the best choice for everyone, these are simply products that i have found work for me and my skin. i suggest doing your research and reading tons of reviews (love doing this) on a product before buying. i also have zero shame and want to be completely transparent with the fact that i do get botox in my forehead and frown line (in-between eyebrows). i personally couldn’t handle the expression lines and had to do something about it which i am so happy that i did and continue to do. i could go on and on about botox and the negative stigma around but I’ll save that for another day.

1. kiehls ultra facial cleanser + Clarisonic – i start each morning off by washing my face AND décolleté AREA even if i don’t work out that morning. i shower at night so washing my face in the morning helps wake me up. i use this kiehls face wash with this clarisonic. the wash is oil based which i really love because it doesn’t over-dry and strip my skin of its natural oils and helps keep skin’s natural balance. I STOPPED USING AN EXFOLIATOR AND INSTEAD USE MY CLARISONIC IN IT’S PLACE. THOUGH THE CLARISONIC ISN’T TECHNICALLY AN EXFOLIATOR IT HELPs GET THOSE DRY SKIN FLAKES off and cleans more deeply and thoroughly than your hands ever could.

{PSA ANNOUNCEMENT}

Okay, I really need to make a PSA  announcement as I just recently found out that a previous exfoliating scrub I’ve recommend in the past is a big no-no. If you’ve ever heard me recommend St. Ives Apricot Exfoliating Scrub and started using it because of me – I am so deeply sorry. I was recently getting a facial while on a weekend trip and the facialist informed me that on day 1 of esthetician school they tell you to never use this wash. Insert girl with palm over face emoji now – I mean, how embarrassing that I have been using the #1 most terrible scrub for seriously almost an entire decade – how could I not know this and even worse recommend it to my readers! Lawsuits claim St. Ives Apricot Scrub damages skin, is ‘unfit’ as a scrub and According to Top Class Actions, the plaintiffs claim the crushed walnut shells in the scrub can damage skin and cause infections, and they balk at the use of “dermatologist tested” on the label. long story short, don’t use this PRODUCT.

2. alcohol free toner – after washing my face i will use an alcohol free based toner. i have yet to find a holy grail toner that i just can’t live without but i’ve recently been using a sample of Kiehls cucumber herbal alcohol free toner.this toner soothes and reduces inflammation and i really love how the cucumber extract cools my skin with moisture-regulating and softening properties. alcohol free toners are great for those of us with dry skin as it won’t strip our skins natural oils which we need to stay hydrated.

3. bye bye under eye cream – like a toner, I’ve also yet to ever find an eye cream that i’m obsessed with and can’t live without – and I’ve tried a lot of them. I’ve  only been using this eye cream for 4 weeks now (I typically like to use A product for 6 weeks before giving my opinion) but so far so good. this cream is meant to brighten and reduce the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles. I’ll keep you guys posted ON MY THOUGHTS HERE but in the meantime I’d love to hear if you have any favorite eye creams in the comments below. of course antI-AGING benefits ARE good but my #1 concern is dark circles, help!

4. PTR WATER DRENCH HYALURONIC CLOUD CREAM – I REALLY LOVE THIS MOISTURIZING CREAM FROM PETER THOMAS ROTH. I GAVE IT A TRY AFTER READING MANY GREAT REVIEWS ON IT AND I’M SO GLAD THAT I DID. HYALURONIC ACID IS AN ingredient THAT’S ALL THE RAGE IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY AND FOR GOOD REASON. IT’S A hydrator that constantly attracts and retains up to 1,000 times its weight in water from moisture in the atmosphere WHICH helps replenish skin to make it appear more supple, full, and smooth. Ceramides help lock in moisture, ProHyal helps improve hydration for healthier looking skin, and elderberry helps defy the look of aging.

5.tarte Maracujia Oil – I typically don’t use an oil in the morningS but with this harsh winter weather my skin is in extra need of some hydration. THIS COLD PRESSED OIL LEAVES MY SKIN FEELING HYDRATED AND LOOKING BRIGHT. I LOVE ADDING A FEW DROPS OF THIS INTO MY FOUNDATION FOR A DEWY LOOK.

linking all products again in the below widget for y’all. i’m happy to answer any questions and i’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on your favorite eye cream in the comments below!