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Avene

A Detailed Deep Dive Into My Current Skincare Routine

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current skin care top pic
All about retinol these days, babes.

I’ve been meaning to do an updated skin care routine breakdown, and today seems like a good day for it. But before I jump in, I feel like I should let you that I’m standing in my bathroom right now looking into my cabinet, which stands just behind and above the toilet, and having PTSD flashbacks of my Velvet Teddy lipstick falling into the toilet. 🙄

I keep hearing that *plunk* over and over again…

That said, here we go!

Everything I’m doing in my routine now revolves around how sensitive my skin is feeling on any given day, because I started using a retinol with vitamin C recently. It’s called Kate Somerville Retinol Vitamin C Power Serum, and I’m trying to ramp up slowly to be able to use it seven days a week. Right now, I’m at three days, and I find that introducing it slowly over weeks and watching everything else that I use in conjunction with it allows me to keep going without my skin turning red or freaking out.

Morning routine

In the morning, I’ll wash one of two ways. If my skin’s feeling extra tight and red and sensitive and angry, then I’ll do a few splashes of warm water on my bare face, then gently blot with a towel. If, on the other hand, my skin’s feeling OK, then I’ll use a squirt or two of Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser directly on bare skin (I’ll work it in with my fingers). Then I’ll remove it with a washcloth dampened with warm water. After that, I’ll do a few splashes of ice cold water to help me wake up.

At that point, I’ll wait…usually between 30 minutes and an hour (depends on how much time I have and what I’m doing in the morning), and then I’ll apply all of my skin treatments.

I wait because I want my skin to be completely dry before I put anything aggressive on there, because if I don’t wait, and my skin is wet when I apply a BHA or benzoyl peroxide, they’ll just aggravate it even more.

So. Completely dry!

current skin care routine
It’s less complicated than it looks, I swear!

At that point, I’ll do an eye cream. (Right now I’m using this one by Nyakio, and I think it’s just “eh.” I’ll replace it eventually with something else when I get around it.) Then I’ll use two pumps of my ride-or-die Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion all over my face to prevent the pimples from taking over.

After that, I’ll apply a thin layer of Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream (which has been my skin savior ever since I introduced the retinol), followed by a healthy dollop of sunscreen, specifically Clinique Super Defense Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 for Very Dry to Dry Combination Skin.

Sometimes, before I do the two pumps of Anti Bac, if I feel like my skin can handle it, I’ll do a little with Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence, just because I like to sneak some exfoliation in during the day if I can. I’ll do that two or three mornings a week, so it’s not an everyday thing for me.

Fast forward to the evening…

First, a double cleanse. On completely dry skin (as in my makeup is still on), I’ll massage an oil cleanser on my face and eyes to break everything down. I like DHC Deep Cleansing Oil or Fresh Seaberry for this.

At that point, I’ll take a clean, warm washcloth and gently wipe everything off. Next, I’ll do a second cleanse with either Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser, if I haven’t been wearing a ton of makeup, or if I haven’t been sweating; or the H2O Plus Elements Keep It Fresh Cleanser. I use that one when I’ve been wearing a little more makeup, or if I’ve been perspiring a lot. It’s just a stronger, more potent gel cleanser.

Again, I wait from 30-60 minutes (this generally depends on how tired I am), then apply eye cream, and I’ve been using this one called Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Supercharged Complex.

It’s OK… I’ve yet to find an eye cream that blows my mind.
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Product Spotlight: Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream

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avene xeracalm ad
And your dry skin says ahhhhhhhhhh

This cream for face and body soothes fussy skin. It’s approved for use on infants, children and adults, too. Excellent for red, dry, irritated and sensitive skin. A real hidden gem!

This cream has a weird name… Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream. Don’t expect that to roll off your tongue when your friend asks you for a mega moisturizer recommendation for super sensitive, dry, flaky and/or irritated skin while you’re attacking a basket of the epic, legendary brown bread at The Cheesecake Factory.

Side note, you’re welcome… 😊

cheesecake factory brown bread
You can get this 🍞 at Safeway now!
cheesecake factory brown bread
Just like in the restaurants!!

But I digress…

Initially, I bought XeraCalm face and body cream, which is $34 for a 6.76-oz. tube, for Connor. Poor thing gets these raised patches of red, itchy, flaky dry skin in winter, and this cream is the only over-the-counter product that soothes her discomfort and completely removes the dry spots.

And it works fast! Whenever she gets a bout of irritated skin and we use this, she’s back to her normal non-itchy self in a day.

From aveneusa.com:

“Rich, lipid-replenishing cream directly targets itching, redness and irritation to nourish and restore skin prone to atopic dermatitis and eczema. Formulated with minimal ingredients essential to rehydrating and maintaining a healthy balance in skin’s microbiome. The microbiome is the top layer of the skin filled with microorganisms like bacteria, yeast, and skin flora – their job is to defend against bad bacteria. The microbiome environment can easily be influenced by temperature, hormones, UV exposure, and even skin care. Patented I-Modulia helps to maintain a well balanced microbiome while supporting the skin’s defense system for a normal, healthy skin. Exclusive, patented airless pump keeps the cream completely sterile and safe for its entire use without any preservatives, parabens, dyes or fragrance.”

INGREDIENTS: AVÈNE THERMAL SPRING WATER, GLYCERIN, MINERAL OIL, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, OENOTHERA BIENNIS OIL, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, CETEARYL GLUCOSIDE, AQUAPHILUS DOLOMIAE EXTRACT, ARGININE, CARBOMER, EVENING PRIMROSE OIL/PALM OIL AMINOPROPANEDIOL ESTERS, GLYCINE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, TOCOPHEROL, WATER.

But then I started using it on my face and neck about a month ago, shortly after my skin started peeling and turning red from the retinol I’m using.

Now…I am addicted.

I had been using Fresh Seaberry Oil, which I still love/like, but it just wasn’t moisturizing enough for the intense redness and sensitivity caused by the aggressively exfoliating retinol.
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What’s One Thing That Drastically Made Your Skin Worse?

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k goofing off
I say blergh to breakouts!

I’ll tell you one thing I’m never gonna do again… Although, you know what? In beauty, one should never say never, because you just never (haha, say it one more time, Karen!) know how you’ll feel in a few months or years, or what will be in vogue at any given moment, so I’ll tell you one thing I’m probably never gonna do again. I’m probably never gonna do another crazy extensive multi-step skin care regimen.

I tried one last December and January. I was using multiple serums, toners and treatments, both in the morning and at night, and I think it was just too aggressive for my face. I started breaking out in places I never break out, and my face was just HURTING, like all the time. Even applying lotion was painful. Plus, the regimen was too time consuming! I felt like I was always in the bathroom waiting for something to dry so I could layer something else on top.

In February, I quit that nonsense. Eight weeks had passed, which I figured was enough time to assess whether the routine was working (and it was wasn’t working, that’s for sure), so I scaled everything back and returned to using the products and lines I’ve had good luck with in the past.

Here’s what I’ve been using for the past two months…

Morning

Evening

  • Oil-based makeup remover — I’m currently using the one by Tatcha because I had it around and needed to finish it up. I had been using the Tata Harper one before that. Honestly, I don’t think you need to go fancy with this step at all.
  • Gentle cleanser — Avene Tolérance Extrême Cleansing Lotion and a basic cotton washcloth
  • Acid Toner — Biologique Recherche p50 1970 (the hype is real! I wait till my skin is completely dry before applying it with a cotton pad)
  • Moisturizer — Clarins Extra-Firming Night (the last thing I do before bed, after I use the toner)

So, yeah, a much less intense multi-step skin care routine for this girl now.

(You should have seen it before!)

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF. 🙂

The Avene Cold Cream Ultra-Rich Cleansing Bar Isn’t a Soap at All

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Avene Cold Cream Ultra-Rich Cleansing Bar
Eau Thermale Avene Cold Cream Ultra-Rich Cleansing Bar ($10)

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to skin cleansers, I like mine liquid, but it doesn’t matter if they’re gels, foams, etc. I’m not extra picky, but I just like to put some on a washcloth or rub them into my face with my hands. As far as cleansing bars are concerned, I usually steer clear.

But then I tried the Eau Thermale Avene Cold Cream Ultra-Rich Cleansing Bar…

Avene Cold Cream Ultra-Rich Cleansing Bar

“Combining the ultra-rich, softening properties of Cold Cream with the soothing, anti-irritating properties of Avene thermal spring water, this ultra-rich cleansing bar gently cleanses and nourishes the most sensitive skin. Its well-tolerated new formula respects the skin’s natural pH and provides a rich, smooth and lightly fragranced lather. Skin is soft and supple again, its comfort is restored.”

– From the packaging

cold cream, cleanser, cleansing bar, avene,
Eau Thermale Avene Cold Cream Ultra Rich Cleansing Bar ($10)

Let me be clear — this is not soap, and it’s not drying at all.

Ingredients:
sodium cocoyl isethionate, stearic acid, sodium laurate, sodium stearate, paraffin, sodium myristate, water, fragrance, peg-45 palm kernel glycerides, avene thermal spring water, beeswax, bht, c20-40 pareth-10, cetyl alcohol, cetyl phosphate, glyceryl stearate, methylparaben, mineral oil, sodium hydroxide, titatium dioxide, triethanolamine

It’s a deeply moisturizing soap-free cleansing bar that leaves a protecting film (but no greasy or sticky residue) and maintains your skin’s natural pH.

For my temperamental skin, the white beeswax and mineral oil are just the ticket. The bar creates a magnificently rich, creamy lather with a wonderful powdery scent when I rub it into my face and body in the shower.

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Currently on the Bathroom Shelf: Fourth of July Sun Protection Products From Neutrogena, L’Occitane, Vichy, Avene and Philip Kingsley

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Sun protection from Neutrogena, L'Occitane, Philip Kingsley, Vichy and Avene
Sun protection from Neutrogena, L’Occitane, Philip Kingsley, Vichy and Avene

It’s almost Fourth of July, and fireworks are completely legal in my bathroom!

Wait — that was weird.

By fireworks, I’m referring to exciting sun protection products, like these things currently celebrating their independence on my bathroom shelf. 🙂

Neutrogena Age Shield Face Oil-Free Lotion SPF 110

When a two-digit SPF ratings just isn’t enough, there’s Neutrogena Age Shield Face Oil-Free Lotion SPF 110, which I’ve been using every day for about a month.

The oil-free formula is fabulous to the max! Not only is it easy to apply makeup on top of it, but it doesn’t pill up into little flecks, or otherwise behave strangely no matter what I wear it with — primer, foundation, whatever else.

Best of all, it’s not greasy! — so when I put it on my neck, it doesn’t feel all sticky and gross. For $12.99, you get a 3-ounce tube, and it’s available now at drugstores, Ulta and online.

L’Occitane Jenipapo Gel-Protecting Body Jelly Milk SPF 20

I like L’Occitane’s Jenipapo Protecting Body Jelly Milk SPF 20 for a couple of reasons.

First, the name. Jenipapo.

That’s pure win right there. 🙂

As for the formula, I like it for light SPF protection when I only plan to catch a few rays while running errands or going for a quick walk.

It’s a lightweight, moisturizing sunscreen lotion that smells ah-maze-balls! It starts with notes of watermelon, orange, pineapple, frangipani and Lily of the Valley, and dries down to a smooth vanilla musk.

It launched last May with a whole slew of skin care, fragrance and sun protection products in L’Occitane’s Au Brasil line, a range inspired by the fabulous foliage of Brazil.

Jenipapo, a fruit tree found in Brazil’s Cerrado tropical savanna, is said to be very moisturizing.

Neutrogena, L'Occitane Jenipapo and Philip Kingsley

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