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Hellooooooo friends. Well, I assume we'd be friends, because you're sitting here reading about my skin care routine, knowing full well that I don't post a lot about beauty...unless you count my eyelash extensions, which is really just a hack for doing less beauty! Anyway, I'm a millennial - there's no doubting that. I grew up with my parents telling me I was special, I think magazines are a thing of the past, I have less brand loyalty and more customer service loyalty, and last but not least, I care more about where things are made and how, than just getting it for the cheapest price on the block. Capiche?

To kind of throw my previous statement for a loop, personally I am a creature of habit. I don't usually leave something unless I have a reason to, but I certainly have no problem leaving it if I find something better. Now let's relate that to skin care...for most of my life, I have been using Cetaphil cleanser and face lotion. I've dabbled in pretty scents and trendy brands, but that was always my constant. Around April 2014, I started getting horrible cystic zits around my chin and mouth, aka hormonal acne. I tried everything...oils, Proactiv (lol, JUST NO), etc. I'm no dermatologist, but I do know that hormonal acne is harder (literally), because it usually stems from what's going on with you, ie stress. I had a relatively new boyfriend  (Hiiiiii Nick), new job, and a new apartment. I mean, can you blame my face? Anywho, after a month of two of trying to do myself,  I finally broke down broke down and went to my dermatologist. (I go to Dr. Kendra Rorrie, if you are in Dallas/Plano area!)  She prescribed me spironolactone (I took it of 3-4 months, then got off of it - it worked great!) , then a serum of sorts for the morning (Sulfacetamide Sodium Topical Suspension Lotion, for white/black heads) and a steroid of sorts for the night (Tretinoin Cream, supposed to help with cystic acne). I have been using those two treatments, in addition to my Cetaphil system, since then, with a couple of trials of other brands here and there.

Let's talk about NOW. In February 2017, I was at a Galentine's Day Party, and spoke to my friend Jourdan, who is basically like a skin guru - she researches and knows so much! I'm confident if she had to take some for of test to be an aesthitician or dermatologist, she could do it! Someone had asked her what they should be doing for their skin, so I listened in...I'm typically the youngest among my friends, and at 25, I'm not getting any younger. She mentioned Juice Beauty and my ears perked up. I had some of their makeup, but hadn't used their skin care line.  Just total openness on blogging, I was able to get some products free, but have also spent my own money on their goodness and I can't recommend it enough. Here's why!

Juice Beauty was founded in 2005, in sunny California, by a woman who wanted better products for her skin, that actually worked! JB is certified organic, vegan, and sustainable, as well as strictly produced in the USA. In addition to that, they constantly give back to charity...part of their whole mindfulness mantra. Most beauty companies create their products with horrible fillers (think Parabens, petroleum, pesticides, propylene or butylene glycols, phthalates, sulfates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, GMO, silicones, gluten, artificial dyes, or synthetic fragrances), but Juice Beauty literally creates theirs from organic juice, hence the name! They have a list of all of the ingredients ever used in their products here (plus what they help with), but what they are most known for are their apple products. Apples contain malic acid, which are rich in vitamins, potent malic alpha-hydroxy acids, phytonutrients, flavonoids, phenols; and provides powerful antioxidant activity to help promote beautiful skin.

So YES, as of right now, I have switched all of my skin care routine over to Juice Beauty and I am loving the results. (I hate that I have to say it, but note this post is NOT sponsored. I just really like the products!) It's to the point, where I have actually stopped using the creams that my dermatologist gave me, 50% because I have forgotten to and 50% because I haven't really needed to. Yes, those were preventative medicines, but it is amazing what can happen when you truly nourish you skin and stop putting crap on it!

So without further adieu, here's my  current routine. Brava! if you read all of my ramblings, but #nojudgement if you just scrolled to this :)

MY MORNING ROUTINE

Cleansing Milk. This cleanser is so interesting to use and by interesting, I don't mean bad! It's just different from what I am used to - it's super creamy! I guess I'm just used to thinner cleansers. It retails for $22, which is a steep price compared to my normal $16 for 16 fl oz of Cetaphil - you're looking at about $3ish per fl for this product; however, you can't put a price on keeping jobs in America and having natural skin care options. Organic things just cost more, because they take more time, etc. 

Antioxidant Serum. Honestly, I'm not sure I've ever used a serum before?? This product basically hydrates your skin and helps prevent lines. This past winter was the driest my skin has ever gotten. I'm determined not to experience that again! It retails for $48 ($24 per fluid ounce), but you don't need to use a lot - one droplet goes a long way. 

Antioxidant Moisturizer. This stuff is good. So good, my husband uses it! We were in San Francisco this March, and he forgot his aftershave lotion, so I told him he could try this out and he loves it!! The other other night, he got into bed and  was like "did you get a new cologne or something? why are you spraying it before bed..." LOL He said "it's definitely not your face lotion..." Anyway, I love the moistrurization - I can actually feel it coating my face in goodness, but it isn't too heavy. This retails for $39 (about $20 per fluid oz), but again, you don't need a lot. A little dab will do ya. If only I could just teach my husband that now ;)

MY NIGHT ROUTINE

Cleansing Milk. This is the same cleanser that I use in the morning! I will say that I have always thought to wash my face at night, but I sometimes would skip it in the morning. I mean, what did I do between 10:30pm and 5:30am that could merit a good lather?! Apparently even just sleeping on pillow cases, contact with your hair, and hands, are good enough reasons too. Make sure you cleanse your face at the beginning and end of your day!

Green Apple Age Defy Serum.  This works similarly to the antioxidant serum, but has slightly different benefits and ingredients - the main difference are apples! It's used to brighten sun damaged skin (have you SEEN my freckles) and to smooth and plump. It's $55 for 1 fluid ounce, but you don't need a lot each time - it spreads easily. It's more expensive than the antioxidant one, but anti-aging products typically are.

Green Apple Age Defy Moisturizer. This is just the moisturizer version of the serum from above! Has the same benefits in a creamy finish. I can literally feel some of the moistruizer coming off  the morning after -that's how hydrating it is! It retails for$48 ($24 per fluid oz), so it's slightly more expensive than the antioxidant one I use in the morning, but it's the same amount of moistrurizer.

MY SOMETIMES ROUTINE

Exfoliating Cleanser.  I use this MWF at night whenever I wash my face, instead of the milk, just to get some exfoliation going! Guys get exfoliation naturally via shaving, but for girls it is harder. This scrubs just enough, without being too hard! You do not/should not use it everyday. It retails for $24 ( $6 per fluid oz), so slightly more expensive than the cleansing milk. Since you don't use it everyday, it should line-up with your cleansing milk, for when you need to re-order...no awkward shampoo and conditioner scenario...or is it just be that always runs out of shampoo WAY before I finish my conditioner.

Soothing Serum. Another trusty serum! I am using this a lot right now, because it is spring and the flowers (aka POLLEN) are in full bloom! I usually just spot treat my nose, but it can help in other spots! It helps calm irritation and reduces redness. It retails for $28 ($19 per fluid oz).

Green Apple Brightening SPF Moisturizer. I bought this for those days I am not on the beach, but am still in and out of the sunshine. It isn't too heavy and includes trusty SPF. I put this on instead of my antioxidant moisturizer on those days. It retails for $39 (about $23 per fluid oz), but is about on par for what face specific sunscreens and moisturizers cost.

Stem Cellular Organic Peel. This product literally sloughs off dead skin, while restoring and renewing. I use this in place of a mask or something along those lines. Additionally, it sprays on so you lose less product applying it. It retails for $49 (about $29 per fluid oz). A lot of people rave that this is better than getting a facial, plus, it is cheaper!

Hydrating Mist. To be honest, this is just something I found fun. It's supposed to hydrate your skin on the go, as well as tone, refresh, and provide aromatherapy. Juice Beauty actually suggests putting it in a cooler on a hot day and spritz on to help relieve yourself of the heat! I'll have to try it this summer. It is also supposed to help set make-up. It retails for $24 (about $3.50 per fluid oz).

WHAT I WANT TO TRY NEXT

Stem Cellular Organic Resurfacing Micro-Exfoliant. This honestly just looks like another cool exfoliant. I'm not sure I need it, but I'd love to see how it compares to their exfoliating cleanser that I already have. It retails at $55 ($18 per fluid oz), which is about 3x more than the other exfoliator. 

Stem Cellular CC Cream. I've never tried CC cream, but it sounds really cool, especially because there is sunscreen in this one! It retails for $39.

Phyto-Pigments Perfecting Concealer. In the past year, concealer and I have recently become besties. I love putting it under my eyes for a brighter glow! I like the kind that comes in a tub, but I'd be willing to try this compact version. It retails for $24.

Phyto-Pigments Flawless Pressed Powder. I'm a pressed powder girl, so I really want to try this. It doesn't have great reviews, but I'm willing to give it a go. It retails $32 a compact, which is cheaper than what I am currently paying for my powder.

Phyto-Pigment Flash Luminizer. So, I don't wear eyeshadow... BUT I do like shimmer/highlighter! This is right up my alley and because it is a stick, it should last a while. It retails for $32.

Phyto-Pigment Last Looks Cream Blush. Blush is probably my favorite! It rosies up my cheeks and makes me feel alive. I'm not sure how I feel about cream blush vs powdered; however, I'm willing to give it a shot! It retails for $24.

Bamboo Cleansing Cloth. The real question is, should I not be using a normal hand towel or wash cloth to wipe my face after I clean it? I have NO idea, but this towel looks cool and is only $10.

So, that's my current skin care routine, with Juice Beauty! It sounds funny to say (and by funny, I mean old!), but Juice Beauty has actually made me excited to wash my face, which is saying a lot! I'm not currently incorporating them into my make-up routine, but am gradually making the transition, as you could probably tell from my "want" list ;) So, what do you think?Have you ever heard of Juice Beauty / do you want to try them? I encourage you to do so. if you do, please let me know what you think! I know everyone's skin is different and reacts to different things, so keep that in mind. Wishing you all the clear skin in the world!!

P.S. I've learned that skin care products can be extremely gratifying and addicting...pursue at your own risk. I mean, there are worse things;) Just remember you typically get what you pay for...for something that is USA made and good for my skin, I think Juice Beauty is a BARGAIN. Side note- JB does offer a 5% discount for auto-replenishment + free shipping, if you are looking to save some $$! If you don't sign up for auto-replenishment, they offer free shipping over $30 though. If you're reading this on this beloved earth day, they actually have an earth day sale! The soothing serum is included in the sale, as well as some others I mentioned. Shop it here!

P.P.S. If you liked this post, you'd probably like my Hair Care Routine!

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