Summer Skincare Routine
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The first day of summer is HERE and I am ringing it in cabin-side in South Lake Tahoe, California… a place I have previously only been in the wintertime. In fact, the one and only time I have been before, we almost got snowed in. We had to buy chains on the way out of town and it was somewhat scary of a drive, but it is one of my favorite memories. Don’t let the summertime fool you though! Yesterday morning it was 35 degrees F when I awoke. It warmed up to about 75 - 80 degrees F by mid-afternoon, but still had a nice, cool breeze here and there. More on this trip with RNR Vacation Rentals later - onto my summer skincare routine!
Keep reading for what I’m still using, what I’m trying out, and what I’ve changed from my spring to summer skincare regimen.
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Summer is relative depending on where you live. It sounds obvious, but until I moved from Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA I hadn’t really considered what else it affects besides body temperature. LA is much more of a dry climate, so I religiously sleep with my humidifier by my bed year-round. End of spring the dryness starts to hit and by summer, my lips feel extra crack-y and dry if I skip even one night of turning my humidifier on. Last month I mentioned that I was trying out the Canopy Humidifier. I am still using it and like a lot better than my Amazon purchased one. I am much better about cleaning this one and change the filter out regularly thanks to the subscription program. I will try to write a review of it soon, but basically my only complaint is that I wish the water tank were bigger. On the flip side, if it were bigger, it wouldn’t fit on my night stand very well. Either way, it is a great product.
Other than the dryness of the summer, something I am personally dealing with is balancing my hormones. In my spring skincare routine post I mentioned that I had stopped nursing / breastfeeding and could return the use of salicylic acid* and treatments that aren’t pregnant / nursing friendly. With the stopping of pumping, my period returned about a month after the fact. With the return of my period came the return of hormone shifts, which inevitably causes breakouts. I miss that postpartum glow I had and have been chasing it ever since! All this to say, it has now been 4 months since I stopped and I can feel my body trying to regulate. I have started taking DIM and Vitex again (I take them in the same supplement called Femguard) which should help my body, in addition to continuing acupuncture. I will go in to do a full hormone panel in a couple months and will take a look at that aspect as well. Read more about my opinion on hormone testing here. The reason I am bringing this up is because it has affected my skin regarding breakouts. Will share more as I move toward total balance.
*On this note, I am bumping up mypeel pads from Corrective Skincare (which include salicylic acid) from 1x a week to 2x - 3x a week. So not a new product to me, but I’m getting back to my pre-pregnancy use!
I mentioned last time that I was taking Nutrafol to help with postpartum hair loss. I am still taking it, but will soon switch back to Glotrition. I really think it helped with my hair loss, but am wanting to focus more on skin health, as my hair seems to be under control right now. Will keep you updated on the switch back! I wish I would have started Nutrafol as soon as possible postpartum, because I think I wouldn’t have dealt with the issue as much. At first I took their postpartum blend, but switched to their regular blend when I stopped nursing. My only somewhat negative thing about it is that it was hard for me to take. The regular blend is a little more palatable, but was still hard for me to swallow because of the taste. Maybe it is just an issue I picked up while pregnant that I never really got over? I didn’t have issues with taking pills / tastes before then. Who knows! The other thing about it is that is is on the pricier side. I thought it was worth it because I wanted top notch ingredients and would rather pay more for ingredients that work than pay less for a placebo type effect that didn’t yield results.
I am still using my NuFace, but to be honest I haven’t been super consistent which is needed for a true review. I will say that when I use it, I feel pretty and pampered. I’m about to be back in LA for a long stretch of time, which will make it easier for me to use it regularly and get back to you with a result.
One more thing - since it is summer, don’t forget sunscreen! Pipette sunscreen is still my favorite right now for Nick and the twins. Just give it a good shake before you use it. I use it on my body, but have continued to use Babo Botanicals on my face for daily use.
The only true newness I have to share with you this month is the makeup I have been trying! Like I said, I have been chasing that postpartum glow and am still searching, but these are my (new) favorites right now:
Jouer Cosmetics Blush and Bloom in Uplift Me (and Amuse Me, but I have been using mostly uplift for a summery look)
Jouer Cosmetics Bloom Bronze and Go in Sunrise and Rose Quartz
I’ll try to share a summer makeup post soon or at the very least a makeup update!
AM ROUTINE
Primally Pure Clarifying Bar. I wash my face with this bar! I wet my face and wet the bar and go from there. Makes sense, but it’s been a very long time since I’ve used an actual bar of soap, so thought I’d mention it. I have this soap dish and really like it. For the longest time, I have used this foaming cleanser. I still really like it, but reserve it for trips and vacation purposes, as a bar of soap does not travel well.
Vitamin C Serum. I have used this for over a year and I really like it. I wrote a review of it here, but what that doesn’t include is my comparison to this one. I tried a full bottle of the latter and it worked well, but not any better than the one that is half its price!! When I first tested this one, I used it every other night because of the acid, but now I use it every morning.
Primally Pure Baby Balm. I use this as a daily moisturizer. This is such a moisturizing and gentle formula! It’s made for babies, but I use this for my face! Get 10% off with discount code ELLEMULENOS. I use it on my twins too!
Sunscreen. I don’t use this if I’m just sitting in my house; however, if I have plans to go outside, it goes on! Hats help too but should not be supplemented instead of sunscreen. I mentioned Pipette above. I have not tested it on my face yet, but it worked well on the twins’ faces.
PM Routine
One Love Organics Vitamin B Oil Cleanser. I only do this if I wore makeup or sunscreen that day, otherwise, I just use the bar alone vs double cleansing. I also really like the Primally Pure cleansing oil as an option too. Try it for 10% off with discount code ELLEMULENOS.
Primally Pure Clarifying Bar. Same as AM!
*I switch daily for what follows… typically next I use Benzoyl Peroxide every other night (3) and spot with Baby Balm (4) OR just use Baby Balm (4) all over my face. Since I’m no longer pumping / breastfeeding, I introduced salicylic acid back into my routine and use these peel pads from Corrective Skincare once a week. The other evenings alternate between the below.
Corrective Skincare LA 5% Benzoyl Peroxide. It is an acne medication that helps with resurfacing and killing off those deep under the skin pimples before they occur. I use this every other night because I don’t want to dry my skin out too much.
***OR***
Corrective Skincare Peel Pads. I use these twice a week if not three times a week. They have salicylic and glycolic acid and also help with resurfacing and drying up any issues.
***AND / OR***
Primally Pure Baby Balm. On evenings where I use the benzyl peroxide or the peel pads, I just put this under my eyes and on my nose. On nights when I don’t use either, I use this all over my face as a nightly moisturizer. I did a whole review of it here.
Gua Sha. On the nights where I just use my the baby balm all over my face, I do some soothing gua sha. I’ve used several stones and this one is my favorite. Try it for 10% off with discount code ELLEMULENOS.
EXTRAS:
Face masks. I am using up what I have left of the Pregnancy Safe Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel, then I will buy the full strength again, as I’m using salicylic acid again. I used to use it once a week, but since my peel pads are back, I will space it out a bit more. After I wash it off, I cleanse my face, then apply Baby Balm and go to bed. I also try to use Primally Pure face masks once a week, usually around Thursday or Friday. I have all 3 and mix and match what I use. Lately I’ve been using the soothing everywhere but places I’m breaking out. I put the clarifying one on those troublesome patches, then leave on for an hour! Sometimes I’ll use product after them, but typically I will just wash them off, cleanse my face, then apply Baby Balm and go to bed. I reviewed all the masks here. Get 10% off with discount code ELLEMULENOS. For a more of a budget friendly mask option, use this one. I am also still loving 100% Pure’s Bright Eyes mask. I found them on sale here, but would probably just buy them here due to the free and fast shipping. If you like sheet masks, I like this brand. I travel with them!
Facial Tools. My newest item is a facial dry brush. I also use a gua sha stone and a jade roller. As mentioned, I am also using the NuFace.
Facials. I’m trying to get facials every 6-8 weeks to maintain and prevent angry, clogged pores. I’m also doing light chemical peels again! I see Skin by Maddie or go to Corrective Skincare in Santa Monica.
I think that is it for now! I will probably look into some silicone patches for my frown lines soon (considering Sio) or some kinesio tape made for the face. Will keep you updated come fall. See you soon for my makeup update. Thanks for reading! You’re beautiful XOXO
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