Winter Skincare Routine
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Okay okay, so yesterday (12/21) was the first day of winter, not today, buuut I take Saturdays off, so here we are. I have actually been pretty good about being off my phone this Christmas trip, which has been realllllllly nice. On that note, yesterday I did finally got my phone replaced, after cracking it over Thanksgiving. There wasn’t anything wrong with it regarding how it worked - it was more for vanity reasons, though some corners were sharp/ hurt my hands, due to broken glass.
I say all that to bring up my skin. It definitely has some “cracks” and “sharp corners” these days. Right after I did my summer skincare routine, my skin went CRAZY. I addressed it on my fall skincare routine. It has been humbling to say the least.
Everlane Shirt | Senreve Aria Beltbag (Get $50 off your Aria Beltbag w/code ELLEMULENOS) | J. Brand Jeans | Nude Flats | Jacket (old, similar here)
Since moving to LA, my forehead has begun healing very nicely. I still have marks, but they aren’t fresh. Since I have pale skin, it takes a little longer for the redness to dissipate. One of the things I’ve been doing differently is using the Nu Derma High Frequency Wand. I mentioned it on my December Favorites, but still plan to do a review on it, because it is awesome! I truly think it helps lower the lifespan of a pimple and help it heal faster.
Another thing I have done differently is go to Corrective Skincare. My sister-in-law recommended it to me, as they specialize in acne. I’ve gone twice and already have a third appointment come January. I had a full appointment the first time, then three weeks later, I had a half treatment. Three weeks from that appointment, I have a light peel scheduled, to help jump-start my redness / scarring healing. They have also been writing my skincare routine (reduced it a lot), as I have started using two of their acne medications - a lotion and a pH pad. One thing they have me doing is icing more regularly. I used my ice roller occasionally, but I have begun doing it in the morning and in the evening, with an ice cube instead.
Two final things I’ve changed are 1) removing oil from my routine- I have not been using face oil, unless I am removing makeup or spot treating and 2) washing my face before working out. I never did that before, as I washed my face the night before, but have started doing this and it makes me feel so much better. Maybe it’s just mental, but I’m hoping it will stop the spreading of bacteria too.
My chin has been erupting quite regularly, with big, painful bumps though. I do have some healing, but a lot of “pock marks” looking things. I stopped seed cycling for a while (not on purpose - still planning to write about this in the new year), and I think that has something to do with it, as it helps regulate your hormones — chin acne is typically hormone related. I also think I have gut issues, but have a appointment in a week with a gastroenterologist, who I’m hoping can help! Your skin can show symptoms within the body, and I do think that this is an area that I have been ignoring, hoping that they would go away.
Soooo here’s my current routine!
AM ROUTINE
One Love Organics Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser. Still using this! It is gentle and I love it.
ICE. I just grab an ice cube from the freezer and continually move it around my face, making sure to hit the troublesome spots extra. Don’t leave it on one spot for too long, or it will burn you.
Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream. I’ve been using this moisturizer for a while now! I’m being very careful to not use too much, as that can lead to acne. It’s really tempting to skip this step when your skin is oily or acne prone, but you need it. Dried out skin + acne is not a good pair! It can often worsen it!
PM ROUTINE
One Love Organics Vitamin B Oil Cleanser. I only do this if I wore makeup that day, otherwise, I just use the foaming cleanser alone vs double cleansing.
ICE
Medicine. Right now I’m using the lotion and pads every other night, with a recovery night in-between. If I don’t use this, I skip straight the moisturizing step.
Primally Pure Palmarosa and Mint Beauty Cream. If I have a open wound zit (one that has popped), I spot treat it with this moisturizer. It does have oil in it, so you don’t need a ton. I feel like it helps keep the area quarantined and not spread the acne bacteria. I featured this on my November Favorites. Use code ELLEMULENOS for 10% off.
EXTRAS
Patyka Energising Eye Gel. I still really like this eye gel and use it a couple of times a week.
I LOVE using my gua sha at night, but it’s harder to do it without oil and it’s really hard to do it with cystic zits.
I also still love to jade roll in the morning, but have to be careful, so I don’t aggravate my acne. Get 10% off my fave roller here.
Nu Derma High Frequency Wand. I spot treat any chance I can at night and probably do it on my whole face a couple of times a week. I do not do it on the same night as I apply medicine though.
Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel. This is still one of my favorite masks!
OTHER MASKS. I can’t say what they are yet, but they are awesome! I’ve been testing them out since late October and they are fab.
Anddd that’s pretty much it! Less is more right now for me. I’ll do a big post on adult acne next year, but until then, this will have to do. One of my goals is to get more sleep in the new year, which should help with healing of my skin as well. I also want to drink bone broth every day, which is great for gut health and skin, as it has collagen in it. Have any acne tips? Or just want to complain? Holla at me. I feel ya!
P.S. If you liked this post, you may enjoy my recent post on Get Ready with Me: Makeup for Acne!
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