My Skincare Routine: Partie 2

Ok this part is definitely my favorite. I mean serums, oils and moisturizers?? Those are the best part! For me at least, these three categories are what really got me into skincare, my gateway drugs if you will, and hopefullt they’ll get you excited to diversify your routine too!

Étape 4: Serums

I think serums are so.much.fun! About a year ago I had the realization that mix-matching serums was the closest I would get to making potions and ever since it has fueled my little witchy heart. I definitely don’t use all of these every day, usually I keep it to 2 a day but you can technically layer up to 4.

My ride or die is definitely this Lumene Vitamin C Serum. Before I even knew about the benefits vitamin C has on your skin (sun protection!!) I knew that I loved this product. Vtamin C naturally promotes collagen production which gives the skin a youthful dewy appearance. I also find I have my best skin days with regular use, and don’t feel the urge to use concealer. There are a million vitamin C serums on the market, this happens to be the

one I first tried, liked and decided to stick with, but you can find a variety at different pricepoints so I would still call it an affordable staple. This is the #1 serum I would recommend to skincare beginners.

Yayyy time to talk about one of my favorite brands!! Herbivore! If you live in the Seattle area you’ve probably seen their products stocked on the shelves of every trendy local boutique—and for good reason. Their products are BOMB and they’re based in/ started in my beloved PNW. I use two serums from them: Bakuchiol and Prism.

The Bakuchiol is sort of a gentler/more natural retinol alternative. And I know I know I am definitely a bit young to start with anti-aging products, but I ALSO KNOW I am not going to age well due to my 100% Caucasian genes so I might as well start early. I wouldn’t recommend using an actual retinol yet—but for any readers at 20+ you should definitely consider it.

Anyways, even though Bakuchiol is not necessary for someone my age I have found that it improves the appearance of my skin and my skin feels a little off when I haven’t used it for a couple days. It is supposed to reduce fine lines and wrinkles so if that’s something you’re concerned about give it a try!

Next up we have the Prism serum which is an 12% AHA 3% BHA exfoliating serum. When I do use it, it is always as the first serum, because it is exfoliating you want it to have full access to your skin, also I feel like it would strip away any serums previously applied and reduce efficacy. That’s not scientifically backed jsyk it’s just what seems intuitive to me. It’s v good at reducing the appearance of pores, dark spots, or acne/blemishes. Usually, I use it as an extra boost after I’ve already used my powder exfoliator.

Ok, the Antipodes Blessing Anti-Pollution Light Face Serum feels like the midway point between a serum and an oil. It’s liquid like an oil and lacks hydration like a serum. It sort of works like monk oil, relieving skin from city pollution, I think of it as a detox for my skin. If it’s feeling irritated or I’ve been putting on too many products or something, I tend to use this serum in lieu of the other ones to calm it down. I’ve been through a bottle of it already so clearly, it’s a favorite.

Étape 5: Oils

This is my favorite step!! I only use oils at night because they make my face too…well…oily during the day, but they hydrate my skin so well overnight and leave it v plump in the morning. HOWEVER it has recently come to my attention that oils do not ?? actually ?? hydrate your skin??? They just lock moisture in or something. Devastating news, which I would like to contend with because I’ve been using oils for years and my skin feels plenty hydrated afterwards. Though I guess I am using oils made specifically for that purpose? Up to you to decide and if you know more about this subject I would love to hear!

Ah yes, the oil that started it all L’Huile Repulpante from… can you guess? Chez Oh My Cream! What can I say, I love their stuff. (protip: Follain carries most of the same products besides their house line) Once again I got a sample of l’huile and fell in looove. I could really see a difference in my skin when I woke up after using it. It kinda sounds strange to say but it was plumper? It felt sort of lifted and very soft. I’ve been through like two bottles. After I started using it, I swear my skin improved so much, it was probably a combination of things, living in France a lot changed, but switching to this oil definitely was a major step in my skincare journey.

My second cult oil is the Herbivore Emerald CBD Oil. I actually stole my mom’s bottle of this that she got at their launch because I liked it so much…oops. It is formulated to help with redness and dryness, and like the Antipodes serum, is my go-to product to calm my skin down. The CBD actually has a calming effect on the skin and has definitely worked wonders on mine. I’ve almost finished the bottle I stole so it may be time to get my own.

I also enjoy herbivore’s Lapis oil. The Lapis oil contains the same Blue Tansy as their best-selling/game changing Blue Tansy mask. While the mask exfoliates, the oil sooths and clarifies. I like to use it alongside Prism after exfoliating to complete the clarifying routine. It’s really good for oily and combination skin because it isn’t as intensely hydrating as emerald. For combination skin I also recommend using it on your t-zone and another oil on your dry zones, that’s what I do when my t-zone is feeling extra oily.

Étape 6: Moisturizers

Alright I got to be honest, I don’t have a holy grail moisturizer. I’ve been using the Lumene Valo Nordic-C Day Moisturizer SPF15 for awhile, and some other Lumene moisturizers before that…but I don’t love the texture. It’s too creamy for me, and because of the spf I think, it takes a bit to absorb. At the same time, I do have drier skin so the creamy texture is actually really helpful. I also love that it has sunscreen so that even if I forget to put sunscreen on, I’m still at least a bit protected. And we all know how pale I am… if anyone needs extra sun protection in their routine it’s me! I also love that its part of the Valo (Glow) line at Lumene because, in combination with the vitamin C serum, my skin gets extra brightened.

I know this is like...a LOT of products, but I definitely don’t use these all everyday. That would be insane and totally break me out. My top three recommandations are the vitamin c serum, the huile repulpante and the emerald oil!