If I were to look for one good thing about this enforced homestay, I’d say it’s getting better at what I already know. Not that I’m necessarily doing anything better, but I might be knowing how. My grocery shopping wastes less, roses bear more blooms, measuring spoons nest neatly in their drawer.
Also I realized I’ve pretty much figured out skin care. The big moment came when I found my favorite cleanser. (And yes I just said that and ah well, my dears, ah well.)
I have never enjoyed face-washing. Somehow I can never keep the water off the counter, the mirror, even the floor. Natural exuberance? So thick gels, or hard-to-rinse soaps do not work for me. This Caudalie cleanser foams, so lightly, and is easily removed even by wastrels. (The Sephora “Clean At” program means none of the ingredients about which we might worry.)
I like the Caudalie line in general, I’ve found, making my way through Sephora samples. French, full of grapes and technology. They also make a nice micellar water for a) removing makeup b) those evenings when I can’t bear to even try to rinse so just swipe with cotton pads and call it a day (Am I odd? I am perhaps odd. We are all odd.)
Then sometimes I fret at residue and use witch hazel after. Neurasthenic skin care for the win.
Now, when I want to remove not only dirt but an entire layer of skin, I use Drunk Elephant’s iconic Babyfacial. They aren’t kidding. 20 minutes of a tolerable stinging and then a noticeable smoothness. I was going to say profound, but let’s avoid hyperbola here, shall we?
That’s all the taking-off. How about what we put on?
I’m been using drugstore CeraVe retinol at night, with hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. They’ve reformulated to this–replacing the hyaluronic acid with niacinamide but keeping the ceramides for smoothing. I’ll see if I like it as much.
If my skin feels dry, I use argan oil. I don’t think it matters which kind, but here’s an inexpensive and organic offering.
And now for my secret weapon. I don’t “break out” any more, in the way we did as teenagers, or young adults. But I do get bumps where my skin seems to sigh in exhaustion and refuse to clear up. So I use Walgreen’s generic benzoyl peroxide, in tiny spots and dabs, as did our children. Less than $5 and works a charm.
Let us not forget our skin below the neck. For general body lotion I like Andalou Body Butter. Just the right consistency, smells very nice. But my guests get a little tube of this, for their hands after a wash. Sometimes lavender, sometimes rose, or herbs, or verbena.
All of which leaves me hunting for a very, very light serum to use in the morning. It should probably be peptide-based. Moisturizers just don’t work for me, see aforementioned bumps. A long time ago a reader who owned a business sent me a French peptide serum for review. I loved it. I messaged her yesterday, and although she had shut down her business in hopes of a move to France, with that plan on hold, she’s starting to think about sourcing her products again. Wouldn’t that would be lovely?
All thoughts or recommendations welcome.
Have a wonderful, well-rinsed, exfoliated, and silkily moisturized weekend. Your friend with time and roses on her hands.
Some links may generate commissions
31 Responses
Love L’Occitaine Hand lotions. Unfortunately not cheap. Also like Mario Badescu facial sprays for a quick refresh. They come in terrific scents and, happily, not expensive. As to cleansers, etc I find Neutrogena is still a good product. I like their foaming facial cleanser. I’ve been using trader Joe’s hydrosurge moisturizer (don’t judge me). Not too shabby.
No shame here. If I can use a generic teen acne medication, there are no limits.
Funny you should mention this! I just noticed I am taking better care of my skin right now. At 69 I wasn’t rushing around before the recent pause; it must be the calming effect of little rituals. I also have never liked washing my face. I was lucky in the skin department and got away with that for years. But I’ve always been an outdoorsy Sturdy Gal and it’s catching up a bit with me. My skin likes the extra bit of pampering. I appreciate how often you describe little or big things that ring a bell with me. Thanks
You are very welcome! And I think there’s something to the idea that we’re building little calming rituals. I know that being able to have a sense of having some kind of ducks in a row, even if its only bottles of skin stuff, makes me feel calmer.
My skincare routine also tends to be a moving target. I always chalked it up to changes in my skin that come with age, but you’ve mentioned changes to ingredients and I think that might be something too. I’ve only lately discovered oils (decades of oily skin made me shy away from them) and have been collecting samples to try.
I look forward to your oil review!
Long-time supporter of Avene and of Laroche-Posay because they are hypo-allergenic and kind enough even for babies. Also like Tatcha cleansing oil to remove major makeup (not that we wear that much during social isolation) and their lovely moisturizing Dewy Skin Mist that keeps skin from cracking. Good for Northern winters and COVID-19 repetitive handwashing.
Stay well!
Stay well too! The Dewy Skin Mist sounds lovely.
I am a true devotee of a good skin care regime and I’m totally anal about it. Have been ever since I worked in cosmetics in a department store way back in the day and we received free samples. I have very sensitive skin, so once I’m converted to a product I’m pretty loyal. I’m a fan of the Caudalie line. I love their moisturizers and their night serum.
For skin exfoliation, I use on my “normal” skin Aveda’s Botanical Exfoliating Creme Cleanser three or four times a week. For a treat on my hands (this, before the emergence of the 20-second hand wash), L’Occitane’s shea butter. For my hands now and, believe it or not, moisturizing my face, I use very occasionally the Vermont Country Store’s Bag Balm. As I’ve grown older, my skin care has grown simpler. Cleanses and toners were products I used years ago on my skin, but today I would no longer take the time. I also wear very little make-up which I’m certain minimizes my skin care routine as well.
I’m old (78), with VERY sensitive, but fairly un-wrinkled, skin, so my routine may not work for everyone.
1) Cleanser: after a lifetime of trial and error, I have settled happily on Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser for my face, morning and night, followed by a very light glaze of Cetaphil (lightweight) Moisturizing Lotion (for body and face). 2)Sometimes I use a Cetaphil face cleansing wipe, followed by a squeezed washcloth of warm, then cold, water passed across my face, after which I apply the aforementioned lotion.
3) Lines around my mouth get something a little heavier: Estee Lauder resilience night cream, or since yesterday, just on a trial basis, Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair with Retinol SA. (This claims to show positive effects by the end of one week, so I’ll revisit this in next Saturday’s comments!)
4) Hands: Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve is great (but pricey), especially if you are washing your hands constantly (and aren’t we all?). Gold Bond also has a good line of specialty hand/body lotions at a reasonable price (in drug stores and supermarkets).
Happy Mother’s Day, Lisa, and the same to all the mothers and grandmothers reading this blog!
I use Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser too. All their products are good IMO
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for helping me understand why I don’t particularly enjoy washing my face. It’s the water everywhere except where I wish it to go.
Once I recover from my black ant bites I will have to check out some of your lovely products. I must say one of my current goals is to use up all the product I have before trying more. Now that’s a Covid goal!
I continue to love your blog! As they say “stay safe”.
Luci
Black ant bites? Yikes! I have to say I haven’t seen any products for that…I am glad you enjoy the blog. One foot in front of the next!
Hi Lisa, glad you’re well.
For a light serum, how about Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair? It has tripeptide-32. I use it in the morning on top of Vitamin C.
Sending virtual elbow bumps from Chicago!
Now that I’m doing peptide research, seems it’s to be either copper or something called Matryxl? Do you get any breakouts/milia from using the night repair?
Nice products. I find beauty routines evolving a bit too. Self care seems on the increase. Lately I love my soaking tub and bath salts. So relaxing. When my skin feels a bit dry, I use multi-purpose dry oil, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse. It has a light, clean scent and absorbs nicely.
Self care on the increase for sure. I do like a good epsom salt soak after a day in the garden.
I too hate face washing but have found a system that works for me mostly with an alternate for those nights when I can’t bear it. Perhaps we are all a little odd..
I do like that CeraVe resurfacing retinol serum at night.
Sounds like you’ve got a winning team of products that work for your skincare.
I use Avene cleanser and IS Clinical serum before Avene Moisturizer intense. Once a week I use Bio-Gommage exfoliating cream. Fresh Rose cream is a treat that I use several times a week and Andalou hand lotions as well as L’Occitane round out my skincare regime.
At 76, something is definitely off with me and skin care routines. I’m a level below a minimalist! I’ve washed my face with any bar soap on the sink and only used Clinique’s yellow moisturizer from 1969 to 2015. My daughter recommended CeraVe PM and that’s all I use now.
I just used up a tube of L’Occitaine that someone gave me for my birthday. It is nice. I may have to get some more. All the handwashing demands lotion.
Some of those products sound amazing, Lisa. I will try to source them in Australia to avoid exchange rate and shipping costs.
As someone with time and roses on your hands have you thought of making your own rose water? It’s a wonderful tonic and makes your skin soooo soft.
I’m with Sue Burpee. Have loved Caudalie products since I discovered then in a Paris pharmacie years ago. Have been using the serum and see a marked difference in my 70 year old skin.
I’m an exfoliation fan, so I bought a thing called Derma Flash which is actually a sort of straight edge razor that shaves your skin and any peach fuzz. I have a new serum which I love called Goop Glow. I don’t have any real routine, I switch it all up and since I’m not wearing any makeup these days, have spent more time on it.
I’m like you – I can’t wash my face without getting water everywhere….
I have to keep a micofiber cloth nearby to mop up all the water I splash about while washing my face! I always use Cetaphil Purifying Facial Bar which transports well when travelling – no worries about liquid spills. When I can be bothered, I’ll use Aveda Botanical Kinetics exfoliant at night. Every morning I use Olay Total Effects 7 in One with spf 15 to moisturize and protect my face, neck and back of my hands. I love that I can get this moisturizer at Costco. I don’t wear makeup unless it’s a special night out. Otherwise, I put on some organic lip balm from Eatwell Farm everyday to keep my lips from getting dry.
I noticed Purito has a serum called Purito Centella Unscented Serum. I haven’t tried it myself, but I do use their sunscreen for my hand SPF. Anyway, the serum has ceramide, niacinamide, a peptide, some form of hyaluronic acid–and is supposed to be oil free. I can’t speak from personal experience with it, but the ingredient list seemed promising/intriguing.
I have been using those NEUTROGENA wipes last couple of months as I too have yet to find one I REALLY LIKE!
MY FACE CREAM LADY IS THE BEST from EYE to FACE at MOTHER NATURES MOUNTAIN back in VERMONT!Will not break the bank and lasts forever with me!
ALL HOME MADE…………
MY GARDEN IS UP………..COME HAVE A PEEK!
The Caudalie has fragrance so I’d better stick with Bioderma or my drugstore brand, Garnier, for removing makeup, not that I’m wearing any right now. I love love love L’Occitane but it doesn’t love me back: I landed in an ER in Portland, OR with hives all over my body after using the lemon scented lotion provided by the hotel. (Not a typical reaction, I know. Aren’t I special?) Anything scented is a risk for me, I’ve concluded. I am a skin care addict from way back so I’ll try anything in small quantities. I started using Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery line maybe ten years ago to clear up the worst case of rosacea on the planet. I still use the toner and night cream from that line. Probably the best thing I’ve done for my skin is use sunscreen every day, rain or shine, since I was in my late thirties. I only wish I’d started sooner.
Oh. Someone from a skincare reddit I frequent recommended wearing athletic wristbands to keep water from splashing everywhere when you wash your face. I’m pretty messy myself but I just use a microfiber cloth to wipe up the sink area.
I may have a brand for you to experiment with! Inexpensive, great ingredients, no scent. I’m giving it a trial, if all goes well I will post.
Comments are closed.