Every 30-something needs: a skin care routine

Cleansing and moisturizing, twice per day, is IMPERATIVE for women our age. But this is only part of what’s required as part of a healthy skin care routine for 30-somethings. As my esthetician likes to repeat: plan NOW for the face you want in 10 years. Her skin looks fantastic, by the way; I’m envious. I wasn’t too good to my skin (or my body) in my 20s and pay for those mistakes in my 30s: smoking, heavy drinking, tanning. Ugh.
The Trifecta of Early Aging.

But I was also guilty of not getting a lot of sleep — and sleeping in my makeup when I finally did find my bed — and not using any sort of anti-aging product, especially eye cream (whomp!).


{ Exuviance Evening Restorative Complex / Murad Renewing Eye Cream / Clarisonic PLUS / Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleansing Pads / Vichy Eye Makeup Remover }

At the very basic level, a daily skin care routine for 30-somethings should include:

  • make-up remover — better for your eye area than the rubbing that comes with cleansing.
  • cleansing — be sure to get it all off! Might I recommend a Clarisonic?
  • treatments/troubleshooters — anti-aging, acne, spot removal, rosacea, eczema & other sensitive skin issues
  • moisturizer — day lotions are different than night lotions!
  • eye cream — this is different than your lotion.
  • water — and by water, I mean, you should be drinking it. A lot.
  • sunscreen — no exceptions; my dermatologist says that SPF in lotions and makeup is NOT enough. Sunscreen should its own separate layer before moisturizing.

Sounds much more intense than “basic,” right? But trust me, once you get into a regular habit of doing these steps, it won’t seem so taxing.

Side note: Some women also like to tone, but I only typically do this step for a little “mid-afternoon skin pick-me-up” on those days when I don’t wear make-up.

Additional regular treatments for your face should also include:

  • professional facials — I opt for seasonal.
  • exfoliation — gently! At least once a week; more, if you have hormonal congestion on your chin and cheeks.
  • peels or masks — I’m highly recommend: the Rejuvenating Treatment Masque from Exuviance.

End note: ALWAYS remember to wash your makeup brushes weekly!
I recommend these two products from Sephora: a daily disinfectant spray and weekly purifying shampoo.

What’s your skin care routine? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

Back to Beauty: new Birchbox – and a worthy charity

I FINALLY received this month’s Birchbox. Which means, I’m FINALLY back for a new post. This month, Birchbox is donating 100% of its profits from full-size product purchases to Baby Buggy. The packaging made me smile. I’m trying SO HARD to get into the holiday spirit.

Birchbox 30-somethings
One more try, Birchbox!

Seriously though, I still have not located my camera and its accessories since the move. The basement is getting tackled this weekend.

December’s contents:

Harvey Prince’s Yogini – The scent is supposed to calm the mind with its notes of sandalwood, grapefruit and myrrh. I really like it (and yes, the more I smelled it, the more I wanted to jump in the bottle and nap in it). Powerful front note, but fades into a beautifully balanced perfume.
Jouer Lip Gloss – an exclusive color: Birchbox Pink (might be too pink for me)
L’Oreal Professional Mythic Oil – I think I’ve talked about hair oils before… not for this excessively oily head. Even on ends, makes my hair look like crap. Meh.
Befine Gentle Cleanser – hooray, I love getting cleansers! And this contains mint — one of my favorite things to breathe in while washing my face. Also: allergen & paraban free.
Show Stoppers Designer Fashion Tape – Now, to find the dress to try these out! *wink*
EBOOST Orange Natural Energy Booster – I’ll definitely use this, as this month has not been conducive to sleep. I need all the energy I can get most mornings.

Tell me what was in your Birchbox!

Eminence:14-day trial

My sister offered up some samples of her Eminence skin care products — enough for a 14-day trial of their handmade organic cleanser, moisturizers, masque, scrub and…something else (another masque, I think). The products are all organic, which I’m hoping translates into “good for sensitive skin.” And that whole “hormonally unbalanced” problem I seem to have with… well, everything these days.

After recently — and randomly — being diagnosed with eczema, my product purchases are heavily scrutinized. Can you believe I even had patchy dryness on my freakin’ eyelids?! I still haven’t pin-pointed what is causing an allergic reaction on my hands either. Soap? Lotion? Self-tanner? Birth control pills? My gummy vitamins? 

So far, I love how the Eminence products are concentrated and that only a tiny amount is needed (then add your own water). I’ve been fairly satisfied with using Murad over the last few years, but I keep getting a “Proactiv” vibe with them, with every mailed catalog. Plus, the products I NEED to supplement my skin care program (from the Resurgence line) — while awesome — are pricy.

Here is what I’m currently trying out for two weeks:

Mineral Cleansing Concentrate – good for acne AND sensitive skin
Eight Greens Whip Moisturizer – for “age-defying” on hormonally-imbalanced skin (although I will admit, hearing “whip” makes me fear breakouts)
Seven Herb Treatment (masque) – to help clear my “combination” skin problems (read: adult acne *groan*). It’s applied every other day for 2 weeks for only 10 minutes (I am already in love with this stuff after one use)
Eight Greens Phyto Masque – currently on hold, until I use the above treatment for a couple weeks, but it’s supposed to be an amazing anti-aging treatment.
Strawberry-Rhubarb Dermafoliant – did you know that rhubarb is a natural astringent and disinfectant? (it’s also delicious in ice cream; the fruit, not this product, of course)
Wild Plum Eye Cream – for dark eye circles and “signs of fatigue.” I only hope this product works as amazingly EVERY day, as it does on my first couple days of use. 

I’ll let you know my thoughts about the products after my two weeks are complete.