Achieving radiant skin doesn’t have to be complicated, even for those with sensitive skin. Here are 4 easy steps to help you wake up with a fresh, glowing face right after rolling out of bed!
Growing up, I struggled with oily, sensitive, acne-prone skin, large pores, etc. Though not severe, it was an insecurity which made me want to delve more into skincare. Firstly, it’s important to address certain lifestyle changes that largely contributed to achieving radiant skin—the first of which involves eating habits. I have been a vegetarian for just over a decade now. Additionally, after pinpointing dairy to be a large contributor to my skin’s imbalances, I recently cut out milk, though I cannot yet seem to part from eggs and cheese.
For the past year, I have been consistently exercising about 2-3 times a week. Interestingly enough, sweat is quite good for your skin, so long as you wash your face almost immediately after working out. On a similar note, drinking water is also an essential for good skin. The recommended daily intake of water depends on our weight, diet, physical activity, age, overall health, and more. I will refill my 28oz water bottle two or so times a day, but I’ll admit, I should probably drink slightly more. The easiest way to drink enough water throughout the day is to make water your drink of choice. It is much more beneficial to have your meals and snacks with a glass of water, as opposed to a carbonated drink or sugary juice.
Lastly, even though I am a natural night owl and thrive in the evenings, getting your much needed beauty sleep makes a drastic difference in achieving radiant skin and overall health. I do my best to get around 8 hours per night.
In my previous blog, Healthy Habits for Glowing Skin: Wellness Routine, I detailed each of these practices and their profound impact on my skincare journey. After you’re done here, I’d love to invite you to take a look at that blog—if it piques your interest, of course!
Okay, without further ado, let’s dive into the products that have truly worked wonders for my skin over the past couple of years through much trial and error…
Cleanser
I searched for some time to find a cleanser that would really make my face feel clean, without stripping my skin of necessary oils. Upon some experimentation, I found that the CosRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser really does the trick. This cleanser is a crucial step in my routine for achieving radiant skin. To my fellow oily-skin friends looking for a refreshing cleanser in the morning, give this one a try! True to its name, the consistency is gel-like and lathers nicely. I am pleased with the ingredients because there is nothing that will overly dry or strip the skin, and it has a lot of great antioxidants.
However, it’s important to note that while a morning cleanser works well for many, there are obviously exceptions to this rule. Some people might find that using a morning cleanser isn’t a good option for them as it can still be too much for their skin in the morning. In such cases, opting for water cleansing in the morning can be a gentler alternative to maintain skin health without over-cleansing.
Toner
As a second step, I’ll rub a few drops of the Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing, Pore-Reducing Toner into my hands and press the product into my face. The idea behind toners is to remove further impurities and re-balance the pH levels of your skin after cleansing, which can, in turn, make you less prone to oiliness or blemishes. It can also be a nice way to incorporate ingredients like acids, glycerin, antioxidants, etc. into your routine. Since exclusively using this toner for nearly the past year, I have noticed a reduction of buildup in my pores, which certainly makes them seem smaller and fewer in number. Besides having great emollients, this toner also contains niacinamide, an ingredient known to control sebum production, texture on the skin, redness, and pore size.
Moisturizer
While I am still on the hunt for that perfect daytime moisturizer, one that I’ve been using often for the past few years is the Glossier Priming Moisturizer. I like it because of how lightweight the formula is. It sits well under makeup and leaves my skin feeling very moisturized all day.
Sunscreen (SPF)
As a final step, I apply the Missha Aqua Sun SPF50+. It’s one of the few SPFs I’ve found that doesn’t cause breakouts or leave a greasy residue. Since my moisturizer leaves a glow that, if left alone, can gradually turn into an unflattering shine, layering this SPF over it has an almost mattifying effect.
Following these steps and using these products, you too can achieve the radiant skin you’ve always wanted.
However, I’ve recently discovered that Missha is not cruelty-free, as they sell products in mainland China, where animal testing is required by law. If anyone knows of an SPF with similar properties that is also cruelty-free, please don’t hesitate to leave me a recommendation in the comments.
As always, thank you for reading!
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