Hello and TGIF!
Tax season has been so grueling and I am thoroughly exhausted. Only a few more weeks and it will be over and I can enjoy some much needed time with my family.
I wanted to do a post to share with you all what my current skincare routine is because I have changed a lot of products since the last time I did a skincare routine. While I was pregnant and after I gave birth my skin broke out so bad. I had my acne under control up until midway through my pregnancy and then it all went down hill. The products I was using weren't clearing it up like they did before. To be honest I have had this problem before. Sometimes when I use products for a long time they just stop working with my skin. That includes skincare products but also makeup products like foundation. I know most of it was because my hormones went crazy and I'll talk about something I've incorporated into my diet that I believe has also really helped clear up my skin.
I started using Tula products after seeing so many other bloggers I follow raving about it. Come to find out you can purchase many of their products at Ulta. They don't carry everything I use but it is nice if I run out of those products they do carry I can run over there quickly instead of ordering online and waiting for it to arrive.
Tula's products are formulated with probiotics that help fight the bad bacteria on your skin and help to proliferate the good bacteria. Similar to the probiotics you take for gut health. I take a very good probiotic everyday and so does Lawson. Probiotics are so important to gut and immune health. The use of probiotics in this skincare line is also another reason I was drawn to it.
I am going to discuss the products in the collage above right to left which is also the order in which I use these products.
Tula Purifying Cleanser - I love this cleanser. After using it my face feels so fresh and clean. I don't really know any other way to explain it. It's great at taking stubborn makeup off and I just love the way it makes my face feel after using it. Side note: I don't believe this product is safe to use while pregnant or nursing but please make sure to ask your Midwife or OBGYN what is safe for you as everyone is different.
Kefir Replenishing Cleansing Oil - I will admit I am a bit extra because I use two cleansers from Tula. I use this one to take my makeup off when I get home and then before bed when I do my skincare routine I cleanse again with the Purifying Cleanser. This is a similar product to Mac's Cleansing Oil, which I also love. I love this for taking off my waterproof eye makeup.
Ance Clearing Tone Correcting Gel - I loveeeee this product! My skin responds best to salicylic acid for treating my acne issues. I use this twice a day morning and night after I have washed my face with the Purifying Cleanser. It helps kill acne bacteria but also helps correct the tone of your skin and reduce the look of old acne marks and scars left behind after breakouts.
Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum - I have used this products for years! It is a holy grail product for me and something I cannot live without. I use this after the acne gel toner and before my moisturizer. I only use it once a day in the mornings. I highly recommend if you have acne scarring or leftover red marks. Just like it's name it rapidly reduces the appearance of acne marks. I recommend this product to my friends and family all the time.
Aqua Infusion Oil-Free Gel Cream - I am so obsessed with this moisturizer! It is not a heavy moisturizer and it is perfect for acne prone skin. A lot of people who have oily skin don't realize they NEED to make sure their skin is staying hydrated. I know it sounds counter-intuitive but you're skin will produce more oil naturally when you aren't keeping it hydrated.
Peptide and Collagen Serum - I was sent this product by Derma E and I love it! I mix one pump of it in the morning with the Aqua Infusion Oil-Free Gel Cream and I mix two pumps of it with that moisturizer before I got to bed along with one drop of Frankincense essential oil. Again I totally understand that is a lot of steps and products but honestly do you even have a good skincare routine if it isn't extra af? The answer is no.. LOL!
Advanced Peptides and Collagen Eye Cream - Derma E also sent this product to me to try and I like it so far. I have never really been an eye cream user. I don't have bags or puffiness. I normally have issues with darkness underneath by eyes but that is easy to hide with concealer. The cost of this eye cream is very reasonable so I would suggest trying it if you are looking for a good eye cream that won't break the bank. After I use this I have started using the Tula Glow and Brightening Eye Balm {not pictured above} and I loveeeee it. Unfortunately, it sells out frequently because it's amazing and only $28.00. You can sign up to have them notify you when it is back in stock if you are interested. Highly recommend this product. Everyone wants a brighter more radiant under eye...am I right??
Peach Slices Shrink Pores Sheet Mask - I have raved about this mask on Instagram stories recently and if you haven't tried them run and go get some. I found mine at CVS but they are also available at Target. I notice a significant reduction in pore size after using this mask. I'm actually going to use one tonight but I am going to use my at-home micro-needling tool first and then put the mask on to help it penetrate deeper into my skin.
Peach Slices Hydrate Sheet Mask - I used this mask the day before I went on a bachelorette party earlier this month because I knew I would be drinking a lot which would dehydrate my skin leading to breaks that I do not want. I have read that J.Lo does not drink {at least not a lot and not often} and she attributes her beautiful skin and youthful glow to that. My skin looked so amazing after using it and these masks have definitely become a part of my skincare routine even after only using them a few times.
{Other products I use not pictured above}
Rodan and Field Microdermabrasion Paste - I try to use this product twice a week. It is very important if you have acne prone skin to exfoliate regularly. A jar of this paste lasts me over a year so it absolutely worth the price. Cost per use is very low, which is always a factor I consider before I buy anything.
Frankincense Essential Oil - I add one drop of this essential oil to my moisturizer that I apply before bed. Frankincense has many amazing properties for your entire body but its a powerful astringent that helps with blemishes, pore size and helps to tighten the skin. The skin tightening I definitely have noticed. In the morning when I wake up my skin isn't oily and it's tight and just feels fresh. It is an expensive oil but worth it because it has so many uses. I purchase mine through Young Living. If you are interested in purchasing shoot me an email {alina@theneapolitanblog.com} and I can get it ordered for you.
Redefine Intense Renewing Serum - if you don't have a retinol product in your skincare routine you need to add one especially if you are 30 and above. This R&F retinol serum has one of the highest levels of retinol on the market that can be purchased without a prescription. I use this once to twice a week and I make sure to intensely moisturizer my skin afterwards because it can be very drying. If you don't know much about retinol do some research but it is used to help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is NOT safe for use when pregnant or nursing.
Celery Juice - I saved the best for last! This isn't technically a product but something that I have to mention. I heard about the celery juice craze and started looking into it. I found that a lot of people have had great results with it helping their hormonal acne. I decided to try it out for myself. It took about three weeks before I started to notice a difference in my skin. I started noticing even less pimples popping up, my pores were not as clogged and my skin was so smooth like I had just exfoliated. You are suppose to drink it on an empty stomach and wait to eat for about 20-30 minutes after consuming the juice. I do Intermittent Fasting and I break my fast with celery juice around 11:30am. I juice it at home and bring it in a glass bottle to work with me. Celery juice is also great for gut health. Gut health does play a big part in the health of your skin and taking a daily probiotic is a great way to help promote good bacteria in your gut.
These next two products aren't what I consider consider "skincare" but I need to mention them because I believe since using these two products my skin has had a less blemishes and clogged pores.
Radiant Defense - I have stopped using foundation and replaced it with this magical product. It works like a CC Cream to provide you great coverage but it is actually skincare. It's ingredients help to protect your skin with SPF and antioxidants to prevent damage from environmental stress. The coverage is amazing and very build-able. I used a foundation that I used to love one day a few weeks ago and the next morning and throughout the next week I saw 5-6 pimples pop up. I have done this a few more times and every time I break out after using foundation. I love a full-coverage foundation but I just haven't found one that won't make me break out. I think a lot of my recent skin issues have been less hormones and more the makeup I was putting on my skin.
Mineral Peptides - I use this powder to set my makeup after applying Radiant Defense. It has great coverage and these two products together look better on my skin than foundation and other powders I have used in the past. I have never used a powder like this that looks so incredibly beautiful on the skin. Once my makeup is done it just looks like beautiful skin. I have received so many compliments on my makeup since starting to use these two products. I plan to do a Current Makeup Routine post soon and I will discuss these products and how I apply them in more detail but as always if you have questions now don't hesitate to send me an email {alina@theneapolitanblog.com}.
I know this was a very long post so if you are still here thank you! I hope you got some helpful information from this post. I have struggled with acne for so long. Getting rid of it then it coming back during pregnancy it really affects your self-esteem. I love that I can run out of my house without any makeup on and not feel embarrassed of that people are looking at my pimples. Try Tula, try celery juice, take a good probiotic and stay away from makeup products that will clog your pores is the best advice I can give.
I also have a link for 20% off Tula {click this link} products if you are interested in trying them out.
Thanks so much for reading!
xo, Alina
Peach Slices Shrink Pores Sheet Mask - I have raved about this mask on Instagram stories recently and if you haven't tried them run and go get some. I found mine at CVS but they are also available at Target. I notice a significant reduction in pore size after using this mask. I'm actually going to use one tonight but I am going to use my at-home micro-needling tool first and then put the mask on to help it penetrate deeper into my skin.
Peach Slices Hydrate Sheet Mask - I used this mask the day before I went on a bachelorette party earlier this month because I knew I would be drinking a lot which would dehydrate my skin leading to breaks that I do not want. I have read that J.Lo does not drink {at least not a lot and not often} and she attributes her beautiful skin and youthful glow to that. My skin looked so amazing after using it and these masks have definitely become a part of my skincare routine even after only using them a few times.
{Other products I use not pictured above}
Rodan and Field Microdermabrasion Paste - I try to use this product twice a week. It is very important if you have acne prone skin to exfoliate regularly. A jar of this paste lasts me over a year so it absolutely worth the price. Cost per use is very low, which is always a factor I consider before I buy anything.
Frankincense Essential Oil - I add one drop of this essential oil to my moisturizer that I apply before bed. Frankincense has many amazing properties for your entire body but its a powerful astringent that helps with blemishes, pore size and helps to tighten the skin. The skin tightening I definitely have noticed. In the morning when I wake up my skin isn't oily and it's tight and just feels fresh. It is an expensive oil but worth it because it has so many uses. I purchase mine through Young Living. If you are interested in purchasing shoot me an email {alina@theneapolitanblog.com} and I can get it ordered for you.
Redefine Intense Renewing Serum - if you don't have a retinol product in your skincare routine you need to add one especially if you are 30 and above. This R&F retinol serum has one of the highest levels of retinol on the market that can be purchased without a prescription. I use this once to twice a week and I make sure to intensely moisturizer my skin afterwards because it can be very drying. If you don't know much about retinol do some research but it is used to help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is NOT safe for use when pregnant or nursing.
Celery Juice - I saved the best for last! This isn't technically a product but something that I have to mention. I heard about the celery juice craze and started looking into it. I found that a lot of people have had great results with it helping their hormonal acne. I decided to try it out for myself. It took about three weeks before I started to notice a difference in my skin. I started noticing even less pimples popping up, my pores were not as clogged and my skin was so smooth like I had just exfoliated. You are suppose to drink it on an empty stomach and wait to eat for about 20-30 minutes after consuming the juice. I do Intermittent Fasting and I break my fast with celery juice around 11:30am. I juice it at home and bring it in a glass bottle to work with me. Celery juice is also great for gut health. Gut health does play a big part in the health of your skin and taking a daily probiotic is a great way to help promote good bacteria in your gut.
These next two products aren't what I consider consider "skincare" but I need to mention them because I believe since using these two products my skin has had a less blemishes and clogged pores.
Radiant Defense - I have stopped using foundation and replaced it with this magical product. It works like a CC Cream to provide you great coverage but it is actually skincare. It's ingredients help to protect your skin with SPF and antioxidants to prevent damage from environmental stress. The coverage is amazing and very build-able. I used a foundation that I used to love one day a few weeks ago and the next morning and throughout the next week I saw 5-6 pimples pop up. I have done this a few more times and every time I break out after using foundation. I love a full-coverage foundation but I just haven't found one that won't make me break out. I think a lot of my recent skin issues have been less hormones and more the makeup I was putting on my skin.
Mineral Peptides - I use this powder to set my makeup after applying Radiant Defense. It has great coverage and these two products together look better on my skin than foundation and other powders I have used in the past. I have never used a powder like this that looks so incredibly beautiful on the skin. Once my makeup is done it just looks like beautiful skin. I have received so many compliments on my makeup since starting to use these two products. I plan to do a Current Makeup Routine post soon and I will discuss these products and how I apply them in more detail but as always if you have questions now don't hesitate to send me an email {alina@theneapolitanblog.com}.
I know this was a very long post so if you are still here thank you! I hope you got some helpful information from this post. I have struggled with acne for so long. Getting rid of it then it coming back during pregnancy it really affects your self-esteem. I love that I can run out of my house without any makeup on and not feel embarrassed of that people are looking at my pimples. Try Tula, try celery juice, take a good probiotic and stay away from makeup products that will clog your pores is the best advice I can give.
I also have a link for 20% off Tula {click this link} products if you are interested in trying them out.
Thanks so much for reading!
xo, Alina
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