Rashida- Rashida
The One Where Rashida Discovers Adult Skincare
2020 was the year of discovering adult skincare for me. I spent most of the year perfecting my skincare routine. Figuring out which products to use together and what time of day. As a 31-year-old woman, I know I'm extremely late to this game. In January 2020 I decided I wanted to start wearing actual make-up and using actual adult skincare products. No more Clearasil or Clean and Clear pads. No more harsh face scrubs. Yes. Embarrassingly so, I was still adhering to a very early 20’s routine. What truly sparked this catapult into adulthood was the fact that I had very bad acne during my pregnancy with P and all those harsh chemicals were a no-go. Thus began an obsession with skincare! It started as just a way to help with the acne and quickly spiraled into an all-out obsession. I experimented with face washes and moisturizers and before I knew it I was a double cleansing, coconut oil, serum wearing queen. I have a few friends who have been in the skincare game for a bit so I peppered them with all of my questions.
It took some time and I'll be honest some money, but I’ve finally landed on a skincare routine that is really working for me. I'm excited to share some of my faves with you.
Let's do this!
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AM Routine and Products:
I’m a morning showerer so typically wash my face with Cetaphil face wash while I’m in there.
Once my skin is dry from the shower I apply The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% -This is my acne fighter. According to their website it "brightens the skin tone while visibly improving the evenness of skin texture and reducing the look of blemishes."
I alternate between The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 every other day or so. The Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% reduces the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion and the Hyaluronic Acid helps keep your skin hydrated.
For moisturizer, depending on if I'm going to be applying make-up or not I alternate between two moisturizing SPFs. If I'm going to wear makeup I go with Suntique I’m Pure Cica Suncream, Sunscreen For Sensitive Skin, SPF 50+ because it's light so I don't feel like I'm caking makeup on top of it. It doesn't have a white cast either. If I'm hanging out at home I use Cetaphil Facial Moisturizer - SPF 50+. It's a little heavier and has a bit of a white cast that goes away after 20 minutes or so.
PM Routine and Products:
If I'd had makeup on that day I first remove my eye makeup using Sephora's Waterproof Makeup Remover. It's amazing and does a great job of getting my makeup off without drying out my face.
I then double cleanse (my new favorite activity) using The INKEY List Oat Cleansing Balm and then Cetaphil.
If I wasn't wearing makeup, I take the lazy mom's way out and I simply use a Cetaphil Cleansing Bar with water on a towel. I don't know why I feel like the actual act of drenching my face adds so much time to my routine so I only do it when I need to take makeup off.
Whatever the cleaning method was I then apply another round of The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% and then their Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA. The Alpha Arbutin reduces the looks of spots and hyper-pigmentation and also has Hyaluronic Acid.
My night moisturizer is a weeeee bit on the crunchy side. At the recommendation of one of my best friends, I simply just put coconut oil on my face. Yep. Straight up coconut oil
An honorable mention is Tacha Water Cream. Prior to the coconut oil discovery, this was my go-to moisturizer, It's light but super hydrating. It's also a bit on the pricey side, which is why I don't use it as much as coconut oil.
I'm sure my skin will continue to change as I move through postpartum for now, the above has been keeping my skin looking not like the tired AF mom of two that I am.
What are some of your favorite skincare products?
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