"Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick." - Gwyneth Paltrow
When it comes to my definition of beauty, Gwyneth really took the words out of my mouth -- for obvious reasons (as you may have noticed) I've got a healthy (?) obsession with red lipstick. What you might not know is that I'm pretty particular about taking care of my skin. I'm the most confident when I have a clear complexion -- so choosing the right products is important, especially with all your skin goes through in the summer! After a lot of trial and error (I've suffered from a lot of skin issues in my day) these products have stood apart from the rest. Here's a look at my everyday beauty routine!
Choosing the right products
As someone who struggled with my skin for years, I continued to use breakout-fighting products containing harsh ingredients like benzoyl peroxide from high school throughout my early twenties. My dermatologist then told me these were actually making my skin worse, because they were too drying and not made for adult skin. A mild product like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a much better choice. I use it with my Clarisonic, and love that it removes my makeup and cleans my face with no drying. It has made a world of difference! I finish off with a combination of Cetaphil DailyAdvance Lotion and Josie Maran Argon Oil. Being a girl who loves to spend summer days at the beach and pool, I lean on these products to keep my skin smooth and hydrated.
The great thing about Cetaphil (aside from the fact that it's non-irritating) is that it's great at removing makeup, too! No need to use makeup remover prior to washing your face. Just wash once and you're good to go.
To wash my face, I use my Cetaphil cleanser with my favorite beauty product of all time-- the Clarisonic. This little buddy has totally changed my life. Each time you use it, you feel like you've gotten a mini-facial! It's drastically improved my skin's tone and goes a long way in keeping it clear. They're definitely spendy, but worth every penny. I could notice the difference in just a few days.
A great feature is the built-in timer -- it tells you when to move to a different area of your face, ensuring an even clean! Start with your forehead, followed by your chin -- each for 20 seconds. Finish with your cheeks and side of your face, each for 10 seconds.
After skin is squeaky clean, apply a few drops (a little goes a long way!) of Josie Maran Argan Oil. I know it seems a little counter-intuitive to put oil on your face, but this formula is especially helpful in combatting several dermatologic woes -- especially dry skin, and even acne!
I apply a very thin layer of the Argan Oil all over on my face, concentrating on my forehead and the sides of my nose, where my skin is prone to get dry. This stuff comes in especially handy to sooth skin if you’ve gotten a little too much sun.
Finish with a non-comedogenic lotion. Since I have dry, sensitive skin, I love Cetaphil's DailyAdvance formula. It's the perfect amount of hydration and never leaves my skin feeling greasy.
Voila -- a fresh, clean face! Just a few simple steps, and now you're done! One more little detail not to be overlooked: A lightweight bathrobe is an absolute essential for my "getting ready" routine. I got my floral pink one from this adorable Etsy shop -- we purchased a set for my cousin's wedding (only $30 each!) The lightweight silk material is perfect for the summer, and keeps you cool even under the heat of your blow-dryer and curling iron.
What are your secrets to a great skincare routine? Find more inspiration on StyleList.com!
This is a collaboration between Cetaphil and the AOL Lifestyle Contributor Network. Compensation was provided by Cetaphil via AOL Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Cetaphil.
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