The Perfect Skincare Routine For You.
My skincare routine saved my skin while improving my mental health & my self esteem!
That’s why, I’m here to tell you that it’s NOT vain to want clear & healthy skin.
I think deep down, we as human beings know that when our skin is unhealthy, it’s a reflection of something being wrong within our bodies.
Mostly, I’m talking about our physical health when I say that. However, the chemicals produced as a result of stress, anxiety & depression affect us physically– just as much as mentally!
And also?
Mental health IS physical health.
In a sense.
I tried It All.
As a teenager, my breakouts and skin health weren’t really a concern of mine. I’d say it really wasn’t until my early to mid-20s that it became a focal point for me.
Correction: When I was 17 and on birth control, my acne got so bad that my boyfriend’s mom actually gave me all of her Proactiv Products lol. So, I guess I did have some experience with acne problems in my teen years. But my point is, I didn’t feel the pressing urgency to do something about it until my early to mid 20s.
Now, I do tend to have some OCD tendencies. This was especially true back then.
So, of course, once I got it in my head that I wanted clear, healthy, blemish free skin? I was on a mother flipping mission.
My mission being this: I wanted skin I could show off without any makeup- and still feel absolutely beautiful and radiant.
…Needless to say, I tried it all.
From Proactiv, to Clearasil, to Curology, to Birth Control… to scrubbing my face with Raw Honey & Baking Soda, and toning it with Apple Cider Vinegar.. (that last one actually worked REALLY WELL. But only for a time.)
However, the solution I was seeking finally came in 10 simple (okay, maybe not so simple) steps.
And it’s still the routine I follow to this very day, 4 years later.
The 10-Step Answer To My Skin Problems.
So, in case you haven’t heard- there are a lot of women (and men) using something known as the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine. At first, I was like “10 steps? Do we really have to make this more complicated than it already is?”
But guess what?
I actually like it.
For me, it’s a self care ritual. It’s a display and enactment of self love & self respect.
In layman’s terms? It’s freaking awesome. And it’s helped make me get the healthy, moisturized, clear skin I was seeking!
So, without further ado.
Here are the steps I found to work best for me, along with the products I use:
(Psst… Another important tip I learned in my quest for healthy, happy skin. Always check your beauty products on the CosDNA website. But, more on that later.)
Mae’s 10-Step Skin Ritual (Nighttime Edition)
1. Massage this hemp oil all over face.
2. Cover face with hot wash cloth, while gently massaging, for 10-30 sec.
3. Massage InstaNatural Glycolic Face Wash all over neck, face & eye area. But don’t wash it off yet.
4. Continue to massage the face wash, but now using a vibrating silicone facial brush. (THIS ONE IS AWESOME.)
5. Now that you’re out of the shower, spray face & neck with this Organic Rosewater Spray by SkyOrganics, and allow to air dry. (Air drying lets your skin absorb the water & moisture leftover from the shower.)
6. On exfoliating nights (which is only once a week) this is where I will use a Dermaplaning Razor (Tinkle Brand is THE best.) & Microneedling Roller (This is the exact one I use).
7. Massage and lightly pat on Eva Naturals Skin Clearing Serum.
8. Again, massage and lightly pat on this perfectly non greasy yet lightly moisturizing Azure Hemp & Aloe Gel.
9. Massage & pat this lifesaving Mustela Moisturizing Cream all over face and neck. This saved my life when I was suffering from eczema breakouts this past winter!!!
10. Massage & pat Pure Argan Oil all over face.
That’s it! Now, moisturize the rest of your body. Because your skin is the largest organ on your body- and it deserves the utmost care & attention!
Exfoliation Nights: Dermaplane followed by Microneedling. Don’t do this step until the acne/breakouts are gone. This is more for helping with any hyperpigmentation and scarring left behind.
Now About That CosDNA Website.
(Side note: Wasn’t Encanto just adorable? Okay back on topic.)
Before you put anything on your hair, skin or face- I highly recommend checking it out on the CosDNA website first! You can either type the product name into the search field, or you can type (or copy & paste, preferably) the ingredients into the relevant field.
Now here’s the key. If ANY ingredients are higher than a 2 (I’m talking 3 & up) it’s very possible it could get stuck in your pores, clog them, and result in pimples, blackheads and the like.
I decided a long time ago, if anything I’m putting on my skin or hair has even one ingredient with a rating of 3 or higher- I’m not buying it. If I already have it, then it’s going back to the store, getting thrown in the trash, or being given to someone with less blemish prone skin than myself.
One Last Tip. …It’s Important!
Okay so, while yes it’s important to ensure that we’re putting quality, health promoting products on our skin. It’s equally, if not even more, important that we put healthy foods & drinks INTO our body as well!
Because guess what?
The stuff we put into our body internally, has an effect on our external health as well.
That’s why eating healthy, whole, unprocessed foods- and drinking enough water, is SO vitally important. To say the least.
Here’s what I tell my clients. Aim to eat healthy, whole, unprocessed foods about 80% of the time. Drink a MINIMUM of 8 glasses of water daily. Although, I do recommend drinking more than just 64 fl ounces a day (click here to read more).
My subscribers get all the best tips, tools & deals, so don’t forget to subscribe to the Nanala Cove newsletter! 🙂
1 thought on “The Perfect Skincare Routine In 10 Easy Steps: Plus, The Best Products For You (On Amazon!)”