The new year always brings the inspiration and/or pressure for resolutions and refreshes. In my four decades of life, I don’t think I’ve ever stuck with a resolution past the spring season. Old habits die hard as they say.
What I do know though is that I have changed a lot over the last few years not because of a resolution I’ve stuck with but more related to my strict conviction to stick with something that works (despite implementation at year end vs. new year). And so if you’re into skincare/wellness beauty resolutions, I am here to suggest starting with two small changes to your routines that will push past springtime - face cleansing and oils.
I have never really suffered from serious acne. I wasn’t a teen on Accutane nor have I needed laser resurfacing from acne scarring. However, I am a compulsive picker at the few that do emerge. And so I have lived most of my youth terrified of anything that hydrates your skin; I developed a phobia and causation belief that moisture meant pimples. Dry meant nothing can “grow.” I equated pimples to plants well into my early 30s. When I entered the beauty industry, I was hired for my operational skills over my ten step routines / love for products like most beauty editors / junkies. However, after being exposed to natural products and aging skin, I couldn’t help but force myself to try an oil. Let’s just say my skin has changed miraculously since I’ve adopted oil usage. It drinks it up in a way that can’t be beat. And while I still have the occasional blemish, it is not at an added frequency from before (I would argue much less actually). The oil I attribute to my conversion to hydrated skin at all times was Furtuna’s Biphase oil. Another favorite of mine (the smell is to die for), is De Mamiel’s Phyto-P Elixir. If you live in warmer climates or want a summer oil, I highly recommend Biography’s Long June (pictured here below). It’s a dry oil, so you don’t leave a/c and watch your face oil meld with sweat. And finally, if you have drier skin or are in more arid climates, this oil from JULISIS is worth every dollar.
My next perma-change I have made is that I have stopped washing my face in the AM - except when it’s exceptionally hot outside or I’ve completed a morning workout. Trust my lymphatic drainage expert Andrea at Sommetbeauty to teach me what I need to do best from gut to glam. I, like many of you perhaps, grew up with the fresh face of the Noxzema girl and thought dry and tight was the only way to cleanse - multiple times a day I might add. But I’ve become wiser with age and experience, and I’ve learned that overnight, all the amazing serums, oils and balms you apply do their thing and the skin’s natural sebum and microbiome activate so facing the new day and the impurities of urban living is easier with your natural defense. Why would you want to wash it off first thing? So I invest in double cleansing every evening. My favorites include the following:
De Mamiel’s Restorative Cleansing Balm (pictured above)
Furtuna’s cleansing balm
Julisis crystal quartz cleanser
I also love One Love Organics Enzymatic oil cleanser for both the price, the smell, and the exfoliating effect. Yes, you heard me right, enzymatic oils exfoliate without over stripping your skin!
So, if you’re in a resolutions mood, I highly encourage you to adopt oils and night double cleansing and you’ll be well on your way to keeping them year round (in addition to gaining back crucial minutes every AM if you’ve been a morning face washer as well).