VIDEO | 2020 Winter Skincare Routine for Dry, Sensitive Skin

My skin always needs the most TLC in the winter. My skin has been sensitive and on the dry side for a number of years now and has only gotten more fickle since pregnancy and postpartum with my first babe, Theo.

Not to worry though, I have found a handful of products that are my go-to’s for 2020.

And for fun in this video, I decided to include the few body care products I’ve been using as of late.

I keep my skincare routine simple in the morning since I’m really just rinsing off any product from the previous night’s routine and then use a few more products in the evening so they have time to work their magic and sink in while I sleep.

I also take you through the different masks and treatments I like to use. But obviously these are everyday things so it would be difficult to show them in action for this video.

Enjoy,

Victoria

Having a 10-step Skincare Routine As a Vegan Trying To Create Less Waste

I know, I know. I’ve been talking a lot about skincare lately, but I feel like I have finally started to crack the code on what my skin needs.

And that is more attention and moisture. But this doesn’t mean I have to sacrifice trying to create less waste and being vegan. There are a TON of products that fall under neither of these categories, and that makes the decision making process that much easier.

I’m not here to claim I’m some perfect vegan, zero-waste, minimalist saint. Ha! I’m not. And to be honest I find a lot of judgement and negativity in theses different communities if you’re not “perfect".

Accept the fact you’re not going to perfect, you’re going to make mistakes and unfortunately people are going to call you out along the way (well, maybe not if you don’t post your adventures online).

Here’s the process I try to go through when finding new products:

+ do I need it?

+ can I make it myself, or is it something I already have?

+ can I get it in a recyclable, or better yet, reusable container?

+ what are the ingredients?

+ was it tested on animals?

And here’s how you can make a more step-heavy skincare regimen as vegan and zero waste as possible.

If you can get products that are multifunctional that’s a great place to start. For example I’m currently using primrose oil for three of the “steps”. 

     Step 1, 9 + 10 — I use primrose oil at the beginning if I need to remove mascara or makeup, which isn’t often, then I use it as the very last step to add extra moisture to everything. 

     Step 2 — I’m going to be trying out Dr. Bronner’s Soap when I use the last few bits of a Pacifica cleanser (it came in a plastic bottle, but was vegan)

     Step 3 — I use baking soda or coffee grounds for exfoliators. 

     Step 4 — I use masks from lush, where they have a reward recycling program for the containers. 

     Step 5 + 6 Aren’t zero-waste because they came in plastic, but in the future I could make them, or find an option not in plastic

     Step 7 — The next serum I’m getting comes in a glass bottle

     Step 8 — I don’t currently have an eye cream, but if I do get another one I will first look into making it myself.

A post that inspired this thought process was Zero Waste 10 Step Korean Skincare Routine from the blog, Paris to Go. If you want some real skincare inspiration go read that post. 

And while some people may think to be a minimalist you have to just keep your skincare to a cold splash of water on your face once a day, I know most women need more than that. Especially in the winter. 

And to be honest you can make all of your skincare products at home, but this combination of products has been working out really well for me. 

To end, don’t forget that staying hydrated, nourished through diet, and the importance of elements like sleep and exercise all have on your skin. 

So get out there and radiate my friends!

My Not So Minimal Skincare Routine

So my skincare was pretty basic the last time I update you guys. 

It consisted of:

+ Pacifica Sea Foam complete face wash (use at night)

+ Acure CGF repair serum (one pump in the morning, two at night)

+ Alaffia Day Cream (morning and night)

+ Amara Organics Aloe Vera Gel (morning and night)

But it wasn’t quite cutting it this winter. My skin was dehydrated, crying out for more moisture, and I was struggling with how to give it what it needed. 

Then one of my best friends started talking about how she had been looking into the whole Korean skincare craze. 

It seemed like a lot, and I’m all about less is more. But I was intrigued. Very intrigued. 

So, I started looking into it for myself. And the main thing that came across for me was the focus on nourishing your skin, about getting the moisture back in your skin. Eureka! I thought, exactly what I was looking for. And I must admit I was green with envy by all the dewy skinned girls sharing their 10 step routines on YouTube. 

The ten steps include:

One — oil cleanser 

Two — water-based cleanser 

Three — exfoliator 

Four — toner 

Five — essence

Six — serum 

Seven — mask

Eight — Eye Cream 

Nine — moisturizer 

Ten — SPF or overnight mask

I took a look at what products I already had, that I liked, and really thought through how I wanted to go about it. 

I realized I could nix the first step for now because I don’t wear anywhere as much makeup needed to need a double cleanse. I do eventually want to get one, but I was trying to not kill my bank account or overwhelm my skin at first. 

My Pacifica cleanser counted for Step Two. 

I’ve always struggled with finding an exfoliator I like, so while I research to find the perfect one I’ve stuck to baking soda or coffee grounds to exfoliate a few times a week. 

Steps four and five were what I was most excited about. I haven’t used a toner for years (beyond apple cider vinegar) because I find astringents to be too harsh for my skin. After a lot of research and a lot of reviews read I settled on these two: 

+ Son & Park Beauty Water (toner) 

+ Missha Time Revolution (essence)  

And I must say I love these two products. Plus, if I’m feeling a little extra parched like I did when I first came home from Bali I’ll put a few layers of each on for extra hydration. 

I actually just finished up my Acure CGF repair serum, which I’ll be replacing with Klairs’ Vitamin C Serum. 

While the dewy skin I saw girls reveal after using a sheet mask was almost mouth watering (I’m a total dewy/hydrated skin addict) I didn’t like the amount of waste that was produced with the single use sheet masks. 

Instead I have been using and loving two masks from Lush over the past few months. The Rosy Cheeks mask for irritated skin, and the Oatfix mask when I need that hydration. But I am going to look into making my own DIY reusable sheet masks from muslin this month so stay tuned for that. 

For step eight, my Kiehls eye cream has served me well, but is getting to the end of it’s life so I’ll have to look into a replacement for that one. 

My Alaffia day cream moisturizer worked for step nine. 

And finally SPF. I got a sensitive skin SPF 50 from Neutrogena for my trip, but that leaves a white cast on my face so I’m looking for a sunscreen that isn’t full of terrible ingredients. 

Oh, and you better believe I’m intrigued by the hydrating overnight masks. I have a couple I’ve got my eye on, but for now I’ve just been taking a tiny dime sized amount of primrose oil and patting that on my face to soak in while I sleep. 

So, this sounds like a lot, but is it worth it? 

You bet your sweet behind I think it is. My skin has done a complete turn around from where it was before. 

And while I give a lot of credit to slashing my addiction to sugar, I also can tell the difference that just giving some extra love (and moisture) has done for my skin. It has been looking fan-freakin-tastic. 

But while what we put on our skin is important, I’ve also been focusing on staying hydrated with good old water, as well as keeping my diet full of nutritious, delicious whole foods. 

Phew, lots of info, I know. Share your favorite beauty products, whether you’ve tried the Korean skincare routine and what other skin tips you have below. 

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