"Shea Butter Baby" Glow

I didn't realize that I had good skin until I got to college, and people started complimenting me on it. All I ever did was use any Clean and Clear face wash and Sea Breeze for astringent. No moisturizer or anything. But it was at that same time that I realized my skin routine was trash. Moving from Alabama to Tennessee, the water quality changed drastically (and for the worse). Tennessee has extremely hard water, which basically means that it has a high mineral content, whereas soft water does not. And let me tell you, this water took a heavy toll on my skin (and hair, but thats for another post). Having never used any sort of moisturizer on my skin, I started developing several dry, flaky patches on my face and the rest of my body because the water was making my skin extra dry.

At the end of my sophomore year, I went to a Sephora and they did a test on my skin that tells the percentage of moisture it contains. And my number was 17......out of 100. All my life I thought I had oily skin, but I learned that I really have dry skin, and my body just produces extra oils because it's so dry and isn't receiving any moisture from the outside! I quickly realized that I needed to change my skin routine. Fast forward to now, I have found one that works perfectly for me.

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1. Makeup Remover

One mistake that a lot of us women make is that we think we can just slap some cleanser on a face caked with makeup to remove it. FALSE *in my Dwight K. Schrute voice*! In order for any face wash/cleanser to work effectively, it has to have as much direct contact with the skin as possible. With a layer (or a couple of layers) of makeup on, this cannot happen. Using a really good makeup remover will increase the efficiency of your cleanser. I use the Equate Beauty Makeup Remover Cleansing Towlettes. If you don't know what Equate is, it's the Walmart Brand (these are really good makeup remover wipes for half the price).

2. Cleanser

If you don't have on any makeup, you can skip straight to this step of the routine. The type of cleanser you use is going to depend on the type of skin you have. I have severely dry alligator skin, which is also very sensitive. Therefore, the amount of products that I can use on my face is limited. I took the Neutrogena skin quiz, which gave me the proper products to use for my facial routine. For cleanser, it suggested that I use the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control MicroClear Power-Cream Wash (a mouthfull, I know). As a Biology major and a medical student, I experience extreme amounts of stress, which is why this cleanser works perfectly for me.

3. Toner

For toner, I use the good, old-fashioned Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel. I had my doubts about this stuff at first, I must admit. I was using it as my sole toner beforehand, and it didn't do the job I was expecting it to do. However, when I use it in combination with my treatment pads, it works wonders. I found that when I only use the treatment pads, my acne isn't super bad, but my skin tone and pores look atrocious. The Witch Hazel helps to even out my skin tone and minimize my pores.

4. Treatment

Even though the Witch Hazel is necessary for getting rid of any excess dirt and oil that was left on my skin after cleansing, it doesn't help a lot with acne control. For that job, I use the Neutrogena Rapid Clear Treatment Pads (which is the second product the skin quiz suggested). This is the key product that helps control my acne breakouts. The cleanser helps with stress breakouts, but the treatment pads help with those caused by dirt, oil, and anything else that may attack my sensitive skin.

5. Moisturizer

For moisturizer, I use two different products: one for the morning and one for the night. In the morning, I use the Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin (the third product suggested by the skin quiz). This is a very lightweight, yet very moisturizing product. It's perfect for the daytime because it doesn't cause my face to get super shiny throughout the day. At night time, I use the OKAY Shea Butter. This product is perfect for night time because that's when the body rejuvenates itself, including the skin. Having a thin layer of Shea Butter on your face while you sleep allows your skin to soak up all that moisture and repair any scars or uneven skin tone (which we know Shea Butter is known for).

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This is my basic routine, and all of the products mentioned cost less than $9 each, some cost less than $5. So that "Shea Butter Baby" glow (thank you Ari Lennox) doesn't have to come at an extreme cost! Now this routine may not work well for my oily-skinned girls, but it may work for those with combination skin. If this routine doesn't necessarily work you, I encourage you to try out products and do your research until you find what's best for you! Try out this routine, and let me know how it works for you down in the comments! And don't forget to like and share with everyone you know!

~ #DrBae