When I became a CNA, I began to value the use of lotion. Due to the unbelievable amount of washing of hands and use of hand sanitizer, my hands would become dry, red and cracked. But I couldn’t stop washing my hands obviously and even hand sanitizer is a necessity when you don’t have time to run to a sink after answering one call light to the next. I realized the value of skincare because seeing the older generation that took care of their skin versus those who didn’t…there is a big difference.

So today I’m going to talk about my skincare routine and products I use everyday or every week if needed.

The product I’ve been using the longest is my Clinique 3-Step Facial Routine Dry Combination. It’s so simple and fast, and the reasons I love Clinique are because they are cheaper in the higher end department; no added fragrance that makes me get a headache (or gives anyone else a headache for that matter), and since my skin is dry, it’s just perfect. The facial soap goes a long way with one drop and I love how soft it makes my skin. The clarifying lotion is amazing and comes in such a big bottle that it’s usually the last product I run out of, and the lotion is a must for me! It’s usually the one I run out of first because two pumps 1-2 times a day doesn’t get very far with my dry skin.

I recently bought the Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser by Clinique after using Cetaphil for a while but realized that it really didn’t contain anything else but Parabens. I thought it was working, but it was only clogging my pores, so I ended up pouring it down the drain. 10 dollars wasted. I don’t use the cleanser everyday, I usually only use it at night after a long and gross day at work or after I wear a full face of makeup (which is not very often) all day at school. I just add it with my normal skincare routine, but my 3-Step system is an everyday must. Plus, the cleanser, like the soap, last forever because you literally just need a dot of product!

Another facial product I bought about a while back is My Scheming Blackhead Acne Removal Carbon 3 Step Mask. I don’t use this very often, but I’m sure it would be more effective if I did. I really like this product though. It’s from Taiwan and I’m not sure of all the ingredients it holds, but it really does work (if you follow the three steps correctly!). I love pulling off the charcoal mask and seeing all the gross stuff coming out of my pores. it’s so freaking satisfying and my skin feels so clean…just thinking about it makes me want to go and use it right now.

The next step in my skin care routine is the most amazing body lotion ever. Honest Ultra Calming Lavender Body Lotion. I use it every night and it’s just a relaxing and moisturizing lotion that leaves my hands and arms feeling so soft! I can only find it in the baby section at Target, but it’s only in that section because it’s such a safe and gentle lotion.

I recently bought the SheaMoisture Superfruit Complex Hand and Body Scrub that I just love. I use it every week, if not a couple of times a week, and then put on my lavender lotion after. The only thing is that I might go with a different SheaMoisture Hand and Body Scrub due to the fruity scent the one I have holds. It’s okay because it’s all natural, but I like to have as much of a subtle smell as possible and it just draws too much attention sometimes.

Another rather random thing I do is I use the Elf Lip Exfoliator. It’s really cheap at like a couple dollar or so and it really does work. You just wipe it across your lips a couple of times and the sugar comes off the stick and smooths out your lips. After which I apply my EOS chapstick. I think though that I may try to make my own sugar lip scrub with sugar and honey seeing as the Lip Exfoliator isn’t much other then sugar on a stick, but I actually don’t have honey at the moment…so I’ll just stick with this 😉