holy grail beauty

i've never been a beauty fanatic, but i have always been conscious of my skin. i have very sensitive skin, like many people in this world, and it is easily aggravated by certain foods, products, and combinations. it has taken decades and a few dermatologists to find quality products that work and are still cruelty free.

now of course everyone's skin is different, our days are different, and our diets are different. therefore how your skin is affected by your environment will not be the same as mine. i work in a fitness facility, eat plant based foods, and workout daily. my skin needs may not be the same as yours, so if you are struggling with acne or eczema, or rosacea, definitely seek a professionals advice.

skincare is not an area of my life that i skimp on and don't believe others should either (and i'm not talking cost of products... but that too). a large portion of keeping youthful, glowing skin includes what we put into our bodies. drinking two liters of water daily, dry brushing, minimizing processed foods, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages are all part of my skincare regimen. finding ways to minimize stress, getting 8 hours of sleep, changing out my pillowcases more often than my sheets, and using detergent that doesn't include harmful chemicals are all forms in which i've adjusted to clear my skin.

let me just give you a glimpse of the last ten years. i had stunning, clear skin all through high school, went plant based and started working out regularly and my skin went nuts. sounds strange doesn't it? the very things we think will get our skin, nails, hair glowing were sabotaging me in my twenties, in my prime, RUDE. so i took some nutrition classes, went to a dermatologist, talked with my holistic doctor and made necessary changes to clear my skin, strengthen my nails, and put shine back into my hair.

as we briefly talked about above, products aren't the only aspect that require tweaking to get clear, glowing skin. nutrients and vitamins like B12, vitamins A, C, + D, iron, and proteins to build collagen are important and necessary. eating the right foods and/ or taking proper supplements to help your body absorb nutrients or synthesize efficiently is also part of a good skincare regimen.

i'm going to keep this as simple as possible. so first here are the topical products that i have found with real ingredients. no marketing gimmick crap or chemicals that you later find out are used in nail polish remover... yes that happened to me. i won't shame the product here. but i will encourage you to look at the ingredients and ask your dermatologist about them before you buy something.

**barabara stürm is my go-to skin cleanser, exfoliant, and face mask brand. i've genuinely seen immediate results + swear by her products. there is so much information about her and her line all over the internet so feel free to check it out yourself!

hyaluronic acid hydrating serum

the inky list

barbara stürm

Vitamin C serum - be careful with vitamin C serums, some people break out from them

amara beauty

sunscreen

odylique

supergoop

lip balm

ilia is my personal favorite

drunk elephant

glossier

jade roller

i began using mine with the intention of hating it / thinking it was a scam but i;ve noticed a different in my skin since using mine consistently. the benefits of a jade roller are that it stimulates circulation, encourages lymphatic drainage, draws away toxic, and soothes inflammation. i also find it therapeutic and helps reduce stress levels.

you can find them anywhere but the one i use is Omorovicza

face masks

generation clay

barbara sturm

toners

mario badescu

i just use Thayers witch hazel which you can find at any drug store

face oil

drunk elephant

moisturizer - if you have acne prone skin, your dermatologist will likely prescribe a moisturizer for you

the ordinary

eye cream

beauty by earth

perricone md

oil for makeup removal

i use almond oil, it works wonders and is natural

dermaplaning razor

first, incase you are unaware of what derma planing is, it removes excess fine hairs which are known for trapping the dirt, oil and dead skin cells in your pores that are the main cause of acne and blemishes.

stacked skincare is what i use. there are also disposable versions that i have not tried.

in the morning:

i like to splash my face with some water first.

then apply my toner which will help get rid of any built up dirt from the night.

perricone md eye cream

barbara turm hyaluronic acid hydrating serum

the ordinary moisturizer (on occasion i skip this and use just SPF)

drink warm lemon water**

at night:

barbara stürm exfoliating facewash

barbara stürm cleanser

eye cream

medically prescribed moisturizer from my dermatologist

drink a glass of water after dinner / an hour before bed

i like to jade role in the morning while i drink my lemon water, sometimes i don't have time but lately i've been trying to use it everyday. and my facial oil is only used to remove makeup. my skin doesn't like oils, it causes under the skin breakouts for me. i use my derma planing razor on the first of every month after cleansing my skin and letting it dry.

now that we have most of the facial skincare out of the way, let's talk about body care...

i like to dry brush a couple times a week to get off dead skin and promote circulation before jumping into the shower.

my go to for body wash, scrub, + lotion is Laura Mercier. a bit pricey but definitely worth it. i have also used Le Labo but prefer Laura Mercier. for a more affordable line, i also use Love Beauty & Planet products.

so those are my products, that took me years to find. thankfully, clean beauty and cruelty free products have become a trend in the industry due to the demand, placed by consumers, for less ingredients that are easily identifiable & natural.

we are all different, we live different lives so find a really good dermatologist that you can speak with about your concerns and skin. i call my dermatologist all the time. i've sent her ingredient lists while standing in a sephora debating a product... i've also had her prescribe me a medical moisturizer when needed, which yours can offer medical based skincare if that is needed in your routine.

let's finish with some basics on nutrition and how your body builds proteins, collagen, what affects the moisture of your skin... etc. etc.

omega 3s + healthy fats.

these help moisturize and fight red, dry, or itchy skin as they appear to improve skin barrier function, sealing in moisture and keeping out irritants. therefore consuming things like hep seeds, avocados, healthy fats including some fish should be part of your diet.

minimize the alcohol and caffeine.

both dehydrate your body and thus your skin, make sure you are drinking lots of water in between!

bougie up your water! add some lemon & mint

according to physicians plan's website, lemons naturally cleanse the body, flush out toxins, and are a great digestive aid. mint is a calming and soothing herb that soothes the stomach and skin of inflammation. when combined, these ingredients provide a refreshing and hydrating drink while naturally detoxing your skin and body.

make sure you are eating the right amount of proteins combined with proper foods to build collagen.

i am not a registered dietician so i am not liable to tell you what your body needs, but i would talk to one and find out what the suggest based on your lifestyle, diet needs and restrictions.

minimize the processed foods + sugars (even natural sugars from fruits - this was affecting my skin a lot when i first became plant based)

since we all have a little more time these days why not spend a little more time loving your body and your skin? i feel like on long work days in the past i would skip some steps, or just use a toner before bed instead of washing away the day. sometime i would wait a full week to change my pillow case or forget to wipe down my phone... but with this quarantine, i've had more time to spend doing everything i know i should to take care of myself.

let me know if there are any tips, tricks, products, or foods you swear by to help with clea, glowing, youthful skin!