When I started on this post, I realized that it has been a year exactly since I have done any of the hair or skin diary posts. That officially proves that I have done nothing for my skin or hair in 2016. So, I guess it is a good start to this year with a skin diary post. I have been more or less pretty diligent for the last two months in my skin care and there are a lot of insights to share. So, let me begin.
Sunscreen helps with Blemishes
If you have been a regular reader on the blog for the past few months, you would know that my skin faced a major bad phase last quarter. After that I have been pretty diligent with sunscreen and I have noticed that there is a remarkable reduction in tanning and blemishes on my skin. So, you want to get rid of blemishes or dark spots, sunscreen is the way to go! And, give it time. It might take a month or more to show results depending on your skin type and damage levels.
Also, another tip – combine your sunscreen with a vitamin C serum and your skin is on your way to health.
Importance of Cleansing
Now that we have our sunscreens, it is important to note that a face wash is NOT enough to remove it. You MUST cleanse your skin daily. Oils, cleansing milks and cleansing balms are the best methods to remove sunscreen residue. Deep cleansing is one of the ways to remove dark spots and blemishes and give your skin a little TLC. The massage which goes helps remove the toxins and fluids from the skin.
Also, face wash plays a major role in how your skin behaves. A bad face wash can lead to breakouts, blemishes, dark spots and what not! Where as a good face wash can keep all these problems at bay. So, be wise and choose your face wash carefully. Massage your face wash to breakdown the impurities on the skin and wash it off with warm water. Follow with a cool water rinse or splash to finish off.
It is not the Products but Skin Care Routine which Matters
I have used quite a lot of new products in these past two months in the name of research, reviews, whims and fancies and what not! Bought loads of stuff as well and my stash is again so full of products. So, my skin has been getting a good dose of all kinds of things all around. But, I have noticed that my skin is actually doing pretty well. In fact, it has never looked better.
Keep your basic skin care routine simple and do not mess up with that. A basic routine helps keep everything in check and makes it easy to find out which product is causing issues just in case you change any product.
Dry Lips can enhance Face Dryness
If you are not taking good care of your lips, beware that your face skin might also feel stretchy. I have noticed this countless number of times by now. Especially the area near my mouth. So, next time, your face feels stretchy, reach for your lip balm first and see how it feels.
Hand Care
Omg, you have no idea how much of moisturizer my hands are drinking up, literally! The amount of time I spending typing these days is making my hands crazy dry and then it is winters. But, continuous application of moisturizer or hand cream is extremely important for hands. Do not skimp on that.
So, let me share which products I used in the past one to one and half month.
Products Used
Face Wash – Liquid Neutrogena (Buy Here)
Morning Moisturizer – Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Serum (Buy Here)
Lip Balm – Maybelline Candy Wow (Buy Here)
Body Moisturizer – Kama Ayurveda Kokum & Almond Body Butter (Buy Here)
Sunscreen – Avene Dry Touch Emulsion (Buy Here)
Makeup Remover – Herbs & More Cleansing Milk + Lotus LemonPure (Buy Here)
Toner – Vichy Eau Thermale (Buy Here)
Night Treatment – Estee Lauder ANR (Buy Here)
Facial Kits – Inveda Passion Fruit + Inveda Dragon Fruit
So, this was my indulgence this last year. And, as you can see, I have tried out loads of new products but still my skin is doing great and I have no complaints at all. Hopefully, the next month’s skin diary would be even more simpler with less products in the list.
So, what do you say? How do you maintain your skin care routine? Which all products have you fallen in love with?
Loved the post Swati. I love cleansing oils. Vichy aqualia thermal gel has been one of my loved product. I love Neutrogena face wash too. I recommend trying pixi glow mud cleanser and glow tonic. I’m sure you will love these.
Ash
Instagram: ms_tantrum
hi Ash! wow…thank you for the recommendation. unfortunately the brand is not available here but I will keep a lookout on cultbeauty for deals.
Amazing list….and great compilation of products. I would def try these in days to come…bookmarking your post. I like the way you are so basic with your routine.
hi Megha. thank you so much. please do use the products and let me know how they work for you 🙂
Loved reading your routine. Few of them are my favorites too like Avene sunscreen, Kama Ayurveda Body Butter and St.Ives Moisturizer. And to share some of my current favorites, its Iraya Kumkumadi balm, Auravedic Anti-Blemish Face Mask and Kaya Purifying Toner. Would recommend these 🙂
Btw, can you do a review on Estee Lauder ANR and whether its worth the price or not…
hey Archana. thanks for the recos. definitely will try them out. I am looking at the kumkumadi oil 🙂 just today I read on bhumika’s blog about some of the different andaffordable kumkumadi facial oils and I am so looking forward to trying them. have to finish my stash before I go ahead though 😀 I have this huge huge haul from ooty recently….all amazing oils so can’t wait to try them out. btw, any serum recommendation. want something for the day time! and, yes, regd. ANR, I am gonna review it soon enough but for the starters, amazing! absolutely a classic and worth it. but, yes, its very expensive. try getting the travel size bottle, I have linked it in the post. its probably 4k or less.
Products don’t work on skin but a good skincare routine does. True that!
thanks Mariyam 🙂 didn’t exactly meant that products don’t work but yeah with a good skin care routine and great products, it is a double benefit for skin but average products and good skin care routine also takes good care of skin.
HI Vani,
I see all your articles to be genuine and very helpful to people, thanks a lot for the effort you pour into the articles.
My skin tone is brownish in color & oily, Lately my skin tone is getting very dry,looking old and i can see the scales on my skin and the skin is becoming uneven toned with deep pigmentation at some places. Till now i just simply use Nivea face wash and go out, sometimes i use lotion.
I guess hard water and sun has taken a toll on my skin as you mentioned in one of the articles.
It’s high time i do something for my skin also.
Can you please please please suggest some routine that i can use.I have zero knowledge on cleanser,lotion day cream, night cream,etc the routine that people blog about.
or else please do point me to good genuine dermatologist in hyderabad, that would be of great help to me.
hi. this is Swathy and not Vani. please have a look at this post:
https://swathyandsky.com/2015/04/5-steps-to-get-fairer-skin-five-series.html
also, in a few days, I am posting just on this topic so please keep a look out. it is not easy to explain it all in a comment. it needs you to develop a basic skin care routine. I shall get back to you!
the above article has been really helpful!. Thanks ma’m for your response.