Seasonal Allergies Challenge
Spring is always a challenging season for my skin due to my seasonal allergies. They hit me hard every year, making my skin extra sensitive. I have to adjust my skincare routine to give it some extra tender love and care.
Sensitive Skin Needs TLC
During spring, I gravitate towards products that provide relief and make my skin feel good. However, the main goal of my morning skincare routine is always protection. I start by rinsing my skin with water, as my skin doesn’t usually need a cleanser in the morning.
New Favorite Vitamin C Serum
The pillar of my morning routine is my vitamin C serum. I’ve recently discovered a new favorite ascorbic acid serum called Future Focus Vitamin C Serum. Developed by a cosmetic formulator named Steven, this water-based ascorbic acid treatment is supported by ferulic acid, glutathione, and amino acids.
It’s lightly hydrating and has a very lightweight texture that simply disappears into the skin upon application.
Ascorbic Acid Serum Benefits
And yes, this does have that hot dog smell because it’s ascorbic acid. But what I appreciate the most about this and what makes it stand out above the others is just the airtight packaging. If you’re familiar with the Milano CC packaging and how genius that is, this is probably even better. This will dispense droplet by droplet and nothing can go back inside the tube. So you can literally put this under running water to clean it and nothing will go back inside. I’ve never seen any one of these turn color or even slightly oxidized. It’s simple, but just adds so much longevity to a formula that is notoriously unstable.
Frequency of Use
A quick fix for the days when my skin just feels too sensitive for this ascorbic acid serums do have a reservoir effect, so it’s okay if you don’t use it every single day. Sometimes I just use it every other day or sometimes even three to four times a week. I’ve also buffered this, used it as a booster with my moisturizer.
Texture and Effectiveness
The next step with my Essence, just from the texture itself, it’s got that bouncy cushiony quality to it. So when I apply it, it just brings my skin so much soothing and calm and comfort. It’s got some of the most powerful TCM ingredients for that, including 62 black jinang grot extract in its most potent form. I also love the instant skin plumping effect; it gives so much volume and the hydration is long-lasting.
Calming Serum
So this step after hydration serves a couple of purposes. I need a light, lipid layer. I also want something just extra calming and soothing for my irritated skin during this time, but also I want to prep my skin for something relatively new in my routine.
As of last year, but it really has become quite necessary so, depending on how my skin feels I will use either one of these calming serums. If my skin is feeling really sensitive, then I will most likely use neon modulating glucosides, and the way this has worked for me is the more I use it. The less sensitive my skin becomes.
This has also been great for post-treatment. This has been a longtime favorite. For me, the ordinary came out with something similar, the soothing and barrier support serum, which is pepto, bismo pink. I personally reach for the modulating glucosides more as a formula. I appreciate just how much more complex this is, and also this is just full of powerful antioxidants, which I always want more of in my morning routine.
Lightweight Calming Oil Serum
I’ve been using the super lightweight calming oil serum from Provance Beauty, their Alphabet Elixir for right now. This is kind of the perfect oil serum for me, because an oil serum always gives my skin a lot of comfort, especially during times of sensitivity. This one, in particular, is very calming, but also remarkably lightweight in texture as well, which is great, especially if you want to use it with devices, but also if you want that really light lipid layer that just adds a bit.
The Thin Formula
This formula is so thin that I actually apply it on my Palms, so it doesnt run through my fingers. I just use a few drops and I press it into my skin with my Palms. It just lets me luxuriate in the scent, and I feel, like everything is just getting pressed deeply into my skin. I think anyone from dry to oily skin would be happy with this. This has 1 of bakuchiol in it its got a derivative of vitamin B5, which is super hydrating. Its also got a vitamin C derivative, THD ascorbate, which is great for brightening, the skin and theres. Also vitamin E. This also has a base blend of the dry oils, which is why it just sits so weightlessly and unnoticeably on the skin, but I have to admit probably my favorite thing about this – is the blue tanzy. I just love how calming it is, how calming it feels on my skin, but also just even the scent itself instantly soothes, my soul.
The Puffy Face
This step has recently become quite necessary for me, but its one that I actually really enjoy and look forward to, but also I started waking up in the mornings to a really puffy face. It makes me think of a scene from Real Housewives of New York that lives in my head. Red free was when Sonia Morgan in the morning filled a bay with ice and just stuck her face in there. I kind of get it now.
Puffy Face Solutions
What has really helped me with the puffy face is from LampL skin their Mammy, hot and cold Beauty device. It really feels so good and therapeutic, so this combines a whole bunch of different Technologies and three Cycles. In fact, it is really similar to the solar wave. The difference and the reason why I reach for this more is all in the ergonomics of it theres something in the way this is designed just even the size of it, the curvature how it feels on the skin. It is just addictive, even when this is not turned on and Im just doing this alone.
Ergonomic Design
It feels so nice. It is perfectly curved and shaped so this takes you through three time Cycles, which, in my opinion, theyre all too short. The first cycle is normal mode, which is high frequency vibration ion therapy. I really love the vibration. I feel like its helping to massage down to the deeper levels, especially as I move this along my skin. It is really facilitating the lymphatic drainage, its almost like a turbocharged quasa.
Enhanced Blood Circulation
The other thing is, I can see that this immediately brings circulation to the surface of my skin, because my skin gets this really Pleasant flush to it. A nice healthy blood circulating flush. Then it Cycles to cool mode. This has three treatments in one: The High Frequency vibration, as well as the cool therapy, but also this has a blue LED treatment as well. I personally dont pay too much attention to the LED light therapy in devices like this cuz.
LED Therapy
LED therapy has become an essential part of my spring morning skincare routine in 2024. The 10-minute exposure to the therapeutic warmth, vibration, and red LED light has truly made a difference in my skin. I never expected to enjoy the warmth cycle as much as I do, but it has quickly become my favorite part of the routine. The sensation of the therapeutic warmth feels like a gentle massage for my skin, melting away any tension or puffiness. Starting from my neck and working upwards, I focus on areas that need extra attention, such as my sinuses, under my eyes, and forehead.
TLC for the Eyes
During the spring, my under-eye area tends to feel itchy, irritated, and puffy. To combat these issues, I have incorporated eye patches into my morning routine. The gentle and soothing effect of the eye patches helps to reduce puffiness, hydrate the delicate skin around my eyes, and alleviate any rawness caused by unconscious rubbing during sleep.
Consistent Skincare Routine
Consistency is key when it comes to skincare, and this spring, I have made a conscious effort to stick to my morning routine. By dedicating time each morning to take care of my skin, I have noticed significant improvements in its overall health and appearance. From LED therapy to eye patches, each step plays a vital role in ensuring that my skin looks and feels its best throughout the day.
Relaxing and Distressing
The combination of LED therapy and eye patches not only benefits my skin but also provides a moment of relaxation and distressing in the morning. The therapeutic warmth of the LED mask and the cooling effect of the eye patches create a soothing experience that prepares me for the day ahead. By incorporating these skincare rituals into my morning routine, I am able to start the day feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and confident in my skin.
Favorite Eye Patches
Lately, I’ve tried so many at this point and they really are not all the same. There are some that are extremely flimsy: they break so easily and they’re ones that just slide down my face. I talked about pungang mes, black tea time, reverse eye patches. These really have been my favorite, I feel like. It was a new rediscovery last year and I went through so many of these, so there’s a new one, I’ve been trying and really liking a lot, especially during the morning routine, from indeed labs they SNS and to under eye patches right now.
Cold Eye Patches in the Morning
All my eye patches are kept in the fridge and really there’s few things other than maybe my mamy device that feel as good in the morning as that really cold eye patch. The relief is just next level. It is a nice sturdy eye patch, but the effect this has on this area is really quite amazing. I mean all good eye patches have this ability to make this skin look so smooth and ironed out? I would say that this makes it even more. So, for me, there’s no real time limit for wearing these patches. Sometimes I completely forget about them. In fact, it seems like the longer I keep them on the better.
Geralene Peptide
The effect these have a geralene in them, which you know is a peptide that I absolutely love for its ability to really relax, um tension lines and any kind of lines that are caused from expression.
Patch Patches and Eye Creams
When I remove these theres a distinct texture difference between where the patch was and the rest of my face, in fact, the area around here looks poreless. I typically will put these patches also on my foreheads, covering my Els, as well as the nasal labial FS therere. Two eye creams that I really enjoy theyre similar the first one Ive mentioned before from Mary and may theyre, tranexamic acid and glut thione eye cream.
Favorite Eye Cream
This was my favorite new eye cream for last year. It is full of antioxidants, but also it is brightening, and the texture is perfection, its Rich enough, that you really feel that this is moisturizing for this area, but at the same time it dries down and absorbs super fast, which makes this so great for morning routine. Because this sits really well under makeup, but at the same time it gives you longlasting moisturization. This has been clinically tested to show results within 2 weeks of brighter eyes and less pigment.
Bright and Tight Eye Cream
This is a new eye cream that I bought a few months ago and I have been using it from in Beauty project the bright and tight eye cream so similar to Mary and may. This is all about the brightening of this area. This also contains tranexamic acid 3. I believe, as well as some brightening vitamin C derivatives and its got some peptides in it as well. I mean this is a great formula, but I think what Im really drawn to and what makes me reach for this in the mornings is its got.
Brightening Pigments
Those brightening pigments to it, it’s really similar to Ula Hendrickson’s banana cream, it’s a real subtle, brightening, perfect for neutralizing. The more purplish pigment I get around here, which is more an anemic like a bruise. This is also a very, very lightweight texture, in my opinion, so when the skin around this area is feeling more dry or if it’s during the drier months, then I use this.
Lightweight Moisturizer
Whatever moisturizer I use in my morning routine has the added responsibility of being my makeup. It has to make my skin look good and that’s kind of a big ask. When I’m dealing with allergies and just general discomfort, there are a few favorites. I have for different times because moisturizing is situational, so the first one I want to talk about is a lightweight moisturizer that completely took me by surprise from Bloom Effects: their Tulip Dew Cream. The texture of this is what took me by surprise. In fact, I was so delighted by it because it reminds me of some old school favorites. I mean if you are watching my videos like seven years ago, you might remember the Bly Pressed serums, especially the mushroom one.
Hydrating Effect
This has that same creamy, pudding, texture and it applies gloriously. This is really lightweight and super hydrating. I’m also completely in love with the way this finishes on the skin and just in general, the way it makes my skin look. In fact, I feel like it just brightens up my complexion completely, but it gives my skin that morning dewy glow. It’s a dewiness that comes from well and sufficiently hydrated plumped out skin; it’s definitely not heavily moisturizing.
The Importance of Longlasting Hydration
Starting off my spring morning skincare routine, I always reach for products that provide longlasting hydration. One of my go-to favorites is the Pangule Black Tea Enriched Cream. This dense and moisturizing cream effectively hydrates my skin without feeling heavy or greasy. It dries down velvety, making it an ideal base for makeup application.
Cooling Comfort for Irritated Skin
On days when my skin feels irritated and inflamed, I turn to the Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream for soothing relief. Despite not being as rich as the Black Tea Cream, this drugstore favorite offers intense hydration and comfort for raw skin. It not only moisturizes but also improves the overall appearance of my skin, making it a staple in my skincare routine.
Multi-Functional Sun Protection
When it comes to sunscreen, I have been using the Supergoop Daily SPF Tint that doubles as a base makeup. Unlike traditional tinted sunscreens, this product strikes the perfect balance between a neutral tint and heavy coverage. It provides sun protection while also offering a subtle tint that blends seamlessly into my skin tone, giving me a dewy finish without feeling greasy.
Protect Tint
Protect tint really is just a sheer tint, but also it is not greasy its not oily. In fact, the kind of finish it leaves on my skin is a slightly blurred skin, perfecting one. It dries down to kind of a velvety natural finish, but it wont mattify an existing glow. These are so sheer that actually a couple of Shades work for me, but the ones I use the most are 22 W and 24n.
Sunscreen
This is mainly zinc oxide, but it uses a combination of mineral and chemical UV filters, which is the kind I like the most. This is buildable, but still remains a nice tint. This is light coverage at best, and that is really important to me, because many of you know if youve been watching my routines that I actually like to apply my sunscreen in two light: thinner layers rather than one big globby one.
Application
It just ensures much better coverage that way. I feel this applies so well and so evenly its not streaky or Patchy. The only issue I have is what is going on with the size of this I mean this is miniature Ive already had to repurchase this a few times so I mean come on.
Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen
Of course, Ive been using the most recent upgraded reformulation of my all-time favorite Anessa, their perfect UV sunscreen, mild milk. I will talk about this more separately because I can go on. This is probably the best upgrade yet this now has better protection is even more resistant to elements sand, water, everything, the texture is even lighter, it’s smoother it’s actually just plain old, silky and weightless, and it is great under makeup for those with darker skin tones who may have experienced a cast using the previous versions of this.
The Evolving Skincare Routine
My spring morning skincare routine in 2024 has evolved over the years. One of the notable changes is the increased blendability of the products I use. The products now dry down very naturally, creating a subtle blurring effect that leaves my skin feeling incredibly smooth. This is essential as it allows for seamless application of makeup.
Environmentally Friendly Packaging
An important aspect of my skincare routine is sustainability. I am pleased to see that the packaging of the products I use has become more environmentally friendly. The bottles and caps are now made of plant-based bioplastics, reducing the environmental impact of my routine.
Lip Care Focus
During the day, I tend to forgo lipstick and opt for a lip balm or lip oil instead. I have accumulated a variety of tinted options that I rotate through. While some may argue that they all look similar, I find that each has a unique shade that enhances my natural lip color. One standout option is Dr. Sam’s Flawless lip tint, which offers a slightly rosier hue compared to the others.