My Favorite Skin Care Products

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One thing that has absolutely changed in the last year and a half of my life is my attention to my skin care. I have mentioned in other posts that for a long time I didn’t really give things such as; what I washed my face with, what I put on my skin, if my skin was moisturized properly, etc a whole lot of thought.. and then I noticed my first “smile line” and that was enough to scare me into realizing that it was in fact time to start paying closer attention. Not to mention, the melasma that I got above my upper lip during my pregnancy with Luca was also an indicator that I needed to protect my skin better. It became liberating (and addictive) once I realized that even just “paying attention” was starting to make a difference. First, I noticed that my overall skin appearance changed, it was more radiant, then I started to notice that something as simple as applying a night cream helped me to wake up looking a little less “drab”… and from there it just continued. I will be the first to admit that this hasn’t always been a part of my life, but now that “giving a crap about my skin” has become an obsession, it is something that I don’t see changing any time soon.

Being pregnant forces me to stick to the more “natural” options when it comes to skincare. When I am not pregnant, I absolutely LOVE getting a good hydrofacial (also known as “silk peel” in some places), but I try to avoid this during pregnancy, and truth be told, most spas and offices won’t even consider this treatment while pregnant. All of this to say– I do a lot more of my own “at home” skin care maintenance while pregnant, but there are few things I love more than a good radiance facial. Which has me thinking– I am absolutely going to do some before and after pictures and write up a post about this treatment when I am able to get in for one, once baby is here– so if you’re interested in the benefits for yourself you’ll have that to look forward to! When putting together this post I also realized that 50% of the products that I wanted to discuss were some form of a facial mask, so I have decided to save that for a post of its own. We all know that I love a good face mask, so keep your eyes out for a post on my favorite masks!

In the meantime, I have put together a write up of my favorite products ranging from facial toners to at home microdermabrasion devices. If you have any questions at all, or wish to know more, do not hesitate to drop a comment below the post!

As always, the opinions expressed are 100% my own, and my posts aren’t sponsored. I have personally used each of the products that I am writing about and I will ALWAYS believe in something prior to sharing my recommendation. Please know that I have turned down paid partnerships and #ads with companies because either 1) I don’t actually use their products/believe in them and/or 2) it is something that I would never spend my own money on. Know that if this little passion of mine ever becomes something that I make a revenue off of talking about/promoting/ or collaborating with a company/ product, I will be sure to note that in the post– but, even then, it will be 100% genuine. All things shared here are things that I love and want you to know about, and it is 100% my intention to stay transparent in doing just that! xo.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray

I literally don’t know if I can say enough good about this. My sister turned me onto it about 9 months ago, and it has found itself in my life ever since. It is the perfect refresher and it sets makeup flawlessly. I keep one next to my sink, in my purse and in my diaper bag.

Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner

I use this at nighttime after cleansing my face. It is ideal for those of you who have combination skin. I have found that it really helps with refining pores, evening skin-tone and reducing the appearance of fine lines. I love that it is alcohol free (which is something that is rare in most toners) and it is infused with aloe, so it won’t dry out skin. I use this every night before bed and I focus on applying it to my t-zone. Simply add a few drops to a cotton ball and wipe gently over skin after cleansing.

Beauty Counter Brightening & Vitamin C Serum

This product is my go-to daily serum. I love that it is moisturizing and rich, yet light enough to be worn under makeup. It has a delicious citrus scent and goes on smoothly. A few drops, like 2-3, go a long way. I focus on adding the bulk of the product to my cheeks, and under eye region and then pat the remainder on my t-zone. I love that it is made with all natural ingredients and it has truly become a staple in my daily routine.

Josie Maran Argan Oils

Before discovering the serum above, this is what I used and I am not going to lie, I loved it. The price is way easier to stomach and I truly feel that the results are comparable. Sephora is the best this time of year because their holiday sets start to arrive, which means that you pretty much get access to hella good deals and it is the perfect time to try out things that you’ve had your eye on. If you have been wanting to try out a facial serum but you don’t want to dish out $60-$100 on something that you’re skeptical about, this is the time to take advantage of the holiday gift sets and order before it runs out. I used the “light” oil option during the day time, apply 2-3 drops over the face, and the normal argan oil after cleansing and toning and before night time cream. I want to say that the travel sized bottles that I linked above lasted me about 6 months each (being used every single day). Truth be told, this deal is so good that I will probably go ahead and order this set for myself just for travel back up.

Estee Lauder Day Wear 

This facial lotion is my go-to daily moisturizer. It has SPF 15 and a super refreshing cucumber scent. It is rich, yet light enough to be worn under makeup and a little goes a long way.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer

This was my go-to daily moisturizer before discovering the Estee Lauder. It is WAY more budget friendly, also rich, yet light enough to be worn under makeup and it has a refreshing/clean scent. I like that this set includes the wash & moisturizer for the price of what the moisturizer alone in a store would cost. I used both of these all through college, highly recommend.

Personal Microderm Device

Guys… i’ve been waiting to share this with you because I wanted to see the results before promoting something. This. Thing. Is. A. Game. Changer. I scored it on sale during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale back in August and it has quickly become one of the greatest beauty products i’ve ever owned. I was a little hesitant to make the $150-200 investment, but then I realized that a microderm treatment in a spa costs around $180.. so I decided to bite the bullet, give it a try, and I am so glad that I did. I find myself using it at least once a week. They say that it takes between 4-6 weeks of regular use to see results (which is why I haven’t shared it with you until now), and I would say that it’s accurate. Keep in mind, I am very pregnant, which means that 1) I am exhausted and that shows in my skin and 2) my hormones are out of whack which means my skin is out of whack– but, those two things aside and noted, I have still noticed a major change in the appearance of dark spots, fine lines and fading of past acne scars.

Biore Charcoal Pore Strips

I use these about once a week after taking a shower when my pores are open to help remove those pesky clogged pores that we all get due to sweat, makeup/product buildup, etc. I have found that these work best on my nose– I don’t have the best luck on my chin, but maybe that is just me. Make sure that your skin is damp when applying, let the strip dry completely (usually about 12 minutes) and then gently remove from the outside corners in an “upward” motion (this helps to encourage the gunk to come out, versus, removing by pulling downwards). These can be found at any drug store.

Clarisonic Mia 2 

I have really enjoyed having this brush over the last two years. In the beginning I was using it far too much that my skin was getting irritated and I had to back off. I have found myself gravitating towards this after applying a full face of makeup, which if I am being honest, only happens like once every week or two (depending on what is going on in our lives). It honestly is really scary when you use this and realize how little a basic cleanser and your hands removes makeup. So. If you are a girl that wears full facial foundation and makeup on a daily basis– I highly suggest adding this to your skin care routine. I love that the brand has created multiple brush heads to appeal to any and all skin types and conditions. Absolutely worth the investment.

from one woman to another, these are a few of my favorite things. xo, Grace