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Despite my dislike for super-hot temperatures, I have a hard time leaving behind that summertime sunshine. It’s not just my porch swing and cold beverage that lingers well beyond the first sighting of pumpkin spice anything. It’s also that dull and dry summertime skin that takes a little extra work to lose.
As the seasons change, so does our skin; our wardrobes are not the only thing that should be getting an overhaul. Maybe you’re a creature of habit and you are fearful of breakouts that can pop up when you change products, or maybe you just don’t know where to start. Let me help! I’ve curated a step-by-step guide of this fall’s best products for upgrading your glow factor! I’ve listed these skincare categories in the order you would use them.
Cleansers
Cleansing is important because it cleans dirt, makeup, and impurities from your skin (duh). There are so many ways to cleanse and I’m including three. When you are feeling lazy, (you know what I’m talking about), the Beautycounter One-Step Makeup Remover Wipes are the best. Micellar water, aloe vera, and cornflower water whisk away dirt and you don’t even have to rinse. And these earth-friendly wipes are biodegradable! I’ve been crushing on the Beautycounter Cleansing Balm because it’s a multi-tasking product. It’s packed with raspberry and cranberry seed oil and Vitamin C to hydrate and cleanse skin. I use an almond size amount directly on my face and then add water as I go to break down my makeup. You can apply and leave on overnight as a sleep-in hydrating mask or apply to dry cuticles. Next up is the Eminence Organics Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser. This slightly foamy super fruit cleanser smells amazing, but it’s the lactic acid complex that helps to break away dead skin before it dulls your glow.
Exfoliate
The fastest way to a brighter and lighter complexion is through exfoliation. I’m not talking old-fashioned apricot scrubs that are rough and full of fragrance and irritants. I’m talking about the good stuff that is made for sensitive facial skin. Enter Eminence’s Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant. This is a beautiful blend of rice and chickpea flour and lactic acid. Add a sprinkle to water or your current cleanser to samve time. It’s gentle enough to use daily on the face, but is also great at combating ingrown hairs in the bikini region or smoothing out Keratosis Pilaris aka chicken skin that creeps up on your arms in the winter months. If used daily, this shaker bottle will last up to a year, making it the best value. It you are looking for easy-peasy exfoliation, then I recommend the Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel. I apply one pump over clean skin and my work is done. It’s formulated with 15 botanically-sourced acids to lighten, brighten, and glow the heck out of your skin. Well done, Beautycounter!
Serums and Facial Oils
If you have special concerns for your skin, then serums are the answer. They are formulated with smaller molecules to penetrate deeper into your skin. My focus usually is anti-aging and hyperpigmentation which is why I’ve had the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum in heavy rotation these past few months. It’s chock full of hyaluronic acid which hydrates and plumps skin to iron out fine lines which means more youthful looking skin. Facial oils can also be used and applied like a serum and usually 1-2 drops is plenty to up your hydration level. If you have oily skin, don’t be scared of oils! They actually help to decrease oil production making them a must-have if you are trying to combat breakouts. Beautycounter has a great holiday kit including travel size facial oils. The Glow and Go Mini’s kit is a great way to try them out. If you are looking to jump in head first, then I recommend the Eminence Rosehip Triple C + E Firming Oil. It’s high in Vitamin C and E to fight free radical damage, smooth wrinkles, and hydrate skin. It’s truly a powerhouse product. I’ve managed to make my bottle last for entire year which makes it a pretty great value, too!
Masking
If you don’t get regular facials, then consider masking your at home facial treatment. Is it a must? Only if you want to feel like a million buck for days after masking! The Eminence Hungarian Herbal Mud Masque has been a favorite of mine for years. It blends Hungarian paprika, mud, and cinnamon to stimulate, detoxify and resurface skin. It’s a perfect weekly treatment and I always use it the morning of a night out because it gives me a beautiful glow. Beautycounter’s Balance + Charcoal mask is a silent threat. I wrote it off initially, but after trying it I was surprised by how active it was and how soft my skin felt afterwards. It uses Kaolin clay and charcoal to draw impurities out of the skin (think unclogged pores). This is a great mask for anyone with oily or congested skin and it’s super fun to apply and casually walk around your house waiting for the appropriate reaction from your family.
Toners
These vitamin-rich sprays help to balance the PH of skin. They are typically spritzed on clean skin before a serum is applied but I like to live on the wilder side and I use them post make-up application too. I really enjoy the Stone Crop Toner and Wild Plum toner by Eminence Organics. They are great for all skin types. Wild Plum is high in iron which is great for revitalizing tired or dehydrated skin. It’s great for travel or post-workout. Stone Crop is a succulent, so the toner is soothing and has lightening qualities, not to mention it smells amazing (clean and green)!
Moisturizers and Eye Treatments
I can’t imagine a day without applying moisturizer and eye treatments, especially in this dry Colorado climate. We hear clients all the time say they have oily skin so they don’t use moisturizer. EVERYONE needs moisturizer and if you don’t use one now let me challenge you to start now for one week. I promise that after one week you won’t go back to bare skin because your skin will look younger and more radiant. I’m currently using Eminence Organics Bright Skin Moisturizer with SPF during the day and the Monoi Age Corrective Face Moisturizer at night. You don’t have to you two different moisturizers for day and night but you should apply in the morning and at night.
I loosely used eye treatments pre-kids, but I can tell you I don’t skip a day without them now. I need lightening (dark circles from sleepless nights), lifting (from sleepless nights), and extra hydration on every millimeter of my eye area! I use the Eminence Organics Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum daily. It has a botanically-sourced retinol alternative which lifts and firms skin without the side affects that come with conventional retinol products.
I know it can feel overwhelming when you are trying to determine what’s right for your skin. You don’t need to rush out and buy everything I’ve listed above, but hopefully this will help you better understand the function of different products. I’m a clean beauty advocate so I’d say what’s most important is not how big your routine is but the quality of the products you are using.
I’m an advanced skincare junkie and career esthetician and I’ve seen the payoffs of investing in my skin. I’m 41 and while I see the inevitable changes in my skin, it’s worth it to me to pour some efforts into using a good lineup so I glow. I would never take a bar soap user and try to convert them to a seven-step daily skincare routine. I recommend that you commit to the three most important steps in a skincare routine: cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize. Start with those products and add more down the road if it’s manageable for you! I’d love to answer any questions you might have or even help you find the best products for your skin type!
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