A New Year’s Resolution I Actually Kept All Year

It was December 2018, and I had just spent what felt like at least a year and a half giving everything of myself and body to keeping a precious new baby boy alive. As the new year was about to roll around, I found myself wondering whether I wanted to make a new year’s resolution. I rarely keep them. But they’re good for a month or two. I decided I would commit whole-heartedly to taking care of my skin. I could start to see the signs of age beginning to wear on my face. Who knows if those smile lines were just the result of a better camera or all of the nights that Harrison was up at night as a newborn. But it was time to put more effort, and yes, money, into taking care of the only skin I’m going to get.

What that meant was that I started seeing the esthetician at my dermatologist’s office regularly. Like once every month or two. In addition to doing regular facials, peels, and dermaplane with her, it also meant changing my at home skin care routine too.

So, I changed it all. I added products. I dropped products. And have been hanging on to these products for the past ten months…

Here’s where I save money: Face cleanser and lotion. Where I splurge is on serums and eye cream. I want the vitamins and supplements that are sitting on my face all day to be pharmaceutical grade serums meaning that they are clinically tested to provide the results they are touting.

Cetaphil Cleanser || This cleanser is so cheap and so good on sensitive skin. This whole bottle is like a whole $10, and it lasts me mooooonths.

Clarisonic Mia Brush || I use the Clarisonic every day in the evening to make sure I get all of the make-up off.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion || I’ve used this lotion for forever, and it just works well for me. It’s the only product that I didn’t change.

Clinique Super City Block || We all know that we should be using sunscreen every day. Even when it’s rainy. Even when it’s just cloudy. When it’s sunny. When it’s the middle of the winter. I like that this sunscreen also doubles as my foundation primer.

Here’s where I’ve seen the best results for the money. And, unfortunately, they are not cheap. But neither is Botox….so I guess that’s how I justify it to myself. 🙂

Skin Better Science Instant Effect Eye Gel || I have to buy this from my dermatologist office. It has caffeine in it, and I use it twice a day. It’s the best eye cream I’ve ever used. No other one has even come close.

Skinceuticals C E Ferulic serum || If I could only pick one of these products to keep for forever and ever, it would be this one. This Vitamin C serum goes on super smooth, causes no redness at all for me. I usually use once a day in the morning. It brightens your skin and reduces fine lines. If there’s one thing that I would add to any regimen, it would be this product. And I’m sorry, it’s not cheap. But it does last me about six months using a few drops, once a day.

Needle Free Serum || This is my dermatologist’s brand products. The primary ingredient in this one is Vitamin B, which is thought to be an anti-aging Vitamin. Hence, the “Needle Free” naming. I use it once a day before I go to bed.

What are your favorite skin care products?