How to Keep Your Beauty Products Safe to Use in the Era of Social Distancing

Yep! Double masking is totally a thing! It’s kinda like using multiple leave on products to treat multiple concerns, but in the supercharged and extra pampering routine of masking. It can be super fun and helpful for your soon as long as it’s done to not harm the skin. A recent combination I have come up with is to do the The Ordinary - AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution followed by the SKINCEUTICALS - PHYTO CORRECTIVE MASK Calming Face Mask For Blotchy Skin . This combo will resurface my skin and then calm and soothe the new skin that is revealed. By stripping away the dead stuff and then nourishing and hydrating the new stuff I am eliminating irritation and redness I usually get when I do the peel by itself. This combo also ensures that my skin will be revealed even healthier by immediately soothing it and hydrating it so that it can stay healthy and not potentially dry out and become dull. The peel is amazing as it truly tingles away all the built up texture and dead skin and diving into the pores to clear up blockages. The phyto mask is heavenly because it’s such a thick gel that soothes immediately. I could tell my skin was a little more sensitized this time I used the peel because the phyto mask stung a touch before feeling just cooling and calming. A match made in heaven if you ask me! So double masking can be great, but I would never suggest a combination such as a clay mask after the peel because you would be stripping the skin too much and opening up for potential strong irritation. I also have wouldn’t use a vitamin c mask with an exfoliation mask since that could lead to irritation as well. And further, a gel mask and then a sheet mask would just feel redundant! Double masking is lovely for a special event or a pamper evening like my once a week peel, but it’s not a necessity nor does it need to be often :) Happy masking!!

What is AHA? Alpha hydroxy acids gently removes dead skin cells, encouraging the regeneration of new skin. It is know for its ability to reduce hyperpigmentation, minimize pores and brighten skin. So how is that different from Glycolic Acid? Glycolic acid is actually a type of AHA! Known to be the “smallest”, most researched and gentlest AHA, glycolic acid does all of the aforementioned things and also acts as a humectant, leaving us with smoother, plumper skin. AHA vs BHA? So some of the products I’ll mention contain both AHA and BHA. BHA, particularly salicylic acid, is great for reducing acne but can be drying. BHA has better penetration into pores due it its affinity to oily sebum. That’s why they say BHAs are better for oily skin! How should I incorporate AHA/Glycolic Acid into my skincare routine? Whichever way you choose! Some prefer it in their daily routine whereas others prefer it 2-3x a week- the products mentioned below allow you different options. 1. AHA as a toner. The Ordinary - Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution When: Everyday if you want, AM or PM toning step. Price: $8.70 for 8oz Comments: I personally wouldn’t use this everyday especially if you have a broken skin barrier (it stings!) but it leaves me so hydrated and clean the next morning. Paired with a hydrating night serum, I’ve noticed a huge decrease in pore size and bumpy irregularities on my face. 2. AHA as a night cream/peel. VERSED - THE SHORTCUT Overnight Facial Peel When: 2-3 nights per week in my moisturizing step. Price: $9.99 for 0.5 oz Comments: If you have super sensitive skin, this one is for you. This acts as a lotion and has been the mildest form of glycolic acid I’ve seen. I don’t notice as drastic of a glow as TO’s toner or Good Molecules’s Overnight, but it works. Another con is the price...$10 for only 0.5oz allows for only 6-7 uses before repurchasing, whereas I’ve had that 8oz toner for almost a year with plenty left! 3. AHA as a night serum/sleeping mask. GOOD MOLECULES - Overnight Exfoliating Treatment When: 2-3 nights per week in my serum step. Price: $6 for 1 Oz Comments: this is my absolute favorite way of getting my AHA for only $6. I use only 4-5 drops as a “serum” in my regular night routine (see my old post). I would minimize using too many other acids with it! Creates a delicious glow in the AM, this mask also minimizes pores. It is not drying even though it contains BHAs! Would recommend for those who are dry, blackhead, and acne-prone. 4. AHA as a wash-off mask. The Ordinary - AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution When: 1-2 nights a week for 10 min before rinsing off. Price: $7.20 for 1 Oz Comments: This product is hyped and I’m not too sure why. It works as a wash-off mask but it’s drying (bc of BHAs). I would only recommend if you want to add a mask without changing your existing routine.

It makes perfect sense for @laneigeca Sleeping Mask to have lavender infused into the formula. Lavender is a calming ingredient, the essential oil has been known to help with stress and sleep when diffused in the air or sprayed in a room. Having it in a night cream to help calm and soothe the skin, but the light scent could also help with sleep as we use it before bed 🌙 The texture of this sleeping mask is a really light gel-like texture, with almost a watery flow. I use this once a week as a night cream and I’ve never felt so hydrated. Another lavender product I’m loving is @niu.body lavender toning mist which I spray on at night, and at to my custom masks for a soothing effect. The lavender scent doesnt slap you in the face, its actually nice and light and refreshing. . As always, you can save 20% off @niu.body with my code Leena20

For numerous reasons, I have been stressed lately which really shows on my skin. I already get the occasional breakout, around the time of the month, and sometimes from diet and eating food that probably isn’t GREAT for me. So with additional stress I eat more, crave more crappy food, maybe pick at my skin, etc. I also wear a face mask whenever I go out and with the heat and humidity of where I live, it just becomes a skin nightmare. I just made another post about how I’ve changed up my skincare routine. Here is my makeup routine for covering it up. Add warmth and color back into the face. COLOURPOP - Super Shock Blush in Count Me In NUDESTIX - Nudies All Over Face Color Bronze + Glow in Terracotta Tan I find that when I’m breaking out, my face can tend to look flat and pale. By adding some warmth and color back into the face, you look healthier and more radiant which will help a lot at disguising breakouts. The colourpop blush is a beautiful mousse-y texture that gives sheer color with a satin-finish. The cream bronzer is my holy grail! It’s super creamy, long-lasting and looks just. like. skin. Spot-conceal. MAKE UP FOR EVER - Full Cover Concealer Wearing a full-coverage long-wear foundation just isn’t the way to go for me. It ends up looking cakey and accentuating texture instead of disguising it. As the individual breakouts are the only areas I really want to cover, I don’t want to cover the areas of my skin that are actually smooth and break-out free! This concealer is super high coverage, a little goes a long way and very long lasting. I will sometimes use a pinpoint eyeliner brush or even just my ring finger to pat the product exactly where I need it! This TRULY gives the illusion of smoother, clearer skin. Lock it in. rms beauty - Un" Powder I love this powder because of its super fine and silky texture. It makes my skin look 100% poreless which is perfect for smoothing out texture on my skin! It also keeps my T-zone area shine-free all day without drying out my skin (as many mattifying powders do to me).

My skin type is combo oily that can lean more dry during the weather changes or just randomly. My skin concerns are acne, oiliness throughout the day and also dehydration. I’ve ranked the face washes I currently have open right now based on how they worked for me personally (starting from favorite). My all time favorite is COSRX - Low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser because I can actually tell a difference in my skin, unlike the other cleansers and can be used AM and PM. . COSRX - Low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser Key Ingredients: Tea Tree and Beta Hydroxy Acids (work together to refine pores, control oil, and soften skin). Texture/Consistency: Gel that turns to foam Scent: Very strong Tea Tree scent Price: $14 for 5.07 oz Experience: I use this as my AM cleanser and it does a good job of removing the previous night’s skincare and having a new base for my AM skincare. It foams a lot, so only need a small amount of product. Since I’ve been using this, my face has gotten more smooth and not as oily throughout the day. I knocked off a star since the scent is so strong of tea tree. Repurchase/Recommend?: I will repurchase this and recommend this because it’s a great value and only need a small amount of product. My combo oily skin also agrees with this formula, I’m so excited to use it this summer and see how and if it helps my skin. . MARIO BADESCU - Glycolic Foaming Cleanser Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid (exfoliates the skin and dissolves dulling dead skin cells to help refine pores and retexturize uneven skin), and a soothing blend of chamomile, marshmallow, safe, St. John’s wort, and yarrow extracts (work together to provide additional rejuvenating benefits that help re-balance and leave skin radiant). Texture/Consistency: Gel that turns to foam Scent: Price: $16 for 6 oz / 177 mL Experience: I use this maybe 2-3 times a week (as directed for oily skin) and haven’t noticed much of a difference in my skin. It performs just like any other cleanser to me. I use it as my second cleanse and it’s just meh. Honestly not impressed with this and glad I got it as a free sample. Repurchase/Recommend?: I would not repurchase or recommend this, I haven’t noticed any special benefit over any other cleanser. . philosophy - Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Cleanser Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid (helps prevent breakouts). Texture/Consistency: Gel Scent: Very strong orange scent Price: $22 for 8 oz Experience: Even after using this a couple times a week as my second cleanse at night, I’ve only seen a minimal amount of reduction in my acne and can’t contribute it solely to this. The scent is so strong that I can smell it for a while after washing my face. It can be difficult to completely wash off the face. Repurchase/Recommend?: No, too expensive for what it does.