One thing I've obsessed over for a long time is what I put onto my skin. Part of this obsession comes from growing up with eczema (though I outgrew it--for the most part, I didn't learn how to heal from it until four years ago!). Still, I've always been on a quest to have the best-looking skin sans anything filled with toxins (majority of what’s on the market).
I'm only going to write about products I LOVE rather than anything I like and is 'working'. Like body lotion...I'm constantly changing it by adding oils to make it creamier, so not recommending one here.
First and foremost, what you EAT and DRINK play an integral role in how your skin looks and feels. Just because you're putting something on the outside, and aren't happy with the results, you need to think about what you're putting in your mouth. Plain and simple.
I never drink plain water. Heck, I won't even drink water out of a plastic bottle unless I'm flying. I always add fresh lemon or lime to my water for extra hydration. It's nearly impossible to hydrate from plain water unless you're getting it from a spring. That would be living water which has been moving while most of our water is filtered, stagnant and lurking in the dark out of the sun (and don't get me started with what drinking out of plastic is doing).
First thing every morning, I have 32oz of lemon water--a whole lemon--and wait 20 minutes before I eat or drink anything else so this living water will purge my liver of toxins it took in during the sleeping hours.
No caffeine--at all. It's very dehydrating. And for you coffee drinkers, it's the most acidic thing you can put in your body. Cellulite is caused by one's body being too acidic, but that's a whole other post.
I make 16 oz of fresh aloe vera water with a spoonful of raw honey--aloe is without question the best thing for your skin both internally and externally. **Keep the aloe skins, you'll read why in a moment.
I can't tell you how many countless products I've tried and finally have a face wash that is my absolute favorite; plus I get compliments on my skin all the time--Beautycounter's Cleansing Balm. It's ridiculous how amazing this stuff is.
After I wash my face, I take the aloe skins and rub the gel on my face, neck and décolleté. It dries fairly fast. I also keep a small jar of fresh aloe that I've blended and use it all over my body after showering (before putting on body lotion).
Next, I make my own tonic spray with Living Libations Neroli Oil (10 drops--the stuff isn't cheap) in a three ounce bottle filled with filtered water. I spray that on. This also helps the essential oils go on smoother.
I like to mix the Living Libations SeaBuckthorn Oil with a few drops of their Frankincense Oil. Frankincense is so healing for the skin, but you need to use an activator oil with it. Living Libations does make a combination of these two, but I don't think it's as potent and I don't like the smell. You may not mind, but from personal experience, I prefer this method.
In the winter months, I then apply Beautycounter's Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion. Since I live in a harsh winter environment--and get outside even on the coldest days--this is an essential step for me.
I like to put Beautycounter's No. 1 Facial Oil on last as I usually don't wear makeup during the day or if I do, it's only concealer and mascara. This way, my face has a nice healthy glow.
In the summer, when I'm going to wear makeup, I don't use the facial oil and use Beautycounter's Dew Skin Moisturizer Coverage which gives very light coverage, SPF 20 and a nice glow to the skin. I may also wear this if I've already gotten my sun-time (20 minutes without any sunscreen because the sun is a healing mechanism--why it feels so good).
Finally, let's talk about sunscreen because one of the most toxic items put on their bodies is sunscreen. Not to mention how damaging the stuff is to our oceans. If there's one thing we all should change is our choice in sunscreen. I love Beautycounter's Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30. It goes on without any chalky residue and you're not absorbing any harmful ingredients.
Of course, my hands never see the sun. I've been wearing sun protection fingerless hiking gloves for years and in the winter, I switch over to fingerless cashmere gloves.
Also, you can't buy Beautycounter except through a rep so I decided to become one. You can access it here. Please be proactive about what you put on your skin, hair and nails in addition to what you put into your mouth. Choose colors and creams that care. If you have questions about Beautycounter's skincare line, makeup--or any of their other products you can contact me here. Hope you love them as much as I do!