YouAlberta
Hello everyone! Are you looking for some new skincare? If you are, I’ve got you covered and if you aren’t, I’ll try to convince you to try some out! Skincare is an important part of hygiene and can also be a time to really wind down for some therapeutic me-time, which is much needed when you’re swamped with homework and exams. This stress, compounded with Edmonton’s extreme winter climate, can put a toll on your skin. So today, I’ll be sharing some of my current favourite holy grails that hopefully will also make your skin feel soft and supple!
To preface, I have combination skin: my T-zone tends to get a bit oily and can be prone to acne and texture. I also have pretty pale skin so it’s pretty easy for me to get hyperpigmentation. Though these are my main concerns, most of the skincare below can work for different skin types. However, I’d still recommend doing some extra research yourselves to make sure these products will work for your skin.
A good oil cleanser that removes all the gunk from your skin is a great first step to your skincare routine, leaving your skin refreshed after a long day of school and ready for the next steps! If you are looking for an effective oil-based cleanser that completely melts off sunscreen and makeup without clogging your pores, I’d recommend the iUNIK Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil. On dry skin, I use two pumps of the cleanser and massage it into my face in circular motions, loosening small oil plugs which pop out of my pores. After a couple minutes, I rinse off the product thoroughly, and it leaves no residue on my face. The formulation uses 94% natural oil such as sunflower seed, canola and other oils, making it gentle, lightweight, and as a liquid, easy to work into the skin.
For water-based cleansers, I have recently been testing out the Innisfree Green Tea Hydrating Amino Acid Cleansing Foam. I would warn people with sensitive skin to avoid this product as it does contain light fragrance. However, this product feels nourishing due to it containing amino acid and doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry. Especially in Edmonton’s dry winters, our skin tends to overproduce oil to compensate for the lack of hydration. Thus, using a gentle cleanser that doesn’t further strip your skin is crucial to maintaining your skin barrier. Additionally, it also contains Jeju Island green tea water which is great for soothing redness in the skin. Again, I use circular motions to massage the cleanser into my damp skin, lathering it into a luxurious foam that covers my entire face. After rinsing the product off, my face feels extremely soft and almost bouncy like mochi!
The Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is already pretty well-known in the skincare community and for good reason: it is gentle and non-irritating but still deeply clears out sebum, blackhead and whiteheads in pores. Even when I have any active acne, the formulation of salicylic acid is gentle enough that it doesn’t really sting and though it is has a very faint scent from the ingredients, it isn’t off putting. As oil production is especially more uncontrolled for most of us in our late teens and early twenties, a good exfoliant can help keep it in check and prevent congestion and acne. I apply this on my clean and dry face, making sure to lightly pat it into my skin and being careful to avoid the eyes.
While my face is slightly damp, I go in with the I’m from Rice Toner, first shaking the bottle, again ensuring my entire face is covered and lightly patting it in. The main ingredient, 77.78% goami rice extract, has amazing hydrating properties which leaves my skin looking glowy and brighter looking, even when I’m battered from exams. It also helps improve fine lines and wrinkles and makes the skin feel soft and supple. There is also a Rice Mask that you can pair the toner with, which isn’t necessary but amplifies the effects.
A great essence I recommend is the CosRX Advanced Snail Radiance Dual Essence. Both actives in this product are gentle and can pair well with any other actives, yet has vastly different effects. The 74.3% Triple Snail Complex is great for retaining moisture in the skin but note that it should be applied on damp skin for it to work. The snail mucin itself is not hydrating your skin; it is its ability to lock moisture into your skin that makes it effective. The niacinamide is a do-it-all active: it brightens the skin, fades dark spots, controls oil production, treats acne and more. A couple pumps spread over the face is sufficient and works great for barrier protection and repair, especially in Edmonton’s dry winters. The combination of these two active ingredients will give your skin a dewey, healthy look; perfect to apply your makeup on top of!
Of course, to top it all off it is extremely important to use a moisturizer, especially in our climate, as they replace the lack of our natural oils, thus counteracting the overproduction of these oils and preventing the development of acne. I usually deal with some redness, especially immediately after washing my face. If you deal with similar issues, I would recommend the Dear, Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream. It is slightly thicker than a gel moisturizer but even for my oilier skin, it doesn’t feel too heavy. This product is generally used specifically in areas where there is irritation but I’ll occasionally use it as a regular moisturizer by applying a small, nickel sized amount and spreading it over the face. The chamomile, which gives the product its bluish hue, helps soothe inflamed skin, while the centella helps heal it.
Finally, arguably the most important step, is sunscreen. Even during winter, we still encounter sun damage so don’t think you can skimp out on sunscreen! UV damage is the major cause of signs of aging such as dark circles, wrinkles and more so topping your morning routine off with sunscreen is essential. Although a lot of sunscreens can be irritating and cause skin congestion, the Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++ is a light gel texture that feels weightless, scentless and is practically invisible while also providing ample sun protection. There is no white cast and for those of you who wear makeup, it serves as a great primer. Squeezing enough product for the length of my pointer and middle finger, I apply the product to my face, ears and neck, making sure to blend it in well.
While this isn’t a comprehensive list, that’s everything I have for you today! You can buy these products from a variety of places; Sephora and Amazon contain many of these products, although I usually default to Yesstyle for my skincare needs.
Remember, skincare isn’t one size fits all; we all have different skin types with different thresholds, concerns, and more. Thus, this list represents what works for me but might not work for you. Still, I encourage you to check it out and give it a try and maybe, just maybe, it’ll be a perfect fit for you! Explore your options, do your research and above all, enjoy the process; skincare is self care!