Oil Cleansing Skincare Routine
One of the biggest trends in skincare in the last 5 years has been the introduction of Asian skin care systems and beauty routines (especially Korean skincare). This can consist of multiple steps (sometimes as many as 17) for pre washing, cleansing, toning, serums and moisturizers etc. While this is a great system – if you have the time – it is impractical. So we only add steps to our daily routine when they are extremely effective. We thought we’d share our favorite way to make sure our face is EXTRA clean. OIL. That’s right, we said oil. Don’t run and hide because oils can have so many benefits when used correctly. Let us explain how we use it and why it’s our favorite part of our skincare routine and an essential step in maintaining a clear blemish free complexion. For starters we usually only do this once a day (morning or night - whichever you prefer). We tend to do it at night because it REALLY gets all the days grime off! Before starting (this is a given but a quick reminder does hurt) wash your hands! We recently got this fig scented shea butter hand wash we love! It's made to avoid drying out your hands.
Murchison-Hume Fig Soap
16.99 USD
Step 1: Pre Cleanse With Oil To Lift Away Dirt And Makeup
The first step is to use your favorite cleansing oil. We love to alternate but some of our go tos include extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) or avocado oil. We prefer to use natural oils but there are also some amazing cleansing oils available at Sephora, ulta, etc. There are plenty of options to choose from that range from lighter to heavier formulas. Our favorite is probably the SHISEIDO Perfect Cleansing Oil, which can be used on wet or dry skin and leaves you with a non-greasy dewy complexion. Tied for first would be the Shu Emeura balancing high performance advanced formula for sensitive skin (more of medium weight oil). The weights indicate how thick and dense the oil is (and how it feels).
Think of a pre-cleanse like giving a dirty dish a rinse before putting it in the dishwasher. It essentially makes sure you really end up with a perfectly clean face! We get our olive oil from Olive En Folie, an amazing local store we trust to have the best quality. We suggest you use EVOO which is made without the use of chemicals and additives. It is the purest and healthiest option and contains the highest amounts of antioxidants. All the oils from Olive En Folie have gone through a strict qualification program and are tested to ensure a pure, high-quality product. There’s been some recent news about EVOO’s that aren’t pure, so make sure you trust the company you choose! Also, we highly recommend watching the new Netflix documentary called Rotten if you want to more about this issue! Organic olive oil is rich in Vitamins A, E, D, E and K. We apply a few drops of Olive en Folie's California Arbosana olive oil to skin with our fingertips and rub gently in a circular motion. This loosens both your makeup and the dirt of the day. Not only is olive oil a great cleanser but it removes waterproof mascara easily and is gentle around the eye region. As for all other natural oils, just make sure you choose a high-quality product. Look for words like cold pressed and organic.
Shu Uemura
79 CAD
Shiseido
33 USD
Step 2: Cleanse For A Perfectly Clean Face
The second step is to use your favorite cleanser. We recommend something like Spectro gel or the Cetaphil Daily Cleanser. These are extremely effective and simple. Apply a quarter sized amount of the cleanser to a clean cloth (we use a clean cloth every morning), wet with lukewarm water (extreme temperatures are not good for your skin), and cleanse your entire face, again using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with warm water splashing all over. Gently dry your face and get ready for the next step.
Step 3: Apply Serum
Our blog is unique in that we are what we like to call the “bookends” generation. One of us is in her 20’s (Lindsay) and the other in her 60’s (Suzanne). We look at things from both of our perspectives. In this instance, Lindsay uses The Ordinary Buffet serum twice a day for her skin.
The Ordinary Buffet Serum
14.80 CAD
This is what we would consider an entry level serum – for someone who is young but wants to prevent skin from developing signs of aging. At 14.99 it is a absolute steal and deciem delivrey SO FAST! They recently became available at Sephora as well. This serum targets multiple signs of aging at once and it's what we would call a no fuss product. She puts a few drops onto her fingers and places a dot on each cheek, forehead and chin. She gently applies, in an upward motion until all the serum is absorbed. You will notice that it absorbs very quickly and your skin will feel super silky. Let your skin rest a moment. Next apply your eye cream all around your eyes, out to your hairline (think crows feet). Suzanne does a double application of serum. First she applies the Ordinary Buffet Serum as Lindsay does. She lets her skin rest. She then applies a stronger anti-aging eye made by Hylamide, another brand of Deciem, which is a next generation formula. It's called SubQ Anti-Age. This serum has five forms of hyaluronic acid and targets not only the surface of your skin but the deepest layers as well. It reduced swelling around the eyes and diminishes the appearance of crows feet and dark circles. It's amazing!!
Hylamide SubQ Eye Serum
35 CAD
The last two steps are the application of your moisturizer, again using your fingertips, and if it is in the daytime, the apply a broad spectrum SPF cream. All this should take you about three minutes to get your skin ready for the day or night. The oil is an amazing step because it makes sure your face is perfectly clean and ready to absorb all the benefits of the serum! It also makes sure you aren't locking in any dirt because it's all been removed. It’s a must. Try it and you’ll see why we have grown to love this extra step so much.