I am all about taking care of my skin. It was something my Mom always believed in. In fact, she was sharing her tips and tricks for radiant skin with me my entire life. When I was 16, my mother told me that the best thing I could do in addition to taking care of my skin at home was to start getting regular facials. She started later in life at 40 and knew that I went as a young girl it would only help me to form great skin care habits. My mom, for those of you that know her has beautiful skin, and she takes very good care of it. She was an excellent example. Over the last few weeks I have been in a few conversations about what I have been doing at home given that facials are not something I can do regularly lately due to COVID-19 related shelters in place. So today, I am going to share some of my secrets, and a few places that I love to shop for great skin products. I have already shared with you some makeup tips with one of my most favorite Makeup artists, Aga and you can catch all of that goodness right here.
Let me begin with this – as much as I enjoy taking care of my own skin, there is nothing like a great facial. For me, Leah Chavie is the place in Chicago for glowing, gorgeous, healthy skin. Leah and her team are basically a one-stop shop for skin therapy using non-invasive, high tech treatments with immediate results. My first skin care tip is definitely to treat yourself to a facial whenever you can!
My go-to facial with Leah is a combination of things, from derma planing (simple and safe procedure for exfoliating the epidermis and ridding the skin of fine vellus hair (peach fuzz), to corrective laser treatments to a hydra facial. This four-step treatment includes cleansing, exfoliating, extracting, and hydrating the skin with serums that are infused into pores with the HydraPeel Tip, a pen-like device and there is nothing like it to leave your skin feeling so clean! We always do a little micro needling and end with stem cell treatment. In all honesty, I have had botox twice in my life, and just did not like it. To each their own because I have friends that swear by botox and look fabulous too.
The results I get from consistent skin care make me feel so much more confident. I know that not everyone has the time, and even the budget to do all that I am sharing, but remember that these tips and products are a few of the things that I love, and you can pick and choose as you create your own skin care regimen!
The most important thing that I do outside of facials is the routine that I adhere to in-between them.
I am a skin cleanser fanatic. I actually switch it up quite frequently between a roster of my favorites. Sharing a few here:
Drunk Elephant’s Beste no 9 is a fave. A innovative jelly cleanser that removes all traces of makeup, excess oil, pollution and any other grime from the day. Free of SLS, fragrance and essential oils, Beste™ No. 9 is totally non-irritating, non-sensitizing and appropriate for every skin type.With a unique blend of mild surfactants and makeup dissolving emollients, this gentle formula rinses away without an ounce of residue, leaving skin clean and soft. Beste™ No. 9 is formulated at an ideal, non-stripping pH level of 5.5. This cruelty-free product is vegan and cruelty-free, and 100% Free of essential oils, silicones and fragrance. Find it here
Another favorite is Skin Medica’s AHA BHA exfoliating cleanser. This always improves the appearance of skin texture, tone, and smoothness. Thoroughly cleanses and gently exfoliates skin and I just love the way my skin feels. Find it here
When I wear makeup, I cannot wait to wash it off, and I love the original makeup eraser to do that. It erases ALL of my makeup with JUST water! Including waterproof mascara, eyeliner, foundation, lipstick and more. The Original Makeup Eraser is reusable & machine washable. Great for sensitive skin dermatologist recommended. And, the pink color always makes me happy! Find it here
I love Leah’s Cstem syrum, a concentrated anti-aging serum with lilac stem cells, vitamin C, and marine extracts. Dramatically improves deeper lines, brightness, texture, and pores.You can purchase this little miracle serum here.
And I love her Vita-C 20. This intensive brightening cream hydrating treatment cream with 20% L-ascorbic acid evens skin tone, lessens age spots, and improves appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I spend ALOT of time in the sun with the horses and just being outdoors whenever possible so sun discoloration related spots are something that I need to watch. The laser treatments really help, and the Vita-C keeps the treatment up at home. Purchase here
Since I have been unable to visit my favorite skin guru, I found a few things I like to use at home to keep me going until I can see Leah.
My go to cleanser
When I am in the shower, I am a huge exfoliator. For my face, I have to admit that I love this facial from goop. The Exfoliating Instant Facial instantly brightens and softens skin to reveal a glowing, smoother-looking complexion. Natural alpha and beta hydroxy acids sweep away dead skin cells; plant-based cellulose beads exfoliate further, while releasing soothing vitamin B5, leaving skin supple, soft, and utterly revitalized. The Exfoliating Instant Facial is formulated with USDA-certified organic ingredients and contains approximately 86 percent total organic content. Find it here
For a great body exfoliator, I sort of obsess of Coco and Eve Bali buffing sugar. Non sticky, non drying, 100% vegan, it helps improve the appearance of stretch marks, cellulite and marks on the skin and also really exfoliates! And the Dragonfruit and Lychee fragrance is delightful, especially on a dreary day. It smells like vacation spa days! Find it here
So I love derma plane, and definitely suggest that you approach with caution as it is your face, and being overzealous can make for some discomfort. When done right, there is nothing like it. I LOVE seeing the peach fuzz going and seeing all of that kind of dull top layer of skin just gone. There is a great little video on Amazon where you can purchase this version (I love the pink!). I typically do this before I shower, about every 5 or 6 weeks.
I purchased this microneedling therapy and I am obsessed. It is a really innovative derma roller system that consists of micro needling therapy, LED therapy and vibration therapy. Thousands of microscopic channels created by tiny needles (no it does not hurt) enhance the skin and your skin care products. Find it here on sale! I use this about 3 to 4 times a week but my skin is used to it. For beginners I would suggest once a week, tops. 
My next favorite? Right out of GOOP again! Inspired by professional chemical peels, these intense exfoliating overnight acid peel pads refine, retexturize, and brighten skin while you sleep. A powerful level (15%) of glycolic acid and potent fruit extracts (mango, banana, yellow mombin, and Australian kakadu plum) work together with naturally moisturizing hyaluronic acid so you wake up with fresh, soft, smooth, beautifully glowing skin.
You smooth it on with a new, dual-textured peel pad, and it’s especially brilliant on the face, neck, chest, and shoulders (where there’s typically the most sun damage). There are 12 treatments, and the directions suggest you use once a week. I love to exfoliate, then microneedle and even go for the peel after I do. Not for the faint of heart I know, but I love it and my skin always looks fantastic the next day. Find it here.
After I am finished with my shower or bath, every single day I use Jason Vitamin E 5,000 IU skin oil. I find it at Whole Foods, and you can find it on their site here too. It is chock full of healthy antioxidants. This vitamin E Oil plus 5 essential natural oils of Almond, Apricot, Avocado, Sunflower and Wheat Germ renew skin’s softness. The instructions say you can use alone on dry spots on the body, but it is my go to post shower. I actually like to leave my skin partially damp when I apply to, but that is just me. I also use this (in small doses) on my face in between the peels and microneedles so that my skin stays happy and healed. Cannot say enough about this product. I even had really wind chapped lips after a day outside with the horses and slept with this on them and the next day the chapped skin was gone. Find it here.
Last, but never least, once I have treated my face to all of the goodies, and I have buffed, polished and oiled my skin, I like to throw on comfy pajamas and make one of my favorite warm beverages. For the PJ route, I am a Soma girl 1,000%. Because of my PCOS my hormones can be all over the place when I an out of balance, and the annoying reality of that statement is night sweats. They are the worst! Soma makes a “cool nights” line that are crafted from super-soft signature jersey, which is designed to feel refreshingly cool against your skin while you sleep. The result? A sweat-free, hot flush-free night, and I feel comfy and cute too! Shop the pjs here.
Now that my skin is clean and I am feeling like one million dollars, I love to end my big self care nights with a little Poosh magic.
This perfectly creamy (yet dairy-free) strawberry-flavored treat offers 10g of bone broth collagen to support hair, skin, and nail health. Remember strawberry quick? It reminds me of that. With the addition of melatonin and magnesium, this lunar latte gives a whole new meaning to beauty sleep. Simply mix into a hot liquid – I use almond milk typically but oat milk is delicious too! And I typically use half of the recommended scoop because it knocks me right out, I sleep like a baby and then the next day I have no hazy after effect. I do not take any prescription medication, and try to do everything I can homeopathic, and this has been a lifesaver when I have anxiety, when I travel, and just when I want to treat myself. Find it here.
Highlights of this treat include:
- 10g of bone broth collagen to help support skin elasticity & moisture, a youthful appearance, and hair & nail strength**
- Ashwagandha to help the body regulate stress**
- Magnesium and melatonin for a great night’s sleep**
- Dairy free & gluten free
- Only 1g sugar
- 11 oz (14 servings)
Now, who is ready for a good at home spa day?! After all that TLC and a good night’s sleep, I am going to be so ready for a great day! I hope you are too xo
