Tried & True Skincare Products

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Is it so hard to be comfortable in our own skin? YES! From acne, to uneven skintone, to hyper pigmentation, oil, dryness, etc. we all have things we’d love to change about our face! I always say, if only I had even skin tone, I would never want to wear foundation or make up! I love letting my skin breathe. Since high school I had break outs that I was self-conscious about. I’ve done a lot of product-searching from dermatologists’ offices to over the counter high-end stuff! It’s a frustrating process when it comes to trying to get our skin in better condition! It takes time, and research to find out what products are helping and what are hurting our skin! We all are different, and what works for some, may not work for ourselves!

My journey is still going though, and I’m in my late twenties! (Whoa, weird to say!) Even though I don’t have as many break outs (unless I don’t clean my make up brushes/pillow cases, or just use something that doesn’t agree with my skin) I have had a major sun problem the last 4 years! It’s hyper pigmentation. These are dark spots that randomly form on my face from sun exposure. I have to constantly wear a super strong sunscreen (zinc oxide is preferable) and cover my face with a hat for needed protection!

I get discouraged when I see these dark spots repeatedly return because I work hard (& spend some $) on products that reverse this! It’s hormonal, so I continue what I am doing if I want to avoid this to continue happening– 5-10 minutes of sun exposure.

But tried and true, the products I’m going to name are ones that I have faithfully stayed using for over the past year and have seen truly awesome results.

rulaTula Skincare: Every bottle pictured above, I use (to which I have a discount for anyone who wants to order- HANNA20 will save you 20% on your order) daily!!

If you are unsure of which products you may want to try, just get the starter kit! It’s perfect. I can tell you I use every one of those items that come in it. I definitely recommend the gentle cleanser and the hydrating cream! I use a cool eye renewal stick that is cold during the application so it wakes me up!

Sunday Riley (Good Genes, CEO Rapid Brightening Serum, Luna Sleeping Night Oil)

Which skin type is it good for? Normal Oily Combination Dry Sensitive A go-to day and night regimen combining the power of vitamin C and retinol to brighten and visibly transform your complexion. Solutions for:- Fine lines and wrinkles- Dark spots- Uneven skin toneIf you want to know more… C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum is infused with 15 percent ultra-stable, advanced vitamin C to brighten the appearance of the skin rapidly for immediate radiance while fighting the look of dark spots and discolorations at the source. Skin looks firmer and plumper as the appearance of youthful bounce and an even tone are restored. The gold standard form of vitamin C, THD ascorbate is both highly stable and oil-soluble, helping it to rapidly absorb into the skin for enhanced tone, clarity, and visible brightening. This hydrating antioxidant formula instantly polishes, protects, and illuminates the skin, while phytosterols help to reduce the look of redness and skin sensitivity.

Click link for the always spectacular (pictured above)

Sunday Riley CEO Rapid Flash Brightening

CLICK this link Sunday Riley MultiVitamins to try a smaller size of both Luna Sleeping Oil with The CEO Rapid Flash Brightening Serum! (Must-Have)

(MY OTHER FAVE) Sunday Riley Power Couple Duo is the total transformation kit and also a smaller and affordable size of the Luna Sleeping oil and the Good Genes.  (Must-Have)sundayA transformational power product duo that combines lactic acid and trans-retinol ester to exfoliate and brighten the skin. In use together, this power product duo uncovers more radiant, moisturized skin while promoting evenness of skin tone. Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment exfoliates and moisturizes the skin while smoothing the appearance of fine lines. Luna Sleeping Night Oil contains a powerful, yet gentle trans-retinol ester and moisturizing botanical oils to reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines, and sun damage while preventing flakiness and irritation. I absolutely love theses transformative products. Wear them at night – or wear LUNA at night and Good Genes during the day– you’ll see results of Good Genes in 3 minutes- no joke. 🙂

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare (Exfoliating Chemical Peel pads, Collagen mist, Retinol serum for under eye, Vitamin C Serum)

Linking a few of my daily eye and face favorites from Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare below:

Alpha Beta Daily Peel

Hyaluronic Marine Dew It Right Eye Gel

C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Eye Creamdennisgross

These little peels are UH-MAZING, and I’ve seen such improvements over the course of using – in as little time as 5 minutes after completing this 2 step process- my face feels polished and smooth, and minimized wrinkle/creases!!

I hope this helped!! These brands have been so good to me. If you have any products that you use and recommend for similar conditions, I’d love to hear!

But First, Coffee

*Orders 4 gallons of coffee.*

Ever feel like even that crazy amount won’t suffice? We all have those days! I struggle some days with too much coffee or too little. I have my favorite spots depending upon which city I am in, where I order my speciality drinks.

My morning coffee routine is something I always look forward to! One thing I absolutely cannot go without, is my FAVORITE Collagen Coffee Creamer

I love it because it’s sustainable energy! I use to be on that bullet proof-coffee kick, where I would add MCT oil and ghee to my coffee each morning. It is full of healthy fats so it kept me alert and sustained longer. Then I found Vital Proteins Creamer!! health & wellnessThis creamer is made from a company I trust: Vital Proteins!

Vital Proteins Coconut Collagen Creamer features healthy ingredients served alongside 10 grams of collagen peptides sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine. Rich in healthy fats from organic coconut milk, our Whole30-approved Coconut Creamer is completely free of dairy, soy, carrageenan, gluten, artificial sweeteners, and added sugars.

  • Healthy Fat: Our Coconut Collagen Creamer boasts 9 grams of healthy fat from organic coconut milk powder, an excellent source of Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) and lauric acid
  • Beneficial Collagen: Collagen’s amino acid spectrum provides the building blocks for hair, skin, nails, bones, joints, and other connective tissues
  • Bioavailable: Easily digested and absorbed by the body
  • 100% Dairy-Free: Because it is made with organic coconut milk powder, our creamer is completely free of dairy

Let’s talk about collagen. Whether it’s in the vitamin aisle of the grocery store, on the menu of your fave café, or swarming your Instagram feed, this supplement is taking the world by storm. Regardless of where you’re finding it, collagen is easily one of the biggest trends in wellness right now. So why is that the case?

The 411 on Collagen

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies. It’s found in our tendons, bones, muscles, skin, blood vessels, and digestive system, and is basically the glue that holds the body together. Furthermore, collagen sends out important signals to our cells telling them when to fight off inflammation or repair cellular damage. Essentially, it keeps you looking youthful, holds everything together, and fights for your long term health.

Here’s the thing: As collagen production tends to slow down with aging, especially if one consumes too much sugar, smokes, or spends too much time in the sun. But supplementing your diet with collagen is a great and easy way to counteract unhealthy habits and better your overall health.

Improved Sleep

Glycine, an immunonutrient that supports healthy inflammation and promotes deeper sleep, is the number one acid in collagen. Studies have illustrated glycine affects our neurotransmitters to quell chaotic thoughts and promote better sleep. Animal studies went so far as to illustrate glycine’s power in increasing the release of serotonin in the prefrontal cortex.

That being said, collagen doesn’t make you sleepy and you don’t need to take it at the end of the day to harvest those sleep-boosting benefits. Adding collagen to your morning or afternoon routine will still allow you the opportunity to snag some more of those well-deserved Zs. One of our personal favorites? Collagen creamer. Vital Proteins makes an organic and Whole30-approved (!!!) collagen-based creamer that tastes great when added to your tea, coffee, or smoothies. (@vitalproteins)

My favorite coffee orders on the go, would have to be iced almond milk/coconut milk/macadamia milk lattes with just a little bit of white mocha or hazelnut! Not too sweet, but creamy- and so good. I also love Iced Maca Lattes… these include almond milk, espresso, maple syrup, cinnamon, and maca. Maca helps to balance out your mood and your hormones! I try to add it to my smoothies or oatmeal when I remember!

Let me know your favorite coffee orders and how you make yours in the morning!