The entire time I was in graduate school, I had very little extra money and couldn’t afford all the fancy skin care products we read about it in magazines. Thank God, Clinique makes affordable skin care products for the poor, little graduate student like me who just wants smooth and clear skin. The Clinique Prep Start line is my favorite, but I should note that I don’t suffer from acne and my goal is just smooth, healthy skin with a natural glow. Then and now, my daily skin care routine consists of an exfoliating cleanser, moisturizer, and sun screen. For an exfoliant I use the Clinique Prep Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser($19.50), which I absolutely love! I have combination-dry, sensitive skin and after 4 years of use it never irritated my skin. Since it is an exfoliant and a cleanser, it works to remove dirt and other impurities as well as dead skin cells leaving your skin smooth with a radiant glow. After that, I apply the Clinique Prep Start Hydro-blur Moisturizer($29.50) to both my face and neck. The moisturizer is oil free and gives your skin a matte finish which is perfect for people who wear make-up or suffer from oily skin. It also blurs the look of pores and fine-lines. Surprisingly, it kept my skin moisturized during the harsh Michigan winters. And guess what?!? If you’re low on cash, Sephora sells a mini-size version of the moisturizer for $9.50. Finally, I apply a sunscreen to reduce discoloration caused by sun damage. Before, I used the Aveeno Protect Hydrate Face Sunscreen Lotion($6.39) which worked well, but did leave white marks on my skin. Lately, I have been using the Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 by SuperGoop!($32) which is a dark skin girl’s dream since it doesn’t leave behind a white residue on my face. However, it is pricey but I think it is worth it.
Like most dark-skin black girls, I suffer from hyper pigmentation and now that I have extra money, my 2019 skin care goal is to reduce this discoloration as well as the look of dark spots caused by past hormonal acne. As a result, I have added two items to my skin care routine by Sunday Riley: the Luna Sleeping Night Oil($55) and C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum($85). I have been using these products since December 2018 and I can already tell a difference. The C.E.O. serum contains Vitamin C, which is known to reduce the look of dark spots and discolorations. I normally apply it once a day after my moisturizer. The sleeping oil contains retinol which reduces aging marks such as fine lines, dark spots, and uneven texture and I apply it at night before bed. But be careful, the oil reacts with water so make sure your face is completely dry before applying it or you’ll regret it. In a future post, I will share before and after pictures of my skin to show the difference.
Again, I know good skin care products can be expensive, but this is why I love the Clinique prep start line because it’s affordable plus the products last a long time. The Sunday Riley products are a bit more expensive but I should add that Sephora does sell both of these items in a mini version which is nicer on the pockets. I should note that I am not a dermatologist and am only sharing what has worked well for my skin!
From Aeriel, With Love
Aeriel Views 