Now that we’ve covered using a low pH cleanser in your routine, I wanted to talk about double cleansing. Specifically, oil cleansing before you use your low pH cleanser. I always start my night routine with an oil cleanse to remove every speck of makeup, sunscreen, dirt, and pollution. I love how luxurious cleansing oils feel and how they emulsify with water and rinse away clean. I tend to prefer cleansing balms for the fact that they are easier to work with. There are some great cleansing oils out there but I don’t love how messy they can be, therefore I stick with balms.

Using an oil cleanser to remove your makeup before washing your face can have some amazing effects. I put the oil straight into my face, no water added, and massage it around. Not only does it totally melt off my makeup, I can actually feel it drawing dirt out of my pores. In fact, cleansing oils even help dislodge stubborn blackheads. Additionally, they provide moisturizing benefits.

My all time favorite oil cleansing balm is Banila Clean It Zero. It’s great for even sensitive skin, well priced, and the texture is perfect. I love the way it melts my makeup off. It also has a very light, non-irritating scent. The only thing I’m not sure about is how clean it is. I couldn’t find it ranked on any of the sites that compile that type of information.

Next I decided to try the Elemis Pro Collagen cleansing balm. This cleansing balm has a cult following so of course I had to get a mini to try out. This balm has a stronger scent, kind of spa like. It works well but maybe not as well as the Banila Clean It Zero. It’s also not clean so I probably won’t repurchase.

Next up is the Beautycounter cleansing balm. This balm is definitely clean, and it works as far as taking off makeup. But, I didn’t like the texture. It got kind of gritty and chunky after a while. It’s also pretty pricey.

Lastly, I tried the Versed cleansing balm available at Target. It’s clean, and the price is right! The travel size is only $7. But it has a very strong eucalyptus scent. I got used to it after a while but I feel like it could be irritating for some.

For now, I think I’ll stick with the Banila Clean It Zero. Although it is mineral oil based, it ranks very well on COSDNA as far as having low irritants. What do you think? Will you try oil cleansing?

One of the skincare topics I get asked about the most is what to do for acne and breakouts. Truthfully – I have a diligent skincare routine that keeps my skin acidic at a low pH to prevent acne and breakouts. But, there is the odd occasion that I will get a breakout and these are the steps I follow.

STEP 1: REMOVE MAKEUP

Because I have lash extensions I need to use something oil free to remove any eye makeup I wore during the day. I like these Clean and Clear Oil Free cloths to remove eye makeup while being careful around my extensions.

STEP 2: OIL OR BALM CLEANSER

This is the first step of my double cleanse. The purpose of this step is to remove makeup and sunscreen before cleansing my face. I put the oil directly onto my dry face and massage for about a minute to loosen up pore-clogging debris. Sometimes you can actually feel debris coming to the surface and falling out of your pores! For breakouts I like using the Banila Clean It Zero Purity oil balm.

STEP 3: GENTLE, LOW PH CLEANSER

A cleanser with a pH over 6 can strip your moisture barrier and invite breakouts so I always go for a gentle, low pH cleanser. My holy grail cleanser is Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser. It feels so soft and gentle on my face and leaves my skin feeling supple!

STEP 4: ACID TONER

After rinsing I use an acid toner applied with a cotton round. This helps to prep my face for acids and pH dependent products. This also helps to keep my skin acidic and prevent breakouts. Currently using Pixi Glow Tonic – it’s a glycolic acid toner which makes it an AHA. Safe for pregnancy!

STEP 5: ALPHA HYDROXY ACID

An AHA serum is perfect for getting rid of anything happening on the surface of the skin (i.e. blemishes and closed comedones). This smooths away the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal even, glowing skin. I’ve been using Mizon 8% AHA peeling serum for years and it’s also pregnancy safe. Wait 20 minutes after you apply so it doesn’t interfere with other products.

STEP 6: EYE CREAM

Eye cream definitely isn’t necessary for preventing or solving breakouts, but I use on every night and this is the step I would apply it. Lately I’ve been using this Drunk Elephant Firming Eye Serum to keep my eye area hydrated. It really helps to soften any lines!

STEP 7: MOISTURIZING CREAM

I seal it all in with a moisturizing cream. For acne and breakouts, and any time really, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Cream. It has a bit of AHA in it for a little extra exfoliation over night. I wake up with smooth, hydrated, glowing skin!

STEP 8: BENZOYL PEROXIDE CREAM

I would do all of the steps above for one night and see how your skin is looking in the morning. If you still have a blemish that is not going away, the next night I would apply a Benzoyl Peroxide cream to the blemish. (BP is not safe for pregnancy since it is a Beta Hydroxy Acid.) My tried and true BP cream is the Clearasil Rapid Rescue Spot Treatment. It shrinks blemishes within four hours!

STEP 9: LANCE BLEMISH AND COVER WITH HYDROCOLLOID

If you STILL wake up the next morning with a painful blemish, this would be my last resort step. This is for those times you have a deep, painful cyst that will not go away. First, get a blemish kit like this one. You want to use the tool with a pointy end and disinfect it really good with alcohol. Lance the blemish by gently poking a hole in the top of the pore. Be careful not to damage any more of the skin than you have to! Slap on a hydrocolloid bandage over it and it will suck the pus and bacteria out overnight, Gross, I know. But you will have relief in the morning and then you can start to heal.

Hopefully these steps will help you overcome your breakouts and keep you from picking at them at the very least! If you are still struggling with acne and breakouts there may be a hormonal or bacterial reason underlying. In that case I recommend trying out Curology. I know so many people who have had amazing results using Curology’s services!

The third trimester insomnia has settled in and it’s definitely showing under my eyes. I’ve talked about these products before and this combination is still working wonders! I thought today I would share the three products that help me cover dark circles, reduce puffiness, and get bright, hydrated under eyes.

Olehenriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream

Step 1 – Olehenriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream I apply this with my wring finger after cleansing and moisturizing but before any makeup. Pat it in and give it a little time to sink in. It’s rich and creamy and definitely adds a little brightness!

Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector

Concealer Brush

Step 2 – Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector applied with brush I use a brush to apply the Becca Corrector after my eye cream has settled in a bit. I have found that using a brush to tap the product in helps it blend well with my concealer. When I used my finger it just got really streaky. I use the light/medium shade.

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer

Beauty Blender

Step 3 – It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer applied with Beauty Blender I get my beauty blender wet with warm water and then squeeze it out in a towel so it’s damp. Then I put a dot of the Bye Bye Under Eye on the end and pat in a triangle under my eye. Literally just a tiny little dot – this stuff is full coverage and thick! I use the shade light to help with brightening.

One last tip – You see a lot of people using brightening powders under their eyes to set their makeup. I have found that this causes my makeup to settle into every little line and make me look 1,000 years old. No one wants that. Just a little tip.

That’s it! I spent so much time trying to find the right combination of products and this is what is working for me. I did the hard work so you don’t have to! If you try this method and you have any questions or comments leave me a note below!