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I’ve been attempting to have a nighttime skin care routine since I was in college and everyone told me to start using wrinkle cream or I’d “be sorry”. Well, I’m still not sorry, but I sometimes remind myself that after all those years my skin could probably look better if I had started using anti aging cream sooner! It’s just so hard to remember!!! The key for me has been to find products that I really love, and continually repurchase. If I really like and enjoy them, then I’ll use them, and it doesn’t seem like such a chore. Even still, it’s so hard to find time remember DO IT.
Either way, I thought I’d share what I attempt to do, every night and biweekly. A few of these products I’ve used forever, and a couple I’m just trying out but really enjoy, like the Imagine Dermatology Instant Lifting Wrinkle Fighter and Smoother Skin Anti Aging Renewal Complex.
To start, I’m a nighttime shower lover. I hate showering in the mornings, because I’m just so tired that I can’t even bring myself to get in there. Of course it wakes me up, and I feel good after I get in it. But try getting me in there…I just DON’T WANT TO GO. I will basically take any opportunity for an extra few minutes, even seconds, of sleep.
So, I take my shower at night, and then immediately apply Nivea’s in-shower body lotion. I started using this thanks to a free sample in a magazine (someone actually uses those?! Yes. Me. And I probably repurchase about 1 of every 245 that I try. But can someone just relay to the packaging people that it’s really hard to open those things in the shower when your hands are wet?). It was so good (and smells so amazing…kind of like honeysuckle) that I kept on buying it, and have been using it for a couple years now.
I only apply that to my body; once I get out of the shower, the real face fun begins:
Step 1: Apply Nivea’s Soft Cream. This is my second tub of this in a couple years. One tub lasts FOREVER. I’ve tried so many basic moisturizers, and this is my favorite. I love the feel and the smell, and even though a downside is that you’re contaminating the stuff in the tub with your (potentially) dirty fingers, it’s easy to just get a little dab. I go super light on this, because of the anti-aging creams I use. I don’t want to lather on a huge mask, so this stuff I apply in a really thin layer mostly on my forehead and apples of my cheeks where I get really dry.
Step 2: While that’s drying, I apply a lip balm. I’ve gone through a couple tubes of the Maybelline Baby Lips in the plain clear version in the light blue tube. Another favorite is the Blistex medicated tube. I like the medicine-y smell of that one because I’m weird, but it also works. I’ve been through about 10 tubes of that, too.
Step 3: Apply your Anti-Aging products! I’ve been through a few different ones, but haven’t found any I’ve really been faithful to. Imagine Dermatology sent me this set of their products, and I’ve really been loving them! I love the fact that it’s made in the US, not tested on animals, and has vitamins B3, B5, C and E. Each of these has a really unique set of ingredients along with the basic vitamins; the wrinkle fighter has a South American plant extract (Acmella Oleracea!?) that’s supposed to have a botox-like effect on skin, and the renewal complex has an algae and yeast extract to help with firming the skin. I also love the smell of it; it’s like a really fresh citrus smell.
Even though these products claim to have an immediate effect, I find that with any product, nothing happens immediately. Anti-aging products are the kinds of things that you use religiously, or as often as you can, and then down the road you’ll realize your skin might look better than you expected it to, or feels better than you remember it feeling. It’s more of a long term relationship than a one night stand…so find some products you like and enjoy using, and keep up with it!! Consistency is key, and also just keeping your skin healthy and moisturized is a big part of it! If you want to try these products out for yourself, enter the contest below–Imagine Dermatology is giving away a set to a reader! Anyway, whatever anti-aging products you use, don’t forget these tips:
- Apply in thin layers. If you apply multiple layers, wait for the first layer to dry
- Don’t just apply to your wrinkly areas! Apply ALL AROUND your eye area, not just where current wrinkles are
- Always rub in an UPWARD motion. I mean, think about it. Gravity pulls your skin down over time…don’t rub down! Rubbing UP will be more beneficial.
- Don’t forget your neck and chest area!!! These areas are so overlooked. Always apply anti-aging creams (upwards!) on your skin and chest
- Also, don’t forget your hands!! I’ve been using anti-aging creams on my hands for years, and even though my cuticles still suck, I think my actual hand skin doesn’t look too bad. Plus, those vitamins are just as good for your face as they are for your hands!
- As always, apply on CLEAN skin.
- Consider applying in the morning as well. It will be a good pick-me-up and massage for your face!
So those are my three steps before bed! There are still two other products I love and swear by, but I only use them when I need them. The first is the M-61 Power Glow Peel, which can get pretty expensive, so I only do a peel once every couple weeks. This burns a teeny tiny bit, but it feels amazing the next day, and all you do is use the wipe to coat your face. You have to do it on a completely clean face, and then you don’t do anything afterwards–so on nights that I do this peel, I don’t do any anti-aging creams at all.
Additionally, if I get a pimple, this acne spot gel from Neutrogena is AMAZING! The tube is super tiny, but literally you only need a little teeny tiny blob to put over your pimple at night, and it’s practically gone the next day. Pretty awesome stuff!
Thank you to Imagine Dermatology for sponsoring this post.
Enter the giveaway HERE!
Two sets will be given away!
Giveaway ends on 3/9 at 11pm PST.
Shop the Post:
- Nivea In Shower Body Wash
- Nivea Soft Body Lotion
- Imagine Dermatology Wrinkle Fighter
- Imagine Dermatology Renewal Complex
- Maybelline Baby Lips
- Neutrogena Acne Spot
- M-61 Peel
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It’s so important to have a night time skin ritual! It’s one of my favourite things to do! 🙂
It’s almost like a nice little treat to yourself, isn’t it?!
I have the imagine set and it’s to die for! love using them!
Jasmine Hewitt recently posted…Brats On Board 6 in 1 Nursing Cover Review & Giveaway!
It’s so awesome isn’t it?!
Those sound like great products! I enjoyed reading about the things you attempt to do before you go to bed.
Belle | http://www.OneAwesomeMomma.com
Belle recently posted…Cut-out Sweater + Floral Pants – A Look Perfect For Spring
Hehe yeah it’s a struggle sometimes to remember! 😀
Thanks for posting this! I’ve been wanting to try an anti wrinkle cream but wasn’t sure where to start.
Nicole Ziegler recently posted…Direct Sales: Is it for you?
Definitely enter!!!! It’s hard to know where to start too, especially when some are super expensive and some aren’t!
It sounds silly, but a smell of products is so important to me. Citrus sounds lovely 🙂
Alina recently posted…Coconut Cauliflower Fried “Rice”
NO WAY not silly at all, I HAVE to like how something smells or it’s a deal breaker!!
I need to get in the habbit of doing a nighttime skin care routine. I am getting so dry! These products seem great, especially the body lotion and shower gel!
Stephanie recently posted…Why She’s Sad on Sunday’s: The Letter That Truly Hit Home
The in-shower moisturizer is a life (and time) saver!!
Yay! just entered! glad I didn’t miss it. I have heard great things about a few of these products. Now that I am in my early 30’s, I’m finding more and more that skincare is extremely important!
I will have to try some of these! I’m still looking for just the right products for my routine. I love baby lips too!!
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of the Imagine brand before- I’m definitely going to have to check them out!
Kate AL recently posted…Can You Teach ‘Old Tracks, New Tricks’? (Review + Craft)
I hadn’t either! They apparently do some custom items for Sephora and Ulta though!!
I think as people age especially us women we get to appreciate our skin more and take care of it often compared to when we were in our 20’s.
Totally agree 100%!!!