Oct 12, 2014

Current Deep Cleansing & Exfoliation Routine

To be honest with you, my skincare routine is borderline lazy. My skin is not all that sensitive and usually quite tolerant of this laziness merely consisting of the very basics - moisturize, protect, and cleanse, but it does show especially when I neglect the "cleanse" part.
As I am aging and the air is getting cooler, my skin does not seem to produce oil as much as before. So maybe I have been lazier to exfoliate and deep-cleanse my skin, which is quite a mistake. I still use a waterproof sunscreen that easily causes clogged pores. Evidently, I broke out in a few spots. This was hormonal but clearly encouraged by negligence as well since I had not broken out for a while.
The situation was quickly resolved as I resumed my deep cleansing & exfoliation routine, maybe this time a little more diligently.


Deep Cleansing & Exfoliations




I did not buy anything new for this routine. What I did was to plan and space the products that I already had in the right spots of the routine.

My weekly regimen goes on with these five different products.

Sunday - AHAVA Purifying Mud Mask
This Dead Sea mud mask is quite effective yet gentle. I like this mask and plan to repurchase once I run out. It is a mud mask, so it will suck up the impurities just like any affordable mud based mask would do. However, I don't feel the moisture being stripped from my face with this one (it actually feels moisturized if that's possible). Plus it comes in a tube. (I can't be bothered with those tubs, no.) I usually mask before a shower for easy removal.

Monday - Clarisonic Mia 2
This device has never impressed me as a daily cleanser, but I love it as a weekly exfoliation tool. Adding a physical exfoliation in conjunction with a chemical one is extremely effective. The idea is that you loosen up the dead skin cell layer with chemicals then gently buff it away. The annoying timer thing that comes with Mia 2 actually reminds me that I should never over-exfoliate. One simple cycle a week would do for me. I also use cream or oil cleanser with it if my skin feels drier than usual.

Tuesday - Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
It is the gentlest exfoliator/conditioner in my arsenal. This rice enzyme based powder also contains Salicylic Acid and Papain to help keep breakouts at bay. I can actually use this everyday. Using this three times in between seems to calm and polish my skin.

Wednesday - Radical Skincare Anti-Aging Exfoliating Pads (reviewed)
This is my "chemical" weapon, so to speak. Compared to other acid based pads I've experienced, Radical Pads are mild and even moisturizing, but Glycolic Acid still is a powerful thing. I limit myself to only a few pads a week since I use other exfoliators as well.

Thursday - Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Friday - Boots No7 Total Renewal
This is another physical exfoliator containing micro-dermabrasion particles. The rich cream base helps minimize the unnecessary irritation, but I must tell you this one is a bit of hardcore. Maybe using it a few times a week would be more than enough if you're just getting into exfoliations. This is the most effective facial scrub that I've ever experienced. 60 seconds of very gentle circular motions is all you need. I am on my second tube of this one.

Saturday - Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant



I personally find my routine very effective and non-irritating. My moisturizer performs much better since I've started this routine.
However, to some it might look like "too much scrubbing". Please note that I've gotten used to the active ingredients like AHA, enzymes, and more aggressive exfoliants like Alumina over the years. This all-week-long exfoliation routine is definitely not for dry sensitive skin types. I myself am still carefully monitoring to see if my skin feels sensitized by them.
Also, exfoliation is a moo point (no, actually it makes things worse) if you're not protecting your skin properly from the sun.



How do you incorporate exfoliation and deep cleansing in your daily skincare routine?
What are some of your favorites?




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