The older I get, the more I’m realizing that simple is best when it comes to skincare…simple products, simple ingredients, and simple routines. Surprisingly, the simpler it is, the more powerful it is.  
I’ve struggled with acne for many years, starting in my late teens and continuing in my twenties. I tried numerous skincare products, especially ones targeted for blemishes. Aside from having spotty results (no pun intended), they all had the same thing in common — they were super drying. Unfortunately, when I was younger I didn’t view that as a huge concern…hey I even used to lay out in the sun for hours trying to get the perfect tan (yes, lil `ol fair skinned me).  As I get older and the seasons change, my skincare concerns change and I’m beginning to pay attention to dark spots, dry patches, wrinkles, etc… It’s crazy to think about how I used to neglect my skin, because I’m always reading up on skincare “secrets”, the best foods for your skin, and different beauty routines.

With all that being said, I have to keep a close eye on my skin in order to keep it blemish free and clear. Unfortunately, I’m not one who can get away with falling asleep with makeup on, or just rinsing my face with water at night. A while back, we mentioned how we have actively changed our diets (eating organic whenever possible and cutting out red meat), and began to include more exercise into our daily routines.  A healthy diet + some great products can really help turn your skin around.  Here’s a glance at what has been helping keep my skin fresh, along with my current skincare routine.

HEALTHY FOODS
Strawberries + Blueberries: Every morning we have some fresh fruit with our breakfast.  Strawberries and blueberries are packed with antioxidants to protect our skin. Citrus fruits are great too!

Kale + Tomatoes: Pack these into your salad, or eat them as a snack! The antioxidants in tomatoes act as a natural SPF and help prevent sun damage.  (Be sure to still apply SPF before going outside though.) Kale has a ton of vitamin C and A, which will help keep your skin firm.

Green Tea: We have a cup every morning and night. The antioxidants boost blood flow and oxygen to your skin, which helps create a smooth, even tone.

Avocado: Avocado toast anyone?! 😉 Since integrating more avocado into our weekly diets, we have definitely noticed smoother skin.  Avocados are packed with vitamin C and E, with antioxidant carotenoids, and moisturizing fatty acids.

CLEANSE
Once we began to eat healthier, we also began to pay more attention about what was in our skincare.  I recently began using a regimen by bareMinerals and so far, my skin is really loving it.  On most days I use the Pure Plush Gentle Deep Cleansing Foam.  It’s a great, light everyday cleanser with grapefruit that leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean, but not stripped away. If my skin gets a little congested from traveling or just having a Netflix marathon, which is usually accompanied by one too many sweets, I use the Blemish Remedy Acne Treatment Gelee Cleanser. It’s oil free and has a bit of salicylic acid to fight off clogged pores.
ENHANCE
As we age, our skin naturally loses minerals. We all search for that healthy looking glow and radiant skin, and while I truly believe healthy skin begins with what we eat and put in our bodies, the products we use on our skin are just as important. After cleansing, I follow up with Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion.  In the past, I would always skip that middle step in-between cleansing and moisturizing, whether it was a serum, toner, etc… I was always in a rush, but this has been a miracle product of sorts.  It has California Poppy, Lempuyang Ginger extract, and Long Life Herb extract, which is known to help fight pre-mature aging. This gives my skin a nice glow and is super hydrating.

MOISTURIZE
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! When I was younger I used to skip this step (gasp!), thinking it would just make my skin more oily and cause more break outs (double gasp!). Boy, was I wrong, but in my own defense I was using the wrong type of moisturizers that were too heavy for my skin.  Lately, I’ve been loving bareMineral’s oil-free replenishing gel cream.  This stuff is so light and airy, yet so powerful! Moisturizing my skin morning and night, in addition to drinking plenty of water, has been one of the most important components in keeping my skin as clear as possible.

What are some of your go-to products and skin care routines? I’d love to hear about them.  Share them below!

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