My Summer Beauty Essentials

Summer is here and one thing that I am paying attention to this year is my skin. For those who don't know, I have been struggling with Acne for pretty much my whole life so this year I am really trying to focus on the external and internal influences that play a significant part in my overall skin health. 

So this summer, I am really trying to be conscious of what I put on my face. I am starting to adopt a minimalist approach when it comes to skincare. I really believe that your skin likes what your skin likes so there is no need on being a huge product junkie. Just pick a few products and stick with them. Ultimately, that is the key to seeing results, use your products for at least three months to see a difference in your skin because it can take skin anywhere from 26 to 45 days for your skin cells to turnover. 

These are my summer 2018 everyday essentials for glowing and healthy skin in the order of use : 

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1. Cetaphil Cleanser

By now, you should all know that Cetaphil is my holy grail. It is a reliable cleanser free of allergens and irritating ingredients. 

2. Micellar Water 

Micellar Water is essentially the golden standard of water, to me. It has been vastly popular in Europe and has garnered a lot of attention from makeup and beauty enthusiasts worldwide. Micellar Water is pretty powerful stuff, composed of microscopic oil molecules called micelles which suspended in "soft water" attaches itself to dirt and makeup that your skin accumulate during the day.  I stan for this product and you should too. There are plenty of brands out there, but Simple was the first one that I tried and stuck with.

2.  Paula's Choice AHA Gel or a Mechanical Exfoliant 

Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin. Our skin cells are constantly renewing itself about every 30 to 40 days. Our skin cells shed at such a slow wait and because of this we can end up with an accumulation of dead skin cells on our face. To be completely honest, our air doesn't help either. Pollution can be a major cause to skin problems. It is a water soluble molecule which means that it is able to penetrate the pores, clean and shed the dead skin. I use Paula's Choice AHA Skin Perfecting 8% Gel. 

3. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer 

I have been using this product for the past six months and I have seen a really huge improvement in the suppleness of my skin. this gel is a light weight oil free moisturizer formulated with hyalauronic acid which is known to keep skin plumped and hydrated, dimethicone and glycerine which maintain the skin's moisture barrier so that the water won't evaporate before the skin absorbs it.  

As someone who has acne prone skin, I don't particularly like moisturizers that leave me feeling too oily or greasy. In fact, this product dries sort of matte so it is perfect under makeup application.  A little goes a long way with this product, but you can also reapply during the day without feeling like you are piling on the product and clogging your pores. 

4. La Roche- Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid  

My dermatologist recommended this product after she told me that it was imperative that I start wearing sunscreen. I told her that I am always so hesitant because I didn't know of ANY product that wouldn't give a grey cast over my beautiful cocoa brown skin. For us, darker girls, don't you hate that? Well, look no further because it's right here. I put it on after my moisturizer and before my primer (if i am putting on makeup). It has a milky texture, but it is easy to apply. It also dries matte so it does not make skin look too shiny. I have only used this for the past three weeks, but I love it so far.  

5. CeraVe Eye repair Cream 

This product claims to help repair and restore the skin barrier around the eyes leaving you with brighter and smoother under eyes.  It is formulated with hyaluronic acid that hydrates your skin. Although I am still in my early twenties, I am trying to take preventative measures to reduce wrinkles and fine lines under the eyes. So this is something new that I will be trying this summer. HMU after the summer's over for an honest review. 

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No Makeup Makeup to me means literally NO MAKEUP. Like I said, I have acne prone skin so unless I am actually going to an event where I need to beat my face, I want to allow my skin to breathe for the majority of the summer. I might leave the house with some tinted moisturizer, but for most of the summer, you will probably see my imperfect skin basking in the vitamin D's. 

To compensate for me not wearing a foundation, this I do always make sure that my eyebrows are done and I have a little lipstick on. 

That completes the list for my summer beauty essentials! What are your go to's for skincare during the summer months? 

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