A few things have changed since being pregnant…. to say the least Lol. My skin has been a MAJOR change. I have pretty dry skin normally but ever since I hit 14 weeks it is next level dry. I am talking I itch constantly and get Andrew to bathe my back in Aquaphor every night. He always says’ “It’s like trying to wax on you.” and I just say keep it comin! With all this dryness hydration is my new priority in life.

I recently got a facial at Aya Medical Spa and it was so great to talk with someone about what I was experiencing with my skin. I literally told her, it’s like I don’t even recognize my face these days. I told her I am cutting things out of my skin care regimen left and dry to see if they will help my skin hold a little hydration. We sat and talked about some things I can implement into my routine, and now I can’t wait to share the updates with you ladies, hopefully if someone out there is in the same boat as me it will help!

I just want to start by saying before you read this post that I only really got into skin care about 6 years ago. Prior to that I was an avenue and Dove bar soap for face wash kind of girl. One of my closest nursing friends (who was obsessed w skin care) asked me what my skin routine was……I literally had no idea what she was talking about. We started talking products and I decided to just add in ONE thing at a time. I didn’t want to just drop a couple hundred dollars if I wasn’t sure it would work for me. I started with toner, moved on to moisturizer, then added it a serum/oil and finally eye cream. It took about a year for me to get all the products added it and in a order that worked for me. So just try adding in one new thing and see how it works for you and your skin!

Lets start with what I use to remove my make up.

I usually use waterproof mascara (random: but I have a stigmatism in my eye and it waters all the time) so that’s why I use waterproof. To get that off I use these little wipes. They are an oil base wipe and I really love that I don’t ever feel like I am scrubbing that skin under my eyes which I work so hard to keep tight with eye cream. These wipes are super gentle, odorless and don’t burn your eyes at all, plus they really work well at getting everything off in a couple swipes.

Next I take my face make up off with these wipes. You really can use whatever wipes you want, but I just typically grab these at the store. You might be wondering why in the world I take off all my eye make up and face make up prior to even washing my face. I just feel like I get the BEST wash on my face and much much clearer skin if I take time to take everything off and then wash my face.

Since my face has been so dry, I now have been using a tiny amount of Coconut oil to get my make up off. The wipe usually do not dry my face out at all, I use one wipe and then have been following it up with the Oil to ensure I can gently get off all my make up.

Face Wash

Speaking of Face Wash I go between two difference washes. Whenever I need a GOOD solid scrubbing. I mix this oil (from Trader Joes) or you can get it on Amazon with this scrub. I mix them together in my palm and it truly exfoliates my skin, which is why I don’t use it everyday because my skin would never be able to take that much scrubbing. ** Side note if I am going to use the oil/scrub combo I don’t use any coconut oil to take off my make up because that would be oil overload for my skin!

This is the face wash that I enjoy for all other days. I usually keep it in the shower, so my pores are nice and open whenever I go to wash my face. It’s super gentle and has a great smell. Eminence is one of my ALL TIME favorite skin care lines. It’s organic and they have SO many products to choose from, you can always find something that work for your skin. I have had so much fun order and trying out new products.

Steps by Step Skin Routine 

1. I always start with toner. I feel like it evens out my skin tone and really sets this stage for everything else I apply after. The lime toner form Eminence is my go to normally.  However it is a little more drying. I cut it out of my routine and have been using this— per the recommendation of my esthetician at Aya Medial Spa I have been trying this toner. It is actually a moisturizing toner that have done wonders for my skin!
2. As the toner dries I apply eye cream and let it sink in. I really like this eye cream, but I have really dark under eye bags (genetics) and so I am still searching for my ride or eye cream but one does a great job.
3. Next is my truly have FAVORite part. If I could only use one product forever it would be this oil. It is a little expensive, but last a while and it truly worth every penny. It does a complete re-hydration of my face and feels amazing. I use it every morning and night without fail.
4. Last I use a moisturizer. This one is my favorite but I have use this, this and this and loved them all. There aren’t many Eminence moistures that I haven’t loved.

Other Favorite Skin Care Accessories 

Once a week AFTER I have finished the routine above I use the ice roller. It really helps seal you skin and allows the products to absorb into your pores. It is so cheap and comes in a few colors. I stick it in my freezer but if that is too cold you can always do the fridge.

This charcoal face mask is the absolute BEST! It get into every single pore on your face and cleans it out, I’m not kidding you can see it happening. I try to do it once a week. Right now my face is a little too dry and so I haven’t done it as much lately, which isn’t helping with breakout, so I hope to start again soon!

I shared Aquaphor because I use it on my lips every night, it just really hydrate and completes my skin routine. There isn’t an ounce of skin that goes untouched at night time haha. But I have been caking this on my belly, breast and back. These three places have been ITCHING so badly due to skin stretching.

Lastly I shared what I want to try next. It’s actually this pillow case. I probably won’t get it until after pregnancy because I use the pregnancy pillow right now and it working great. But when baby girl gets here I plan to try this, it’s supposed to protect your skin and hair because it’s so gentle.

WHEW that was so long, if you stayed this long I wish I could give you a big ole hug! Sorry for the overload but I really was just so excited to share all my new updates with you ladies!

xoxox

Mary Margaret