My vegan skincare night time routine
Hey guys! I get a lot of questions from friends about vegan/cruelty-free skincare, so I’m here to answer at least some of your skincare questions.
A couple of things before I go into it. A huge part of skincare is the order in which you put the products on your skin. You might have the most luxurious skincare routine in the world, but if you’re layering your products on your skin in the wrong order, it won't matter.
Why does it matter? Just like oil + water doesn’t mix, some ingredients in skincare products can actually sit on top of each other and prevent your skin from absorbing other products.
What's the proper order?
step 1: makeup remover
micellar water, face oils, balms or gentle cleansers
step 2: cleanser
step 3: toner
Toners are usually a product that people skip because it can feel a little pointless but toners were created to help balance the pH in your skin.
step 4: serums + treatments
Here’s when you want to use serums that target specific skin concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, and irritation. Serums are usually ultra-concentrated treatments, therefore, it's better to use them first that way they soak into the skin.
step 5: eye cream
step 6: moisturizer
Optional: If you want to do a face mask, do it after toning and continue routine as normal.
My Winter Nighttime routine
skin type: combo skin / acne prone / hyperpigmentation
daily
Makeup Remover: Pacifica Kale Water micellar water or S.W. Basics make-up remover oil
Cleanser: Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser
I wash my face for 60 seconds with fingers
Toner: Witch Hazel or Rose Water
Serums/Treatments: Paulas Choice Daily Skin Clearing Treatment
Moisturizer: Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream This moisturizer is really thick and I only use it in the winter. It treats redness and soothes inflamed skin.
Every other night
Chemical Exfoliator: The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution (Once a week for 10 minutes)
Why I switched to a vegan skincare routine?
I’ll be the first to admit that vegan and cruelty-free skincare was the very last thing that I switched over after becoming plant-based. Mostly because I was still in college and really couldn’t afford to invest in anything other than food and materials for classes. During my senior year, I started to look into using eco-friendly/non-toxic products for a project and my first switch was using coconut oil for my body. I put that shit on everything! In my hair, face, and body. I don't use coconut oil that frequently anymore, mostly because of its super comedogenic, but it started my vegan skincare journey into what it is today.
Vegan/Natural Skincare is v expensive
Yes! Vegan skincare can be expensive for reasons like formulation, shelf life, and cost of manufacturing. Skincare, in general, can be expensive but it doesn’t have to be. Depending on your skin type and skin concerns, you can build the routine that works best for you. Quick tea: I’m a huge fan of not spending a ton of money! I have tried close to a trillion products to see what works best for me and I have found that drugstore/inexpensive products can work just as well as boutique fancy products.
Do you have to make the transition?
NO! I mean wouldn’t it be amazing if all skincare products were cruelty-free, affordable and natural? Hell yes! But they’re not and just because they’re vegan it doesn’t mean they will work for you. Additionally, locking down a skincare routine that works can take a long time, don't sweat it!
Can I make my own beauty products from natural ingredients?
Of course, you can. Experimenting with natural ingredients is super fun and amazing. Just be careful about what you’re using, check out my DIwhy post about homemade skincare for tips on what not to use.
Disclaimer: This is not sponsored and does not contain any affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Also I’m NOT a medical professional or esthetician all opinions are based on my own research and experiences.