I Creamed My Face (Or What Skincare Products Work Best)

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Throughout the past fifteen years, I’ve had ups and downs with my skin. When I lived in Los Angeles it was clogged and oily. If work stress didn’t make it difficult for me to keep my skin clear, then the heavy layer of smog suffocating everyone did. When I moved to Austin my skin got healthier, but it’s never been 100% perfect. I’m sure I’ve had a lady friend or two with airtight pores who has gotten super uncomfortable with me staring at their canvas-like faces for long periods of time. How does their skin stay so perfect?, I think.

The one upside to having slightly oily skin is that it keeps you from getting super wrinkly early.

At 28, my skin has found a happy medium. I would be stupid if I didn’t recognize that it mostly has to do with my hormones, but I’d like to think that my skincare regime plays a part in it. A year ago I noticed the cobwebs around my eyes were starting to define themselves. At times I looked tired and old. Then I remembered my Mom’s age-old saying, “Always put lotion around your eyes.” It’s a lesson that even her ex-husband (my father) has thanked her for and so have I. I can already see a big difference just by keeping that area moisturized (I used to say “creamed”, but found out the hard way that saying, “I creamed my face” leads to ridicule of Tobias Funke proportions).

My beauty care regime is a small and mostly natural one. Though I did grow up close to Hippieville, USA (Ithaca, NY), it wasn’t until a few years ago that I noticed more natural skin care does wonders for your skin. Sometimes I’ll even use Olive Oil on my face.

I kind of smell like a salad.

When I was in high school, it took me an hour to get ready in the morning. Now it takes me 5 minutes. Keeping my skincare routine basic has not only helped my skin, but shaved off minutes I could spend staring out the window at feral cats.

What products do you use for your face?

This is the first time I’ve used Pond’s. In the past I’ve used Aveeno’s Daily Moisturizer. I’m kind of indifferent to face cream. I’m just a big believer in using any period. Keeping my skin hydrated has definitely helped me not look like a tired foo’. My grandmother uses Pond’s and she looks snazzy, so I’m going to give it a try.

Vitamin E is one of those magic products that I still can’t believe works. I have the sort of skin that after I get a zit, it takes forever to heal. Put a little Vitamin E and WAZOWIE!- that shit goes away. I also have a male friend who uses it for his dark circles. Vitamin E is known for helping with scarring and discoloration. It’s a little thick, but worth it. Jason Vitamin E oil smells the best.

I’m a believer in St. Ive’s Apricot Scrub. Or, when my pocketbook is hurting, the offbrand equivalent. I like St. Ive’s Apricot Scrub because you can really feel it scrubbing the shit out of your face. Most skincare articles will tell you that an abrasive wash is not good for your skin, but so far I’ve had a lot of luck.

Holy crap! I just found out about this and it works like a charm! Burt’s Bees Herbal Blemish Stick is the best thing for zapping pimples. If I notice a zit coming on, I dab this puppy on my face and it magically makes the zit go away by the next day! It’s made with Tea Tree Oil, Parsley and Juniper, so you smell like a beautiful forest.

Ok, so a lot of skincare professionals look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them this, but I come from a long lineage of women who remove their eye makeup with Vaseline. All those women look fantastic for their ages too. Vaseline has zero moisturizing properties and you’re putting something on your face that is also used in jet fuel, BUT it’s way better than dehydrating liquid eye makeup remover, in my mind. Vaseline works as a sealant, so it does a good job of trapping moisture around your eyes. It also does an excellent job of getting pesky mascara off!

I’m a big believer in getting a good night of sleep. I try to sleep for 8-9 hours daily and I’m an avid nap-taker. If I get anything under 7 hours, I look and act like Medusa.

Nightcaps are helpful too.