How To Amp Up (Yet Simplify) Your Skincare Routine During A Pandemic

Something we may have all gained during the past few months is time.  If you're re-assessing how you're managing yours, there are a number of "projects" to re-consider, re-vamp, or re-create.  Rejuvenation through skin care is one area that I embraced even more avidly than I had previously (and that says a lot since I am an enthusiastic and lush beauty connoisseur!). 

Shirley 

My purpose was to simplify my morning and evening skincare routines but to maximize the effectiveness of those products.  I planned to do so in three ways:

1) Reduce the number of products used;

2) incorporate more targeted, beneficial ingredients; and

3) use at-home devices.

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Based on my research as well as personal experience with a plethora of products, I documented my reviews on my podcast, Forever F.A.B., on the segments entitled Fifteen Minutes of F.A.B.  Each product is assigned a F.A.B. score of 1-5 based on a number of factors.

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In my experience, these are the top five ways of how I amped up but simplified my skincare routine:

a) One cleanser: rather than an am cleanser and a pm cleanser, I used one for both am and pm;

b) Face mist or serum as moisturizer: an actives-rich serum often served as my moisturizer on days when i did not want to "layer" multiple products.  Pay attention to how your skin feels, as it ay need more moisture;

c) HA is everything: this ingredient is one that almost everyone may benefit from;

d) Capitalize on the multi-tasking vitamin C: it is a skin lightener and skin brightener.  It also helps to hydrate skin, stimulate collagen synthesis, protects against sun damage, and is involved in wound healing.

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e) Use power: I have become a fan of skin care devices.  No, they do not deliver the clinical, professional results delivered by me in my office.  The at-home devices may, however, help to maintain healthy skin which is better to undergo the needle or the knife (if you ever go there).  Of the numerous devices I have used and tested, a gua sha and a microdermabrasion device have become a part of my beauty lexicon.

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My sources tell me that there are some fabulous products and devices in the pipeline that will hit the market within the next few months.  I am excited to present them to you and include them in my beauty cabinet!  Subscribe to this blog and listen to my podcast for the reviews.

Here's to your beauty-- inside and out!