Skin Care With Alex

[glow-skincare]

What is your favorite products that you recommend?

Hi. Thank you for your question! My absolute favorite moisturizer is the Etude House - Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream. I am already on my 5th bottle of this cream haha. It is really moisturizing and it makes my skin feel so soft. You can buy it on Amazon, Yesstyle, Stylevana, or the Etude House website.

I also really like the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotic SPF50+ PA++++ sunscreen. I bought it on Stylevana after seeing so many great reviews. I talk about it in my sunscreen post. It is my new favorite sunscreen.

Let me know if you check out these products and feel free to reach out again if you have any other questions. Hope this helps!

[glow-skincare]

Any tips on slugging? I've seen it on TikTok.

Hi check out my Slugging 101 post!

[glow-skincare]

Slugging 101 

Photo from Pinterest @pngtree

Slugging is a skincare trend that has gone viral all over social media recently. I’ve seen so many videos all over TikTok promoting this trend with many people showing their excellent results using this method. So what is slugging? Slugging is when you slather your face with a petroleum jelly like Vaseline or Aquaphor. The product acts like a seal on your skin and helps keep the moisture locked into your skin. It also supports a healthy moisture barrier which can reduce wrinkles, acne, acne scars, etc. 

How To 

The first step is to complete your nightly skincare routine. Slugging should be the last step in your skincare routine.

Grab whatever product you prefer (I use Aquaphor) and slather it all over your face. Leave the product on overnight (do not wash it off). That’s it and you are done! 

Tips 

Try to finish your skincare routine about an hour before you go to bed so that the product that you are slugging with can soak in. This will prevent the product from getting all over your sheets and pillow.  

Apply a small amount all over your face, don’t go overboard 

Make sure that you patch test before using new products 

Do not use retinols or exfoliators while slugging- this might irritate your skin even more 

Use a gentle moisturizer on your skin before you slug 

Only slug at night to allow the products to fully soak into your skin 

Don’t slug everyday and only slug at night 

Don’t slug if you have acne prone skin, inflammatory acne, or oily skin 

Only slug over freshly cleaned skin- any dirt or makeup still left over on your skin can lead to irritation or breakouts if you slug over it 

Do not slug if you have milia (tiny white bumps on your skin) 

There are lots of products you can use for slugging besides Vaseline, you can use Aquaphor or the Cerave Healing Ointment. Find a product that works for your skin. 

Key Takeaways

Slugging is a great step to add to your skincare routine. It has so many benefits and can really improve your skin if you do it the right way. You know your body best, if slugging just isn’t working for you, it’s okay to stop and try something else. You don’t always have to follow the skincare trends. Sometimes simple routines are best. I hope this helps. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

[glow-skincare]

Message me 

Message me if you have any questions or just want to talk about anything. I would love to hear from all of you :)

[glow-skincare]

Great Skin from Within: A Guide to Clearing Your Skin With Food 

Photo from BeBeautiful.in

In order to have great skin you have to take care of it not only from the outside but from within. So what do I mean by this? Taking care of your skin from within means that you must nourish your body with healthy food. Diets filled with fried foods and foods with too much sugar can cause breakouts, redness, excessive dryness or oiliness, etc. This doesn’t mean that you have to give up your favorite foods, you can still enjoy your favorite snacks in moderation. Here are some great foods to add to your diet that will help you get clear, healthy skin in no time! 

Omega 3 Fatty Acids 

These fatty acids help your skin stay hydrated and also help preserve collagen in your skin which keeps it supple, firm, and more youthful. These acids can also smooth dry, flaky skin. 

The best source for omega-3 fatty acids are fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel

Flaxseeds and chia seeds- add ground flax seeds to smoothies and shakes or try making a delicious chia seed pudding 

Soybeans- tofu 

Walnuts- add to oatmeal, smoothies, cereal  

Antioxidants 

Foods rich in antioxidants can reduce the risk of many diseases, help clear your skin, and boost your overall health. Try incorporating some of these delicious foods in your diet: 

Fruits such as peaches, cherries, apples, watermelon, papaya 

All berries, especially blueberries 

Vegetables such as carrots, dark leafy greens, broccoli, artichokes 

Green tea 

Now that you know more about what foods can help you achieve clear, glowy skin, let’s dive into some easy recipes. 

Green Smoothie Recipe

This smoothie is filled with amazing ingredients that can boost your overall health and clear your skin. 

2 cups of spinach

1 cup of almond milk 

½ cup of plain greek yogurt 

½  cup of strawberries 

½ blueberries 

½ banana 

¼ cup of walnuts 

Blend it all up, pour the smoothie into your favorite cup, and enjoy :)

The Best Chia Seed Pudding 

Chia seeds have so many amazing benefits. They are filled with omega-3 fatty acids, they can aid in digestion, and help clear up your skin. My favorite way to add more chia seeds to my diet is to make a chia seed pudding. Here is the recipe: 

2 tbsp. Chia seeds 

½ of almond or any milky of your choice 

1 tsp. of honey or any sweetener you like 

Whatever toppings you like I like adding strawberries, blueberries, and bananas 

Pour the chia seeds, milk, and sweetener into a container and mix until well combined. Then let it rest for a few minutes before mixing everything together one more time. Add your favorite toppings and you are ready to enjoy a delicious breakfast! 

Key Takeaways

Remember that having a great skin care routine that works for you is only one part of the process to getting clear, glowy skin. You must also take care of your diet and health. You don’t have to eat sad looking salads to get clear skin, eat whatever foods you like that will nourish your body and keep you healthy.

Like and follow if you enjoy my content and feel free to message me if you have any questions! 

[glow-skincare]

Sunscreen 101

Photo by Byrdie

One of the most important products in your skincare arsenal is sunscreen. Sunscreen actually has many benefits and there are plenty of sunscreens that are lightweight and will make your skin look and feel good. Here is a guide to sunscreen to help you out with all of your sunscreen questions. 

Benefits of Sunscreen

So what are the benefits of wearing sunscreen daily? 

Sunscreen protects our skin not only from damaging UV rays that can cause skin cancer, but it can also prevent signs of aging and discoloration. 

Chemical vs Mineral Sunscreen

There are two main types of sunscreen: chemical and mineral sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens use special chemical formulas that filter out the sun’s UV rays, while mineral sunscreens physically block out the sun’s UV rays by creating a physical barrier on the skin. 

Which one is right for you? 

Chemical sunscreens are lightweight, blend nicely into the skin, and do not leave a whitecast. So if this is a deal breaker for you, chemical sunscreens might be best for you. 

Mineral sunscreens are very gentle and are a great option for people with acne-prone or sensitive skin, but unfortunately they can leave a whitecast or feel chalky on the skin. If you are concerned about long-term exposure to chemicals and have sensitive skin, mineral sunscreens might be a good fit for you. 

Product Recommendations 

Now that you have decided which type of sunscreen is right for your skin, let’s get into some sunscreen recommendations. Korean sunscreens are some of the best in the world. My current favorite is the Beauty of Joseon: Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics Sunscreen.This sunscreen is lightweight with no whitecast. It blends nicely and leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft. Here is the link: https://beautyofjoseon.com/products/relief-sun-rice-probiotics

Another great everyday sunscreen option is the Derma-B Everyday Sun Block SPF 50+ PA++++. It doesn’t leave a whitecast, it is incredibly hydrating, and it doesn’t feel sticky at all. A must for beginners who are interested in adding to their routine. Here is the link: https://www.yesstyle.com/en/derma-b-everyday-sun-block-200ml/info.html/pid.1092381819##productAnchor

Lastly, if you get tired of reapplying a cream sunscreen you can always try out a sunscreen stick like the Abib Sunstick Protection Bar. Reapplying sunscreen over makeup or just anytime throughout the day can be tricky, but this chemical sunscreen is really lightweight and applies perfectly over makeup. It is easy to reapply quickly throughout the day. Great for everyday! Here is the link: https://www.yesstyle.com/en/abib-quick-sunstick-protection-bar-22g/info.html/pid.1076585441##productAnchor

Key Takeaways 

Sunscreen is an important part of your skincare routine. It can be overwhelming picking a sunscreen out of hundreds of products, but finding one basic sunscreen that works for your skin and incorporating it into your routine can make the biggest difference in your skin!

[glow-skincare]

How to find your skin type 

Finding your skin type is one of the most important factors when building your skin care routine. There are different skin types and choosing products that fit your skin is very important. Each skin type has a different need so finding products that work for your skin will make all the difference. 

The five main types are normal, oily, dry, combination, and sensitive.

Normal skin is skin that is balanced. It is neither oily, dry, or sensitive. 

Oily skin produces an excess of sebum. If you have oily skin it can feel shiny and greasy. Oily skin can sometimes leave your pores clogged or congested. 

Dry skin can feel tight and dry. Dry skin is the opposite of oily skin, your skin does not have enough oil. 

Combination skin is skin that is both oily and dry. Usually the T-Zone (forehead, nose, and chin) are the most oily parts of the skin and the cheeks are the dry areas of the skin. 

Sensitive skin is less about how the skin looks and more about how the skin feels. Sensitive skin is more vulnerable to external irritants and different ingredients in skin care products can irritate your skin. 

So how do you find your skin type? There are two main methods of finding your skin type: the bare-faced method and the blotting sheet method. 

The Bare-Faced Method

To use this method, start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser and gently pat your skin dry. After cleansing, wait 30 minutes and then observe your skin. If your skin is feeling tight and there are dry patches, your skin is dry. If your skin is oily and shiny you have oily skin. If the shine is only in your T-Zone, you probably have combination skin. If your skin is feeling irritated you probably have sensitive skin. If your skin feels comfortable then you have normal skin. 

The Blotting Sheet Method

The next method that you can use to find your skin type is the blotting sheet method. To use this method, take a piece of blotting paper and gently pat the different areas of your skin and hold the sheet up to the light to see how much oil it has absorbed. If the sheet is soaked in oily skin, you most likely have oily skin. If there is no oil left over on the sheet, then you have dry skin. If there is only oil on the spots that you used to wipe your T-Zone, you most likely have combination or normal skin.  

Now that you have found your skin type it will be easier to choose products that are a right fit for you and will help improve your skin.