Ever since I turned 30 I've started to notice a few signs of aging: mostly the wrinkles around my eyes when I laugh (which is a lot). In a perfect world I'd never show signs of aging, or I'd whisk away the possibility with a quick dose of botox. But in an effort to live healthier and happier, I've really worked to switch out my beauty products for more organic options, unfortunately Botox doesn't fall into that category. As a young mother, I want my beauty to routine to be simple, effortless and effective all at once, that's not too much to ask, is it?! I've been researching and trying all sorts of products this past year, but here are the 5 I keep coming back to:
I started reading about using collagen peptides when I realized drinking bone broth was not only a great health benefit but also awesome for skin, but didn't want to make it all the time. Collagen is an insoluble protein which accounts for the 70% of the protein in our skin, which is why consuming it makes such a great difference! Beyond encouraging elasticity in our skin the particular amino acids in collagen are said to also support hair and nails, joints, and muscles. Both my husband and I use a scoop daily in our coffee and have felt a great difference. At my last hair appointment my stylist asked what I've been doing to my hair--she said it had grown out a full inch longer than it normally does between appointments! I haven't noticed any dramatic changes in my skin just yet, but maybe that's just it--I haven't noticed anything (read: new wrinkles) about my skin recently. Regardless of if it turns out to be the fountain of youth drink we'd all love, I figure it can't hurt! Check out how we use it here.
2. Korean Natural Sponge with Activated Charcoal
The first time I saw a konjac sponge I was in a Walmart and it caught my eye on the end cap of an aisle. It was black and squishy in the package, and claimed to be a natural and gentle cleanser from Korea. I was sold. I love all things charcoal and am often skeptical of harsh facial cleansers because I worry I will strip my skin of natural moisturizers. It intrigued me and so I bought it. I got it there for about $3 but have also purchased off amazon when I'm online shopping. It is really soft to the touch and I'm basically in love with charcoal products in general, so I love using this on my face as a cleanser while in the shower.
3. Bioderma Micellar Water/Makeup remover
If I had to choose just one of these beauty products to use for the rest of my life, it would be a solid toss up between Bioderma's Micellar Water and the Mad Hippie Nutrient Mist below. This micellar water is so verstatile--it can be used as a makeup remover, a face cleanser and a toner (all while being relatively inexpensive--$10!). I found it online once when I was researching French pharmacy beauty finds, because having lived in France and being French obsessed in general led me down a rabbit hole of "what are these women doing to look so effortlessly beautiful?". The product that kept popping up was Bioderma's Micellar Water. Many online articles even noted that French women often use this straight up as a cleanser, fearing the tap water contains metals such as copper, iron, zinc and nickel which can irritate your skin or lead to further damage. This is another simple product I love using, because it's an all in one, I use it to wipe of the day's makeup, clean, and tone my face all at once. So simple, so effective.
4. Mad Hippie Hydrating Nutrient Mist
I fell upon Mad Hippie Skin Care while looking for healthier and wholesome facial products. I had previously been using Origins products, but never found a moisturizer that I truly felt worked with my skin. I waited for a sale (So far I've noticed Mad Hippie holds 25% off promotions on Mother's Day and Black Friday!) and purchased a set. I was really in it for the Vitamin C Serum that I still use and love, but this spray came as part of the set and I ended up BEING OBSESSED WITH IT. I use it after cleaning my face, I use it mid day as a little moisturizing spritzer, I use it in the evening before using the Vitamin C Serum before bed. I love love love it! Especially now as I live in New Hampshire and the winter climate is so cold and harsh, I find my skin easily irritated and dry, I spray my face whenever I find myself in my bathroom, it has made such a great difference! Some Whole Food's carry Mad Hippie products in their beauty aisle, it's definitely worth going in and trying them out!
Last but not least, I use Mad Hippie's Vitamin C Serum. I put this on a few minutes after my nutrient mist has settled, and I can feel such a great difference. I also purchased the oil blend, but personally I prefer this Vitamin C serum to the oil blend. It feels silky on my skin and as it dries I can physically feel it firming. Any firming is good firming as far as I'm concerned. And it's a slight firming feeling, not the uncomfortable frozen feeling I've noticed with other more synthetic products. It is supposed to help with skin tone balance and sun damage (which accounts for most wrinkles over time, booo). It's a great product and I find myself missing it when I don't use it for a few days!
Have you tried any of these? Or do you have any amazing beauty products I should try next? i really want to keep my skin young and healthy!
