By Linda Nguyen, PhD MBA
Hello readers! Quite a few of you have been asking how I take care of my skin so well as I get older and asked for an update from my article on My Make Up, Skincare and Hair and Beauty Routine a few years ago. Thank you for patiently waiting for my updated luxury and travel skincare routines! And without further ado, here we go!
When I think about skincare, I like to begin with maximizing rest, proper hydration and nutrition. These foundational building blocks of self care help to slow down aging, absorb the skincare products and give you a healthy glow from the inside out. From there, I select products for myself that are known to be effective in hydrating (especially in drier climates), blocking UV rays and reducing signs of aging.
However, if there came a day when my luggage was lost and my multi-step skincare routine was gone, these are the basic products I’d pick up in the realm of cleanser, moisturizer and sunblock. My dermatologist says cleansers, moisturizers and sunblocks are all you need and the best ones are the ones you actually use so choose the best one for your skin type with the help of your derm!
Travel
I prefer mineral sunscreens with high SPF. This one doesn’t leave a white cast. Remember to reapply!
Cleansing is always the first step to maintaining healthy, clear skin. I like to take a pump of the face wash in the morning and night and use my knuckles to gently massage my face and relax any tension in my jaw. After rinsing, I’d take 1-2 pumps of the moisturizer and dot it all over my face. Again, I’d gently massage the moisturizer in an upwards direction towards the hairline, at the hairline, neck and décolettage. If it was in the morning, I’d top that with about a dime sized amount of sunblock and and gently massage it into my skin.
There you have it! The most basic travel skincare routine I could pick up at my local pharmacy or at my destination in case I forgot something at home.
“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” Coco Chanel
My Updated Skincare Routine
Medical grade vitamin C that reduces the appearance of winkles and discoloration.
This serum reduces expression lines and helps minimize pores for radiating glass skin.
SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
This peptide serum helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
I’ve been using Shiseido’s eye cream since I was 16 to hydrate around my eye orbital and prevent crow’s feet.
I like how this AM moisturizer has 50 SPF and doesn’t leave a white cast! It also comes in a tinted version.
This is a good night time moisturizer too and I switch off between this and Cerave.
I like hydrating masks with collagen in them to keep my skin moisturized and pliable.
You may have guessed that my skincare routine isn’t simple and I’d be upset if my luggage got lost because I take my skincare regimen very seriously. I will even check in my bag just to be able to fly with everything I need to maintain my skin. With my conscientious routine, young age and good genes, I’m confident I’ll be able to extend the beauty of my skin with continuity of my regimen.
The major changes I’ve made to my skincare routine involve upgrading my daily essence, serums and moisturizers to medical grade and including retinol. I wash my face then follow up with essence, serum (I rotate between the 3 I currently have), moisturizer and eye cream twice a day. In the morning, I add sunscreen (don’t forget to reapply every few hours!) on top of the Elta MD UV Recovery moisturizer and head out the door after powdering my eyebrows. At night, I use a pea sized amount of retinol my dermatologist prescribed a few times a week instead of one of the serums to help with cell turnover, collagen production and reducing sun spots and wrinkles. I love using body lotion every day after showering and I really like using a hydrating, collagen face mask at least 1/week (and definitely falling asleep with it the night before a sunrise photoshoot).
Hope this was helpful for you to learn about how I do my basic and extended skincare routines! As always, getting sufficient sleep, proper nutrition, hydration, meditating, giving yourself tender loving care and living life according to your values will give you a glow and radiance of confidence that shines from within. And this is more valuable, energizing and beautifying than any product you can buy.
How do you take care of yourself and what else are you curious to learn about from next?
What products work for me may not work for you as this is all individualized. Please consult your dermatologist before trying new skincare products. I may earn a small commission when you purchase through links found on this site. Thank you so much for your support!
