Back in January I shared the changes I decided to make to improve my skin. Since coming up with a solid adult skincare regimen was important to me this year, I met with Terri at Carolina Facial Plastics after hearing Jen say so many good things. I had an incredible consultation, purchased some new products (listed here), and committed to using them as directed.
For the past 3 months I have been religiously washing my face with my Clarisonic Brush and my new cleanser both morning and night. I’ve been using coconut oil to remove my eye makeup, a hydrator at morning and night, and SkinBetter AlphaRet every other night. I haven’t skipped a day because I started seeing results and am feeling pretty good about them!
Above is me, yesterday, completely makeup-free.
Changes I’ve noticed over the past 3 months:
- What a difference the Clarisonic Brush makes! Truly, within 2-3 days of using it, stubborn clogged pores by my nose completely disappeared and they have not come back. I’m at the point now where my skin doesn’t really feel clean without using it. I definitely had sticker shock when I purchased it, but now I’d buy it all over again.
- More even skin tone. Besides being proactive about anti-aging, achieving a more even skin tone was a top goal of mine. Though I still have a little red on my cheeks and my birthmark on my forehead is still noticeable (and probably always will be), overall my complexion has really balanced out.
- I’m more aware of the importance of taking care of my skin. I’m more conscious about wearing hats and sunglasses. I know sun and smoking do the most damage to skin, so I’m trying to make up for all those summers I spent soaking up sun at the pool.
Yesterday I went back to Terri to go over my results and create an updated game plan. We talked for a long time (have I mentioned how incredible and thorough she is?) and decided that my skin could further be helped by some treatments. We decided to start right then with a Probiotic Youth Boost with an Enzyme Mask, which stimulates collagen, brightens and hydrates skin, detoxifies, and helps build the skin’s health and immunity.
The process took about 45 minutes and was quite relaxing. It was painless, though there was some tingling sensations at different parts of the treatment. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from a single mask treatment, as I was viewing it as a nice hydration boost to compliment my product line, but was shocked at how hydrated and dewy my skin looked immediately afterwards.
Perhaps there is something to this medical grade skincare after all?
With my excitement over this single treatment I spoke to Terri about a plan to continue improving the health and appearance of my skin. The plan is to stick with my daily routine that looks like this:
Morning
- GlowBiotics Cleanser with the Clarisonic
- SkinBetter Lines Intensive Treatment
- SkinBetter Eye Cream
- GlowBiotics Let Me Clarify Hydrator
- GlowBiotics Sun Shield (SPF 30)
Night
- GlowBiotics Cleanser with the Clarisonic
- SkinBetter Lines Intensive Treatment
- SkinBetter Eye Cream
- SkinBetter AlphaRet
- GlowBiotics Let Me Clarify Hydrator
The SkinBetter Lines Product is something I’m really excited about. It has two nuero-calming peptides derived from some kind of snail that is supposed to help expression lines appear immediately smoother. I’ll have to report back on how well it works (or doesn’t), but it sounds pretty amazing since my expressions have gotten quite the workout since becoming a mom (my scowl lines, yes, but luckily my laugh lines as well).
I also am going to begin a 6 session Laser Genesis treatment beginning in about 2 weeks. The treatment uses non-invasive lasers to treat fine lines, diffuse redness, and reduce the appearance of scars. I am partnering up with Terri over the next few months to share my results of undergoing these treatments, which are being offered to me complimentary. I feel like for the first time in my life I am really learning about taking care of my skin and it is really exciting to start seeing a difference.
How has your skin changed over your life?
What is your skincare routine like? Do you have a favorite product?
I had pretty good skin growing up so I never thought much about it, but at 33 years old I am definitely noticing changes, including how hydration affects how my skin looks. //takes a swig of water// I’m OK with aging, but want to do so as gracefully as I can and keep my skin as nourished as possible.
If you are local to Charlotte and want to learn more about what works best for your skin (Terri really hammered home the point that skincare, like diet, is highly individualized), email Terri at Terri@CarolinaFacialPlastics.com. If you mention I referred you, she will give you a complimentary skin evaluation. That is what I did on my first visit and walked away with a plethora of useful information and insight into my personal skincare.
If you are not local, you can still email Terri. She said would be happy to help with an email consultation and product recommendation, as she is really passionate about helping everyone feel good about their skin.
Kelli says
I’m a big fan of neutrogena love their sunscreen and tinted moisturizer! I’m contemplating hoping on the collagen band wagon anyone think it works or is it just a fad?
Annie says
I am SO BAD at taking care of my skin!! I never wash it unless in the shower but now that I’m getting older I need to make it a habit!
JOHN J STATHAS says
Such a pretty gal! Impressed that you take such good care of yourself. See ya tomorrow!!
Noa says
I didn’t have laser treatments but the best skincare I had for years was with a medSpa in Raleigh offering similar products and skincare. It worked better than any prescription or drug store treatment to clear my skin, keep it soft and glowing and that helped my confidence. Having a family though has tightened our budget and I cannot spend that kind of money on my skin anymore. If you can afford it, I definitely recommend it.
Taryn says
So funny you posted about this, as I too made the decision to become a grown-up regarding my skincare. I am also working hard at reducing chemicals from those products. I partnered up with a friend who sells Beautycounter. It’s been so great! Now I have an actual “routine” in the morning and night. I have learned that the more I tried to dry out my skin (I suffer from acne still as a 37 year old) the more my skin fought back and became greasier. Now that I really take care of my skin and add lots of moisturizing products my skin has been LESS greasy. I also notice my hair is less greasy as well. One thing I have started using is witch hazel as a toner morning and night. Makes my skin feel SO clean and refreshed, and it’s cheap and safe too!
Laura says
At 38 I finally decided to get more serious about taking care of my skin. What kills me is that a big part of our skin health in our 30s depends on how we treated our skin in our 20s (when most ladies aren’t really worried about it, or at least I wasn’t!). I wasn’t completely abusive but there were definitely some bad sunburns back then. My routine is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 70 every morning, coconut oil to remove make-up and night (isn’t it the best?!), and Olay Regenerist. It’s skincare on a budget, since all products are sold as two packs at Costco and often on sale! Other than that, it is all about taking care of my skin from the inside out (lots of water and healthy fats, fresh produce). Nothing makes me feel my age or older like dehydration!
Carole says
I was given Rodan and Fields as a gift and really loved it…but now I can’t really afford it (about $180 for 3 months of what I got) and when back to the cheaper stuff and I can totally see the difference. As soon as I can afford it I will go back to it because I loved how my skin felt and looked. I usually don’t like to spend a lot of time to get ready in the morning (not much time!) but it was worth it with that regimen! Some day….
Colette says
Yes, pharmacy and store brands just don’t cut the mustard when you hit the 30s! I started following Caroline Hirons blog in my late 30s, I wish I had discovered her sooner. So I’m all about double cleansing with oils and balms, acid toning-glycolic, salicylic and lactic acids are your friends ladies, and the holy grail that is retinol! If you are not using a retinol product by your 40s then you are missing out on a huge anti aging product. It’s the only FDA approved anti ageing product that is proven to work on fine lines and wrinkles. Get on it ladies! I use an Irish brand(I’m in Ireland) called Pestle & Mortar Superstar night oil, but there are others available, like Sunday Riley’s Luna oil. And spf, the biggest thing we can for our skin is spf everyday, even when it’s cloudy! Oh how I wish we had as much info in the 90s as we have now, I could cry thinking of the damage I did back then! But onwards and upwards now, never too late. X
Brittany Dixon says
I’m going to have to check out that blog- thanks! And yes, I feel the same way, thinking what if I would have started this in my early 20’s, or at least washed my face every night in my teens- haha! Still, it feels good to hop on the bandwagon now. Thanks for your comment!
Ali says
Oh my! I do struggle with this though, as I also try to keep things as natural as possible. My routine is washing with water only each morning and evening, followed by moisturizing with plain old jojoba oil. About twice a week, I exfoliate with a homemade coconut oil and sugar scrub. In the summer, I use a natural sunscreen. And that’s it!
Brittany Dixon says
I’ve been meaning to make another shower scrub for my legs now that it is short season! I love the coconut oil and sugar combo. I added coffee grounds too because supposedly the caffeine is good for skin, but David wasn’t wild about coffee in the shower- haha 😉
Kara says
Hi! You look great 🙂 I am a local reader so I actually went to visit Terri per your rec! I bought the glowbiotics MD products and a clarisonic brush. I LOVED It the first few days but I have broken out a little recently by my eyebrow, nose, forehead etc. Terri said that this is normal as your pores are purging but I just wanted to see if you had this experience at first! I know everyone is unique. I love your blog- you have a great disposition and I love how you’re raising your girls!
Brittany Dixon says
Hey Kara! What products from GLOWbiotics are you using? Mine have been incredible (and I’m addicted to the Clarisonic) but one product -the Lines product- I had to stop using because my skin appeared to be reacting negatively to it. I hope to add it back in at some point because Terri says it’s an awesome product, but each person’s skin is different.
Other than that, I haven’t had any issues with the regimen and have really loved my results! I do trust Terri though, and feel like she wouldn’t lead you astray. Definitely call and text her with any issues too. I feel like she’s been really quick to respond to me with any concerns I’ve had (one time I accidentally bleached my towels and it totally messed with my skin-eeks!).