I get asked a lot about my skincare routine and much like my relationship with mascara, my mom is responsible for nearly everything I know about skincare. She has always stressed the importance of protecting and caring for your skin with quality products. Even better, she practices what she preaches — and it shows — Momma’s skin is healthy and beautiful, easily rivaling the skin of someone in their early 30’s. I constantly say that she has better skin than I do. -_-

Now, I have to admit, I have a love-hate relationship with my own skin. It can be beautiful, clear, and blemish-free, but I swear it is sensitive as HELL. Not so much to skincare products I use, but in response to the slightest changes in my daily routine. Example: I can’t even take a multi-vitamin without breaking out and yes, I’ve tried multiple brands/formulas. And those Sugar Bear Hair gummies that all the betches from ABC’s The Bachelorette promote on Instagram? Forget it. Biotin is the devil. I will not sacrifice clear skin for long hair and nails. Ugh. B12 also makes me breakout, so I can’t even take them to help recover from hangovers. The newest breakout is because I haven’t been drinking as much water as I normally do, which is typically eight 24 oz. tumblers of water per day. And as always, work also has me stressed, so it’s a number of factors.

But honestly, if I had one piece of advice for anyone trying something new, in any part of your life, make sure you incorporate new products and routines one at a time. You need to be able to make a definitive correlation between a product and any negative reaction your body/skin might have to it. So, if you plan on trying any of the next three items that I use daily, then start incorporating them one at a time. Click the titles for links to the product!

Dr. Denese SPF 30 Defense Day Cream – $75

I know plenty of you are looking at that price tag and saying WTF! At first, I would be, too. But, like my mascara, this is another Christmas gift my mom supplies me with because she swears by Dr. Denese’s entire skincare line. Momma was even selected by Dr. Denese to be an Administrator on the Facebook fanpage. But anyway, 1) check out QVC for special deals on this product and 2) trust me when I say that a little bit goes a long way! And ultimately, making an investment in this product will change your life because you are investing in a product that protects and nourishes your skin. That’s really why I love it. It’s a moisturizer and sunscreen all in one step. And for me, because I rarely wear a “full face” of makeup (i.e., actual foundation), the self-adjusting tinted matte finish provides just enough natural coverage to even out my skin tone and accomplish that effortless, fresh-face look. I wear this product every day, and even so, this 4 oz. container generally lasts me about 4-6 months. So again, the price tag becomes less overwhelming when you consider how long it will last you, which brings me to my next product.

Mizon Snail Cream – $38

Now, this product was not introduced to me by my mom. My friend Ashley had posted a selfie a few years back and I texted her immediately needing to know her skincare secrets. All she responded was: “Snail Cream. Every. Single. Night.” She told me I could get it at Target and I beg of you…

GET. IT. AT. TARGET.

I’ve ordered from Amazon and Groupon, because I’m a cheap-skate and always pinching a penny… I swear these are knockoff products in the Mizon container because I did not get the same results as I did from the original container. Ashley told me I would see a difference in my skin after my first use and I kid you not, I woke up the next morning and my skin was actually glowing and it was beyond hydrated.

This product is magic, and I’ve since put so many friends onto it. Felicia, who you all have heard a lot about, was the most reluctant of them all because yes, you’re actually slathering snail secretions (damn, I am proud of that alliteration and have to point it out — my English teachers would be proud) all over your face. Eventually, she was able to get over the idea of it being snail cream and now she loves it.

Of course, I did tons of research to explain to her why it works and essentially, you have to imagine little snails dragging their bodies across the rough terrain of this earth. Thus, their bodies naturally produce a slime-like protective layer.

Now, what does this liquid gold slime do for me? It makes my skin glow. It looks young, fresh, and vibrant. It saves me in the times when I have scarring from blemishes that I obsessively/compulsively pick at, because it has natural agents that support cell renewal and regrowth. So, it helps prevent long-term scarring and discoloration. It is known to have anti-aging benefits and personally, I have seen significant improvement in my sunspots. The texture of my skin when using snail cream is smooth and hydrated. I could go on and on. But I really, really want you to try it for yourself. Oh, also, there’s no scent to it in case that is something that turns you off of creams.

Again, a little bit goes a long way. That 2.54 oz container lasts me at least 6 months, if not longer, and I use it “Every. Single. Night.” just as Ashley originally instructed. Hell, sometimes I use it in the mornings, especially in those times when I’m dealing with pesky blemishes.

Clarisonic Facial Brush – $129 – $169

Okay, another investment, but it will change your life. Mom got me the “Aria” a few Christmases back and it is my understanding that the Aria model was discontinued and replaced by the new and improved Mia 1 and Mia 2. The Clarisonic is a cleansing brush that comes with a rechargeable battery (that’s what it’s sitting on in that picture). You’re probably tired of me saying this, but I use this product every single day and I probably charge it once every three months.

I keep it in the shower [and the majority of my male roommates have asked if it’s my vibrator??] and use with any type of cleanser I’m liking at the time… I especially love Purity cleansers, but they are a bit pricey, so I typically stick with drugstore brands like Neutrogena, Clean & Clear, Olay, etc. I prefer one that has a little bit of lather/foam to it. But whatever you use will work. The point of the Clarisonic is to provide a deep clean, deep in your pores, because your hands/fingers really only reach the surface of your skin. After you use it, your skin feels like absolute perfection.

If you need an indication of how much you’ll love this product, let me offer a short story (featuring Felicia, probably tired of hearing her name too).

After a full year of living with me and knowing I had one, she finally bought one on her own accord and texted me: “MELANIE! WHY WEREN’T YOU FORCING ME TO GET A CLARISONIC?!?! HOW HAVE I LIVED WITHOUT THIS? WHY WERE YOU NOT TELLING ME HOW AMAZING IT WAS?!”

So yeah, it’s the real deal. And I’m happy to share with all of you since I didn’t share with her.

Do you use any of these products? What is your experience with them? What other products keep your skin looking fabulous? Tell me all about it in the comments below! I’m all about trying new things and I’m not particularly loyal to any single brand. Like I said, I just gotta test new products incrementally to make sure my face doesn’t end up looking like a piece of pepperoni pizza.

FEATURED IMAGE BY: BROOKE LARK

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