Today’s beauty industry has a plethora of creams, serums, mists, toners, masks, peels. etc. This honestly was enough to dissuade me from shopping for skincare products. As a Black Mexican, I have spent my entire life just trying to figure out which products benefit my particular curly hair. To begin to do that level of research to learn about skincare seemed an impossible chore.
I used to avoid the face care section of the stores as I didn’t know where to begin or how to figure out which products were legitimately worth their price tag. That coupled with the sheer amount of products advertising they improve hydration, complexion, fine lines, and wrinkles, and provide you with glowing, radiant skin. There was no clear starting point. Thankfully I happened across the youtube channels of some highly educated skin care specialists and experts who helped me gain a foundational understanding of skin care products and ingredients to look for in a sustainable skin care system.
So, what does it mean to have a sustainable skincare system?
A sustainable skincare system does not only focus on the carbon footprint the production of the products and extraction of ingredients have on the planet, but it is also a system that you create based on your personality. Are you someone who likes to spend time pruning yourself, then feel free to research serums and masques to add to your system. If you’re like me though and prefer a minimalist morning and evening routine, then just find three things: a good cleanser, good moisturizer, and good sunscreen (you can even skip the moisturizer step if you are able to find a sunscreen that doubles as a moisturizer).
By tailoring your routine to your lifestyle you are more likely to complete your facial cleansing routine regularly.
If you’re interested in getting started on your skincare journey then check out the information below.
(DISCLAIMER I AM NOT A SKIN CARE SPECIALITIST OR DOCTOR NOR DO I CLAIM TO BE ONE THIS LIST IS IN NO WAY MEANT TO REPLACE CONSULTATIONS WITH A DERMATOLOGIST. I JUST THOUGHT I’D SHARE SOME OF THE INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND THROUGHOUT MY RESEARCH INTO SKIN CARE. PLEASE ALWAYS DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH I HAVE LINKED SOME GREAT STARTING POINTS BELOW)
- Sunscreen is a must (if you do nothing else at the very least make sure to wear sunscreen especially on your face neck and arms whenever outdoors)
- You will want a sunscreen that is full spectrum coverage from both UVA & UVB rays
- UVA Rays cause Aging
- UVB Rays cause Burning
- Avoid chemical sunscreens especially if you are a melanin rich individual as the chemicals have to absorb the heat from sun rays to neutralize them and thus lead to increased heat on the skin which can lead to hyperpigmentation
- I recommend Ilia Tinted Serum which has an SPF of 40 and helps protect the skin especially for any melanin rich individuals
- You will want a sunscreen that is full spectrum coverage from both UVA & UVB rays
- Find a gentle facial cleanser like the one from Youth to the People or Krave beauty which are sustainable brand whose philosophy takes into account the footprint their products have on the environment once washed down the drain.
- A hydrating moisturizer underneath your sunscreen is a great part of a minimalist skincare system
- Ingredients that are beneficial: squalane (an excellent moisturizing compound) , reiki mushroom, ashwagandha, pentapeptide (helps with fine lines and wrinkles), hyaluronic acid (helps hydrate and seal the skin to retain hydration), niacinamide (helps dark spots and hyper pigmentation)
- Ingredients to avoid: fragrance (known to cause irritation in skin), essential oils (known to cause irritation and sensitivity to the skin)
Don’t let the price of a good quality product scare you away. Try an affordable sample kit and pay close attention to how your skin responds to the products to help you determine whether the full sized products are worth your money.
Resources for you to further research:
- Skincare by Byram on youtube
- https://www.ewg.org/
- Dr. Dray on youtube (dermatologist with a PhD)
- Dr. Alexis Stephens https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2I480CzINvT-3cBAtsBySQ
Wrightful Sustainability 