I get asked almost every day if there are affordable ways to improve skin texture and radiance. Although this is a concern across all age groups, it becomes more of a concern as we age. As cellular turnover of the skin slows through our lifetime, the skin has a tendency to lose it’s youthful glow; becoming rough and dull. Below you’ll find the video live stream addressing this concern if you care to watch.
First, it’s important to do a fundamental skincare audit! These steps should be incorporated into your skincare routine if they are not already. I’ll share several products that are budget friendly, that I use and love personally.
Cleanse every single night! Never go to bed with dirty skin.
- If you have normal to dry or sensitive skin, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is a fantastic option. Your cleanser doesn’t have to be expensive, it just has to clean the skin. I always suggest speding a bit more money in treatment products than cleanser!
- If you have combination to oily skin, CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser is a great choice. As someone who has dry skin, I reach for this cleanser once or twice a week for a deeper pore cleanse. If used too often on dry skin, it can create some sensitivity, so always listen to your skin. Salicylic acid is oil soluable, anti bacterial, and penetrates more deeply into the pores. This is a great cleanser to rotate in with a more gentle cleanser. Personally, I rotate the two CeraVe cleansers listed above.
- Another great option for normal, combination, and dry skin, is the Hada Labo Foaming Cleanser. This is an absolutely beautiful cleanser, and so affordable. This cleanser doesn’t strip your skin barrier or leave your skin feeling dry after cleansing. It’s been one of my all time favorites for over five years. I always have it on hand.
Vitamin C Serum – Topical Vitamin C Serum, used in the morning, promotes healthy cell turnover. Although it’s not an acid or chemical exfoliant, it has many benefits including brightening the skin, boosting sun protection, and smoothing rough and bumpy skin. When in doubt about the fundamentals of a good skincare routine, remember to be a skincare ACE. Vitamin A (retinol), Vitamin C, and Vitamin E.
Exfoliate – A highly effective and affordable option AHA chemical exfoliant is Alpha 14% Glycolic Serum. For those who are not sensitive and want to include both an AHA (like glycolic) and a BHA (salicylic) The Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Univerals Daily Peeling Pads are a bit of a pricier option, but they are fantastic!
Retinol – I personally use a presciption strength tretinoin in the evenings from Curology.com, but there are so many fantastic over the counter retinols now. One I use on my neck and chest, and love almost as much as my prescription tretinoin is the Naturium Retinaldahyde 0.5%, retinol requires two conversations to get to the active state, which is retinoic acid, Naturium Retinaldahyde is one step ahead of retinol in it’s conversion to retinoic acid, making it the closest thing you can get to tretinoin without a prescription.
- Moisturize – Topical moisturizers, are a necessary step in keeping the skin soft and supple. Skin that is dry will always appear more textured and dull compared to skin that is well moisturized. Avoiding dehydration by drinking plenty of water is also very helpful in keeping your skin it’s most radiant.
- I love The Inky List B C & E Moisturer – which is super affordable and has some key ingredients for beautiful skin!
- A bit more expensive, but still reasonable, is Avene Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream
Sunscreen – This is a must! Every day. Year round. The sun is the #1 contributor to skin damage and aging. Protecting your skin from UV damage goes a long way in improving skin texture and radiance.
- I love the Versed Guards Up Mineral Sunscreen, which is both beautiful on the skin and affordable.
- One of my OG favorite sunscreens for dry skin, at a higher price point, is Elta MD UV Daily
- Another drug store brand mineral tinted sunscreen I love is CeraVe Tinted Mineral Sunscreen, it’s beautiful on the skin and gives just a bit of coverage.
AT HOME TREATMENTS
A TCA peel is a fantastic way to rejuvenate skin texture, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and glow. I always recommend starting at a 13% TCA, and moving your way up to a stronger peel over time. Jumping into a strong peel right out of the gate is a HUGE MISTAKE.
- The peel I love is the 13% TCA Peel from Platinum Skincare – Discount STACY10 provides 10% off discount site wide. They have incredible products, and educational videos.
- Joves Blacked Photofacial Rejuvenation Device – Discount code KGA70B This device provides a photo facial at home. This photo facial device improves sun damage, hyperpigmentation, red spots, wrinkles, and facial spider veins.
- Nira Pro – Discount code STACY10 The Nira Pro device is a bit different in it’s technology than the Joves Blacked Photofacial device which is a DPL at home treatment. NIRA’s patented non-fractional, non-ablative laser technology enables you to achieve the same clinical-grade results as professional fractional (or ablative) laser treatments, but at home, at a fraction of the price, and without any side effects.
Microneedling is an excellent way to improve skin texture, luminosity, and build collagen. I recommend monthly microneedling for cumulative improvement over time. If you are new to Microneedling, can find DIY Microneedling videos at GorgeouslyAging.com An affordable, yet high quality option for microneedling, is Lanbelle EGF Ampoule. Not all serums are safe to needle into the skin, so please be careful. If you do not yet have a Microneedling device. I recommend the Dr. Pen M8
Two of my favorite professional grade skin boosters are HyalDew Shine $40 and Rejuran PN $269 – Discount code STACY10 for 10% off site wide at Acecosm.com Both of these products can be used for both Microneedling and for Mesotherapy. Find How-to vides at GorgeouslyAging.com
The wig I wore in this video can be found here.
I hope some of these suggestions help you to improve your skin texture and radiance!
You can watch the Skin Chat LIVE video replay below.
Some links in this blog post are affiliates. Thank you so much for your support! It’s because of you that I can continue making skincare and facial rejuvenation content. xo Stacy
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