My Skincare Routine

My skincare routine hasn't changed much since I was in my twenties. I still use anti-ageing cream (you can never start too early) and nowadays I make it a point to religiously wash my face every morning and every night. However, the products that I use have changed a lot over the years. I try to focus on cruelty free, all natural products, essential oils and an all around more gentle approach to my skincare. I figured it would be fun to share with you some of the products that I use.

Destiny's Boutique
Charcoal Facial Bar Soap
I just recently bought this charcoal bar soap. My search for a natural face wash that didn't have alcohol  in it was becoming difficult. Then I came across this charcoal soap and I have to say, I'm pretty impressed. This soap leaves my skin feeling clean and not dried out like the other face washes I was using. Best of all, it's all natural, cruelty free and alcohol free.

Acure Eye Cream
Superfruit+Chlorella Growth Factor
I found this eye cream at Target a year ago and I've loved it ever since. I use this around my eyes and I can feel a definite difference after I use it. This eye cream is unique in the fact that it has edelweiss stem cells and chlorella in it that helps stimulate the growth of collagen and reduces wrinkles.

Oliology Vitamin E Oil
Theraputic Grade
This stuff is amazing. Instead of using face lotion I apply this onto my face and it leaves my skin feeling hydrated. Surprisingly, it isn't greasy because it dissolves into the skin. I use this every morning and night after I've washed my face. Best of all it boosts collagen production.

Aside from these products, I always try and make sure to put good things into my body. Like lots of water, fruit high in antioxidants, less sugar and less dairy. Staying out of the sun helps a lot too!

The Emotional Protection of One Self

Light shining through stained glass windows in Ely Cathedral. Ely, U.K.

I think it's safe to say that we’ve all known the type of person who wants to drag everyone else into their own personal hell. We’ve all experienced those whose actions may or may not make sense, but we forgive and forget. Deep inside we hope that they will soon see the fault in their ways. So we try to move on, thinking that our presence alone will make that person feel loved, understood, and not abandoned. Even though we forgive, they still repeat their actions, and each time a little piece of ourselves is burned as an effigy to what loosing ourselves in an attempt to save someone else feels like.

I’ve dealt with this dynamic enough times in my life that I have learned to eventually walk away because I’ve lost myself before and I refuse to let it happen again. So, when someone repeatedly makes me feel like shit for no reason other than their insecurities, I have learned to shut down my emotions in regards to the other person. It may sound cold or cruel, but the part of me that cares shuts off in an attempt to preserve my sanity. I have never done well with self-pity that is extended to others, or those who try to bring everyone in their world down with them. It's a selfish and destructive act that makes my skin crawl.

I have always been, and will continue to be, the girl who easily forgives, but that doesn’t mean that I will always stay steadfast in that person’s life. Especially when I am being made to feel like shit through no fault of my own. Forgiveness does not mean I will continue to go through hell because someone refuses to become aware of and augment their toxic behavior. For me, there will come a point in time where repetition of actions, even if they are followed by apologies, will become more than what I will choose to be apart of.

To me, self-preservation equates to upholding a sense of sanity in one's life, as well as the act of self-respect. Even though that was something I didn’t give myself when I was younger, I’ll be damned if I don’t allow myself that luxury now…


Have you ever experienced anything like this in your life? How did you handle it?