Have you ever gone to a department store, Sephora, or the aisle in Target and gotten so overwhelmed by all the products?  Don’t get me wrong, I love all my products, I am a product junkie.  I love doing all the steps and layering the products, and having a different routine for every night of the week.   But lets get back to basics, what do you absolutely need?  This is for the girl who likes to keep it simple and easy, for those who are short on time or money.

**Skin Care Basics**

1. Cleanse, both morning and night (get a cleanser that is ph balanced and is also a makeup remover, making this 1 step)
2. Moisturize, both morning and night
3. Eye Cream, night only
4. Exfoliate, 2-3 times a week

That’s easy enough right?  Every morning all you have to do is cleanse and moisturize.  That will take no more than 2 minutes.  At night cleanse, exfoliate (2-3 times a week), eye cream, then moisturize.  That will take 3-4 minutes.  That’s it!  Simple Simple!!!

Cleanse- In my opinion, everyone should be using Fresh Soy face cleanser.  I discovered this cleanser 10 years ago.  Every time I try something new I always come back to it.  This cleanser is for all skin types, including sensitive skin.  It cleanses the skin and is a makeup remover and gentle enough for the eye area.  1 step, your skin is cleansed and makeup off. You can purchase a smaller size for $15 to give it a try (it will last 4-8 weeks) before purchasing the bigger one.

Another great option for a cleanser is Purity Made Simple.  This is also a 1 step cleanser/makeup remover.  It says it’s for all skin types.  But I think it is best for normal, oily, combination skin.

Moisturize- There are so many great moisturizers out there!  For the last 2 weeks I have been using Fresh Lotus cream. Amazing!  My skin is so even and smooth.  It makes a great base for applying my makeup.  This will work for all skin types.  If you are not dry, this can be used as your day and night cream.  For more oily to combination skin, try Fresh Umbriam Clay Oil-Free moisturizer.  This will regulate sebum production throughout the day.

If you need more moisture, use a night cream that is deep hydrating.  Try Boscia Sleep Mask or Fresh Peony Brightening night mask.  Both are incredible!!! If these night creams are giving you to much moisture, use every other night and use your daily moisturizer the other nights.  Both are found at Sephora.

Eye Cream- For something lighter use BioElements eye cream.  For something heavier and more moisturizing try Peter Thomas Roth eye cream.  To read more about eye cream click here.

Exfoliate- I am still in love with Lush Sea Salt Scrub.  This is great for all skin types and works awesome!  Something I recently tried is FAB Facial Radiance Polish.  I loved this because it’s very gentle (where the sea salt scrub is a little more aggressive) and left me feeling brighter.  The FAB facial polish is great for normal, dry, combination and sensitive skin.

Budget Friendly- For those on a budget and want beautiful skin, here is what I suggest.  For a cleanser try BioElements Flash Foam cleanser. This cleanses, removes dirt and makeup.  It’s for all skin types and only $21.  For a moisturizer: oily skin try BioElements Beyond Hydration ($22) and for normal,dry skin try BioElements Absolute Moisture ($19).  And to exfoliate, use a little raw sugar and gently massage on a damp face.

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Starting with a cleansed face, I will be using Peter Thomas Roth Mega Rich Anti-Aging eye cream.  For a list of eye creams for every age, click here.
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You are never to young to start using an eye cream. If you are 20 and haven’t started yet, start now. There are so many different eye creams, where to start? I am here to help guide you through it all!

Teens and 20’s
At this age you are looking for preventative. There is no reason to spend the money on anti-aging, because you don’t need it yet.  The important thing is to start putting on an eye cream every night.
BioElements Multi Task eye cream (Retail $38, Amazon for $23), Mario Badescu Hyaluronic eye cream ($18) or Lush Enchanted eye cream ($26).

30’s (some times late 20’s)
Those nastily fine lines are starting to show up. No one likes them! As if turning 30 doesn’t make you feel grown up enough, it is usually accompanied by your first wrinkle or 2 (or 3 or 4…). Now is the time to start using anti-aging eye creams. Ever notice a brand will have 2 anti-aging eye cream and one is more expensive than the other? The more expensive one has stronger anti-aging ingredients in it. At this age, stick with the lesser expensive of the 2 because you will have to buy the more expensive one later.
Peter Thomas Roth Mega Rich Anti-Aging (retail $65, selling for $42 on Amazon!) or FAB 5 in 1 (retail $30, Amazon for $19).

40’s
Fine lines have become wrinkles and it’s getting more difficult to hide it. Use something that will plump up the skin and hydrate, this will reduce the lines and wrinkles.  This is the age to start purchasing the more expensive eye cream because your skin needs the stronger ingredients.
Dr Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Firming (retail $90, Amazon $71), Fresh Black Tea Age Delay ($85).

50’s
At this age most women are going thru menopause and your skin will take a big hit. For most women, moisture is almost non existent in the skin, and your wrinkles are now starting to droop a little. Use an eye cream that will add moisture back into your skin and lift it up.
Peter Thomas Roth Power K Eye Rescue (retail $100, Amazon for $59) or Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster eye serum ($98).

All women are beautiful at all ages! It’s important to feel beautiful, but it’s more important that you know you are beautiful!