As part of trying to be my best self, my May habit to master is washing my face every night.
So, confession time… I am horrible about washing my face every night. I’m sharing this because I know I can’t be the only one!
Yes, I go to bed with a face full of makeup, dirt and grime, and yes I know when my face hits my pillow at night, that dirt and grime is transferred to my pillowcase. And yes, I realize that no matter how clean my face is, when I lay down on that pillow case that has also had my not clean face on it prior, I’m getting all that dirt, oil and grime right back on my face.
This used to not matter to me. I mean, it mattered, but sleep mattered more. However, as I’m discovering with so many things past the age of 40, my bad habits are catching up to me.
I have always had good skin… I’ve been very lucky that way. Until recently. All of a sudden over the last few months, my skin has been prone to breakouts more than ever before. On my cheeks, on my chin, on my forehead and even my neck (what the heck is up with that?). Yes, friends…as a 42 year old woman, I for the first time in my life, have the face of a hormonal teenager! It’s maddening. But I know the reason is I’ve done a horrible job of taking care of my skin and washing my face at night.
I decided after recently re-reading Gretchen Rubin’s book, Better Than Before, that it’s time I get some of these bad habits under control. And instead of trying to conquer all of them at once, I’m going to take it slow and steady…for that’s how we win the race, right?
Because I know you are oh so interested, I’m also going to bring you along with me each month, as I try to spend 30 days bettering myself by focusing and forming one good habit. What do you think? Are you up to being along for the ride?
(photo courtesy of R&F Consultant Ruthanne Genco)
So, my May habit is going to be washing my face EACH and every night before bed. I’ve been using Rodan and Fields products for 2 years now in the mornings and love their products. In fact, I often get compliments on my complexion, which never happened before using Rodan and Fields. The thing is though, the products are only great if you actually USE them regularly! Imagine that!
I have all the Rodan and Fields products I need for a successful 30 days of developing a good night time skin care routine. Now, I just need to use them.
Anyone out there want to join me in my quest for making washing our face at night a habit in May? Surely I’m not the only one who struggles with this one!
Also, if you want the right products for the job, I seriously love Rodan & Fields skin care line. I’ve used the Redefine line more recently (which is great for managing all those lovely signs of aging) but may need to move to the Unblemish line until I get my nighttime skincare habits under control.
(This isn’t a Rodan & Fields sponsored post…but if you are interested in checking out their skin care products, you can do so here and my friend Ruthanne Genco can help you. I get nothing for sharing this with you!)
I hope to report back at the end of the month with a new, really good habit, nailed down and ready to tackle another one. If this is a habit you have already mastered, do share your secrets to success in the comments below.
Thanks!
I use R&F products, too and I love them. I enjoy them so much, in fact, that the habit of washing my face every morning and night is now something I always do because my skin feels so good! Good luck this month!
I am loving their night time products. I swear I have everything I need from R&F to have really good skin and skincare habits. Washing my face the last few nights has been so nice – it’s a great ritual of “me time” I never knew!
This is one habit that I always maintain even if it is super late or I’m super tired. I use Ole Henriksen and love what that has done for my complexion. The thing I notice about washing my face is that I dread taking off my makeup first. I hate trying to get mascara, eyeliner, etc, off. If I don’t have to go anywhere in the evening, I try to take off my makeup when I get home or before I get too tired. That way, when I head to bed, I just have to wash my face and apply toner/moisturizer and I am good to go. For me, taking off my makeup earlier in the evening makes it seem easier to quickly wash my face at night.
So I love the Ole Henriksen wipes (in the orange package that smell like baby aspirin). That’s what I actually have been using at night when I remember to do it, but it’s not good enough as far as cleansing!
Do you use an OH makeup remover? I love your tips so much! Thank you!
I have a deluxe sample of the OH Pure Truth Melting Cleanser which is supposed to take off makeup and cleanse all in one, but I have not tried it yet. I use Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remover to remove my eye makeup. It’s like a lotion, I don’t have to scrub hard, and I can just wipe away with a tissue. Also, it’s one of those things where I can walk around my house while I am doing other things and just do it quickly without having to stand in front of the mirror and get it done.
Good for you! If I skip a night, I end up with a blemish or two a couple of days later…so I am religious about it.
Yes – I think the combo of being 40+ and only taking care of my skin in the morning has caught up to me!
Kristen! I love your confessions! I’m right there with you on this one also. I cannot lie. .I wish I had established a better skin regimen when I was younger but I don’t recall my mother ever having one either. Ahh, it’s all up to me now! I’ll jump on this one with you this month too.
You know what? Same here. However I remember my grandma did! She would also use olive oil on her skin every night – not sure I can do that, but she had a beautiful complexion!
Glad you are joining me!
You’re not the only one…I think I’ll join you.
Oh good! Thanks for not making me feel like a loner 🙂 I’m glad you are joining in!
I always always wash my face before bed. The idea of going to bed with all the day’s grime (in addition to any makeup) never sounded like it was good for my skin so I’ve always been in the habit.
It’s gross, right? I hope it is a solid habit by the end of this month as I know it will do nothing but great things for my skin! Do you have a favorite product you use?
I just use neutrogena deep clean liquid soap (sometimes their exfoliating one) and then their light night face lotion. Nothing fancy but works for me! I actually wash my face in the morning too but then use their face lotion with SPF in it.
I haven’t washed my face at night in quite a while now. My daughter put Simple Skincare Cleansing Facial Wipes in my stocking at Christmas a few years ago and I adore them!! I have always hated washing my face at night (I hate taking a shower at night too. It makes me feel chilled before bed.) But if I slept with makeup on, I would break out. Now, I use these wipes (a half of one each night to make them last longer) and I’m good! I only wash my face in the shower with Neutrogena face soap & a Buff-Puff after my workout every day. I follow that with Garnier’s firming cream. My skin is in better shape than ever and I’m pushing 48!!
http://www.simpleskincare.com/our-products/product/cleansing-facial-wipes.html
I use Rodan + Fields products too and was so impressed that I became a consultant. Did you know that not washing your face at night actually ages you?! If that isn’t enough to convince someone to do it I don’t know what else would!! Try their eye cream, it’s the bomb!!
I love your skincare routine. It is very important to wash your face before go to sleep at night. When you leave your makeup on too long your pores will get clogs that can also cause our skin to feel rough and uneven.