Retrograde Skin Routine / by Ann Buenaobra

My emotions have been out of control since this Mercury Retrograde hit. I'm one to awknowledge where the planets are in my life, but I never give it too much power, but in this case, it's just all a little too coincidental. So, it's time to lay low and take my normally loud Sagittarius mouth piece and retreat from drama and non-sense. I'm prone to putting my two cents in, regardless of whether or not someone asks. It comes from an innate desire to find truth. Always wanting to understand what's happening—but damn is it draining. To be a nosy empath is a recipe for spiritual drainage. So for this retrograde, I'm choose to carry nothing, and renew everything. 

Starting with my physical self—more specifically my skin. I'm spending time renewing, rejuvenating, then resting. For the first two weeks of August, the focus will be renewing with the use of AHA/BHA's to promote cell turnover. I focus on my PM regimen, since my AM one is just sunscreen. 

PM: More focused on the renewal

Cleanse skin with Glo Skin Beauty Photo-Active Cleanser. 

  • Papaya enzymes gently exfoliate, and the hyaluronic acid moisturizes! 

Tone with Pixi Glow Tonic

  • If you know, then you know. This toner is everything. The Glycolic Acid is perfect for promoting skin cell renewal, and preventing breakouts! Your skin will really glow. 

Wear Neutragena Light Therapy Acne Mask for 10 mins.

  • This mask is a bit uncomfortable, just because of the lights. It's hard to multitask in it, and when you lay there with eyes closed, the lights are still super blinding. But, I have noticed a difference in texture and very minimized breakouts! 

Apply Luminance Acne Serum

  • Easily one of my favorite products, I love the tingly sensation of this serum! It's vegan and raw, and tea tree oil is one of the main ingredients. 

Massage in Sunday Riley U.F.O Oil

  • This stuff is so expensive, but I scooped a bunch of deluxe sizes using my VIB points! And I'm pretty convinced to drop the full $90 on this stuff—the salicylic acid is the BHA in my routine that completes the renewing process of my skin! 

Next week, I plan to move on to "rest" and do a full week of only plant-based, raw products, just to take a break from all the AHA/BHA's. It will look like this:

PM: 

  • Cleanse skin with Luminance Delicate Skin Cleanser
  • Tone with Thayer's Rose Witch Hazel 
  • Mask with Luminance Clarifying mask (1x/week)
  • Apply Luminance Acne Serum
  • Light moisture from Luminance Blue Chamomile Cream
  • Heavy moisture from Biossance Squalene Oil.

 

Even if we all bash on retrogrades, having the discernment between self-care and self-indulgence can make this time really special for your well being.

What does retrograde time mean for you?