Cassie DeNisco

My Winter Skincare Products!

January 8, 2024

As we are deep in the winter months now, I wanted to share my winter skincare products I can’t live without! As I’ve gotten older, my skin is drier so these products are super moisturizing and great for the winter months!

I want bright, glowy skin all year long and I feel like these products really help me combat the dull winter vibes! I have everything linked below so it’s easy to shop! These are affiliate links so I do make a small commission if you choose to purchase!

Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturizer

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I’ve spoken about this before in my updated skincare routine but I couldn’t not mention it here! This is truly a moisturizer that does so well all year round for me but especially the colder months. I don’t find myself feeling dry throughout the day like I might’ve with other brands. I also love how the product is thick but it glides on the skin and is easy to distribute.

Necessaire Body Serum

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This is a game changing body lotion! The serum consistency makes it easy to wear under anything and literally glides on. I love to moisturize after every shower and this truly helps to make it so much easier for me! It’s light enough that you can put a bunch on and not have to worry about it sliding off if you get too hot.

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask

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This is newer in my winter rotation but I have really come to love it. It’s so moisturizing and I love that I can use this as needed as a mask or keep it on as a true moisturizer. I’ve really been using it once a week as just my nighttime moisturizer and I really can’t live without it! It’s exactly what I need one a week to reset my skin.

I hope these winter skincare products will help you stay glowing and hydrated this winter! Don’t forget to also drink your water because that also helps a ton! If you loved this post, I have a winter skin post from last year you can read here!

My Updated Simple SkinCare Routine

May 7, 2021

One new year’s resolution I had was to step up my skincare routine. I have been watching and looking at different skincare content and decided it was time to start making changes. I wanted to not only minimize my routine but also start using quality products. All of these products I have been using since January so five months later, I do think there has been an amazing improvement in my skin.

As with any skincare routine, everyone’s skin is different so these products may or may not work for you. I love posts like these because it helps me become familiar with brands and introduces me to new products. As always, I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links but there is no pressure to purchase here!

Step 1 Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

If you’ve read any of my previous routines like this one, I used to swear by Cetaphil. I recently made the switch to CeraVe because for the same price, you’re just getting much better ingredients. This has hyaluronic acid and is formulated to not leave skin feeling too tight after washing. This is equally as gentle as Cetaphil but I just think is more worth it because of the ingredients.

I never wash my face without my Vanity Planet Facial Brush. This is a serious must in my routine because I swear that using it keeps my skin clear. Maybe it has something to do with not touching it with my hands but I will never not use it to wash my face!

Step 2 Daytime Treatment: First Aid Beauty White Clay Acne Treatment

Before you kill me on how wasteful these pads are, this First Aid Beauty White Clay Treatment has done wonders for my skin. I totally get how wasteful it is but this has transformed my skin even with wearing masks. I was struggling with acne under the mask line and using this everyday prior to wearing my mask has helped to keep my skin clear and glowing.

Step 2 Nightime Treatment: Drunk Elephant T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Serum

This T.L.C. serum is definitely pricy but I can’t live without it. I use this at night right after cleansing and I wake up with soft and even skin. This is the only product that has changed the texture of my skin and I’ve tried a lot. I know there are cheaper alternatives but I am just so happy with my results I can’t imagine adding in something else.

Step 3 Moisturizer: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+

Out of all my products, this is the only one I’m iffy on. I have been using this Clinique Moisturizer for years and do love it, but I think I can find something a little cheaper. I am actually interested in trying the CeraVe lotion because I’ve heard great things about it. This moisturizer was one I tried when I was in high school and found this was the only one that wouldn’t break me out. I don’t think I’ll ever fully part ways with it but I wanted to be transparent and say I don’t love love it.

Step 4 Sunscreen: Super Goop Unseen Sunscreen

This Super Goop Unseen Sunscreen I am okay with. I say that because usually sunscreen breaks me out and this one doesn’t but it is so expensive and I don’t love the Goop brand. (If you know, you know) I do think I will rebuy this only because it goes on so lightly and doesn’t feel like anything on the skin. If you can’t add anything else into your routine, add a sunscreen. It is so important to keep your skin not only healthy but preventing premature aging. I wish I had started adding in sunscreen prior to this year but I know starting now can only help.

I hope this simple skincare routine introduced you to some new products! My favorite part of skin care is learning about the different ingredients and how they can affect your skin. It’s so important to start caring for your skin now so even small changes in your routine can help.

P.S. don’t forget your sunscreen!

My Updated Skincare Routine

July 6, 2020

Last summer at the start of my blog, I shared my 2019 skincare routine, which you can find here. This summer I’m back with some of the same products and new ones that I am absolutely obsessed with for an updated skincare routine. Keeping your skin healthy from an early age is so important and having a good skincare routine early on will set you up for success.

Face Wash

Finding a good face wash for your skin type is hard, so I stopped trying. I went back to my tried and true product, Cetaphil and it really just does the job. It cleanses my skin, doesn’t break me out, and is super gentle. I highly recommend this is you have sensitive skin like me because I kept finding that other face washes would leave my skin either way too dry or break me out.

Toner

I am still using my Clinique toner. This just really does the job and helps to exfoliate my skin. I did attempt to make the change to witch hazel but after some research, I realized it wasn’t going to help my skin in the long run. I use the cotton rounds and apply this after I wash my face and my skin is left soft and clean.

Moisturizer

I switch up my moisturizer depending on the time of day. In the morning, I love to use the Clinique Dramatically Different Gel moisturizer. I love this one because its light and for the summer, does the job but isn’t too thick. At night, or after being in the sun for too long, I use the Drunk Elephant whipped cream. This is thick so I use it at night to reset my skin for the next day.

Eye Cream

I actually got this eye cream for free to try and I fell in love with it. The name might sound weird but this algae eye cream by Biossance is literally so good. It’s thick and feels amazing on the skin. I am absolutely obsessed with it. I love a thicker eye cream because it just feels like its working better than one thats thinner.

Other Face Products

Other products that I love but aren’t a part of my daily skincare routine are my jade roller, face brush, and face steamer. I love using these products once or a few times a week to help reset my skin. Facial steam once a week helps to open my pores and get out impurities. I like to jade roll in the mornings to help with puffiness and I try to use electric face brush a few times a week to exfoliate. One other products that I have been loving is an eyelash serum. I got this one from Amazon, and it absolutely has helped my lashes grow!

Skincare is so important and is something that you should start early. Creating good habits while you’re young will help to alleviate some problems as you age. What is something that’s a part of your skincare routine that you can’t live without?

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Fall Foundations I Can’t Live Without

October 20, 2019

Something I rarely talk about here on the blog is makeup. I definitely don’t wear it that often but I find myself in the winter putting it on more often. I self-tan a lot over the winter and I also just feel like no matter what you do, your skin is just duller in the winter. Although I am wearing foundation, I make sure it’s still clean and not too heavy. There is literally nothing I hate more then a thick and cakey foundation that you’ll wear on your skin all day. Most of my favorite foundations are actually CC creams or tinted moisturizers because they provide coverage but they’re not too heavy. Choosing your fall foundations might be hard but it’s so important to set your skin up for success in the winter.

Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

It Cosmetics CC Cream

This seriously is my go to winter foundation. It helps to keep my skin moisturized in the winter months and gives me some coverage to help with the dullness in my skin. Buyers beware though, the shade range is very little. I wear Light but honestly it only looks great when I’m self tanned. I like to apply this with a beauty blender because I feel like it helps to blend it out much easier.

Tarte Amazonian Clay

Don’t be afraid of this foundations because it may look like full coverage. I find that if I use a little bit, it not only covers but its also not cakey at all. This foundation is seriously one of my favorites of all time because it’s create in the summer and winter. It’s super moisturizing for those winter months which is something that I really like to have. If I’m using it in the summer, I just apply extra setting powder and I know I’m good for the day. Highly suggest trying this one out and this has a much wider shade range. I also like to apply this with a beauty blender.

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue

Bare Minerals is definitely stepping up their game and coming into modern times. I used to use Bare when I was in middle school and needed something for my sensitive skin. Now I like Bare minerals because of how light coverage this foundation is. I really think that this is merely a tinted moisturizer but it is so great. It’s not heavy on my skin at all and it feels like its barely there. This product is also awesome because it comes in a gel formula and also a face stick. Seriously an amazing product and definitely a go to for a fall foundations.

As you can tell, my reoccuring theme is that I do not like heavy coverage foundations. If I’m going to wear makeup, I want something that’s barely there and these are definitely my top three. Fall foundations are so important because as the air gets cooler, your skin starts to need more moisture. By choosing a lighter, more moisturizing fall foundation, you’re sure to keep your skin happy and healthy all winter long!

Check out my latest Blog Post here!

My Simple Skin Care Routine

June 26, 2019

I have always gotten compliments about my skin. From the even skin tone to the smooth complexion, people always ask me what I do to maintain it. My skin care routine is so simple that when I tell people they are seriously baffled. Let’s see what you think!

Step 1: Clinique Liquid Face Soap

I use this product morning and night as my primary face wash. I love it because it’s not scented and seriously cleans my skin. In the morning I’ll put a dime size amount of this product on my face brush and massage it into my skin for about a minute. At night, I’m usually super lazy and just rub this into my skin with my hands and then rinse it off. I always make sure to pat dry with a towel and not rub my face.

Step 2: Clinique Clarifying Lotion Exfoliator

This product might sound like a moisturizer but it’s not. I use it as a toner with my little cotton rounds morning and night. I love wiping my day off and actually seeing all the dirt and grossness coming off my skin. This product is pretty tough but they make a gentler one for more sensitive skin.

Step 3: Drunk Elephant Serums

It should be no surprise that the final step in my skin routine is Drunk Elephant. I use the T.L.C Framboos Serum at night and the B Hydra Serum in the morning. I seriously cannot get over how amazing these products are. I know how expensive they can be but they’re clean beauty and have seriously transformed my skin.

Other than the these 4 products, I don’t usually use anything else. On an occasion I’ll use a face mask from Sephora Collection, Glam Glow or Drunk Elephant but sometimes I find that face masks actually break me out. For break outs I love using the Mario Badescu drying lotion. Putting a small amount on a Q Tip and sleeping with it on my breakout literally helps it to reduce in size and redness over night.

Another major step in my skin routine is water. I can’t stress enough that water is key to clear, healthy skin. Seriously, if you don’t believe me then believe the results I’ve had. Drinking water is not only good for you but great for your skin. Water and these products has turned into my skin care holy grail. I very rarely find products that work as well as these do so I will never trade them! Just a reminder that drinking water is key but all skin types are different . These are only my results and may or may not be the same results you have.

4 Ways to Heal Your Sunburn Fast

June 18, 2019

I get asked all the time how I get so tan over the summer. I used to lay out in the sun with only tanning oil on but once I became more aware of the harmful effects of sun damage to your skin, I quickly made skin care my top priority. This post is dedicated to healing that painful sunburn that we all get a least once a summer.

Quality Sun Tan Lotion

Let me tell you, this may seem like the most obvious tip but a lot of people don’t take the quality of their sunscreen into consideration. Quality suntan lotion is generally a little more pricy then the cheap stuff but it is so worth the cost. For example, this Hawaiian Tropic’s sunscreen has built in moisturizers so that even if your skin starts to burn, it has moisturizer on it to start working fast to reduce the burn. I also love Sun Bum’s products as well. It’s important that you’re getting quality suntan lotions so that you can prevent the burns before they happen and prevent long term skin damage.

2. Don’t Exfoliate or Peel Your Skin

It might be extremely tempting to sit and peel off that dead skin or use an exfoliating scrub in the shower but DON’T DO IT!! Stripping off that dead skin prior to it naturally coming off will leave your skin extremely damaged and stripped of the moisture that it needs to recover. That dead skin is helping retain the moisture that your skin will need to heal. You can purchase Sun Balm’s to apply to the peeling skin that can help speed up the process of your the dead skin coming off if you don’t like the way it looks.

3. Moisturize Immediately

I swear by this tip to keep my skin tan and not getting burnt. Even if I’m red after being out in the sun, whenever I get out of it I make sure to use an “after sun” moisturizer that is designed to help replenish what my skin lost from being out all day. Moisturizing is your best friend in the summer and so many people neglect this step. I really believe that moisturizing after I get out of the sun and using a sun lotion infused with moisturizer, I get the best tans that are long lasting.

4. Solarcaine

I was so surprised when people have never heard of this product. Solar Cane is basically used like aloe except its in a spray bottle and is cooling when applied. I don’t like to use aloe because it’s too sticky for me and also rubbing damaged skin isn’t the best idea. This product does the job of aloe except works so much better for some reason. I’ve seen people who get the worst sunburns put this on right after being in the sun and they’re not even pink. I highly recommend getting this and adding it to your after sun routine. It also will help take away the pain and burning sensation that sunburn leaves.

I also just want to put out a disclaimer that being out in the sun all day is not good for you. I love laying out and getting tan but as I get older, I realize more and more how harmful sun rays can be to your skin. A once in awhile sunburn is not the end of the world but please be cautious this summer because sun damage is irreversible.