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This Is How You Should Layer Your Skincare Products
I am a self-proclaimed product junkie.
I use toners, AHAs, BHAs, physical exfoliators, vitamin C, oils, and chemical exfoliants at the same damn time. When I started using these different products, my skin was not happy. It was irritated continuously, and my breakouts got worse. How could I have drawers full of products with great reviews and still battle breakouts?
The answer? I was doing it wrong.
I even got a chemical burn because I was trying to get rid of a pimple overnight. Pro tip: Put a spot treatment on the little bugger and leave it alone. Seriously. With so many options on the market that claim to make our skin glow, look younger, and more even, I think it's helpful to break down how often treatments should be used and how to build an effective skincare regimen that doesn't leave your skin begging for mercy.
Start With A Gentle Cleanser
One thing I stay away from is a harsh cleanser that strips the moisture in my skin. Dry, irritated skin and active ingredients like vitamin C and glycolic acids don't mesh. I keep my face wash simple — using Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil with Coconut & Argan Cleanser and Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner morning and night to make sure my skin is balanced and ready to take on my nightly treatments.
Take Care When Using Chemical Exfoliants
The key to using AHA and BHA chemical exfoliants is to use them sparingly — one to two times per week. After using a chemical exfoliant like The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, follow up with a The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum or Rosehip Seed Oil by Kate Blanc to replenish the moisture in the skin. If you use retinoids, skip it on nights when you're using your favorite chemical exfoliant to prevent over-exfoliation or skin irritation.
Pro tip: If you're using an acid on the skin, sunscreen is a must!
Vitamin C Serums
I have tried a handful of vitamin C serums, from drugstore to prestigious brands and have learned one crucial thing — vitamin C is a gamechanger. Vitamin C can reduce dark spots, even skin tone, and protect the skin from free radicals. My go-to is Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum because it's made with good ingredients at a reasonable price point.
While ascorbic acids can have many benefits, they can also be irritating when mixed with other active ingredients like glycolic acid, retinol, and salicylic acid. Instead of using vitamin C in your night routine, add it to your morning regimen. If you have sensitive skin or haven't had much experience using a vitamin C serum, apply your moisturizer first, then layer your vitamin C on top to prevent irritation.
Don't Forget To Moisturize
Because of my combination skin, I didn't make moisturizing a part of my morning or night time regimen until I discovered rosehip oil. I thought more moisture equaled oilier skin — wrong. The key to keeping skin balanced is making sure you properly moisturize. Moisturizing also locks in water-based serums. Most drugstore moisturizers either left my skin too oily or broke me out, so I have opted for oils. I pat 2-3 drops of Rosehip Seed Oil by Kate Blanc into my skin and I'm good to go without becoming an oil slick thirty minutes later. In the summer months, I use hyaluronic acid as a substitute and my skin loves me for it.
Take Your Time
My skincare routine is a part of my daily self-care. There is something soothing about making the health of my skin a priority. If you want to make sure your products are doing their job and not sitting on top of the surface — gently press serums into the skin to ensure the product is completely absorbed. After it's applied, don't rush to put on your makeup or moisturizer — give it about five minutes, then go to your next step. In the morning, that means you can enjoy your morning coffee, pack your gym bag, or mentally prepare yourself for your morning commute.
Skincare is a very personal thing, and what works for me might not work for you, but I wanted to share what I've learned through trial, error, and a few chemical burns.
Want to read more xoNecole skincare stories like this? Check out these essential reads below:
I Cleared Up My Hyperpigmentation With This 5-Step Method
Everyone's Raving About The 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine
xoNecole Readers Reveal How They Get Rid Of Dark Spots
Kelis Keeps Her Skin Radiant & Glowing With These Three Simple Skincare Secrets
Featured image by Getty Images
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Bianca Lambert is a proud Atlanta native soaking up the Los Angeles sun. She is the founder of Mae B: a stationery company for women of color and a digital content creator on a mission to elevate the voices of women of color everywhere.
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
'Love Island USA' Star JaNa Craig On The Reality Of Black Women On Dating Shows
Love Island USA just wrapped up its sixth season, and it has been the talk of the town. According to Nielsen, it's the No. 1 show on streaming, proving it's just as entertaining as the UK version. One of the reasons this season has been successful is due to the authentic relationships formed between the islanders in the villa.
You have the sisterhood between Serena Page, JaNa Craig, and Leah Kateb, aka PPG, and the real relationship moments between couples like Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, who were named the winners of this season. The other finalists include Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi, Nicole Jacky and Kendall Washington, and JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez.
While JaNa made it to the finale with her boo Kenny, her journey in the villa was far from perfect. Viewers saw the Las Vegas native get her heart stomped on a few times after many of her connections didn't work out.
At one point, it even looked like she was getting kicked off the island. While she had a lot of support from people watching the show, it was clear that she was in a position that many Black women on reality dating shows find themselves in: not being desired.
It has been an ongoing conversation among Black women watching reality dating shows as we see time and time again that non-Black women or racially ambiguous-looking women are often chosen over Black women, especially dark-skinned women. In a discussion with Shadow and Act, JaNa opened up about the support she received from viewers.
@cineaxries i love them 🤧 #janacraig #janaandkenny #loveislandusa #foryou #peacock #loveisland #janaloveisland #xybca #kennyloveisland #janaedit #loveislandedit #janaedits #loveislandusaedit #viral #loveislandusaseason6 #foryoupage #peacocktv
"You know what’s so crazy? I’m so grateful, because when I got my phone, the way they’re making us The Princess and The Frog…I felt honored. I will be that beautiful chocolate queen if I need to be. And the comments like 'beautiful chocolate girl,' I’m like, all Black women are beautiful. There’s the whole light skin versus dark skin, which breaks my heart. I just really don’t understand that, but I will take pride and represent us well," she said.
She also candidly discussed her experience as a dark-skinned Black woman on the show. JaNa and Serena had been in the villa since the first episode, and they were the only dark-skinned Black women there. As new men aka bombshells came into the villa, they found themselves not being wanted by many of them.
"Me and Serena literally had a heart-to-heart before Kenny came in and she’s like, I just don’t think it’s fair that the Black girls don’t get enough fair chance.' Every islander that came in, we were not their top pick. And we just [thought], maybe because we’re Black girls, and the dark-skinned Black girls. It sucked," she said.
"I’m like, 'Serena, we know what we bring to the table. We’re great personalities. A guy’s going to come in for us.' That’s when we manifested what we wanted, and that’s when I manifested Kenny."
@ashleyvera__ We love to see it 🥰 #loveislandusa #loveisland #loveisland2024 #janaandkenny #loveislandseason6 #peacock #realitytv #fypage
After many failed connections, Kenny came in and immediately turned JaNa's experience around. America watched the model get the care and attention that she deserved.
"I’m not going to hold you. When I was in the bottom for a quick second, I’m like, ‘There’s no way America doesn’t [ride for us]. I know Black America had to ride for me, but maybe because I’m a dark-skinned … hmm … maybe … you feel me? And you saw the Casa Amor lineup. Beautiful, beautiful light-skinned [women]," she said.
"We looked at each other like, 'Damn, Love Island did their big one with this. And every single Casa Amor girl was like, 'You girls are gorgeous, you guys are stunning.' They expressed love. You guys are beautiful and it felt good."
Although she and Kenny came in third place, JaNa is happy that she got her man in the end. "I think the thing I’m most grateful about is the fact that this is a beautiful love story like you guys complement each other and there’s no hate toward the skin color. It’s all love and support. I love that more than anything," she said.
"That’s why I was like, 'I won,' even though I didn’t win. And the fact that Serena won, we were like, 'Yeah, run that.' Either way, we won. And I love the support from all communities."