My Favorite Skin Care and Hair Products

I'm not an influencer. Just a woman with hair and skin.

A few weeks ago, I spent time with one of my favorite people: my sister-in-law and dear friend, Carol. I’ve known her since I was about 16 before she started dating my brother (now her husband), but we only see each other once or twice a year. So, over our six days together, we caught up on everything—work, family, ministry, and health. And, as often happens with girlfriends (especially those of a certain age), we confided in each other about the pros and cons of growing older, eventually trading our favorite beauty and skincare products to help our aging skin and hair.

Apparently, I’m loyal and passionate about my products. I didn’t know this about myself prior to our conversation. When Carol witnessed firsthand my enthusiasm surrounding my favorite items, she was like, “You should do a blog post about this.”

Now listen, I am no influencer. I have no idea what is trending right now. I have zero brands reaching out to me for endorsements, and no one is mailing me free cosmetics.¹ (Maybe because I haven’t been on social media in over four years. Or maybe because I refuse to do one of those video tutorials where I hold the product up to the camera, like the kids do these days.)

But after decades of trial and error, testing multiple products to counteract both adult acne and the unfortunate effects of excessive sun damage, I DO have pretty good skin.² And, most days, I still love my hair—even though I think it’s thinning.

Much of this is due to good genetics and a healthy lifestyle, for sure. But I also use some products that keep my skin glowing and my hair soft and shiny.

And that’s what I’m enthusiastically offering you today.³

My Nightly Skin Care Routine

Step One:

Every night, I remove my makeup with these makeup wipes. They are gentle enough for my sensitive skin while effectively removing water-resistant mascara and tinted sunscreen (linked below), so my white bath towels don’t get smudged with black and beige makeup. I hate when that happens.

Burt’s Bees Micellar Rosewater Facial Towelettes

Step Two:

For years, the only thing that kept my skin clear was the Proactiv 3-step routine (cleanser, toner, and repairing cream). It was adequate, but it was expensive. Then I discovered Burt’s Bees Deep Cleansing Acne Scrub. It works better for me than Proactiv and is a fraction of the price.

Burt’s Bees Deep Cleansing Acne Scrub

Step Three:

I've always been afraid to moisturize at night because of my oily, breakout-prone skin. But I've finally found a moisturizer that works for me and my weird face. It is light, doesn’t give me pimples, and smells fresh.

Andalou Naturals Oil-Free Moisturizer

My Daily Beauty Products

If you were to search the internet for “who is at risk for skin cancer,” you might see my picture there. I check every box, except for “weakened immune system.” But you can add to the list: Lives in the Sunshine State and loves long walks on the beach, pushing me straight into the “high risk” category. In fact, about 12 years ago, I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my shoulder. Gross. And a little scary.

So, I’m serious about sunscreen—especially on my face—is what I’m saying. I've tried many sunscreens, but most felt heavy and oily under my makeup. I don't want skin cancer, but I also don't want to wear greasy sunscreen on my face.

Enter Isdin.

My dermatologist recommended this tinted sunscreen to me about four years ago, and I’ve used it every day since. It doubles as sun protection and a lightweight foundation to cover imperfections and uneven skin.

And lest you believe it’s just for old ladies with wrinkles and spots, I once gifted it to my 26-year-old daughter. And after she finished using the whole bottle, she texted me, “How do I get more of this beautiful nectar?” This is what I’m talking about. It’s wonderful. Kinda pricey, but wonderful.

Isdin 100% Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF50

Every day after my shower, I moisturize from head to toe. I like to smell nice, but I don’t always like the heavy and artificial perfumes of, say, a Bath and Body Works lotion. Frenshe is a new-ish line of beauty products I discovered at Target. It’s vegan and cruelty-free, which I appreciate. And it also FEELS LIKE A DREAM ON MY SKIN. Seriously, the texture of the body lotion is so silky and smooth—trust me on this. Also, on days that I don’t wash my hair, a few spritzes of the hair and body spray keep it smelling fresh. At the risk of sounding like an influencer: I’m obsessed.

I’m linking to my favorite scent, but I recommend smelling them yourself. Scents are personal, ya know?

Being Frenshe Joy + Bliss Solar Fleur Collection

Speaking of hair, living in Florida humidity can leave my hair frizzy. I have been using Moroccan Oil for years…quite possibly decades. (What even IS time?) I apply a small amount (4-ish pumps) to damp hair after washing and towel-drying. I sometimes use it on styled hair after straightening for added control and shine. It’s liquid gold for hair, and it smells amazing. I refuse to try anything else. You can’t make me. Morroccan Oil forever. ✌🏼

Moroccan Oil Treatment

And finally, before I apply any heat to my hair (blow dryer, straightener, curling iron), I always spray it with this. I’ve tried several heat protectors, but Aveda is superior. I love it more than a girl should love a hair care product. I have tried and loved several Aveda products, but this is THE one I never go without.

Aveda Heat Relief

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Your turn! What are your favorite skincare and hair products? What do you swear by? What should I try? I’m especially interested in a good self-tanner that doesn’t smell like Ritz Crackers on my skin.⁴

Hit reply on this email or leave a comment and let me know!

Love,

Sandy

1. Is that how it works when you’re an influencer? People just mail you stuff to try? I don’t even know.

2. For what it’s worth, most people I meet in real life are genuinely surprised to learn I’m 56 years old. They often say, “I thought you were in your 40s” or “you look good for your age.” I’d prefer they didn’t tack on the “for your age” part. But I still receive it as a compliment. I recently had an appointment with a new gyno who kept looking at my chart to “double check” my age because she didn’t believe me. Then she asked me about my skin care routine. Please note, she was NOT looking at the veins on my legs that—I swear—are growing darker by the day. If she were, she would have been looking at my chart to double-check that I wasn’t actually 80.

3. Most of these links are affiliate links. That means that if you choose to purchase through the link, I will receive a small commission for pointing you there at no additional cost to you. This is not to be confused with being an “influencer,” which, as I’ve stated, I am not. This is called being an “Amazon Affiliate,” which anyone can do…even you. :)

4. I need to cover up the leg veins if I ever hope to wear shorts or knee-length skirts again. I don’t understand what’s happening. Is this my life now?