My Current Skincare Routine

I am a self-proclaimed skincare and makeup lover. I love to experiment with new products, always trying to find the perfect skincare routine. I was introduced to Rodan+Fields by a friend in December and I was pretty blown away by the products. I knew I wanted to order the Reverse line to take care of my sun damage and dull looking skin. I liked the products I was currently using, but when I really thought about it I realized that they were only maintaining my current skin issues and not actually changing my skin. I can happily say that my new routine is changing my skin for the better!




I use the Reverse regimen because I have sun damage and some hyperpigmentation, which is basically uneven skin tone. I rarely leave the house without makeup. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE makeup but sometimes you just want to be able to wakeup and go, without foundation. I'm not to the point where I don't wear makeup everyday but I have ventured out lately with only mascara and a little blush. :) This is big for me lol!

Deep Exfoliating Wash

The first step in my routine is the cleanser. I used the Purity cleanser for years and I always loved how it made my skin feel. I also used an exfoliating wash an alternate days to help shed some dead skin, so I knew the importance of this kind of product. I LOVE the way my face feels after I use the R+F exfoliating wash because my skin feels so soft. Plus it smells amazing, which is always a bonus. When I used my Purity wash a few weeks ago because I left my R+F cleanser on the counter I was amazed with how greasy my face felt. I never realized that it left me so oily. It just solidified my satisfaction with my current routine!

Intensive Brightening Toner

I never really used a toner in the past because they always seemed to strip my skin, which made me over-produce oil. So when I started using the Reverse regimen I wasn't sure if I would like this step. Now that I fully understand the importance of a toner it's become a regular part of my routine. The toner sets up your face for the treatment/ serum you will be applying. This particular toner has kojic acid, antioxidants, and natural ingredients like licorice to help brighten your skin. Who knew that I would love these things so much??

Dual Brightening Treatment

My third step is to use a pea-size amount of the dual brightening treatment, this is the vitamin C complex and retinol. They are in two separate bottles so you get the most benefits from each without them losing their potency. These two ingredients have worked some serious magic on my uneven skin tone and those pesky sun spots. One day I will show my before pictures on here and you'll see what I mean :)

Unblemish- Oil Control Lotion

I have VERY oily skin, especially in this San Diego humidity. The Reverse regimen has an SPF but I found that it was too moisturizing for m,e so I switched to the Unblemish Oil-Control Lotion. I love it! My skin feels very comfortable but I don't feel as oily as I normally do. Don't get me wrong, I still have oil but it's not crazy like it normally is in the spring/ summer. Let's hope it stays this way when July rolls around! Also, this lotion has SPF in it... this is a must for the day time!

Eye Cream

Everyone needs a good eye cream with anti-aging properties. It helps to de-puff my tired eyes, lessen the appearance of dark under-eye circles, and works to diminish my crow's feet, while also preventing new lines. It's very moisturizing, which is good because even though I have oily skin, I have very dry under eyes. I use it under my makeup in the morning and then as my last step in my routine at night.

Amp MD roller

Have you heard of micro-needling?? If not, you need to get on this bandwagon! It's pretty awesome and only takes one minute. So basically this little tool is a micro-exfoliator that contains tiny acupuncture needles. The needles roll over the surface of your skin, helping to improve skin texture, minimize pores, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You can barely feel it while you're using the tool but it does make a big difference. I've seen it work wonders on acne scars too. I have some on my cheeks from my teenage years, so I can't wait to see my continued results.


If you've read my blog in the last couple months you know that I joined the Rodan+ Fields company in January, as an independent consultant. This doesn't change my honest opinion of the products because I couldn't get behind something that I didn't believe in or that didn't work. So for any of the nay-sayers, just know that I am truly a product of the products and I'm loving what the regimen is doing for me. Plus, I get to work with the sweetest, most encouraging team. I'm so fortunate that I found R+F. If you have any questions email me at: jmbradford0211@yahoo.com and I would love to chat with you.

Skincare Gift Guide

1. Peter Thomas Roth Kit- I love trying new masks and Peter Thomas Roth is known to have some great ones. This was sold out for awhile on Sephora's website but seems to be back now. Hopefully if you can't find it online you will be able to find it in stores! I also love this mini mask kit at Sephora and it's only $20!

2. Fresh- Skincare Affair kit: Fresh has some amazing products and this little kit is the perfect way to try some out. The soy cleanser from the line is super gentle but also really cleans your skin. I'm dying to try the Black Tea mask in this kit because I've heard it works wonders.

3. Fresh- Sugar Face Polish: Another Fresh product?? I know, I know but this brand is sooo good! Exfoliating is one of my favorite parts of my skincare routine. It always leaves my skin feeling baby smooth. This face polish is super luxurious and will be coveted by anyone who receives it!

4. Laura Mercier Creme Brûlée Honey Bath- I've heard so many good things about this product. It sounds ultra luxurious and the perfect gift for someone who loves to take baths. Plus, how cute is the packaging??

5. Laura Mercier Le Petite Souffle Collection- This little set of hydrating body cremes is so nice! I love that it comes with a wide variety of scents and all of them sound so decadent. Laura Mercier's products always smell heavenly! This is great for the colder months when our skin is feeling parched and in need of some moisture.

6. GlamGlow Gift Sexy Ultimate Anti-Aging Kit- I love GlamGlow products and this kit is such a good deal. To buy the full size of the YouthMud or the SuperMud it's $69 by themselves. In this kit you get a full size YouthMud Tingle Exfoliant, a small SuperMud, the YouthCleanse Daily cleanser, and a Dual-ended applicator brush for only $69. You don't need a brush to apply the products but if they are going to through it in the kit then I'll take it :)

7. Boscia Perfectly Poreless kit- This is definitely on my wishlist! The thermal black cleanser is awesome and I've heard so many great things about the luminizing mask. Boscia makes high-quality  products and this is a great option for anyone who has oily skin.

My Current Skincare Routine

I have a serious skincare obsession. I'm not to the point where I spend a lot of money exactly but I love to read about it, explore new products, and watch youtube videos on skincare routines. Weird, huh? I think it's because I never really knew how to take care of my skin before a couple years ago. I didn't even like to wash my face with more than a gentle bar of soap because I thought it would break me out. Little did I know that I just needed to be consistent with my routine and it would make a world of a difference. I have tried a bunch of products but here is what I have in my rotation at the moment.

1. My Go-To Cleanser

I have been using the Purity Cleanser for the last two years. I love that it's a makeup remover and a cleanser in one. It eliminates one step and that's always good in my book. It leaves your skin feeling clean but still soft (not squeaky clean and tight). It has an interesting, almost "natural" smell to it. I don't love it but I don't mind it either haha. My favorite way to use the cleanser is with my Clarisonic Mia 2. I got this a few years ago for my birthday and I LOVE it! I heard so many great things before I got it but I was nervous about the "purging" stage that tends to happen within the first few weeks of use. Surprisingly enough that never happened to me! YAY! I use it once a day (at night) and sometimes I skip a day. It honestly depends on how tired I am when I'm getting ready for bed haha. 

2. Exfoliating is Key

I have very oily skin especially in the humidity. Sometimes oily skin can mimic dry skin (in patches) when you have a build-up of dead skin on your face. I know, gross right? This tends to happen to me around my nose so it's super important that I exfoliate a few times a week to help. **I'm not an esthetician, I'm just relaying information I've learned from lots of reading on the subject. I have used the Lush Sea Salt and I really like it but it can be a little harsh if I use it too often. Lately, I have been using the Yes to Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub. It's gentle enough to use everyday and it smells heavenly. Plus the $7 price tag doesn't hurt either!

3. Mask Fun

I really love doing facial masks a few times a week. Maybe it's the routine of it or how they make my face feel so smooth and fresh...either way they are my jam. I alternate between a few masks but my favorite is the GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment. It's pricey but it is the best mud mask I have ever used. It pulls out all the gunk in your pores and just makes your face feel fresh and detoxed. I also use it as a spot treatment for those irritable breakouts that seem to pop up overnight. I just put a little bit on the problem area and rinse it off in the morning. Even though it has a hefty price tag you only use a small amount on each application. My mother-in-law bought me the last two jars and each one has almost lasted a year! It's worth every penny. 

The Murad Blackhead and Pore Clearing Duo is a newer purchase but quickly became an essential. You take the Step 1 jar and apply a thin layer to any area that has blackheads. After ten minutes you gently massage the scrub into the area and rinse it off. This detoxifies and extracts oil and other build up within your pores. After patting your face dry you apply a thin layer of the Pore Refining Sealer. This helps to tighten pores and reduce the formation of new blackheads in that area. You can see immediate results with these products. I'm excited to see what the areas will look like after using them both for a few months. 

I also love the Mario Badescu Cucumber Mask. This is a much more soothing mask with anti-inflammatory properties. It's very calming and non-drying like some of the more detoxifying masks. This mask has a great price point as does most of the Mario Badescu line. There are several more products in the collection that I would love to purchase. 

4. A New Found Serum

I've never used a serum before purchasing this little guy. I guess I didn't really understand what they were for and what I would want to target. I'm not saying I don't have problem areas, because I most definitely do, I just think it's hard to find a good serum for oily skin. A few bloggers and YouTubers I follow have raved about the Midnight Recovery Concentrate by Kiehls. They even claimed it was life-changing (for skin of course) so I thought what the heck, I'll give it a chance. I bought it a few weeks ago and I can happily say it's great. It makes my skin feel replenished and smooth in the morning and not overly oily. The smell is a little funky but I'm slowly getting use to it. It can seem counter-intuitive to put an oil on oily skin but it actually helps balance the natural oil production. Weird, I know. 

5. Moisturizer

I have tried LOTS and LOTS of moisturizers but I haven't really found the one yet. Lately I have really been liking the First Aid Beauty Oil-Free Mattifying Gel. It's super lightweight but actually keeps my skin moisturized all day long. I don't know if it's totally mattifying but it's better than most others in this area. I've heard the Simple Gel Moisturizer is really good so that's next on my list to try. 

**I also use an eye cream as often as I can but the one I'm using right now isn't my favorite. It doesn't have any anti-aging properties, which is a bummer. It just depuffs and brightens. I'm working on using it up so I can buy one that does a little more for my under eye area. 

So I'm sure this sounds like a TON of products but these are things I've gotten over the last year(s) and I use slowly. I don't do all of these things in one day or even in one week. I alternate between products and just try to do the most that I can for my skin. I've definitely seen an improvement over the last year so something must be working! :)

What are your favorite skincare products?