Skin, Sex, Sleep and Self Care - with Adore Beauty
This month we sat down with the Beauty Editor from Adore Beauty - Jas, and chatted all things Skin, Sex, Sleep and Self-care for your cycle.
As you can imagine after chatting with Jas, naturally, we went to the Adore Beauty site to shop all of the products she mentions here. Trust us, you won't want to sleep on these. All products Jas mentions are linked below bestie, so you can get back to your self-care and skip the mindless googling - thank us later!
Let's get into it!
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Love Luna: Ok Jas, give us a skin snapshot: Walk us through your current skin care routine!
Jas: I’m *blessed* with perpetually dry skin, so my routine is all about hydration, hydration, hydration.
In the AM, I wash my face with either a cleansing oil or balm. At the moment I’m loving the Alpha-H Melting Moment Cleansing Balm. I’ll then immediately apply the Hada Labo Lotion No.1 Super Hydrator to my damp skin, followed by the Sulwhasoo Essential Comfort Balancing Water Toner and Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème. Next, it’s time for serums. I always layer a vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. My current go-to's are the SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF and La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Ageing Serum. Then, a nourishing moisturiser like the Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturiser before finally applying my sunscreen, the SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense SPF50.
In the evening, my routine kicks off with a double cleanse. I’ll either use the same Alpha-H cleansing balm or the Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil for step one, followed by the SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser. I then apply the same hydrating lotion and toner, before moving on to serums. On every other night I’ll apply the SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3% (which is perf for retinol newbies like me) otherwise it’s a hyaluronic acid again. I don’t have major signs of ageing but I’m so obsessed with the texture of the Ole Henriksen Wrinkle Blur Bakuchiol Eye Gel Crème that I’ll apply it anyway. For my moisturiser, I’m loving the Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream with Australian River Mint and apply a generous amount that I’ll then pair with a restorative gua sha massage.
Love Luna: How do you maintain your skin health throughout your cycle?
Jas: I like to keep things pretty simple and soothing during my cycle. It’s all about comforting formulas that make my skin feel hydrated and happy, even when my insides are dying. I wish I could say I avoid bad foods during my cycle but it’s quite the opposite - chocolate, sweets and a cheeky vegan gelato here and there go a long way when I’m bloated and blah.
Love Luna: Do you have any tips or tricks for our Luna Lovers who experience acne flare ups around their period?
Jas: First of all, acne flare-ups are SO normal during your cycle. As hard as it is, try not to be so hard on yourself, your body is doing incredible things! It should go without saying that hydration is key, so avoid picking at your breakouts and keeping your skin clean. You could also try a liquid exfoliant such as a salicylic acid to unclog pores and regulate oil production. Pimple patches are a godsend, too!
Love Luna: We know our skin can get dry and dull during the second phase of our cycle. Do you have any tips to maintain glowy skin all cycle long?
Jas: I sound like a bit of a broken record but hydration is essential. Sub your regular moisturiser out for a thicker formula if need be, up your water intake, double down on your HA serums, and embrace sheet masks! They’re like a big drink for the skin and can also aid in soothing skin sensitivity.
Love Luna: What's one way to level up your skincare routine whilst on your period?
Jas: Face oils! I know they’re not for everyone, and some people aren’t convinced they’re suited to their skin, but there are so many options available now that there’s something for everyone. Not only do they ensure your skin stays hydrated, but they can be used in hand with a gua sha or even your knuckles for a face massage. A little self-care treat.
Love Luna: What does wellness mean to you?
Jas: Wellness to me is all about holistic health. It’s as much about my body as it is about my mind. How am I feeling, what does my body need, where am I putting my energy; checking in with myself daily allows me to truly connect with my body and give it the love it needs.
Love Luna: What are 3 ways you like to practice self-care on your cycle?
Jas: I’m a big bather, and find baths during your period can help reduce that gross bloating feeling. I also slow down and really focus on my skincare routine, planting myself in front of the mirror for an embarrassing amount of time (don’t judge!). And food - I’m a big sweet tooth so I allow myself to give into temptations more on my cycle because it just simply feels good.
Love Luna: What are some ways to prioritise sleep on your cycle?
Jas: I’ve actually just started charging my phone on the other side of the room away from my bed. That may sound incredibly obvious, but it genuinely made such an impact on my sleep cycle. I’m generally sleepier on my cycle so I make sure I’m in bed at a reasonable hour and like to do mindful activities when my brain won’t shut off.
Love Luna: Sex on your period- do you have any advice for Luna Lovers who might be navigating this?
Jas: Having been in relationships most of my adult life, I can tell you right now 99% of partners do. not. care. if you’re on your period. You may feel grossed out (that’s the taboo talking) or just feeling generally down on yourself, but a good partner should make you feel comfortable and sexy - period or not! Women are also generally hornier on their cycle (this woman included), so it’s a satisfying release when you finally get *there*. In terms of tips, you may find some positions more painful if you experience cramps during your cycle, so just slow down and go with what feels good. Otherwise, throw down a dark towel if your flow is particularly heavy or skip the bed altogether and jump in the shower - no mess, no fuss.
Love Luna: Why do you think body acne is such a taboo topic?
Jas: I think acne period is a taboo topic. As a society, we have such a fixation on perfection so anything that can potentially hinder that is a no-no. Especially nowadays with things like FaceTune and filters that cover up said imperfections. But as someone who has body acne (that gets worse during summer), I can tell you that more people have it than you probably think. It’s completely normal, just like skin texture and pores are normal! I’m hopeful that with increased representation in this space and “real” skin content will eventually shift this perspective so we can all embrace our bodies, no matter the shape, size, look, feel; whatever!
Love Luna: Do you have any tips or tricks for Luna Lovers who may suffer from body acne?
Jas: Invest in a good body exfoliant. Just like our face, our body needs love, too! So as you would use an exfoliant for acne-prone skin, the same goes for your body. The Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14% is an excellent option for refining skin texture and you can also use it on your face - win-win!
Love Luna: What's one common mistake people make when it comes to hormonal acne?
Jas: Over-exfoliating or overusing acne treatments in the hope they will clear hormonal acne but only end up with Sahara Desert skin! Unfortunately, in most cases these topical treatments won’t do a whole lot for hormonal acne like they do for regular acne. Instead, focus on maintaining hydration and serums that feel soothing on the skin.
Love Luna: Do you have any advice for those who suffer from hormonal acne?
Jas: I’m going to sound like every annoying doctor ever but focusing on the basics is important for hormonal acne: getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and prioritising your mental health (try to keep the stress levels low if you can) In terms of skincare, look for non-comedogenic products that won’t clog your pores and keep on top of your SPF.
Love Luna: What's your go-to product to combat acne on the body or the face?
Jas: In addition to the Skinstitut Glycolic Cleanser 12% which I mentioned earlier, I also love the Alpha-H Liquid Gold exfoliant to clear away dead skin cells and resurface the skin for a glowier, clearer complexion.
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We wanted to take the time to thank Jas and our friends over at Adore Beauty for taking the time to chat with us.
Explore Love Luna on Adore Beauty
Shop Jas's Skincare Routine:
Alpha-H Melting Moment Cleansing Balm, $69.95
Hada Labo Lotion No.1 Super Hydrator, $35.95
Sulwhasoo Essential Comfort Balancing Water Toner, $91
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème, $63
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF, $242
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Ageing Serum, $74.95
Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturiser, $70
SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense SPF50, $68
Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil, $33.99
SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser, $79
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3%, $129
Ole Henriksen Wrinkle Blur Bakuchiol Eye Gel Crème, $77
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream, $27.95
Gua Sha, $29.95
Pimple Patches, $7.90
Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14%, $38.50
Alpha-H Liquid Gold, $67.46
*Please note, the products above are only listed as a guide. What works for some may not work for others. Please consult your health care professional before trying or testing any new products on your skin.