New CristinaForever series alert!

@Skin.Critic is a new microblog appearing on this site and on Instagram explaining skincare and beauty by providing informed reviews of products.

Skincare is currently en vogue and with this trend, as any, came a bloat of products and poor analysis.

With an eye toward service rather than influence, the Skin.Critic series eschews blind consumption and ruthless promotion in favor of honest, explanatory critique.

While skincare is intensely subjective, this series aims to root its critical analysis in both personal experience and research-backed science.

Skincare is personal yet consumption is political, so an exploration of the ethical permissibility of public skincare as well as the greater influencer culture grounds posts in contemporary digital culture.

We all want to put our best face forward, but too often that means hiding ourselves in layers of makeup or filters or both.

The first post in the series outlines the evening skincare routine that made this #nofilter #noFaceTune photo of me possible. Follow @Skin.Critic and #SkincareExplained for more posts to help you on your skincare journey.

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🌘Nightly #Skincare #Routine✨

1. First cleanse/make-up removal: @Caudalie oil cleanser (if I wore makeup or sunscreen)

2. Second Cleanse: #CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser.

3. #AcidToner: @TarteCosmetics Knockout Tingling Treatment

4. @deciem The Ordinary (T.O.) Salicylic Acid Solution

5. @deciem #TheOrdinary Buffet

6. @CeraVe #Moisturizing Cream or @DrunkElephant Lala Retro Whipped #Cream

7. @deciem T.O. Rosehip Seed Oil

The Great Lakes climate provides a wealth of hazards for those trying to look their best: brutally cold winters and humid summers. I’m basically solar-powered but I still try to not to let direct sunlight on my face (#antiaging). The struggle is real to combat sallowness, dryness, breakouts, and frizz.

I’m a nerd which means I research everything I’m interested in—no lauding of cult products full of junk ingredients here! I’ll share my skincare, beauty, and style journey with you if you do the same. 🤗