Let's be honest: if my skin isn't on point, it does not matter if I own Chanel concealer or any of the best makeup products. I am going to wind up feeling insecure. I find myself wearing sunglasses and ball caps if a breakout arises, and I have learned that when your confidence is shattered in some area of your life, you will not live your life with the same energy and enthusiasm as you would if you felt confident in your skin. You will want to skip out on fun events or won't show up as your best self even if you go. You will miss out on great conversations with strangers at the grocery store and won't learn why another person chooses one brand of canned tomatoes over another. Missing out on that conversation leads to never finding the best-canned tomatoes to put in your lasagna that perfects it. Ultimately, you end up cutting yourself off from people and experiences when you do not feel comfortable with yourself, and that is no way to live. I am telling you this because I have lived it and know I am not alone in this feeling!

Regarding feeling confident in my skin, what I use for my daily skincare products is my top priority. At first, when I went to invest in medical-grade skincare products, a big gulp went down my throat. It was hard for me to type in my card number. At that moment, the most I spent on moisturizer was $12.99, but I promise you the number on feeling good in your skin is worth it if your skin is something you struggle with. If drugstore products work great for you, but your downfall is staying consistent with your skincare routine, eating the right foods, sweating, sleeping, and drinking enough water, then you know what to do. However, I needed an extra step. I first started with the basics like cleanser and moisturizer to keep in line with my budget, but over time, I added products to my regime. You don't need to buy everything all at once and drain your bank account to invest.

I found Racquel Aesthetics online. The company is out of St. Louis, but I am glad to report that they ship at an excellent speed. The skincare products deliver undeniable results. They also do not sit on your skin like most drug stores or Sephora goods I have tried. Racquel's team does free consultations online. All you do is head to their website, tell them your skincare concerns, and send photos of your current conditions. Letting them know about your lifestyle and environmental conditions is helpful! Even better, they are there to help you from here on out. For example, the last time I got a consultation was a couple of years ago, but recently, I have had hormonal changes that impacted my skin, causing me to have a mix of breakouts and flakiness. I emailed the team with updated pictures and concerns, and they reworked my entire regime. This is important since we constantly work through body changes. We need our skincare regimen to do the same.

I have combination skin. It is extremely oily and covered with rocky roads, aka acne. Otherwise, it is flaky and dry. I won't say it's 'Goldmember' flaky (hey, Austin Power fans), but it's close. These are my favorite daily products. Still, as always, I recommend doing what is best for you, whether doing a free consultation with Racquel's team or getting back on a consistent routine with products you love in partnership with eating nourishing meals, catching a sweat, and drinking that water!

Here are a few of my favorite products from Racquel Aesthetics

Purifying Cleanser:

This cleanser fights bacteria caused by acne and has anti-inflammatory ingredients that help tone down the redness I sometimes suffer from.

Silk Serum:

I am in love with this serum!! It is a big drink of water for the skin, making you glow! Most importantly, it is not sticky. Many serums I have tried in the past have been sticky and sat on top of my face. This serum is lightweight but hydrating enough to dive into your beautiful pores. I like to use my jade roller to work this serum on while giving my face a nice massage.

Light Lotion:

This lotion is highly- concentrated, and you do not need much. It is light enough not to mess around with my oily skin yet nourishing enough to combat the flaky/dry skin I suffer from.

Mandelic 5% Pads:

These pads are my one-stop shop for treating acne, hyperpigmentation, and oil production. They also exfoliate and tone your skin, making this a more bang-for-your-buck product. One day, I had the WORST acne and ordered these. The next day, after using them, it was as if a fairy godmother visited my house at night to poof away the acne and help heal my dry skin. I call that a win-win.

If you try them out, tag me @thelakesidechair and @racquel_aesthetics to see your beautiful results

Conversations in the Chair: Let me know in the comments what skincare products you are loving!