I still feel like I’m on an upward swing, and I’m really grateful for that.
There’s more energy than there was a few weeks ago. More clarity. More moments where I feel like myself again instead of just trying to keep up with everything around me.
But I’m also being careful.
Because I know myself. And I know how easy it is, when things start feeling better, to push a little too hard… do a little too much… and end up right back where I started.
And I’m not doing that this time.
So I’m paying attention. Resting when I need to. Trying not to fill every open space just because I finally have the energy to.
It’s a different kind of discipline, honestly. Not the kind that pushes but the kind that holds back.
And I think that might be just as important right now.
This week, I tried something completely new for me.
At-home dermaplaning.
And I’m not even going to pretend to be chill about it. I think it was a success.
My husband told me my skin looked smoother. A co-worker told me I looked more rested and more glowy.
Compliments accepted. Immediately. Without hesitation. 😂
But what surprised me the most? It was way simpler than I thought it would be.
I think I had built it up in my head as something complicated or risky or something I’d mess up if I didn’t do it perfectly, but once I actually sat down and did it, it felt… manageable.
I just took my time. Didn’t rush it. Paid attention to what I was doing.
And it worked.
My skin feels smoother. Looks brighter. Makeup sits better. Even just bare skin…it looks more even, more awake.
And honestly? That little boost of confidence goes a long way.
I’m going to list out exactly what I did—the step-by-step and the products I used because if you’ve been curious about trying it, it’s not nearly as intimidating as it seems.
And the best part? It only took six products total… and I already had four of them sitting at home.
Simple. Doable. And apparently effective.
Step one is simple, but don’t skip it.
Wash your face. Then wash it again.
I’m serious. Double cleanse.
If you’re going to take a blade to your skin (gently, but still), you want it completely clean. No leftover makeup, no oil, nothing sitting on the surface. This is not the step to rush.
This is the cleanser I used, I already had it at home (AND a backup!) and it’s hands-down one of my favorites.
It’s a non-drying glycerin cleanser, and if you have dry or sensitive skin like I do, you already know how hard it is to find something that actually cleans your skin without making it feel tight or stripped after.
This one doesn’t do that. At all.
It’s super gentle, but it still gets everything off—makeup, oil, whatever the day threw at your face—without messing with your skin barrier. And it actually feels good while you’re using it, which shouldn’t be rare, but somehow is.
It’s packed with glycerin (like, a lot of it), plus soothing ingredients like oat extract and aloe, so your skin feels soft and calm instead of irritated, which is exactly what you want before going into dermaplaning.
And a little goes a long way, which I always appreciate.
If you want to check it out, you can find it here.
Next step: sanitize everything.
Your face and the blade.
I used hypochlorous acid for this, and I’m not skipping this step. It might seem a little extra, but it’s one of those things that just makes sense. You’re about to exfoliate your skin with a blade, so making sure everything is clean and bacteria-free is kind of non-negotiable for me.
This is the one I used, mostly because the price is great and you get a lot of product for it, but it also does exactly what I need it to do.
It’s gentle, doesn’t irritate my skin, and you just spray it on and let it air dry. No extra steps, no overthinking it.
It helps cut down on bacteria, keeps things clean, and gives me a little extra peace of mind going into the rest of the process.
If you want to check it out, you can find it here: https://amzn.to/494c50j
And the blade itself?
Nothing fancy. Nothing expensive. Just simple, effective, and easy to use.
I used a basic dermaplane razor. These come in a pack, they’re inexpensive, and they get the job done without making it complicated. They’ve got a microguard on the blade to help protect your skin, and they’re great for removing peach fuzz and that top layer of dead skin.
Again…simple.
If you want to check those out, you can find them here: https://amzn.to/41VO87K
Now… this is the part where you slow down.
Like… actually slow down.
Be gentle. Take your time. And do not go over the same area repeatedly.
We’re going for smooth skin. Not irritated, angry, “why did I do this to myself” skin.
Before you even pick up the razor, drench your face with hyaluronic acid. Not dripping, not over-the-top—but definitely damp. You do not want to do this on dry skin.
Think: hydrated, slightly slick, easy glide.
This is the one I used, and I already had it at home, which made this even easier. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and gives just enough slip while also hydrating your skin at the same time.
If you want to check it out, you can find it here: https://amzn.to/4cy6Msj
From there, start at the top—your forehead—and work your way down.
Short, gentle strokes. No pressure. Let the blade do the work.
And reapply the hyaluronic acid as often as you need to keep your skin damp. You don’t need to slather it on constantly, but if your skin starts to feel dry at all, pause and add a little more.
This isn’t a race.
The slower you go, the better your results and the happier your skin will be when you’re done.
Once you’re done, don’t just move on like nothing happened. This is where you take care of your skin after the work.
First, spray your face again with hypochlorous acid.
Same as before. Just a light, even spray. It helps keep everything clean, calms the skin down a bit, and honestly just feels good at that point.
Then? Throw the razor away. Not tomorrow. Not “maybe one more use.” Now.
These are not forever tools. They’re single-use, and your skin deserves better than a reused blade.
And then we soothe.
Your skin has just been exfoliated, so this is not the time to go in with anything harsh or overly active. It needs something calming, something hydrating, something that’s going to help it recover, not stress it out again.
I recommend a peptide serum for this step.
This is the one I use (and yes, another thing I already had on hand), and I love it. It’s lightweight, sinks in fast, and just feels good on the skin, like it’s actually doing what it’s supposed to do.
It helps with hydration, firmness, and overall skin health, but more importantly in this moment: it’s soothing.
And that’s exactly what your skin needs right here.
If you want to check it out, you can find it here: https://amzn.to/41WJ3Mj
Give your skin a minute after that. Let everything settle. Let it breathe.
Last step: moisturize.
And not in a rushed, “throw something on and call it done” kind of way.
This is where you slow down again and actually pamper your skin a little.
You’ve cleansed it, prepped it, exfoliated it, soothed it… now you lock everything in and give it what it needs to recover.
This is the moisturizer I used (yes… already on hand, we’re sensing a theme 😂), and I love it.
It’s one of those creams that just feels good the second it hits your skin—hydrating without being heavy, soothing without feeling greasy. It sinks in nicely but still leaves your skin feeling soft, calm, and taken care of.
It’s got ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, so it’s doing more than just sitting on top of your skin. It’s actually helping repair and restore while everything settles down.
And after dermaplaning? That’s exactly what you want.
Something gentle. Something nourishing. Something that makes your skin feel better than when you started.
If you want to check it out, you can find it here: https://amzn.to/4d4qpse
And that’s it.
Simple steps. Nothing overwhelming. Just a routine that works. And one that I’ll definitely be keeping in rotation.
I know this one was a little longer than usual—sorry about that—but I wanted to give you a solid, step-by-step blueprint in case this is something you’ve been curious about trying.
So quick recap:
Clean skin (twice).
Sanitize everything.
Go slow, stay gentle, keep your skin damp.
Soothe and reset.
And don’t forget to moisturize at the end.
That’s it.
Simple steps, just done with intention.
And I’ll be honest… I’m feeling better.
More like myself. More rested. And I’m starting to think I’m looking that way too—which, I’m not mad about. 😂
That’s where I’m at this week.
Still moving forward, still figuring it out, and honestly… feeling better than I have in a while. And I’m going to keep leaning into that, without pushing too hard or trying to rush it.
If you’re on a similar path, I hope you’re giving yourself that same kind of grace.
I’ll be back soon with another update, and we’ll keep going from there. 💛
—Beth