You Look Moist: The Secrets of a Trader Joe’s Beauty Aisle Addict

Welcome to You Look Moist, a regular column wherein Man Repeller asks cool people with glowing visages how they achieved their supreme hydration (amongst other things). Today’s installment features Siraad Dirshe, Social Content Manager at Flamingo.

How would you describe your skin?

I would say my skin is pretty great—actually really great! At the moment, I’ve reached optimal dewiness, it’s clear, and my complexion is the deep brown just-got-back-from vacation-shade I love. That being said, I do put quite a bit of effort into my skin and have since I was about 16 (I was a super early adopter of sunscreen and retinol).

It’s easy to disconnect your skin from your overall health, but skin is our body’s largest organ. That’s why my skincare routine includes being conscious of what I eat, working up a good sweat a few times a week, swimming in the ocean weekly, and drinking at least a gallon of water a day. Oh, and I sleep a ton—anywhere from seven to 10 hours a night. I used to be obsessed with trying the latest products (and still am) but have switched my skincare routine to be more focused on total body care.

How would you describe your skincare approach in general?

I am proudly high-maintenance when it comes to my skincare routine! While I’ve pared down quite a bit (I used to be a beauty editor and it was literally my job to test products), I still do at least 5-6 steps in the AM and PM, and then do masks several times a week. But I’m also very aware of all the things that impact how my skin looks and feels that I can’t buy in a bottle. At the end of the day, I really believe those are what will have a longer impact on my skin; the products are just nice, fun add-ons.

Which skincare products are integral to your routine for achieving your ideal, glowing, well-moisturized complexion, and how/when do you use each of them?

This is a really hard one because I love so many products, but because my skin is currently in a really great place, my must-have products are the ones I’ve been using for the past two months or so. Here they are in order of application…

1. Then I Met You oil cleanser (it’s a part of this set: I’ll use this mainly at night to take away the day’s dirt and grime, but if I work out in the morning I’ll also start with this product. Not only is it the happiest-looking beauty product I own, but the texture also helps remove anything that’s on your face.

2. Ko Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water: Ko Gen Do is one of my favorite makeup brands! It’s Japanese and everything they make is great. They don’t have many skincare products, but this cleansing water is a favorite. I love that it has a pump top so I can easily use a cotton round to cleanse my face after the oil cleanser.

3. Dior Capture Youth Water: This is essentially a toner. I pour the smallest amount into the palm of my left hand (it’s expensive and I gotta conserve it!), then gently press it into my skin.

4. Hyper Clear Brightening Vitamin C Serum: A good friend of mine, Desiree Verdejo, is launching a skincare brand next month. She gave me a sample of the vitamin C product to test, and oh my goodness has it completely changed my skin. I apply it while my skin is still damp from the youth water. I literally just texted her to tell her that I’m on my last drop and trying to make it last until the product launches.

5. Trader Joe’s Vitamin E Oil: I’ve been a huge fan of Trader Joe’s beauty aisle for years but have only used the vitamin E oil on my body. However a few months ago I started using it on my face and feel like I’m GLOWING. A few drops go a really long way and give me the perfect, dewy, slick look I love. The best part is that it’s literally $4 and lasts for so long. Hands down a favorite!

6. Morning only: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen: I always use sunscreen during the day–no matter the season. Not only do I want to make sure I’m protecting the huge investment I make with my skincare routine, but using things like vitamin C and chemical exfoliants can also make skin photosensitive, so it’s extremely important to protect it.

7. Evening only: Hanahana Shea Butter: Most nights I’ll stop after the vitamin E oil, but if I’m feeling a bit dry I’ll slather on a small amount of shea butter. My friend Abena has an amazing line that gives the prettiest sheen and makes me look super moist.

Honorable mentions:

1. LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask: I apply this like my life depends on it. While it’s called a sleep mask, I use it at any and all points of the day.

2. Drunk Elephant Baby Facial: Literally a game-changing product. It’s super intense but I’m also a freak who likes my skincare products to sometimes burn a bit (don’t judge me!). I use this 1-2 times per week in the evening so I can wake up looking very glowy.

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new week, same me.