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The easiest way to have better skin *for free*
what I learned so you don't make the same mistake
Sabrina Molu
February 28, 2024
if you’re a paid subscriber there will be a link below that will allow you to listen to this entire post
I started my blog, my social media accounts, and my newsletter all off of the sole purpose of this: I want to create the content that I want to read.
With so much misinformation out there, I feel like I’ve spent the last 13 years living this mission. I do my research, I talk to the experts, and I make a decision that feels right for me and share my learnings with you.
My favorite topic: skincare 101
Let’s talk about what you can do about - and what you can do for free - but first, highs and lows!
THIS WEEK’S HIGHS
I hit 150k on Instagram this week and it feels like such a surreal milestone. I’m so grateful for this community and the little space that I created on the internet. I live in a positive and encouraging world and that extends to my work. I do my best to respond to you guys as much as possible and am forever grateful for my squad, but most of all, my inner circle: this email list.
Thank you for being part of the ride, the best is yet to come.
THIS WEEK’S LOWS
I spent 4 minutes trying to think of a low and I don’t believe in inventing one just for kicks. I had a really good week. Thank goodness and knock on wood. This week, I prioritized my family time and am looking forward to continuing to spend some quality time, especially before Mila starts school full time.
We’re often told not to share news for fear of envy, but I believe in the power of positivity. If you’ve been here for a while, you know that I struggle with anxiety as it relates to travel and claustrophobia. So with an upcoming trip, if you have a moment, please send a good wish, vibe, or prayer my way. I appreciate you.
💫 work wife trivia
📆 weekly report is in
Read, Eat, Play, Obsess, Recommend, & Treat
📚I’ll be honest, I was not reading this week I was heavily listening to the “Who TF Did I Marry?!?” story on TikTok. It’s wild - if you’ve listened to it, we gotta talk. If you hadn’t, you need to. It’s the wildest video podcast ever ++ based in Atlanta.
🍴If you aren’t into the Chili Onion Crunch at Trader Joe’s — you missing out. I actually love it with feta on my eggs in the morning, sounds crazy but here’s a recipe that I love.
🎲 If you hate moisturizing after the shower, you have to try moisturizing IN the shower. This is my favorite new product: an in shower salve
🛍️ I just did a huge swimsuit haul. It’s so hard to shop for my petite and curvy body, but I truly loved almost all of these and everything was under $50. I’ll get it all linked for you soon.
🤌 I was never a person to switch up my cleaners, but this cleanser is kinda amazing - and my face feels SO clean.
🍦 This isn’t an edible treat, it’s an accessory treat! I love the idea of the designer tote bags, but there’s no way that I’m getting an expensive bag to leave poolside - so I’m got this one instead and I love it! It’s under $40
🧼 Skincare steps I know you’re skipping
I’m not sure if you’re aware of the tween obsession with Sephora that’s been making headlines lately, but here’s the TL;DR.
Basically, parents with children between the ages of 9-13 year olds are feeling the pressure from their tweens to take them to Sephora and buy expensive skincare - namingly Drunk Elephant!
This is both completely normal and absolutely wild. Let me explain:
Normal - kids have always made it an impossible task for parents to buy them age appropriate gifts. Does your 10 year old need an iPhone or $80 ripped jeans? No. Did they get one anyways, probably.
Absolutely wild - Older people literally pay money to have their skin LOOK like a 10 year olds. Adding unnecessary products is damaging their skin barrier and can cause serious harm long term.
So what should they do instead? Exactly what you, your husband, or literally ANYONE who’s new to skincare should do.
Skincare 101 is to cleanse, and chances are: you aren’t doing it right.
While you may have graduated from body wash on your face in the shower (ahem: looking at my husband here) I’d hedge my bets that you’re still doing it wrong, because I was too.
It all comes back to 10th grade chemistry class.
🧼 PUT DOWN THE BAR SOAP
Remember the PH scale? It looks like this
Your skin is naturally slightly acidic with a PH balance on 4.1-5.8. The majority of soaps have a PH between 9-10 which makes it super Alkaline and can irritate your skin.
“Whoa” — I know.
You want your face wash to be as close to your skin’s natural PH as possible OR add a toner right after washing to restore your face’s PH.
Here are my PH Balanced favorites:
Philosophy Purity Cleanser (water based) (5.7)
Peach & Lily Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser (gel based) (5.4)
Fresh Soy Cleanser (water based) (5.5)
Ilia the Cleanse (oil based) (4.5)
Favorite toner (optional): Vinopure Toner
P.S. I love being able to share my goodies with you all in the weekly giveaway. You can find the secret password at the bottom of the email, but there's no rush - enjoy the email. I've worked hard on it :)
🕒️ 2 (OR 3) x’s THE CHARM
I wrote an entire blog post on whether to not you should double cleanse. You can read it here. It’s a great post. The summary is that it depends on your skin type and daily activities.
After doing the research, I decided:
Morning: single cleanse
Evening: double or triple cleanse
Wait triple? Cmon Sabrina!
Yup, if you count makeup removal as a step, then yes. It’s a triple.
Here’s my breakdown:
Makeup OR SPF removal: Micellar Water
Oil based cleanser
Water or gel based cleanser
*see above for recommendations
Okay last step, I promise.
🤍 WHITE TOWEL TEST
If you think this is way too many steps and your skin is perfect with bar soap, just do me a favor and buy a white face towel. Wash your face and pat it dry with that towel. The results… will shock you. And then you’re start double cleansing.
Keeping our skin clean is the FIRST step in a skincare routine. If you want skincare 102. Reply to this email and say 102!
Want to know what your cleanser’s PH is? I found a master list of over 200 cleansers and their breakdown on a database for you to check. I’ll link it for paid subscribers below!
This week's giveaway will be a bundle hundreds of dollars of makeup and beauty products. In order to enter, you need to BOTH of the two things.
As a reminder, be sure to like AND comment on my last 6 posts to be entered to win.
1) Go to my Instagram profile here & like/comment on my last 6 posts. This tells the IG algorithm that you like my content and want to see more of it. #besties
2) Go to my stories and enter the secret password "Cleanser" into the box in my Instagram stories now. The box will remain up till 8:00 AM EST on Thursday 03/06
Can’t wait to see you for the next edition of The Work Wife!