Procoal American Psycho Patrick Bateman Skin Care Routine
I don’t know about you, but in my mind this still sounds like one of the most iconic scenes from any movie I’ve ever seen. However, after watching Patrick Bateman’s Obsession Everyday, I thought about my morning skincare routine and whether I should take some notes from the movie.
So we decided to break down Patrick Bateman’s skincare quotes and turn them into our own Procoal American Psycho skincare routine. Read them and try them for yourself.
“If my face is a little puffy in the morning, I put an ice pack on myself while doing sit-ups. Now I can do 1,000.”
If you suffer from “puffiness” in the morning, this could be a secret trick. Alternatively, you can simply place ice cubes on your face to stimulate circulation for more radiant skin.
Regularly applying ice cubes to your face in the morning (perhaps mixed with cucumber juice) can also help reduce those annoying dark circles.
If you decide to buy a face ice pack, Boots Instant Pack or Accurate Manufacturing Face Ice Pack are good choices.
“After I take the ice pack out, I use a deep cleansing lotion.”
This is a little odd, since Bateman applies the lotion before showering and would surely wash it off immediately. This is the same rule for any toner or lotion, so we’re not sure if he’s right, but if you want to follow it exactly (and not apply it after showering), you might want to consider giving Avene’s Extremely Gentle Cleanser a try.
“I use the Hydro-Active Gel Cleanser in the shower, then use the Honey Almond Body Scrub, and finish with the Exfoliating Gel Scrub on my face.”
Type “hydro-activated gel cleanser” into Google and you’ll find results that are mostly quotes from the movie or guides that break down his skincare routine (similar to this post). These concentrated hydrogels help improve skin hydration and make it smoother. Some of the options available include Neutrogena Hydro Boost or the popular Clinique formula for men.
Afterwards, he uses the Honey Almond Body Scrub, which has a ton of benefits. Honey is antibacterial and rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals. It can also help open up and unclog pores. Almonds are also known for their high antioxidant content. One of the most popular choices is the Body Shop Exfoliator.
The Body Shop can also help you take the next step and offer the English Rose Exfoliating Gel Body Scrub, which also helps open up pores and remove excess oil from the underlying layers.
“Then I apply the Herbal Mint Mask and leave it on for 10 minutes while I prepare for the rest of my routine.”
Ten minutes is enough for most masks to work. Make sure to follow the instructions, but remember that longer exposure times will not produce better results as it can dry out the skin. At this point, I would immediately recommend our Activated Charcoal Mask as it is great for removing impurities and excess oil from the skin, leaving your skin more radiant.
After a shower, the skin should be clean and the pores open so that the mask can work efficiently.
“I always use an aftershave lotion with little or no alcohol in it, because alcohol dries out your face and makes you look older.”
While aftershaves used to contain mostly alcohol, this trend is fading because “alcohol dries out your face.” Thanks for the contribution, Bateman!
Alcohol actually dries out your skin, and it can also irritate it. Originally, alcohol was used to emphasize its ability to kill bacteria on the skin. However, these days, you can certainly skip these high-alcohol formulas. You can try a white lotus or sandalwood lotion.
“Then a moisturizer, then an anti-aging eye cream, and finally a moisturizing protective lotion.”
Towards the end of your skincare routine, it’s time to moisturize your skin. You don’t necessarily have to use two lotions, you can add a layer of protection by making sure your moisturizer contains a high SPF to shield your skin from the sun’s harmful rays (of course you can use an SPF separate from your main moisturizer if you want to stick to a strict routine).
Choosing the right moisturizer should be the easiest part of your skincare routine, but with so many different options to suit all skin types, it can be daunting not knowing where to start. If you suffer from oily skin, a lightweight lotion may be for you. However, if you have dry skin, a thicker option would be better. If you use lotion in the morning, a thick formula may not be for you because it can leave your skin feeling greasy when you leave the house.
Choose one with at least SPF 30 (as mentioned above) and the ingredients should contain a lot of antioxidants, such as green tea or licorice root extract. Also pay attention to whether it contains AHA or BHA to prevent skin aging.
The ultimate value of eye cream is hotly debated in the skincare industry. However, many believe it has another anti-aging advantage over a simple moisturizer. Over time, the thin layer of skin under the eyes becomes thinner as our natural collagen production decreases. This is why our eyes often give away our age. Balms tend to work better than creams because they contain less water.
If you are on a budget, you can try Estee Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ or L’Occitane Immortelle Divine, but there are cheaper options too.
Time consumption
We tried all of them, but it wasn’t the fastest routine. The whole process took a little over an hour, but I’m sure it would speed up over time if repeated regularly. Granted, I didn’t quite complete 1,000 sit-ups, but that doesn’t fall under “skin care,” so I decided to ignore that step for now.
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DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.