Are you wishing you were a character designed by Tetsuya Nomura? Me too - get in line! We may be bound by our mortal flesh and bone, but we can certainly improve the look of our skin to mimic the Nomura-look.

    Here’s a list of skincare items and routine recommendations, inspired by some of the best women of Final Fantasy.

🐬 Tifa Lockhart 🐬

    Tifa's favorites include: Dove Sensitive Soap, Neutrogena Hydroboost Gel Cleanser, Hydroboost Lotion, and Hydroboost SPF 50 (all fragrance free.) Bonus includes Dove Clinical Antiperspirant and Dove Hyaluronic + Moisture Hair Mask.

    Our beautiful athlete, who is CONSTANTLY taking showers. Pee-ew, girl!

    I imagine Tifa focuses on general skin health and hydration (her motif is water after all!)

    There are three very important general rules to skincare: cleanse, moisturize, and protect.

    We’re covering the first steps of the routine here: cleansing and moisturizing!

    Your epidermis (outer layer of skin) protects you from the outside world, but it needs to be cleaned too! A simple daily cleansing routine is effective for most people - and especially important if you are as active as Tifa is.

    The The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends these steps to effectively and gently cleanse your skin:

    They also note to limit washing your face to TWICE A DAY maximum!

    On a personal note, I have dry and sensitive skin and have seen great results with washing my face in the morning with lukewarm water only and a very gentle baby (microfiber) washcloth!

    Here are some of my favorite budget cleansers!

Cleanser Recommendations:

    Finding your perfect routine might take time, but take it slow and repeat it daily! Making progress with your skin is a slow and steady process. The best routine is the one you will consistently do.

    General skincare and maintenance relies on consistency for the best results! Tifa didn’t become gorgeous overnight, you know! (Well, she probably did since she’s a Final Fantasy character but…)

    After cleansing it’s important to: moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Locking water into the skin is what makes it supple, plump, and resistant to wrinkling! A good moisturizer is a must in any skincare arsenal, and for the entire body! Make sure you are locking in the water on your skin after you bathe!

    Here are some of my favorite budget moisturizers that are effective on the face AND body!

Moisturizer Recommendations:

    Next time we will discuss skin types, textures, and pores! For now, pick your moisturizer and get-a-goin’!

💐 Aerith Gainsborough 💐

    Aerith's favorites include: Dove Pink Soap, Pacifica Sea Foam Face Wash, Berry Dewy Serum, Vegan Collagen Moisturizer, Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin Facial Spray and Hello Bello Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50. Bonus includes the Pacifica Rosemary Reset bundle & Detox bundle and Vaseline Rosy Lips.

    My favorite Final Fantasy girl.

    I imagine Aerith spends a lot of time outside tending to her flower beds, but also protecting her delicate skin. Sunscreen is of the utmost importance to her, and it should be for you too!

    Regardless of your skin tone and depth, sunscreen is a nonnegotiable. Even if there is “no sun” outside - there is! You cannot fool me (insert your name here.)

    Pre-mature skin aging is caused predominately from sun exposure. The AAD states that “[o]ur environment and lifestyle choices can cause our skin to age prematurely. The medical term for this type of aging is ‘extrinsic aging.’”

    A good portion of visible aging can be prevented with basic daily sun care and protection! The AAD recommends a (at minimum) sunscreen with SPF 30 & water resistance, recommended for use where any skin is exposed. Other sun protective measures the AAD recommend are covering up and avoiding harsh direct sunlight when you can. The AAD reports that “[y]ou can protect your skin by seeking shade, covering up with sun-protective clothing — such as a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection… [f]or more effective protection, look for clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) label.”

    I know what you’re thinking - “but I live in a very cloudy place! I don’t need sunscreen!”

    Here’s some more facts sourced from Summit View Dermatology about clouds and sun damage: “[t]he extent to which clouds block UV radiation depends on their type, thickness, and density. Thin or scattered clouds may have little to no effect, while thick clouds can block more UV radiation. However, even the densest clouds cannot completely block all UV rays... [s]tudies have shown that up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate through clouds, depending on the cloud cover and type. This phenomenon is known as the ‘broken-cloud effect,’ where scattered clouds can even enhance UV radiation by reflecting and scattering it, leading to higher levels of UV exposure than on a clear day.”

    Clouds can sometimes put out even STRONGER UV radiation than the regular sun! That is why the strongest defense to premature aging is daily use of sunscreen!

    It does not have to be hard, irritating, or expensive to have a daily sunscreen. There are many great and effective affordable sunscreens that will suit a wide array of people (and video game characters.) Here are some of my favorites!

Sunscreen Recommendations:

    If you want to learn more about UV rays, sunscreen formulations, and how to pick the best one for you - stay tuned! For now we have to move onto our next Final Fantasy girl…

🐨 Oerba Dia Vanille 🦘

Vanille's favorites include: colloidal oatmeal, honey, and glycerin. Chemicals scare her - but they shouldn't!

    Vanille is a girl of Gran Pulse and of the planet. She has an elfin quality to her that makes me imagine she uses "all natural" products on her skin.

    You've probably heard that terminology before - "clean beauty." What does it actually mean?

    In this age of online misinformation, various blogposts and videos online demonize manufactured skincare and beauty products for being "toxic." In the United States the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) have a strict series of guidelines to regulate cosmetics and skincare for personal use and safety.

    Information available from the FDA website states: "[t]he FD&C Act defines cosmetics by their intended use, as 'articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body...for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance' (FD&C Act, sec. 201(i)). Among the products included in this definition are skin moisturizers, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye and facial makeup, cleansing shampoos, permanent waves, hair colors, and deodorants, as well as any substance intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product."

    What does that mean for you, the consumer? It means products bought over the counter are extremely safe and only use ingredients that have been confirmed as safe for human use! Do not believe companies that try to sell you "clean" products as being better! "Clean" and "organic" are unregulated terms that mean nothing!

    That being said, there ARE some natural remedies that are backed by science and various peer reviewed studies that are effective and great to have on hand! Here are a few I love:

  So, do you look like a Final Fantasy character yet? It takes time and effort but you can achieve anything you set your mind to!

  In the future I will dive deeper into skin exfoliants, serums and more - including the science behind sunscreen and proper application. I hope I have successfully tricked you into caring about your skin more through the guise of Final Fantasy headcanons (sorry, not sorry.)