#SkinCrush: Why We’re Obsessed With @SharmToaster’s Addicting Beauty Account

#SkinCrush digs into the routines of people who love skin (almost) as much as we do.

Self-proclaimed beauty junkie and shelfie expert,, Sharmili Rakhit has us simply enamored with pretty much anything she posts on her Instagram. She’s always on the hunt to try new products and potions, and she leaves behind thorough reviews and breathtaking package and texture shots. Ahead, we chatted with Rahkit about her current skin-care routine, the last product she finished and the ingredient she can’t get enough of. 

Name: Sharmili Rakhit

Handle: @sharmtoaster

Skin Type: Dry and acne prone

We’re obsessed with your beauty Instagram. What inspired you to start it?

I discovered the beauty community on Instagram thanks to Reddit! I’ve always been interested in photography, and Instagram was the perfect place to indulge my artistic side while also exploring my passion for skin care and beauty.

Tell us about your current skin-care routine.

Honestly, my skin-care routine is forever changing. I like to tailor my routines to my skin and to each day. For example, if I’m going to be outside a lot, I’m probably going to aim for something light. If I’m indoors with the heat or AC on, I’ll focus on long-lasting hydration. I would say the core steps of my routine that never change are cleansing, moisturizing and applying sunscreen every single day.

What’s the last skin-care product you finished? Would you buy it again?
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer and I would 100% repurchase it! While I generally rely on serums and toners to help with texture, sometimes a rare product like Protini comes along that helps smooth my skin without exfoliation. I’m often skeptical of the benefits of peptides in skin care, because there are so many different varieties and most are often present in very, very small quantities, but whatever magical blend of peptides that Drunk Elephant uses works for me because my skin looks glowy and healthy whenever I use it. 

 

 

 

 

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A fresh shelfie featuring the #SaturdaySkingiftedme bright potion prebiotic power serum— aka @saturday_skin’s newest release 💁🏽‍♀️ ____ Prebiotics and probiotics are very trendy in skincare at the moment-- I can't say I'm completely sold on them in topical skincare products. In theory, the PREbiotics are supposed to help aid the PRObiotics. PRObiotics are naturally found in our skin and help maintain a healthy skin barrier. They can help those of us that suffer from inflammatory skin conditions— be it acne, rosacea, or eczema. They are relatively unstable so they need to be specially formulated to ensure their efficacy. This serum is formulated with that in mind, as the probiotics are encapsulated. ____ Overall, I found this serum to be just okay. It wasn't bad, but it also didn't drive me to want to repurchase it for $51. You can find serums that are more hydrating, with a higher amount of "active" ingredients and a more elegant feel, for the same price or less. I'm unable to determine if the pre/probiotics were doing their job because my skin has been pretty healthy lately *knocks on wood*. I’ve had a 2 zits within the past month and I didn’t notice any improvements after applying this serum. It was mostly just mildly hydrating. It also did help smooth over the look of my pores (kinda like a siliconey primer.) ____ @sephora #saturdayskin #sephora #OctolyFamily #pinkwednesday

A post shared by Sharmili (@sharmtoaster) on Mar 27, 2019 at 6:33pm PDT

 

What’s one thing you wished you learned sooner in regards to skin care?

That stripping my skin dry would not get rid of my acne. My routine as a teen used to be a foaming face wash, an astringent toner, prescription acne medication and a light gel moisturizer. My skin would be so matte afterward. The result was irritated skin that was always oily (most likely because it was very dehydrated). The one good thing about my teen skin-care routine is that I always wore sunscreen thanks to my derm.

What’s your skin-care guilty pleasure?
Those nose pore strips you apply on wet skin and then rip off after a few minutes. I’ve heard that they can cause broken capillaries, but that doesn’t stop me from using one now and then. It’s too satisfying to see the sebum and hair and dead skin cells ripped off my face; I can’t resist the temptation.

What’s the skin-care ingredient you can’t get enough of? 
L-ascorbic acid! I got hooked on it two years ago, and now I always have it in my skin-care rotation. I’ll use it after cleansing my skin in the morning four to five times a week, and it helps a lot with fading acne scars and keeping my skin generally clear. When I stop using it, I quickly notice a visible decline in the state of my skin.

 

 

 

 

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Having a cleanser moment for #texturetuesday-- click the tags to match the cleanser to the swatch! ____ ⭐ @alliesofskin fresh slate brightening cleanser + mask*: Doubles as a quick, non-drying mask. ⭐ @amorepacific_us enzyme peel cleansing powder*: Surprisingly gentle. Leaves my skin feeling so soft afterward. ⭐ @belifusa aqua bomb jelly cleanser*: A little goes a long way. Foams up a lot but isn't stripping. ⭐ @biologique_recherche_usa lait u: Unfortunately, I little too drying for me. Will give it a 2nd chance come summer. ⭐ @deviantskincare cleansing concentrate*: LOVE! One of my all-time favorite cleansing balms. Rinses off clean + is free of fragrance, EOs, and microplastics. Has a delicious melty texture. ⭐ @elemis pro-collagen rose cleansing balm*: Literally smells like a rose garden. Easily melts and emulsifies to be rinsed off. Pass if you don't like fragrance cause this is super fragranced. ⭐ @eve_lom gel balm cleanser*: Nice to use in the shower as it keeps my skin moisturized. Smells strongly of cloves. ⭐ @naturopathica manuka honey cleansing balm*: Decadent and lush. Can't use it on my eyes but it's hydrating on the rest of my face. ⭐ @oskiaskincare renaissance cleansing gel: My go-to morning cleanser. Leaves skin soft & hydrated. ⭐ @pixibeauty rose cream cleanser*: Another surprisingly gentle cleanser. I don't love their other cleansers but this is a winner for me. ⭐ @sioris_official my soft grain scrub: Used this for the first time last night and it was so gentle! I think it might be a more affordable alternative to the DE bamboo booster. ⭐ @whalmyung cleansing balm*: Not crazy about this-- I think it's like a second cleanser in jar form. It leaves a film on my face which I'm not into. Does breakdown makeup but I can't use it near my eyes. ____ * = PR

A post shared by Sharmili (@sharmtoaster) on May 7, 2019 at 2:19pm PDT

 

What’s the most-asked question in your DMs?
My most-asked question is how to begin using skin care. It’s easy to get sucked into the product spam on Instagram, but a more reasonable and realistic way to begin using skin care is by sticking to the basics. Your favorite blogger or editor may be sharing their $500 12-step skin-care routine, but they didn’t start off using all those products at once. My answer is to start with the basics: a gentle, low pH cleanser, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen for daytime. Find products that are tailored to your skin type and budget. From there, you can add or replace products depending on your skin’s needs.

What’s your favorite thing about skin care? 
How personal it is. If you want to have a five-step routine or use masks or layer toners or use oils, it’s all up to you and your skin. It’s fun coming up with routines and product cocktails to target your personal skin-care concerns and goals.

Where can we find you on the internet?

I’m primarily on Instagram under the username @sharmtoaster as well as on my blog, Sharm Toaster.

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