What is your current skincare routine?
Since I was 12 years old, I struggled with having healthy clear skin.
Like everyone else, I looked to the drug stores for help, trying out a wide variety of products. Some worked for a period of time, others didn’t. I was left with really ugly acne scars and uneven skin. Whether the products were healthy for my skin was a whole different story.
It wasn’t until the past two years when I began extensive research on how to treat my skin and as of today I could confidently say I know how to take care of my skin correctly. I can control my break outs and I am in the progress of healing my acne scars.
I wanted to share with everyone what I learned and what worked for me. This may not work for you, but I hope it at least can help you build a healthy skincare routine with products customized for your face.
THE BASIC SKINCARE ROUTINE
Morning
- Face Cleanser: This is how you get rid of all the dirt from your skin. There are many different types of cleansers you can use, I personally recommend using gel cleansers and oil cleansers because they are the least evasive and won’t strip your skin of natural properties. Finding a cleanser that has a PH level closest to skin (PH Level 5-5.5) is the best. You are also not required to use a cleanser in the morning since your face is clean from the night before; sometimes I wake up, rinse my face with water, and follow with my moisturizer & sunblock.
- I use CORX Low PH Goodmorning Gel Cleanser ($12)
- I also use Jojoba Oil.
- I use CORX Low PH Goodmorning Gel Cleanser ($12)
- Moisturizer with SPF: Regardless of whether your skin is oily or not, you have to use a moisturizer. SPF is a requirement unless you want old wrinkly skin and the possibility of skin cancer. If you have acne and scars avoiding SPF will cause your scars and acne to darken.
- You can use a separate moisturizer and sunblock, it is not a requirement to have them combined but it does make it easier.
- I use CERAVE AM Face Lotion with SPF 30 ($14)
Night
- Face Cleanser
- Moisturizer w/o SPF
- I use CERAVE PM Face Lotion.
SKINCARE THAT TARGETS SPECIFIC ISSUES
- Toners: Toners can help balance the PH level of your skin & remove excessive oils and dead skin sells.
- I use Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner ($11)
- I use Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner ($11)
- Hydrators: Hydrators increase the water content in your skin. The difference between hydrators & moisturizers is that moisturizers lock in the moisture to your skin while hydrators absorb water into your skin.
- Serums: There are many different serums that all serve different purposes from moisturizing your skin to targeting dark pigments in your skin.
- I use Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum to lighten my acne scars ($19)
- I use Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum to lighten my acne scars ($19)
- Essence: This is a concentrated liquid that targets wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone.
- Face Masks: Again, many different face masks serve different purposes.
- Clay Masks: I use Aztec Healing Clay Mask ($13) , which is made from Bentonite Clay. Bentonite Clay is made from volcanic ash and able to remove the toxins and impurities from your skin, detoxifying your skin.
- Clay Masks: I use Aztec Healing Clay Mask ($13) , which is made from Bentonite Clay. Bentonite Clay is made from volcanic ash and able to remove the toxins and impurities from your skin, detoxifying your skin.
- Oils: Contrary to what people believe, oils are super great for cleansing and moisturizing your skin regardless of whether you have oily skin or not.
- I use Jojoba Oil.
- Other oils that bring a lot of results in skin improvement are Sunflower Seed Oil, Tamau Oil, and Rose Hip Oil
- Exfoliants: There are two types of exfoliants, physical exfoliators and chemical exfoliators. I HIGHLY ADVISE AGAINST PHYSICAL EXFOLIANTS. Although physical exfoliants may make your skin feel squeaky clean and smooth, what most people don’t know is that they cause micro-tears on the skin barrier and causes more uneven skin tone. On the other hand, chemical exfoliants are chemicals that peel off a layer of your skin and aid in skin cell turnover.
- Exfoliants shouldn’t be used daily. I use my chemical exfoliant once every two weeks.
- I use Blue Tansy AHA + BHA Resurfacing Clarity Mask ($48)
- I use Blue Tansy AHA + BHA Resurfacing Clarity Mask ($48)
- Exfoliants shouldn’t be used daily. I use my chemical exfoliant once every two weeks.
SKINCARE INGREDIENTS TO AVOID
- Alcohol
- Alcohol irritates your skin.
- Fragrance: On product labels, this can sometimes be called “Yellow #” or “Blue #”.
- Fragrance may make your skin smell good, but it also irritates your skin. 🙂
SKINCARE INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR
- Glycolic Acid: A derivative of sugarcane that exfoliates skin.
- Lactic Acid: A derivative of sour milk, exfoliates skin.
- Hyaluronic Acid: A substance found in the human body that moisturizes skin.
- Ceramides: Lipids that help form the skin barrier and hold skin cells together while retaining moisture.
- Antioxidants
- Niacinamide: A form of Vitamin B3 that helps reduce the size of pores and uneven skin tone.
- Retinol: A form of Vitamin A that helps skin cell turnover.
And that’s a wrap.
Along with the proper skincare and diet (as in eating habits), your skin should look and feel better. I hope my skin care breakdown was able to help you further understand what you are putting on your face, so next time you buy skincare definitely look at the ingredient list.
May 2013
December 2018
As you can see my skincare has been a journey, and it all takes time. Your skin won’t change overnight but with consistent care.
Love,
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, cosmetic chemist, or licensed dermatologist by any means. I did all this research on my own but there could be possible errors, which I’m open to change if brought up to me!