Now that I have finally established a sustainable skincare routine at 25 years old, I figured I would share. Not only have I narrowed this routine down to something that is fairly quick and easy, I have also found products that are affordable and work for me. This took a lot of fine tuning once I decided it was time to have a skincare routine in the first place. I am someone that typically doesn’t take a ton of time or have interest in a multi-step process when it comes to skincare. However, I did decide it was important and I wanted to put something simple in place to improve my skin. Prior to this routine, all I did was use a drug store cleanser in the shower, moisturizer and spot treatment as needed—I wish I was kidding.
I would like to note that since I was starting at square one, I took my sweet time introducing all of these new products to my skin. One at a time, and for about two weeks each to see if I felt it was a product my skin reacted well to. Some of the products I tried didn’t agree with me so I would reassess and try something new. I would recommend this approach when introducing new products into your routine, that way you can pinpoint exactly what’s causing results or creating problems. When you start numerous new products at once, it’s impossible to identify what’s working and what isn’t.
Before outlining both my morning and nighttime routine, I would like to say that sometimes less it more. I found this to be true for my skin. To provide a bit of background, I never really struggled with acne, but would have occasional hormonal breakouts and sometimes still do. The biggest complaint I have with my skin is clogged pores/blackheads around my nose and chin, so you will see a lot of products directed towards that. I would say I have combination skin that is a bit more on the oily side. Overall, the routine I follow below has definitely improved the appearance of blackheads and my skin has felt a lot more moisturized and less oily.
Morning Routine:
1. Rinse face and wash with The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Evening Routine:
1. I have always showered at night (weird, I know) so I start my nighttime routine in the
shower by removing my makeup with unscented Dove Beauty Bar Soap
2. Next, I wash my face with The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser
3. When I get out of the shower, I apply the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA
Pore-Tight Toner
4. Apply The Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid Blemish and Blackhead Serum to blackhead
prone areas (for me, this is my nose and chin). I only apply this product every other
day.
5. Apply Clean and Clear persa-gel on any pimples if needed (I have used this spot
treatment since high school and swear by it).
7. Apply Skin Science Vitamin C and Collagen Serum under eyes and around the area
where “crows feet” usually form
8. Apply The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% to my neck and forehead
9. Then, I apply Castor Oil to my eyebrows and the base of my top and bottom lashes
10. Last, I use my Jade Roller and Gua Sha Set
I try to do masks a few times a week. Typically, I’ll do a mask on the nights that are an “off day” from step 4 in my evening routine. The two masks that I really love are both by Peter Thomas Roth. I have been using both the Cucumber Gel Mask and the Irish Moor Mud Mask since December of last year and have noticed improvements since using both. Overall, following these simple steps has led to noticeably clearer skin, better complexion, smaller pores, and huge improvements in the visibility of blackheads. My nighttime routine could most likely be cut in half, however, I have enjoyed having a more involved routine at night that relaxes me. I hope this is helpful to those of you who may be like me and have NO idea where to even start when it comes to skincare!