I've made a skincare routine post before, but of course things have changed with time (but not too much). And in that post, I emphasized the importance of proper nutrition and hydration because those are the fundamental building blocks to having healthy, quality skin. So I won't be getting into that side too much, but just keep in mind that healthy skin starts with a healthy gut and eating habits that work for you! And drink your damn water.
I'll be talking you through my "holy grail" products that I use every day, and products that help me on occasion when pimples pop up, cluster breakouts flare up, or I just want a pamper day. I've been sticking with some of these products for years, and some of them for over six months. The key for my skin is to find formulations that work for me and stick to them. And when first adjusting to new products, I give them at least a month to see if my skin is benefiting from the products.
One major ingredient that I avoid is fragrance. That sounds fairly obvious, but there is a huge misconception with this particular ingredient. Most people know to avoid synthetic fragrance, or "perfumes," but what about "natural fragrance" such as essential oils?
The problem with essential oils and extracts used as a "natural fragrance" in skin products is that they are unstable formulas and react differently when exposed to oxygen. Some can become toxic with this exposure. Not only that, but common oils used in products are things such as orange essential oil, lemon, etc. Citrus-based oils or fragrances are extremely acidic and typically too intense for the face, especially when the product is advertised to be used every day. Don't mistake this for vitamin C, however; vitamin C is a separate ingredient that can be beneficial for certain skin types or helpful for certain skin conditions. But on the topic of fragrance, whether it's synthetic or "natural", please avoid it at all costs for facial use. Some oils, like tea tree oil, can sometimes be beneficial for certain skin types in SMALL amounts, but most products use a large amount in their product so the concentration is too high. They are too irritating to the skin, especially when you learn that they are formulated with high concentrations of fragrance alcohols.
Hear this: A product that claims it's "natural" means nothing. Even an essential oil/extract is technically a chemical. It's crucial to know that all of these ingredients are considered chemicals, and we need to learn which chemicals out there can be used for/on what parts of our body, if they should even be used on our body at all.
SIDE NOTE: Please keep in mind that "natural" is a completely different topic from cruelty free, fair trade, vegan, environmentally-friendly products! Obviously support those companies when you can. Above, I was referring to the actual ingredient types and various chemicals in products, and how it bothers me when companies use "all-natural" as a marketing ploy.
OBVIOUS DISCLAIMER:
*I'm not a dermatologist, specialist, or certified in any way in the skincare realm. I'm sharing the products and procedures that work for me, but EVERYONE'S skin structure is different! Please talk to a professional, do research, and READ THE INGREDIENT LABELS.
*I will be sharing links but there are no ads, affiliates, or any promotions associated with this article. The links are for you if you're interested in looking into any of the research of products that I will be discussing.
Daily Skincare
1. Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for normal to dry skin.
There are different variations of this product for different skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination, etc. I did a lot of research on CeraVe as a brand; it was developed by dermatologists which reassured me right away. Then the ingredients really roped me in. It's fragrance-free and contains three essential ceramides, which are an essential piece in the skin's natural barrier. They are naturally found in the body and make up 50% of the outer layer of our skin! (I will link more info below on ceramides if you're interested). The product also has the NEA Seal of Acceptance, which is the National Eczema Association. It also has hyaluronic acid, which is naturally produced by our bodies to retain water. The purpose of this is to lubricate cells and connective tissue.
2. "Toner": Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel. I have never had any luck with toners because they are too drying or irritating for me. Witch hazel does the trick for me in terms of making sure I truly get all of the dirt and bacteria off of my face after cleansing. It's known for relieving inflammation and soothing sensitive skin. And of course there's just one ingredient: witch hazel! (Again, links below for information on with hazel benefits).
3. Moisturizer: Cetaphil Daily Moisturizer, normal to dry skin.
4. Spot treatment: Differin Gel.
This has been a holy grail for me. It's advised to start out slow, about 1 to 2 days a week. So I tested it out this way for at least four weeks. I appreciated this warning as I have sensitive skin, and after the four weeks i utilized it more often whenever I had a breakout. This product is good for the painful bumps that can't be popped; I swear the swelling in redness decreases by the next day if I apply this at night. And within a few days, the flare-up is mostly gone. It's also tested and safe to use on acne scars. I have one particular acne scar on my left cheek and I wish I took a picture of it before using Differin. It's still there but has significantly faded!
*Additional note: I use a spin brush daily when I wash my face with my cleanser. I'm a huge believer in brushes for the face. To me the brand doesn't matter; I know Walmart has some simple ones for $10. I would consider the bristles on the brush and make sure they're gentle. When you start using them for the first time, I recommend starting with your evening skincare routine. Pay attention and make sure your skin doesn't become irritated. Don't press too hard when using it; the spinning motion will do more than enough to loosen up dirt in the pores and get a deep-clean without being aggressive. I've found that a brush does a much better job at completely cleaning my face than just using my hands.
Occasional Facial Treatments
1. Heavy-duty spot treatment: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. I have been using this product since high school and I swear by it. I don't have to repurchase it often because it does last a long time. It comes in a glass bottle and there is a thick pink sediment at the bottom; the rest of the bottle is filled with liquid. You do NOT shake it to mix; you want it to be separated! You use a Q-tip to reach the pink mixture at the bottom and then cover your blemish with it. This product works best on breakouts that have popped or opened because it goes into the exposed blemish and sucks everything out; I will say it definitely stings upon application because it immediately starts drying out the crap that's inside the pimple. I find it very satisfying. I apply it to the aggravated spot right before bed, and in the morning it's completely dried out and typically starting to scab. From there I make sure to moisturize the now-healing area.
2. Face masks: This part is hard because I'm very picky about what I put on my face. Side note: last year I was invited to a Mary Kay "free spa treatment" with some friends. I was apprehensive about using the multiple masks and "detox" products on my face and for good reason; I left with clogged pores and angry red skin. I'm not saying this will happen to everyone, but this is common for my skin as it is so sensitive. Just make sure that you research what you're putting on your body and don't fall victim to free trials, pretty packaging, and influencers (as I have before).
If I do use one, there's one that I've found that I'm okay with so far.
-Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay: Deep Pore Cleansing Facial and Body Mask (version 2). You might have seen this floating around online; that's how I first heard about it. I looked into the ingredients and was pleasantly surprised to see that the only ingredient is bentonite clay. I'll leave some links down below so you can look more into this, but the basics of bentonite clay includes drawing out dirt, oil, and other impurities from the skin. It also has been used for thousands of years to treat internal issues by supplementation. I only use the mask when my skin is really suffering because I have naturally dry skin, so I don't want to draw out too much oil by using the treatment too often. However, since it's anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, it really helps my skin when it's irritated. It especially helps when I get breakouts that I know surface due to my job; I work with food and my skin is constantly surrounded by grease, so sometimes a deep cleanse really helps. This is the only mask I trust so far because every other mask I've been introduced to contains intense ingredients that strip the skin barrier, or they contain citrus and citrus is too intense for my face.
I think it goes without saying that there is way more that goes into the quality of our skin besides the skincare routine itself. It's about hydration, diet, stress, environment, and so much more. But for the sake of the questions I get about products, I wanted to construct this post and just focus on what I buy. I also think it's important to stay consistent when trying new products; give the products roughly thirty days to show any change (unless of course you are experiencing irritation or other side effects; stop use immediately). Please remember that I am not a professional and everybody has a different skin type.
PRODUCT LINKS (no affiliation, this is simply for you if you'd like to order anything or look into prices and read the ingredient labels).
-Cetaphil moisturizer: https://www.cetaphil.com/us/product/moisturizing-lotion
-Mario Badescu drying lotion: https://www.mariobadescu.com/product/drying-lotion?gad=true&gclid=CjwKCAjwqJ_1BRBZEiwAv73uwEQW4m_hCOygCd15r7gcBr9wudL4KSLUNV2rj4Q-T9E9541E8j9XxhoCA8AQAvD_BwE
SOURCES
Youtube channel created by Hyram, a skin care specialist that works alongside dermatologists and licensed estheticians. He has plenty of factual information and provides additional links. Here's the link to his channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2sYit3cZ2CuD_8FHYH7O_Q/featured
*Picture is my own*