My Skincare Routine Reveal
Source: Net-a-Porter
Skincare has been something that I have prioritized since I was 11. Growing up, I never really had to worry much about acne or pesky breakouts. I would get a pimple every now and then, but it was never anything that I had to draw any concern to. When I turned 17, that completely changed.
I started getting intense breakouts that covered my entire face and felt as if they were never going away. After that, I grew extremely insecure with myself and I wouldn’t be caught dead leaving my house without a full coverage foundation on my face. I sought help from my dermatologist who prescribed me several topical medications that I would use day and night. I thought this would have been the end-all-be-all cure for my awful skin, but to my dismay, this just made them worse. I wanted to do everything in my power to not have to start the popularized acne medicine, Accutane, after hearing all of the side effects that come with it, but I really felt hopeless and like I was going to have to deal with suffering with acne forever. This put me in a very dark place because I was doing everything right—I was washing my face night and day, taking my makeup off at night, following a 5-step routine and nothing was working.
I started doing extensive research on skincare and started to curate products that have gotten my skin to where it’s at today. These products have become what most YouTubers would refer to as a Holy Grail product, as I have repurchased them several times. For the past 2 years, I have kept these products top-secret—I worked so hard on curating this collection of products, it just wasn’t easy for me to give that away. I am extremely religious about my skincare routine and get questions from many of my friends and family on how I was able to transform my skin, so now I am finally sharing it with everyone. I also want to preface this by saying I am not a dermatologist by any means, nor am I saying that my skincare routine is perfect. These are some products that have been very beneficial in recovering my skin, and I really hope you guys find a product in here that works for you the way they worked for me.
Source: Caroline Hirons
Gentle cleansers are the key product for people with combination skin. It’s really easy to clog your pores when choosing the wrong cleanser, such as ones with fragrance and harsh chemicals. There is nothing worse than using a face wash that leaves your skin feeling stripped and dry, and this one does the exact opposite. This cleanser contains a proprietary honey blend that is rich in antioxidants which leaves the skin feeling nourished and hydrated. Some other benefits include removing excess oil, makeup, and other impurities.
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50
Biologique Recherche is one of those brands that you have most likely never heard about, but once you have heard about them, you wish you could have known about them a long time ago. This product has a massive cult following—not only because it’s almost impossible to find, but because it actually works. This product is very unique—it is a purifying, hydrating, pH-balancing, exfoliating toner that helps with improving skin quality and fortify the epidermis—and it actually does. The application of this product is very specific: you must apply it with a cotton round, and it’s important to note that you must pat it into your face rather than rubbing it. While this does sound like a lot of effort to apply, the extra effort is so worth it.
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
A lot of people tend to get mixed up about toners and essences, which totally makes sense because they look almost identical. They’re actually quite the opposite; toners are meant to cleanse the skin from excess makeup and dirt, whereas essences deliver ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide or squalane oil to the skin in a light gentle way. This essence has been one of my favorites for several years. Not only is it lightweight and refreshing, but it is also amazing for tightening and firming up the skin, resulting in a beautiful glow.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir
Source: Caudalie
This is another cult favorite product—makeup artists, celebrities, and beauty gurus have been raving about this product since it came out. This product is also the key to having glowy skin, as it contains polyphenol-rich grape seed extract. This ingredient is present in many of Caudalie’s other skincare products—it’s used for protecting our skin from oxidation that we face from pollution, stress, and poor diets. Polyphenols are also great for boosting hydration in the skin and giving it a natural plump. This product is also loaded in essential oils, making it smell amazing and have you feeling as though you’re coming right out of the spa. I love this product because of how versatile it is, too. It can be used at any time of the day, whether you want to use it in the morning to prime your skin, set your makeup, or even when you just think your skin needs a little boost.
Tata Harper Resurfacing AHA + BHA Serum
This serum is my absolute favorite part of my skincare routine. I want to stress to everyone the importance of incorporating a serum into your skincare routine, as serums provide a high concentration of ingredients that have the ability to completely transform your skin. This lightweight serum contains 7 different AHA + BHA minerals along with Vitamin C that help with resurfacing and brightening the skin.
Biologique Recherche Crème Masque Vernix
Another Biologique Recherche product for you all: the Crème Masque Vernix. This is one of the best moisturizers I have ever tried in my life. The description actually mentions how it provides a “second birth” effect. This moisturizer is rich in fat, protein and antioxidants peptides, which help in restoring and revitalizing the skin.
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Source: Walmart
The Ordinary has exploded in popularity over the past few years. Not only are the prices unbeatable, but they contain ingredients that actually do what they’re supposed to do, and do not contain anything additional that can harm the skin. I actually found this product on TikTok and have written about it before; however, it would feel completely wrong not to include it here, because I am just as obsessed with it as I was when I first wrote about it. This peel is great for when you are feeling like your skin needs a little pick-me-up or if you’re suffering from a breakout. I like to use it 2 to 3 times a week to give my skin the little boost that it needs.