We’re as addicted to the routines as we are the products. Skincare routine videos have captivated attention every where as we learn how people heal their skin or maintain their seeming perfection. I am no different from all of you in this, and I love learning all that we can do to support our skin through it’s natural functions.
I do think that skincare, as fun and helpful as it can be, has gotten a little out of hand at times, and without the help of professionals we can be lost to what our skin really needs. I have been victim to this too, as a teenager wishing I could erase my acne but not realizing all the ways I was maybe making it worse.
A lot has changed since then, and some of the most important things I’ve done for my skin was to simply let it figure itself out! I got off hormonal birth control many years ago, learned about food sensitivities and addressed gut concerns, and overall did my best to fuel my health through good, whole and natural foods.
I have been to dermatologists, who were zero help to me, threw me on Tretinoin and my skin horrifically purged for over a year while I was on it, even though I followed the instructions to a T. I have yet to visit an esthetician for financial reasons, but it’s on my list of things to do as soon as I can. For now I address concerns on my own.
I believe that skincare should be a reflection of what your skin needs, and help it in its natural function unless you truly need an intervention. In that case, something deeper than your skin might need to be looked that. As always, consult your doctor when making significant changes.
I feel as though I have done a good job at narrowing down my products to be simple and effective. I make sure to deep dive into the ingredients and make sure these products are not pumping my body full of unnecessary toxins, my liver has enough to deal with and I don’t even really drink alcohol! Most importantly, this routine works for me. Not every product may be your #1, and may not be a good fit for you! That’s ok, work with what works with you.
Here’s the backstory…
My skin, as you can see in these pictures, has gone through a lot, and it has not just been on my face. I have always delt with body acne on my chest, shoulders and back. I’ve had times where my acne was incessant and painful, leaving marks because I picked at it further, and times where it looked good and I felt confident. Hormones were certainly wreaking havoc in my teen years into my early twenties, where I simply didn’t know how to exist in my body and properly support it through the changes it was going through. My body acne was always made worse with sweat, tight clothing where I chaffed, and alcohol or dairy. For years I simply struggled, clueless to why I couldn’t hack the system of my skin.
I don’t have specific photos of my skin now, but I can tell you for sure it has cleared up significantly, and I don’t find myself having severe reactions as often as I did. Now, I only pick up the exfoliator once or twice a week (my body I do more frequently), and focus on moisture and nourishment to my skin. I’ve done a significant amount of work and testing with doctors to figure out my hormonal imbalances, which I think will be a lifetime effort, but for now I’m in a decent place with my skin. Not perfect, as it never will be, but more often than not I’m happy with where my skin has been, even if I get a pimple or two here or there.
That brings me to the products that have helped me get to this point. Truthfully, I think the products are so unimportant compared to the other things I’ve done to improve my skin, but they are helpful nonetheless. I have gone through what feels like every option, spending way too much money over the years on drugstore and high-end products alike that claim to transform your skin but never really do.
Here we go! Face first…
Cleansing Oils
I’ve been testing out a couple oil cleansers, and at the point where I’m ready to use them up and don’t have much to say about them, but there are two that I love!
The Dermalogica Precleanse Cleansing Oil and the Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm. They are simply the best in my opinion, and the balm is perfect to travel with because it doesn’t get messy like a loose oil could. They take off makeup, including waterproof mascara, and leave my skin feeling hydrated as opposed to stripped.
Cleansers
I have rarely repurchased a cleanser. I’ve used a lot, but have never had one that didn’t burn my eyes or leave a weird feeling on my skin, so I don’t have one that I swear by. As long as it’s made with good ingredients, is fragrance free and actually cleans my skin without stripping it bare is good with me. I’m of the mind that cleansers really shouldn’t be expensive, but I recently purchased the Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser, because I’ve had a lot of good luck with the brand. So that will be the one I test out next once I’m through with what I have!
Toners & Facial Sprays
First up is a homemade facial spray. I took this recipe from Melanie Sandford on TikTok, and altered the recipe a bit. All of these ingredients can be found at your local grocery store, and I do not measure anything, just go with your gut on it. In a 3.4oz glass spray bottle I mix these ingredients:
- Rose water
- Rose water is packed with antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory, providing a soothing and hydrating sensations for skin of any degree of sensitivity.
- Vegetable Glycerin (only a small amount)
- Vegetable glycerin is a humectant, and attracts and seals in moisture to the skin. Since its PH level is close to that of the skin, it does well with sensitive skin, and smooths, soothes and softens.
- Pinch of sea salt
- My skin always does so much better when I’ve spent time in the sun and at the beach, so I thought why not try a little in this toner? Believe it or not, sea salt is also a humectant and helps to lock in moisture to the skin and also acts as a detoxifier for our bodies.
- 1 whole clove
- Clove is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, has anti-aging properties, contains antioxidants, can relieve pain and even help with eliminating unwanted skin growths. It’s such a tiny thing with a huge amount of power!
- OPTIONAL: frankincense or lavender essential oil
- Overall these two oils help to soothe skin, reduce scars, and is antimicrobial and improves skin functions.
This has been a refreshing addition to my routine, and something fun to create at home with quality ingredients. Recently, I made some infused lavender vegetable glycerin and lavender vodka for different household uses, and I put some of the lavender glycerin in the mix and I’ve really enjoyed it.
I also love this d’Alba facial spray. I have it in pretty much every size available and use it at any point of the day. A quick freshen up at lunch, during or after doing my makeup, on my body for an extra glow, it’s perfect for everything!
It’s made with white truffles from Piedmont, Italy, and is infused with Tocopherol (vitamin E), and all together this spray is rich in antioxidants. It’s certified vegan, hypoallergenic and is dermatologist tested, proven to provide results with skins hydrations and firmness. It’s an incredibly light formula and I’ve quickly gone through multiple bottles of this. I’d also very happily buy pretty much everything from this brand.
This Laneige toner is full of nourishing ceramides and peptides to hydrate the skin and improve the skin’s natural barrier. I wanted something light that still offered another element of hydration for the summer months, though I plan to use it year-round, and this has been great. Incredibly soothing and not overwhelming for my skin, this makes a great product to prep the skin before makeup as well.
Moisturizers
There are two moisturizers that I’ve really been enjoying, and they are the cult classic Vanicream, and the Dermalogica Calm Water Gel Moisturizer.
I usually wouldn’t bother with a “day” and “night” cream, but I wanted to see how my skin did with a gel moisturizer v.s. a cream. I’m still testing this theory out, but so far both of these moisturizers do their job incredibly well, and I’d use them at any point of day. The Vanicream is great because it’s made without ingredients like dyes, fragrance, lanolin, parabens, etc. and you can buy it at a big enough size that I would feel very comfortable making this the single moisturizer for every use, including the body. With the Calm Water Gel, for how much you get for the larger price tag, I use this only for the face.
Extra Hydration or Problem Solving Products
I also use the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm, and the CosRX Snail Mucin Essence for some added skin benefits when I need it, and usually only at night. The Cicaplast Balm is great for soothing irritated skin and the snail mucin is a great source of added moisture for my skin! I use the Cicaplast at any point in the year, and the snail mucin I used to use religiously, but now just use it when I feel like it.
Eye Cream
Eye cream is a tough one for me. I don’t think any of them do anything very special, and most moisturizers can help to add hydration to the eye area as needed. At night I might simply use an oil. I’m trying to use up different creams at the moment, but I won’t be recommending them because I won’t be repurchasing them. However, I did receive a sample recently of the Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Cream. I’ve really enjoyed it so far and would consider purchasing it, but $65 for only .5oz of cream feels a little ridiculous to me, even if eye cream does go a long way. I might forgo the step and extra cost all together and work with what I already have!
Face Masks
Face masks are a lot of fun, but can be just as functional as anything else! I enjoy a few masks on rotation.
- Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay: this is probably my #1 facemask. I mix it with apple cider vinegar and honey and it’s really the best mask for me. If my skin is feeling really congested, I might use this a couple nights in a row and it brings everything to the surface.
- Innisfree Super Volcanic Clay Mask: the version I have of this is a mousse, so it’s very fun to put it on, but I think this is identical in all the ways that matter. Clean ingredients too!
- Ole Hendrickson Cold Plunge Mask: a mask focused on pore minimizing, with a cold sensation and a fun color as well! I’ll be honest, I’m not sure they make this anymore so I couldn’t find a link to it.
- Caudalie Instant Detox Mask: helps detox skin and tighten pores, what else can ya need?
- Dr. Jart sheet mask pack are also great. I grab them from TJ Maxx whenever I find them.
One mask I’m interested in trying is the Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream Mask, but the price tag makes me hesitate. If I ever try it I’ll let you know!
Exfoliators
Exfoliation is important, but of course in moderation. I have two exfoliators that take the cake for me, and one honorable mention. I don’t see myself straying from these bad boys any time soon.
The Dermalogica Microfoliant and Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Peel Pads are my holy grails for exfoliation.
The Microfoliant is a powder, that when mixed with water turns into a perfectly exfoliating paste. Made with rice, this product claims to visibly brighten, smooth texture and clear clogged pores, which I agree with. The granules are the perfect size to not cause major skin damage, but with a light hand still buff away plenty of dead skin.
The Universal Peel Pads are my chemical exfoliant god. This stuff, whatever it is, is pure magic. I use these sparingly, maybe 1x/week, my skin doesn’t need much exfoliating in a week and especially because they are more expensive. These pads are a two-step system packed with AHA/BHA’s and 12 antioxidants that aim to noticeably smooth texture, shrink the appearance of pores, and reduce the look of fine lines. I always feel refreshed after using these, and my skin thanks me for it!
My honorable mention is the Caudalie Deep Cleansing Exfoliator. It’s a traditional physical exfoliant, but does a great job, again, with a light hand. Made with natural volcanic sand microbeads, it’s also clean and planet friendly!
Facial Tools and Extra’s
Pimple patches are essential, and damn do I wish they existed when I was in high school! I’ve always used the Hero Cosmetics ones, but these days I’m reaching for Zitsticka patches. They come in multiple sizes, and I’ve found they simply stay on better, even when I put on products afterwards. They are made with azelaic acid, which is an ingredient that helps to calm the skin and reduce redness.
Here are my quick hits of facial tools I love!
- Dieux Forever Eye Patches
- Gua Sha Stone (I don’t have this exact one and can’t remember where I got mine, but close enough! I also just use my hands most times.)
- Ice Roller
Body Products
The body takes at least twice as long to naturally exfoliate than the face does, did you know that? I didn’t until recently, and that makes a lot of sense to me! So I make sure to give my body a little extra love more often to help fight keratosis pilaris, body acne and more. Here’s what I use for it!
This First Aid Beauty body scrub is made with AHA’s to help with your body’s natural cell turn over, and get rid of the extra stuff that might clog your pores. It’s has a great consistency and you only need to use it once or twice a week. Truthfully, I’ve only used this twice and I have already seen a major improvement!
PanOxyl has been around the block a few times, and rightfully so! It’s an old time classic that does everything it’s supposed to, and at the maximum strength it can be without a prescription. They make a slightly lower dose as well, but I use the full. I’ll put this on while in the shower and let it sit for a moment or two while I take care of something else.
The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Body Stick has been a saving grace for me recently. My laser hair lady told me about this and it’s worked so well! After the shower, I simply glide this all over my upper arms, thighs, chest, back and bikini line and I have nothing else to say about it other than I’m amazed at how quickly I saw a difference in my skin! Worth every penny, but hard to apply on my own back.
When I’m not using Vanicream or something else on my body, I’m using my homemade body butter! I typically only use it at night, but it’s packed with a ton of hydrating, amazing butters that make me feel like a rotisserie chicken in the best way possible. It’s not quite that greasy, but it gives a beautiful glow to the skin as well. I don’t have my recipe perfected yet, so I won’t share what’s in it, but I hope to soon! I’m like a mad chemist trying out a ton of different combinations.
However I’m also interested in trying this Primally Pure body butter, made with clean ingredients, like beef tallow, which is packed with vitamins A,D,E, and K, anti-inflammatory conjugated linoleic acid and antimicrobial palmitoleic acid, mango butter, shea butter, coconut oil, and organic essential oils. They come in three different scents and I’d be intrigued to see how these work! I haven’t committed to the purchase yet as I’m still using up some of my own batch.
Somehow we made it to the end! Those are the products I use to help maintain my skin. Skin that is by no means perfect everyday, but has made a lot of progress from where I’ve been. Sometime soon I’ll try sharing the routine, but until then I hope you enjoyed!
Sound off in the comments with any questions or recommendations
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!
A Series of Observations 