1. First, wash your face
You can use soaps or wipes for this, but personally, I prefer the official stuff. This is going to prevent acne and keep your skin moisturized but not oily or dry. Wash your face before putting any other shit on it to maximize absorption and keep your pores unclogged.
- Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
- Clean & Clear, Morning Burst! This has Vitamin C, which repairs skin, and it also has BHA to help unclog pores.
- CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Oily Skin - it has Hyaluronic Acid (helps against dry skin), Ceramides (helps your skin's moisture barrier), and Niacinamide (Vitamin B for skin production)
2. Next, use a toner
Facial toner is a lightweight liquid that removes leftover dirt and oil after cleansing while prepping your skin for serums and moisturizers. It can really help to clear acne, too, and it boosts hydration and improves product absorption. Oh, and many formulas also balance pH levels. Toners are great at removing dead skin cells and brightening up the skin, making it softer.
Tips:
- Avoid high-alcohol content because that can damage your skin barrier.
- If you have acne, look for beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid to unclog pores.
- For dry and dull skin, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera are good for you.
I like the toner Dermasil Glycolic Acid Toning Solution Rose Water. It smells like beautiful roses. It has witch hazel and glycerin in it, as well as real rose extract (not artificial stuff). After using it, my skin is so soft. It's like $1.25 at Dollar Tree.
3. Use a lightweight serum (Niacinamide?)
When doing your skincare routine, it's important to start from light to heavy; that way, your skin can actually absorb it all properly.
For me, I like to use a Niacinamide serum. Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of Vitamin B3 that boosts cellular energy and improves skin health without causing the red flushing linked to regular niacin. I suggest:
- The Niacinamide serum by Good Chemicals (10%) - It's like $6 at Ulta and $10+ at Target
- The Niacinamide serum by Skin Nutrition Botanicals (5%), which also has squalane that helps to soften the skin and lock in hydration, while also balancing oil. It's like $1.25 at Dollar Tree
4. Use a lightweight cream (Ceramide?)
So next we will build up into another product that is a little heavier, as it's a cream, but still lightweight. For this step, I chose a product that has ceramides in it. Ceramides are waxy lipid molecules that make up about 50% of the outer skin layer and act as the "mortar" holding skin cells together. They lock in hydration, protect the skin barrier, and reduce skin sensitivity. They're an important step in your skincare routine as you age, when your body stops producing them as much as you get older. I suggest:
- Omega Water Cream - It has ceramides, but also Niacinamide (5%), which gives your skin a quick boost. For me, it has a somewhat stimulating effect, and my skin is noticeably softer afterwards. It's like $15 on Amazon.
- Global Beauty Care Hydration Facial Serum - It's only like $1.25 at the Dollar Tree, and along with ceramides, it also has squalane (good for softness and hydration, as discussed) and coconut water, which provides deep hydration and essential nutrients like Vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium, keeping skin plump and dewy, boosting collagen production, and fighting free radical damage. Coconut water is also anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial.
5. Use a thicker cream now (Vitamin C?)
Now we can use the thickest product after the other stuff dries and is absorbed. I like to use Vitamin C at this step. Vitamin C helps to fight free radical damage from pollution and the sun, repair your skin, brighten your complexion, and support collagen production. I suggest:
Berry Glowy Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum - The Vitamin C does all that, as discussed, and the hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates. It's important to hydrate a lot when using Vitamin C since the Vitamin C is acidic and drying. This face cream always leaves my face deeply, deeply hydrated lol. Plus, it's cute and only $1.25 at the Dollar Tree, and you can use it on your whole body. It has the consistency of thick lotion.
Bonus stuff!
Every once in a while, I like to put some retinol stuff on my face. It speeds up skin cell turnover and boosts collagen production to reduce fine lines, clear acne, and even out skin tone. It's really important to use sunscreen (SPF 30+) while using retinol because, if you don't, it can be counterproductive since it increases skin sensitivity! But anyways, I suggest:
- Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream (with 0.1% retinol) - about $8 at Target
- DermaXgen Peptide Complex Serum with Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 (a peptide that mimics the chemical from royal jelly, which tightens your skin), Vitamin C (good for skin repair and collagen production, as discussed), Peptide Complex, Hyaluronic Acid (good against acne, as discussed), Vitamin E (protects skin from damage, locks in moisture, soothes inflammation, supports healing, and fights free radicals), retinol, and Aloe Vera (provides deep hydration, soothes irritation, and accelerates healing for minor cuts and sunburns).