They say beauty is only skin deep. Well, if it is I want to at least have really nice skin. Like really, really nice skin. Growing up I never really had that much of a skin routine. Since I was a teen, I had really bad skin issues--lots of acne, scarring, uneven skintone, you name it. I tried every skincare system you could imagine to try and help my skin, and literally none of them worked. So I eventually just settled for some cleanser and moisturizer and called it a day.
It wasn't until about 6 months ago that I really started to develop my own skin routine. I kept watching those 10-step night routines that beauty bloggers would post on Insta, and realized that hey maybe I should have a skincare routine too. I knew that I definitely didn't need as many steps as they did because 1. I don't wear as much makeup as they do and 2. I definitely wouldn't be able to afford very many, if any at all, of the products they were using. I also really started to enjoy having a routine to do before bed. Creating a skin routine relaxed me and made me feel less rushed to fall asleep.
Ultimately, I ended up doing a bunch of research to see what products could work for me, and had a lot of trial and error with products that were recommended by beauty gurus and friends alike. But I can say that I have developed a skin routine that's working for me right now. Keep reading to find my process and what products I recommend!
THE EVERYDAY ROUTINE: CLEANSER +TONER + ANTI-AGING PRODUCTS + MOISTURIZER
THE PRODUCTS:
I absolutely love this scrub, and use it about 1-2x per week. Scrubs are harder on your skin than normal cleansers, so you shouldn't use them everyday. And because I have somewhat sensitive skin, I really only use it once a week or when I feel like my skin needs a REALLY GOOD deep clean. My pores, especially the ones on my chin, get clogged very easily. And this scrub does really help clean them out. As an extra bonus, green tea is also known to help reduce redness, so because this scrub contains green tea, it helps with that as well.
So far I haven't been able to find a cleanser that I'm obsessed with, but I typically switch between Neutrogena and Aveeno cleansers because they help keep my skin tone even and they don't dry out my skin (and they aren't gonna break the bank). Out of all their cleansers, I like Neutrogena's Grapefruit one (bc let's be real that smell is AMAZING) and Aveeno's Positively Radiant one the best. I actually only wash my face with this cleanser at night (I only rinse with water and use toner in the morning) because I found that for me if I washed my face with cleanser in the morning, my skin would get dry immediately after and then overproduce oils during the day, leaving me with a shiny forehead and chin. And nobody's got time for that.
I bought Thayers's toner one day on a whim after seeing it in Urban Outfitters every time I went and hearing amazing things about it from people I follow on Insta. And I must say, I LOVE IT. It has definitely helped my skin stay clear for longer periods of time. When I first bought their toner, I got their Lavender Toner. And the second time around, I decided to try their Coconut Water Toner because I had heard that coconut water can do so many good things for your skin (great for hydrating skin, treating skin irritations, and fighting aging). I have to say out of the two, their Lavender Toner works better for my skin. And after looking back at their website, I definitely realize that's the one my skin needs (because lavender has properties that are beneficial for sensitive and acne-prone skin). Overall, they are a great brand, and if you're unsure which one to try, check out their website and dive into the descriptions.
I have been using Olay products for as long as I can remember. I know that most people think of it as more of an old lady brand because it's all about anti-aging, but their products are so high quality for the price point and totally worth it. I love this moisturizer because it doesn't feel too heavy on my skin (and a lot of moisturizers do) AND because it has SPF in it. Wearing something with an SPF is super important because it's going to help protect your skin from the sun, regardless of how long you're actually in the sun (and trust me I sit in a cubicle all day so I really don't see the sun). My other fave product of theirs is their tinted moisturizer/CC cream, which I wear instead of foundation during the summer. Total game changer.
TO FIGHT THE WRINKLES/AGING:
I found out about the Ordinary almost a year ago while writing a piece about beauty companies that only use natural materials. I don't think The Ordinary does, but their products are clinically tested and don't boast a crazy price tag like most other similar products. In fact, The Ordinary quickly gained a cult following thanks to its offering of seriously effective and not-at-all expensive skincare and beauty products. It even caught the attention Kim K and when it launched its foundation in 2017, it had a 25K-person strong waitlist. I definitely wanted to try their products (especially their retinoid products) to see if they lived up to the hype. I've been using their 2% Emulsion (essentially a facial oil) for a few weeks now, and have seen a slight improvement in my skin, especially with reducing my dark circles.
Peter Thomas Roth Peptide 21 Collection: Peptide 21™ Wrinkle Resist Serum, Peptide 21™ Lift & Firm Moisturizer, Peptide 21™ Amino Acid Exfoliating Peel Pads
I had briefly heart about PTR before, but knew it was on the expensive side so had never tried it. But I was just gifted these products to promote their new collection. I have only been using them for a week, but I have noticed QUITE a difference in my skin in that week. I already feel like my lines on my forehead are less visible and overall feel like my skin feels more elastic. PTR is all about breakthrough formulas that provide results. And I am seeing results, which is amazing. I only use their peel pads 1-2 times a week because of my sensitive skin, but I have added the serum and moisturizer into my everyday routine (I've replaced my Olay moisturizer for this one at the moment). One of the other good things about these products is that a little bit goes a long way, so I know that what I've been sent will last 3-4 months.
So, what do you guys think of my skincare routine? Is there anything you think it's missing? I hope I've helped you discover some new products that are definitely worth trying out. Do you have any you think I should try out? Let me know in the comments below! 'Til next time!
xoxo
Lex
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