Anytime I post a photo of myself these days, especially a close up, I get comments, DM’s and questions about my skin care routine.
Which to me is truly hilarious, because I do as close to nothing as possible. In my group of friends, I’m the last person anyone would ask for a beauty or make up tip!
I just started wearing makeup in 2016, and didn’t start really thinking about making skincare a routine until after I graduated college. Before then it was pretty much splashing my face with water in the morning and again before bed.
I’ve been blessed to have generally good skin my whole life. Aside from the occasional stress or period breakout (which are also minimal), I don’t tend to have problems, which I’m grateful for. I know not everyone is as lucky.
I can break my skincare philosophy into three main rules:
1). Never, ever fall asleep with your makeup on!! What goes on must come all the way off, every time.
2). Adjust your routine as the seasons adjust their routines.
3). Do what works and skip what doesn’t. Skincare can get complicated and expensive quickly, so I believe in only sticking to what you need to. Nothing more, nothing less.
That being said, I’ll take you through my AM/PM skincare routines and products! Let me know if you’d like to see something more in depth on my Youtube channel, walking through the process.
Cleansing
Step one is always to cleanse for me, and likely for you too.
In the mornings, I use the Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, which I usually grab from Ulta because they tend to have the bigger size for less. Amazon also has a great deal on a two pack of the 16 ounce bottles, which will save you even more. This cleanser goes on more like a creamy gel and doesn’t really have a lather, but does a great job at leaving my skin feeling fresh and clean. I’ve used their Daily Facial Cleanser too and also liked it (has more of a lather), but the gentle cleanser is a little…well…gentler on my skin.
I use the Yes to Cucumbers Micellar Water to remove my make up and I swear it is the best makeup removed I have ever used! I little on a cotton pad does a great job of taking off foundation and eye make up, and one bottle tends to last me months even with almost daily use!
At night, I use the Burt’s Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream and it’s probably my favorite product!! It has menthol in it, which gives your face a refreshed and cool feel and feels amazing after taking off makeup. It definitely gives a deeper clean, which is why I use it at night and especially after taking off makeup.
If I ever want a light exfoliator, I reach for the St. Ives Green Tea Scrub. Never more than once or twice a month, if that.
Toning
Once my face is clean, morning and night, I reach for this toner.
I think it’s why my skin has had fewer struggles with redness and sensitivity. I add a few drops to a cotton pad and apply all over my face. I love that it’s mattifying (nothing stresses me more than a shiny, dewy face). And the tea tree oil helps to balance and purify the skin.
I tend to find this on sale at Ulta but Amazon also has great prices! A friend of mine swears by the whole Tea Tree Line!
Moisturizing
I have normal skin and don’t really deal with a ton of dryness or oiliness. So I try to use a moisturizer that will replace the nutrients and moisture my skin loses during the day and after cleansing.
For years, I was using the generic Target brand Dual Effects Moisturizer and it got the job done. It never blew me away and honestly, in the colder months, I probably should have switched. This week, I picked up this one by Trader Joes and after a few days of use, I like it but haven’t had enough trial time for a censuses.
At night, only during colder months, I add 3-4 drops of argan oil to my face. It is amazing and always leaves me glowing come morning time! I’m currently using this one, which was a free sample from Sephora that has lasted over a year at that small size!
It’s pricey, but you pay for the brand as much as the quality of the product. So when it runs out, I’ll definitely continue to use Argan oil, but may switch brands and compare experiences.
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And that’s about it! I’m going to do a separate post on my favorite quick treatments and face masks later on. I’m also working on a post detailing my super easy, no experience or cosmetic knowledge required, girl on the go makeup routine. It takes me 10 minutes and makes me feel less like I’m running on coffee.
I hope this post helped anyone trying to start somewhere with skincare! I’m no guru, but feel free to leave your questions in the comments!
I use the same Cetaphil cleanser! I know exactly what you mean by the difference with the face cleanser by them. I felt like it stripped my skin too much.
I use argan oil on my face at night, too, & people are horrified that I’d put OIL on my face… but it makes my skin absolutely glow!
I use argan oil on my face at night. it makes my skin absolutely glow!
I really like this article so much. You are sharing the best skincare routine. Thanks and keep sharing.