My Skincare Routine

My skincare is on a drugstore budget, so it's nothing impressive. I didn't start this until maybe 4-5 months ago. My old routine was just washing my face once a night with a cleanser. That was it. Actually, I still only wash my face once, lol, but I've added much more to my routine. Even when I did wash my face once day, I didn't really break out, but I also didn't wear much makeup. I started this routine because it's never too early to start anti-aging stuff and I'm wearing makeup more frequently, but still not everyday.

But before I reveal my routine, I'll give you some history on my skin...

Around 6th to 8th grade (puberty), I used to breakout along my hairline. It was moderately bad. I would say that was the worst acne phase for me! In high school, the acne cleared up, but then I would breakout some during my period. In undergrad and presently, my skin has stayed relatively clear. I get an occasional pimple, usually around my chin or like upper lip. Also, I have not and do not take any oral meds for acne.

Other things to note, I did not wear any makeup in high school. I really had no reason to as I attended an all-girl high school. No one really wore makeup until the weekend, but even then I didn't. I didn't really start wearing makeup until mid-college and when I started, it was with mineral makeup and not traditional powders or foundations. Again, I do not wear makeup everyday, meaning I do not wear foundation everyday. This may be why I don't really breakout that often. I wear foundation a couple times a week, if that really. I'm really laid-back and partially lazy to do a full face everyday.

So this is my routine, starting at NIGHT:

I wash my face with Olay Foaming Face Wash. I've been using this for years. This product was my routine, until I started adding the things below. It makes my face ultra soft and never leaves it dry. If you're looking for a plain gentle cleanser, I recommend this. I've used Neutrogena, Dove, Biore, Dior, etc. but this is my all-time favorite.

I tone with Nivea Visage Moisturizing Toner or Reuben's Remedies Rose Water Toner. I got the rose water toner from Marshalls and I really like it! I've been looking for a rose water based toner for a while. I just randomly found it and I tried to google, but I found nothing about this company or product. However, Nivea is an excellent toner! It's really refreshing and not at all drying. Best of all, it's extremely affordable for around $5.

I moisturize (PM) with Nivea Creme. I bought it because I read it was similar to the very pricey, Creme de La Mer. I mentioned this in my Drugstore Staples post. If you google it, many comparisons will come up. I've never used CDM so I can't compare it myself, but I can say I like Nivea Creme! I used to have dry spots, but no more! When I wake up, my skin is never dry and I really don't need to put on AM moisturizer (I do anyway, but not all the time). However, it's really thick and little goes a long way. It also makes your face look a little greasy, but that's gone in the morning after absorbing.

I use Ponds Age DefEye eye cream. I tried to find the product on their website, but it's no where to be found. I'm guessing it's discontinued. I think it's more for decreasing puffiness and dark circles than for anti-aging. It works alright but since people use CDM as an eye cream too, I might just start using that after I finish this. But I am interested in finding a product specifically for the eye, so any recommendations?

The next morning, I just wash my face with water. No cleanser. Just a splash of water to wake myself up and get any sleep out of my eyes (eww!).

I moisturize (AM) with Clean & Clear Morning Glow or Olay Complete All Day UV Moisture Lotion. Sometimes, I just skip this step because Nivea Creme works so well! I use the Morning Glow when I wear no makeup because the luminzer brightens my face and it's very light. Use Olay when I wear makeup, because I don't want to look overly shimmery in the end. Both have SPF 15, very lighweight, and absolutely non-greasy.

On top of my moisturizer, I try to apply my Neutrogena Healthy Defense Sunscreen (SPF 45) everyday. Even though my moisturizer has SPF 15, it's just not enough in Florida. Sun protection is essential for healthy skin. Without it, you can get sunspots, skin cancer, and just overall aging of the skin. I can get lazy, so I don't put it on everyday like I should. I think I developed freckles over the years since I was a kid. Living in Florida all my life, I used to play in the sun all the time and never wore sunscreen. I was extremely tan at one point and I mean TAN! There's a good chance I wouldn't have freckles if I wore sunscreen. I wish I did now...

Then about once a week, I do an aspirin mask and use my Dove SkinVitalizer. This is basically to exfoliate and renew my skin. Details of that can be since in my previous post about aspirin masks. I think I may start doing it 2-3 times a week for 4-6 weeks to act as an at-home microdermabrasion solution. I treat any pimples with aspirin too. Use drops of water to crush a uncoated tablet and apply. I also use Ambi Fade Cream or Bio-Oil to fade my acne scars.

And that's it!