My Skincare Routine

I’ve had a few requests for an updated skincare routine. For the most part, it hasn’t changed that much, but here’s what is working for me. First, though, a little background on my skin.

I have always had problems with my skin. I had the classic teenage acne and it didn’t truly go away until my mid-twenties. Maybe part of it was simply growing out of it, but I also think that the changes I made to my skincare routine helped dramatically. I went from having multiple spots and problem areas every day, to an occasional zit here and there. My acne is always stress-related and that’s probably the one thing I’ve had to try to get under control. When I have bad weeks, I can almost always see it on my face first.

Here’s what works for me though:

ONE // Remove makeup

When I think back to my teenage years, I’d say I was pretty good and not perfect at removing my makeup every night. This definitely contributed to my skin issues and I wish I could go back in time and force my seventeen-year-old self to get my makeup off every single night.

Now I cannot go to bed if I haven’t removed all of my makeup. It actually disgusts me to think about falling asleep with anything on my face still. Mentally, I feel like my skin just needs to breathe at the very least, but I also know that leaving makeup on is how my pores get clogged.

This is the best eye makeup remover on the market and the cleanser I use is really great at removing makeup as well.

TWO // Stick to the routine

So once I came up with a routine, sticking to it routinely every night was what really tipped the scale. It allowed me to anticipate what my skin would be like every morning. And I feel like it was important to just get into the habit of running through the motions. It used to take me forever to get ready for bed, but now I can almost do my skincare routine completely in my sleep.

THREE // Drink Water

I knew drinking water was supposed to help with my complexion, but it was the missing link in my routine. There’s only so much a product is going to be able to do. If your skin isn’t healthy from the inside out, and if you’re not doing everything in your wheelhouse to make it healthy, you’re already starting off on the wrong foot. I can’t even begin to tell you how different my skin is when I know I hit my daily water intake goal. It’s brighter and clearer– and my actual skin tone is more even. Give drinking more water a try for two or three weeks and I’m sure you’ll notice and love the new changes.

FOUR // Cleanse

I keep wipes like these in my gym bag for cleansing my face before and/or after working out. I typically remove makeup if I have it on before the class and I’ll use them again after class to get rid of any sweat.

At night, I use Fresh Soy Cleanser as my primary cleanser. It’s incredible and the only cleanser I trust right now. It’s gentle on the skin, yet does everything including removing makeup. I’d be willing to try another cleanser if someone told me one was particularly amazing, but I’m not giving up my Fresh Soy Cleanser right now. It’s way too good.

FIVE // Exfoliate

I went in for an emergency facial a few months ago with my favorite girl and she told me that the little breakouts I had could be fixed by incorporating a scrub into my everyday routine. My skin is really sensitive and scrubs can do more harm than good so I generally try to only use it on my problem areas (namely my nose and chin). I’ve been using and loving this one.

I also use my Clarisonic about once a week, typically in the shower, to gently exfoliate.

SIX // Moisturize

Hands down my favorite moisturizer in the entire universe is this one. I swear by it and everyone that I’ve recommended it to loves it as well. It’s just a great moisturizer. I always thought that my breakouts were from having oily skin and therefore would avoid moisturizer completely. But I was wrong-o. Moisturizers are incredibly important and this has been probably the single most important addition to my routine as an adult.

I also asked for your recommendations for a more intense moisturizer for the super dry winter days. I bought this cream after hearing so many people rave about it and I can confirm that it rocks. I’m not sure that I’d use it year round, but man, it’s going to save my skin this winter!!!

SEVEN // Masks

I try to do a mask every week. If I can, I’ll put it on before getting into the bathtub to relax for ten or so minutes. For some reason, I have a ton of various masks in my bathroom and every now and then I’ll try something new, but my go-to mask is this charcoal one. It makes my skin feel softer and look brighter.

That’s the general bulk of my skincare routine. I use other products sometimes, but this what I follow consistently. The more things I include, the more shortcuts I tend to take. It’s much better for me– and my skin– to stick to something simple.

What are your favorite products?! Do you have a key element of your skincare routine?