If there’s one thing I’ve learned since starting my journey as a beauty influencer, it’s that a consistent skincare routine is key to achieving healthy, balanced skin. As an influencer, I’m fortunate enough to receive a ton of skincare products on a weekly basis. When I first started, I would immediately crack open my new products and slather them all over my face at the same time, only to break out the next day and not understand why or what was breaking me out. I learned to accept that I only had one face and it’s not possible for me to test every product I receive. I established a consistent skincare routine that works for my skin – I use the same products in the same order every morning and night until I rotate a new product in. Doing this allows me to determine whether or not the new product is breaking me out and if it’s making a difference in my skin.
Skin Type: Combination
Skin Concerns: Hormonal Acne, Hyperpigmentation, Dehydration
Climate: Desert/Dry
MORNING ROUTINE
My shower routine is all over the place, so if I shower in the morning, I like to cleanse with a gentle cleanser. Right now I’m using the Fresh Soy Cleanser ($38) – it doesn’t strip my skin and smells sooo good. If I don’t shower that morning, I’ll wipe my face with a hydrating toner on a cotton round since cleansing in the morning isn’t exactly necessary. Right now I’m using the Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence ($68) to help tone and refresh my skin when I wake up. After cleansing, I follow up with a face mist – I’ve pretty much given up on using traditional toners and opt for a few spritzes of rose water. I’ve tried the Herbivore Botanicals Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Mist ($32) and enjoyed it, but find the price to be insane. I use the Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin Spray ($10) because it’s a fraction of the price and works just as well, with no unnecessary ingredients – I also refill my Herbivore bottle with the Heritage Store spray because I’m obnoxious. While my skin is slightly damp from misting, I go in with a vitamin C serum to help brighten my skin and promote an even skin tone. My holy grail vitamin C serum is Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum ($80). I find that C-Firma absorbs into my skin insanely quickly, so to help it spread more evenly, I like to mix it with a pump of Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum ($52), which I also love using for an extra boost of hydration. If I’m out of B-Hydra, I’ll mix C-Firma with a few drops of the Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Antioxidant Face Oil ($72). Another favorite vitamin C serum is the Farmacy Very Cherry Bright 15% Vitamin C Serum ($62), which is slightly cheaper than C-Firma, also has a clean formulation, and doesn’t need to be mixed with anything else to apply evenly. After my vitamin C, I’ll follow up with a facial oil. I typically go for a few drops of the Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Antioxidant Face Oil ($72), but right now I’m testing the LUEUR Face Serum ($80) which is a mix of moisturizing oils and CBD oil. I like to apply my eye cream before my moisturizer – right now I’m finishing up the Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate ($68). I’m currently using the Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer ($68), but if the weather feels insanely dry and cold that day, I’ll use the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer ($60). I finish with sunscreen. Every. Single. Day. My absolute favorite is the Farmacy Green Defense Mineral Sunscreen ($36) because it layers incredibly well under makeup, but if I’m going makeup-free, I’ll go for the Supergoop Zincscreen Mineral Lotion ($42). After I apply makeup, I’ll finish everything off with more spritzes of the Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin Spray ($10) – it helps my makeup “sink” into my skin to make it look super natural; like I’m not wearing any makeup. To enhance dewiness, I’ll go in with either the Caudalie Beauty Elixir ($49) or Lilah Beauty Aglow Face Mist ($48) – not a necessary step, but a v important step.
NIGHT ROUTINE
I double cleanse every night, even if I didn’t wear makeup that day. My favorite cleansing balm is the Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser ($34), but I also love the Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm ($34). I’ll follow up with a second cleanser, which is currently the Fresh Soy Cleanser ($38). Every Sunday, I’ll use the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial Mask ($80) to give myself a resurfacing “facial” after a long week. After cleansing (or masking!), I’ll mist with the Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin Spray ($10). If I’m exfoliating that night, I’ll use Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment ($158). I’ve found that my skin doesn’t need exfoliation everyday, so I only use an exfoliating serum on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. When I’m out of Good Genes, I’m going to switch over to the Farmacy Honeymoon Glow Resurfacing Night Serum ($58). After exfoliating, or if I’m not exfoliating that night, I’ll apply a facial oil. I’m testing the LUEUR Face Serum ($80) at night also, and I’ll follow up with a few drops of the Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Antioxidant Face Oil ($72). I’ll use my same eye cream from the morning, the Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate ($68), and finish up with the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer ($60). Since the weather is getting colder, I like to seal everything in with a sleeping mask. My holy grail is the Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Mask ($48). If I have any breakouts that are at a head, I’ll pop them and throw a pimple patch on them. I know popping pimples isn’t recommended, and I’m not telling you to pop all your pimples, but I find that pimple patches absorb more pus and work much better when I’ve popped the pimple. Anyway, I’m currently testing the Starface Hydro-Stars ($22) and I’m a huge fan – they work super well and don’t tug at my skin when I pull them off in the morning. My favorite drugstore patches are the Alba Botanica Pimple Patches ($6.99). These come in two different sizes and adhere to the skin without any issues. If I have any dry patches, I like to slather on Farmacy Honey Savior ($34) – this is super moisturizing and smells amazing. So amazing that my boyfriend stole my tube and gets upset when I use it. Instead, I’ll apply Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($4.59) on my dry patches. Yes, Aquaphor – the cheapest product in my skincare routine. Aquaphor is the shit. My skin would not survive without it. It’s not clean if that’s what you’re looking for, but it’s effective and doesn’t break me out or irritate my skin in any way. I apply my Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($20) and call it a night.
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