Starting school amongst a pandemic can always be categorized as a stressful situation, and according to my mirror, I am very stressed. Unfortunately, acne has mounted its big fleshed toned mountain upon my face. However, I know that I am not alone in this cold pimple inflamed world. There are millions of teenagers and adults who have to deal with the consequence of hormonal acne due to the imposed academic, social, and financial effects of the pandemic.
In order to help my fellow peers out there who suffer from acne or have a hard time choosing what products to buy, here are some affordable skincare products that you can incorporate in daily skincare AM/PM routine.
- The Cerave Healing Ointment $16.49 at Target
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For the last six months, I have been using the Cerave Healing Ointment. I saw that this was recommended by @ MakeupForWOC on Twitter, and ever since I heard about this ointment from her, I have incorporated this product as an integral part of my routine. This product has dramatically improved my skin in terms of skin barrier issues and is a great product that helps seals moisture when you have very dry skin like mine. When it comes to my PM skincare routine I apply this product as my last step to lock in the previous products that I used before. I use this product specifically at night because this product does have a greasy texture that wears like a vaseline, so if you don’t mind looking greasy before bed like I do, then this is the perfect product for you. This product is available at Target for $16.49.
- CANMAKE Mermaid UV Skin Gel Sunscreen Clear $11.99 on Amazon
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I actually just recently started using this sunscreen about two weeks ago and so far I like it! The sunscreen contains 50 SPF and has creamy white paste when applied. When you first apply the sunscreen there is a white cast that shows, but after fifteen minutes of letting the sunscreen dry, the cast is completely gone. In terms of my routine, I make sure to put this product on last because it is the thickest product in my AM skincare routine. When applying this sunscreen I make sure to wipe/drag and not rub in the sunscreen because skin estheticians recommend not to do that since it can cause irritation. This product is available at Amazon for $11.99.
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream (Extra-Dry Skin) $ 19.99 at Target
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I really love the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream! It has been a staple moisturizer in my daily routine now for over a year. I love the light and gentle texture that the moisturizer has, and it gives perfect hydrating coverage that allows it to be used throughout the four seasons. For this particular moisturizer, I specifically love the Extra-Dry skin version because it contains no fragrance, which is something that irritates my skin, so I tend to stay away from products that contain fragrance. When it comes to my skincare routine I use this in both my AM/PM routine, and I specifically use it before I put on my sunscreen which is my second to the last step. This product is available at Target for $19.99
- Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser For Normal to Dry Skin $9.89 at Target
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I have been using this facial cleanser for about a couple of months now, and it is a very gentle cleanser that does not leave your face feeling dry or tight. It is very mild in the sense that it does not foam up or form big suds. The cleanser is able to clean away the dirt while maintaining the barrier of the skin. I use this cleanser during both my AM/PM routine, and I use this as my first step because everybody knows you have to cleanse your face first! This product is available at Target for $9.89.
- Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum $39 at Peach and Lily
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This serum is more on the expensive side, but I was fortunate enough to buy it when it was on sale. This lightweight serum is perfect for helping with texture or damage to the skin due to effective ingredients like Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid. I truly love this product because I can see a huge difference in my skin since I have used it and it’s only been a couple of months! I usually apply this product after I cleanse my face so that I could lock in the moisture, and I make sure to do this step for both my AM/PM routine. This product is available on the Peach & Lily website for $39.
Hopefully, this skincare list that I curated for you could be of help! Be sure to know that some of these products may or may not work for you. Always read the reviews of these products and enjoy shopping!