The Her Campus National Editors write about products we love and think you’ll love too. Her Campus has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase. All products are in stock and all prices are accurate as of publication.
The amount of skincare products I have gone through should be illegal. I feel like I’ve tried just about everything out there. I went through routines that influencers, friends, and family have said worked for them. I’ve tried things on my own, but ultimately nothing really worked, not like I wanted it to.
One night about a year and a half ago, I was scrolling through TikTok and came across @vanilla_swirlxx who was going through her skincare routine. In this specific video, she talked about how this simple and affordable nighttime skincare routine helped her eczema and acne scars (here is her morning routine video I also watched). While I don’t suffer from the latter, I do suffer from eczema around my eyes. Multi-step routines with lots of different products never worked for me, so I decided to give this one a try and it was a game changer.
To preface this, I have a combination skin type. Some parts of my face are more oily than others and I get eczema around my eyes where skin is typically more dry. I also have very sensitive skin which is why a complex routine has never been good for me. The products below work for me because they are simple and meant for sensitive skin.
Morning routine
Step 1: Hypochlorous acid face spray
I don’t wash my face. Which at first I thought would be kind of stupid, because some people want to wash their face in the morning, but it turns out, washing it twice a day dried out my skin more than it already was. Instead of a face wash, I use a hypochlorous acid face spray. This helps with things such as acne, eczema, and redness. It’s great to use after a workout or on dry skin since it’s safe for all skin types. There is no scent and all you have to do is spray your face a few times and let it air dry. The brand Mario Badescu sells it; I picked mine up from Ulta Beauty, but I prefer the dupe e11ement that I got off Amazon. It’s cheaper, and you get more for your buck while keeping the same benefits. I’ve used both and they ultimately do the same thing: I’ve felt no real difference. Another popular brand for hypochlorous acid is Tower 28 on Amazon, but I haven’t tried this one, however it is the one most commonly used.
Step 2: Moisturizer
Vanicream is hands down the best moisturizer I’ve ever used. It comes in a big tub that lasts forever and you can pretty much get it anywhere: I got mine from Amazon. It’s fragrance free, thick, but not sticky, and lasts all day. It’s also pretty cheap for the amount you get: less than $15 for 16 fluid ounces of product. Moisturizer is right up there with face wash being the hardest product to find, but this one has me loyal. I’ve had the same tub of Vanicream since I started this new skincare routine almost a year and a half ago.
Step 3: Sunscreen
This is the last step in the morning skincare routine. Truthfully, it might be the most important step. Even if the weather outside is gloomy and gray and there is no sun in sight, put on sunscreen. It’s so important to protect your skin from UV rays that you can’t even see. Apply sunscreen in the spring, summer, fall, and winter. Never stop applying sunscreen and your skin will thank you for it. I’ve fallen in love with the Bioré UV SPF 50 sunscreen. It’s a weightless moisturizer — seriously it’s the lightest sunscreen ever, barely any smell to it, and the best part is that it’s not sticky at all. It applies extremely smooth and the only reason you’ll even know it’s on your skin is because you saw yourself apply it in the mirror.
That’s it for the morning routine. Three quick and easy steps and you’re done! You don’t have to wake up any earlier than you need to because it barely takes any time!
Night routine
Step 1: Cleansing oil
You might want to start by washing your face with your face wash, which is understandable, but I suggest you try some cleansing oil first. Adding this to my routine was an absolute game changer. It’s great at removing makeup, the sunscreen you put on in the morning, and any other dirt that may have clung onto your face over the course of the day. Doing this has given me smoother skin that feels clean without it feeling dried out and cracked. There was an immediate difference that I felt in my skin after using it, and after over a year, my skin has never felt better. This is the most expensive product, costing around $20, but it’s definitely worth the price. I’ve tried two different brands for this product: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil that I grabbed from Target when I ran out and didn’t feel like waiting for a shipped package, and Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil that I got from Amazon. DHC did the trick for the time being, and lasted longer than I thought it would considering it’s a small bottle, but the oil was a little thicker and the small bottle definitely wasn’t worth the price. Bioderma works great for me and it’s the brand I prefer. It comes in a bigger bottle so you get more for your buck, and the oil isn’t as thick meaning you don’t have to use as much to cover your face. One pump and you’re set.
Step 2: Face wash
Washing your face gets any of the extra oil and dirt residue off of your skin to ensure your pores have been cleaned properly. The best part about this is that for people with dry skin, using the oil beforehand helps prevent the face wash from stripping your skin completely dry! Adding oil before ensures that some stays behind to keep your face from becoming too dry. Now face wash is specifically curated towards skin type and what works for each person, so it’s truthfully the hardest thing to recommend. Like I stated before, I have combination skin that’s also very sensitive, so the only face wash that has treated my skin nicely is the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Cream-to-Foam Cleanser that I get from Target. Neutrogena is the brand I’ve stuck with for face wash for years because it’s never given my skin any problems, and I also go for a gentle cleanser that’s specifically for sensitive skin. I’ve had too many bad reactions to face wash to even have the desire to try something different. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Step 3: Moisturizer and castor oil
We’re gonna use Vanicream again for this step, but I take it a step further and mix in a drop of castor oil before applying it to my face. Castor oil has so many benefits I can’t name them all, but it’s great for managing acne as well as nourishing your skin and giving it the proper natural moisture it needs to thrive and be healthy. This was another game changer for me. I barely get pimples anymore and my skin has a clear, glassy look that’s honestly made me more photogenic and less inclined to use a filter to erase those visible blemishes I’ve suffered from. A little goes a long way with castor oil. I got a big bottle of the brand Handcraft Blends 100% Pure Castor Oil from Amazon a year and a half ago and haven’t even made so much as a dent in the bottle, so it’ll probably last a good few years.
That’s it! Only two, three step routines: one in the morning and one at night, and my skin has truly never looked better. Keep in mind that you have to be consistent with your routine to get results. My results took a while to see, but I’ve never been happier with my skin and isn’t that always the goal? I want to look and feel my best, and sometimes that starts with a good skincare routine.