My skincare routine stays pretty consistent throughout the year, but every once and a while (especially when the seasons change) I switch things up and try out new products. I have combination, acne-prone skin and try to keep a simple routine that won’t oversensitize my skin. Here’s a list of my April skincare favorites, featuring some new and exciting finds and some holy-grail products of mine!
**Disclaimer: I received some of these items as part of a PR campaign (signified with “*”), but all opinions are 100% my own.
First Cleanse: The INKEY List’s “Oat Cleansing Balm”
I’ve just about finished this product after purchasing it back in January. I use a quarter-sized amount of this balm every night to remove my SPF, makeup, and accumulated grease from the day. It has a creamy texture with a bit of grit in it (make sure to shake before every use)! The cleanser doesn’t irritate my eyes nor gives me that stinging feeling that I’ve experienced with some other makeup removers. My skin feels super soft after using, and is perfectly prepped for my second cleanser. For around ten bucks, you really can’t go wrong with this product!
Second Cleanse: SkinCeuticals’ “Simply Clean Gel Cleanser”
I recently won a Generation Hired x SkinCeuticals giveaway that included a full, customized skincare routine of awesome SkinCeuticals products, like this cleanser. The Simply Clean cleanser is packed with lots of great ingredients, like sulfonic acid and aloe extract, and truly leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean and bright. When used on a damp face, it lathers up so nicely and makes me feel like it’s truly working and doing its thing! It’s gentle enough to use twice a day, and I’ve been really enjoying using it these past few weeks. Because of its foaminess and exfoliating ingredients, I think this cleanser would be best for oily skin-types or for someone looking to step up their second cleanser game.
Serum: Aveeno’s “Calm + Restore Triple Oat Serum”
This product has been nice and soothing as I started incorporating retinol, a pretty intense resurfacing ingredient, into my skincare routine. I haven’t used Aveeno products in years, but after seeing some buzz about this on Tik Tok and Instagram I had to try it out. The one downfall is its pump, which is kinda tricky and only dispenses one drop at a time, but other than that my skin has been loving it! It’s simple, sinks into the skin seamlessly, and gives me an extra boost of moisture on nights when I use it. This is a fairly affordable serum that I think would be perfect for someone looking to incorporate a new serum into their routine.
Moisturizer: CeraVe’s “Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
This product has been going strong as my go-to moisturizer for over a year. It’s simple, effective, and fairly accessible in most drug stores around the world. It’s the perfect consistency, not too oily for my greasy t-zone and not too thin for my dry patches. One of its main ingredients is hyaluronic acid, which is something I look for in most of my moisturizers and hydrating serums. Their 12 fluid ounce bottle lasts me over three months, so I get a lot of bang for my buck as well! Overall, this simple fragrance-free gem truly has my heart and I would highly recommend it to someone looking for a new moisturizer.
SPF: EltaMD’s “Broad Spectrum SPF 46”
Wear SPF everyday!! And reapply! An SPF product should be incorporated into your routine year-round, but it’s especially important as these warmer months come up and we spend more and more time outside in the sun. I tried out this cult-favorite SPF product from EltaMD to see what all the hype was about…and was not disappointed! My skin is very prone to breaking out from sunscreen, but this one contains ingredients specifically made for acne prone skin like mine. My skin is very pale, so I don’t experience any white cast with this product, but some of my friends in the skincare community with darker complexions have had mixed experiences. There’s a tinted version that some people gravitate towards more, but it’ll really depend on your specific skin type and complexion. This product is a bit pricey, which is why I held off for so long, but I truly think it’s worth the price!
Facemask: Clear Start’s “Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask” *
I’m very iffy on face masks, just because there are very few from which I’ve seen clear, noticeable differences after using. I mostly enjoy this Clear Start mask for the experience while using it. After applying a thin layer to your whole face (or concentrating it on your oily areas), it begins to fizz up and you’re suddenly covered in tiny, tingling bubbles. It’s genuinely just a fun mask to apply by yourself or with a friend/partner that is in the mood for something new in their routine! The mask contains sulfur and kaolin clay, both of which are pretty common in “decongesting” masks. If you want to try out a fun product and live out your Santa Claus beard fantasies, this one might be for you!
Spot Treatment: Hero Cosmetic’s “Mighty Patch” *
One of my worst skincare habits, that I’m still actively trying to break, is picking at my skin. Popping pimples might be satisfying and feel good in the moment, but exposing your skin to your dirty fingers and creating open wounds can end up harming your skin in the long run. Because of starting retinol, my skin has been “purging” a lot, so I’ve run into my fair share of whiteheads these past few weeks. Whenever I feel the urge to start picking, I slap one of these tiny patches on and let them work their magic. They’re see-through enough to wear discreetly during the day, especially on a zoom call, but also strong enough to wear overnight. Depending on how “ready” your whiteheads are, you may or may not get that satisfying pull-off moment, but either way you’re protecting your skin and that’s all that matters.
As a skincare lover, it was hard to narrow down on my favorites of this past month because there are so many new and exciting products out there. Whether you’re super into skincare like me or are just starting to build up a routine, I’d love to hear what your favorite products of this past month have been! Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram (@z.kincare) or Tik Tok (@zkincare) and we can chat :)