Everyone’s skin care routine differs based on their skin type (dry, oily, normal, etc.) and their concerns (acne prone, sensitive, etc.). For me, the issues I have with my skin seem to vary every other day, which can make taking care of my face very difficult, but this is what seems to work for me for the most part! I am not a skin care expert, but I am just offering product suggestions for anyone who might share any one of my skin concerns!
Step 1: Face masks.
I usually try to do a face mask 2-3 times a week, depending on how good or bad my skin is that week. I try to stick to gentle masks since I do have sensitive skin, along with eczema all over my face. I also go back and forth between oily and dry skin depending on a variety of factors. Some of my favorite masks are the Freeman’s Beauty Tea Tree Oil and Manuka Honey mask that came in the HC Survival Kits, as well as the Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask with Green Tea and Hyaluronic Acid. I prefer the Garnier mask when my skin is on the more oily side; I also like it before makeup application because I notice immediate, although not lasting, effects when I use that one. I like the Manuka honey mask for dry or oily skin; it has a pleasant smell and it leaves my skin feel soft and smooth!
Step 2: Cleanse!
The most important thing I do as far as skin care is concerned is wash my face. Since I am always trying to balance dry and oily skin, I try not to wash my face TOO much (since that can trigger the production of more oil from drying your skin), but I also try not to wash it too infrequently, or the dry skin and eczema can get pretty bad. I use the Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser. My dermatologist recommended this to me to help keep the eczema under control and to prevent major flare ups. I like this because it does help with keeping my eczema at bay and it feels very moisturizing on the skin without leaving it too greasy. (If you are looking for an inexpensive gentle cleanser I also recommend baby soap- it’s what I bring with me when I travel back and forth between home and school.) I make sure to wash my face once a day every day. Another tip I use to help keep irritants off of my face is to make sure that washing my face is the first thing I do when I get into the shower, so that way I don’t get any of my other soaps on my face if they shouldn’t be there.
Step 3: Exfoliate.
This is not something I do every single day, but like face masks I try to do it 2-3 times a week. This is due, in part, to the sensitive skin/eczema thing, but it also isn’t necessary to scrub your skin like that every single day. The exfoliate I use has 2% salicylic acid in it, which helps keep pimples away; but it can also wreak quite a havoc on my sensitive skin. I only exfoliate my face, like I said 2-3 times a week, but the scrub I use can be used on the face and body. This is to keep any pimples on my chest and back away; I exfoliate those areas a bit more frequently, 4-5 times a week!
Step 4: Moisturize.
Like I mentioned my skin can get pretty dry at times, so to keep that under control I try to moisturize my face at least once, if not twice every day. I always moisturize before putting makeup on. The moisturizer I use was recommended to me by my dermatologist to help with the eczema. Unfortunately, I have not found one that I like as much as the Cerave Moisturizing Cream; I definitely think the price of it, which I would consider to be expensive for being a drugstore product, to be worth it. I find this product to be nice and moisturizing without being too thick and sticky. This has definitely been a key player in keeping my skin under control. As with washing my face, I make sure that before I use my body lotion I moisturize my face to keep any possible irritants off my face.
Step 5: Creams/Ointments
As mentioned a million times in the article, I have eczema which requires more than just some face wash and a moisturizer to keep under control. My dermatologist also prescribed me a medicated cream to control flare ups. Before the eczema came about, my skin care routine was just the occasional face mask, along with washing my face once a day and moisturizing twice with two different types of moisturizer (a lotion and a coconut water spray). The most important step to me then was moisturizing. Now, however, my most important step is my eczema cream. If I don’t have time for anything else, I always make sure to do this step, both morning and night. I usually do this after the moisturizing cream has had some time to settle into the skin, which means it usually gets done after I use body lotion. So before this step, I make sure to wash my hands and then apply the cream. The final step in my routine really depends on if I have any acne marks. I usually don’t since my number 1 tip in regards to skin care is to not pick pimples, blackheads, or anything else on your face!! Just let it run its course and deal with it later. If I do happen to end up with an acne mark or two, whether it be on my face, back, or chest is to apply a little bit of Neosporin, and that’s it!
As previously mentioned this is just what works for me and is by no means going to work for everyone! I was just throwing some tips and possible product recommendations out there for anyone looking some ideas!