My skincare routine has been a work in progress over the past ten years. As someone who battled with cystic acne, my perspective on skincare has changed from addressing skin concerns, like acne, to developing a more preventative routine.
After finishing Accutane treatment, my skin type changed from oily to (extremely) dry. Finding your ideal routine is definitely a trial-and-error process, but here are some products that have worked for me, especially going into colder months where your skin needs some extra love.
Moisturizer and Facial Oils
For facial lotion, I have always used Cetaphil’s Oil Absorbing Moisturizer. Even though I no longer battle with acne, I have kept this moisturizer in my routine because I know it does the job. Also, it has SPF 30! During the colder months, a face oil can be great to hydrate your skin overnight. Herbivore Botanicals has a great selection of face oils, or you can use something like pure argan oil. As someone who battled with oily skin before, the concept of face oils was quite intimidating, but they can really help maintain your skin moisturized and healthy. For my eyes, I like to use the Boscia Peptide Trio Eye Cream. It is moisturizing, but not heavy.
Lip Care
While I was on Accutane, I realized just how versatile Aquaphor can be. I used it religiously on my lips, my hands, and any dry patches of skin on my face. Now, I stick to the Aquaphor Lip Repair with SPF. The Laniege lip masks are also great if you need something extra hydrating.
Exfoliation
Even with moisturizing products, sometimes my skin does get very dry. The AHA and BHA Peeling Solution from The Ordinary is great for exfoliation, but if you want something gentler, I recommend something like the Sugar Strawberry Facial Cleanser from Fresh Beauty. Not only does it smell amazing, but it also gently exfoliates your skin. For my lips, I stick to the Lush Sugar Lip Scrubs. My personal favorite is the Pumpkin Spice version that comes out during the fall.
Hair Care
I have had to work at taking better care of my hair. Although I don’t get my hair dyed or bleached, my hair does tend to get dry and frizzy during the colder months. I recommend the Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector or any Briogeo hair mask. To combat frizz, I use the Kérastase Discipline Blow-Dry Smoothing Primer, which smells amazing!
Sunscreen, Treatments, and Serums
Sunscreen is so important year-round, which is why I make sure my lotion and lip balm contains SPF. To supplement that, I use the Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen from La Roche-Posay. For my retinoid, I simply use the Differin gel that can be found at any drugstore. I apply this almost every night (personal preference). I recently incorporated a toner into my skincare routine. I use the Bioderma HydraBio Tonique, which is a very gentle toning lotion. To keep my skin looking bright and plump, I use the Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C serum. Although the small bottle can seem intimidating, I have noticed changes in how bright and even my skin looks.
My confidence in my skin is something that has evolved so much over the years. The products I recommended are ones that have worked for me personally, but I am always on the search for ways to improve my routine. Taking care of my skin used to be a stressful endeavor, but I have learned that patience is key when dealing with your skin and that I should enjoy my skincare routine.