It's My Skincare Routine, Honey!

Hi, my honeys! Today's blog post is all about my skincare routine--what has worked for me, what I do everyday, and what I do weekly and monthly! Let me start off by saying I am not a dermatologist, licensed esthetician, nor a professional skincare expert of any kind. I am simply a consumer just like you sharing things that have truly worked for my combo, sensitive skin! These skincare products and routine may or may not work for you, so if you have any skin concerns, it's always best to ask a licensed professional. With all that disclaimer mumbo-jumbo out of the way, here is my skincare routine broken down by frequency:

---

Daily:

Morning:

I wash my face once or twice a day, but definitely at least once in the morning when I wake up. I have two favorite skin cleansers, and I alternate between them every couple days or so. I love the Skin Clearing Wash from Dermalogica because it is a gently cleanser that suds up very nicely. I find this one to be non-irritating on my sensitive skin, and it does not dry out my skin either. The scent is fresh, and it does a great job of removing makeup as well. When the large size goes on sale at Ulta, I grab it, but it lasts a long time!

The second cleanser I love is the Neogen Dermalogy Green Tea Real Fresh Foam Face Wash. There is something about the feeling of a foam face wash that I really enjoy. I feel like it really gets into my pores and rids my face of makeup rather easily. I also love the fresh green tea scent, and it contains aloe to soothe my sensitive skin. It is very hydrating as well. My only complaint is I wish they sold a large bottle because it runs out faster than my other cleanser.

After washing my face, I tone with my favorite Son & Park Beauty Water. It's a large bottle for the price, and it is extremely refreshing and soothing. If I have any residual redness on my face, this helps to calm that down. It helps to create a clean base for my skin and removes any excess oil, dirt, or makeup that may have been left behind by my cleanser.

My next step in my daily skincare routine is applying a small amount of my prescription Onexton on my face. You can only get this acne cream from a licensed dermatologist, but I highly recommend it to treat acne prone skin. It contains clindamycin phosphate and benzoyl peroxide to help clear up active pimples and prevent new ones. I find that this helps improve my everyday skin issues as well as hormonal acne.

My last step in the morning is to apply a great moisturizer! I have been trying out the new Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream, and I like it! My tried and true moisturizer is the Glow Recipe Watermelon Pink Juice Moisturizer. Both I would say do a great job of giving my skin lasting hydration, but I prefer the Watermelon Pink Juice for its fresh watermelon scent! Bonus, it comes in a super cute pink capped bottle!

Evening:

Usually at night, I REALLY try to wash my face again and add a moisturizer before bed. However, if I'm truly being honest with myself, I get tired and end up just using my Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes that are on my nightstand (see my skincare hacks blog post). I find them to get rid of all my makeup and any dirt on my face while offering me hydration as I sleep.

No matter what, I always apply my Laneige Lip Sleeping Balm every night. I keep it on my nightstand, so I always have it on hand before bed! I have very dry lips through the winter, and it's the only way I keep them from cracking. Applying this religiously has REALLY helped my lips feel moisturized! It smells really great too and lasts a really long time! If you take only one recommendation from me in this blog, it's this item! You won't regret this purchase, and my guess is you'll be come as addicted as I am!

Weekly:

If I am not being lazy, I will wash my face and apply an overnight mask like the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask. It's similar to its daily moisturizer counterparts but offers extra hydration that does not need to be washed off, so you can sleep with it on. You'll wake up with very hydrated, glowing skin. I try to do this at least twice a week for lots of extra hydration!

A new nighttime sleeping mask I've been trying is the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask. It is very hydrating without leaving any stick residue behind. I wake up with super smoothe skin!

At least once or twice a week, I exfoliate my skin with my favorite Image Ageless Total Resurfacing Mask. If I have time, I'll apply the mask, let it dry, and wash it off. Usually, though, I end up just using it as a scrub. It smells very medical, but I actually really love the smell. It completely transforms my skin by creating a super smoothe surface. I find that my makeup always looks better on days I have washed my face with it. It's so important to exfoliate during winter and summer months when your skin is the most susceptible to becoming dry.

I also spot treat my skin with The Ordinary's Salicylic Acid Solution. If I have any pimples popping up, I will apply this to them, and usually the pimples are healed or significantly improved in a few days. It is extremely affordable, and actually everything The Ordinary offers is very cheap but effective! Be careful using this product for more than a couple days, though, because it can dry out your skin.

Another great thing to do on a weekly basis is apply a charcoal mask! This will help to unclog your pores and remove impurities from the skin. I absolutely love Origins Clear Improvement Mask! It does a great job of clearing my pores to avoid future breakouts. I'll apply this when I take a bath on wet skin, wait for it to dry, and then wash it off.

Monthly:

It's very important to get regular facials. I love going to Charles Scott Salons & Spas here in the Cleveland area, but if you live elsewhere, make sure you are going to a licensed esthetician for excellent results. My esthetician assesses my skin and what it needs and applies products tailored to those needs. Getting a facial once every couple of months really helps the overall appearance of my skin. Look for monthly specials at spas if you're on a budget. Many places offer discounted rates for a certain booking date to fill up an esthetician's schedule or facial specials!

Yearly:

See a dermatologist! I see mine once a year at least to address any of my skin concerns and have her take a look at all the moles and marks on my body. Skin cancer is a real problem, and I've already had two suspicious moles removed in my life, so I know that I am particularly at risk. A dermatologist can spot a suspicious mole or lesion before it's a problem!

The other reason to see a dermatologist once a year is to talk to him or her about your skin concerns. If you have acne or another skin issue, there are treatments they can offer including prescription strength topical creams and pills. My dermatologist prescribed me Onexton cream for my cystic acne, and it has helped me so much!

---

I hope you enjoyed this skincare routine post, and you took something away from it. Once again, this routine is just what works for me and my sensitive, combo skin. Also, remember that good skin starts from within. Any skincare expert or licensed dermatologist will tell you that eating a healthy, balanced diet is the best way to achieve healthier looking skin. Drink lots of water everyday as well to rid your body of toxins and improve hydration. Please note: there are some affiliate links in the post. By purchasing an item using my affiliate link, I will make a small commission. These commissions help me keep my little blog running and providing you with great content, so any purchases are TRULY appreciated!