Skincare 101
My personal idea of what skin “should” look like was becoming completely distorted years ago thanks to being constantly bombarded with perfect-looking people on social media. Additionally, the constant product-pushing and the undisclosed usage of filters... I was so confused about where to even start. I had tried various cute, perfectly marketed products, with zero clue as to what I was doing. Much to my dismay, I also saw zero results. I finally went to a dermatologist out of frustration. I needed a professional and real results that would last a lifetime.
My skin as of 2024 in natural lighting (with makeup).
I never thought I’d be the girl who gets stopped with questions about her skincare routine. I was always the one asking my friends for suggestions. Today, it’s the question and compliment I get most often. It’s actually quite simple, very few products required, and I am so happy to share it here.
…fear not, these are products you can find at your local drugstore!
Disclaimer
Before we get started, let’s note a few things. I’m sorry, but you’ve heard it all before:
This is what works for me.
I am not a doctor (shocker, I know)
This is information I am passing onto you from my doctor
This is also my own (amateur) research and personal experience
That being said, here are my four essential products/steps you should consider for your own daily routine:
1. Cleanser
The first step in my skincare (and I’d argue, any) routine is a cleanser.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
My favorite, doctor-recommended product is the CeraVe foaming cleanser (link). This works for me as someone who has normal to dry skin. This is a very gentle product, and I think a great place to start if you have no idea where to begin. Barring any allergies, of course. Use your best judgement when trying new beauty products.
Cleanse your face (1) every morning when you wake up, before applying your moisturizer and makeup for the day and (2) every night before bed to remove makeup. If you didn’t wear makeup that day, you should still aim to cleanse at least once a day.
If you’re here to improve the look of your skin, then you also aren’t allowed to be upset when I tell you that there’s no reason you should ever go to bed with your makeup still on your face.
2. Moisturizer
This is the step I get asked about the most!
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing Gel (fragrance-free)
There’s one ingredient you need to know when it comes to successfully moisturizing your skin and that’s “hyaluronic acid.”
Ideally, you should also keep fragranced products away from your face as they can cause unnecessary irritation. I always double-check to make sure I grab the fragrance-free version of the Neutrogena Hydro Boost moisturizer (link).
Do this at least once, or twice a day (max) if you’re really trying to nourish your skin.
3. Retinol
In addition to SPF, the real reason I get so many compliments on my clear skin.
My only experience with retinol/retinoids/retin A is a product called “tretinoin,” and if I could link it for you, I would be sending it to my friends and family left and right. However, I can’t do that because it’s a prescription-only product that you can only get from a family doctor or dermatologist in the U.S. Other countries do not require a prescription and it is available over-the-counter.
Even if I could, I would hesitate to link tretinoin without giving you the knowledge of how to use it wisely for best results. Please do your research and/or ask your doctor questions if you’re interested! I have my dream skin because of it, but please be smart.
To be clear, it is a safe, topical treatment when used correctly. It’s not painful, or difficult to use, and I have not experienced any major negative side effects. I first began using it four years ago so I feel very comfortable talking about and recommending it.
I believe this step is where the skin compliments are mostly stemming from. However, I hear people using it incorrectly all of the time. Eager for immediate change, they use too much product, they start off doing it every single day, they put it too close their eyes, etc. Please don’t do any of those things.
The way synthetic vitamin A/tretinion (I use the 0.025% strength cream) works is by speeding up the rate at which your skin cells turn over, faster than they would do so on their own. Your skin is going to mildly peel at first until it adapts. This is very beneficial if you’re looking to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, acne, milia, and/or dark spots. The damaged layers will peel off at a faster than is typical rate — to reveal gorgeous, new, undamaged skin underneath.
Because of the top layer slowly peeling, you want to take your time increasing in strength and frequency as you are exposing newer, more delicate skin to the elements and the sun(!) I have yet to increase my strength in my dose after all of these years because it’s still not necessary for me. If you’re careful and consistent, the peeling will go away and your results will be that of glass skin — so long as you keep up your routine!
If you rush, you risk destroying your moisture barrier and possibly, a mild burn that will take a few days to heal.
Start by applying twice a week, then every other day for a couple of months, BEFORE finally increasing your usage to every day. You only need a pea-sized amount to cover your entire face! One small tube lasts me almost an entire year. It’s an expensive tube, but knowing that I have paid that (less than $100) for a year of amazing skin is worth it to me to not fuss with other products or pesky breakouts.
If I fall out of my routine, I will still experience mild peeling until I’m back on track. This doesn’t hurt anything except for my feelings when I apply my makeup for a couple of days.
4. SPF
Be so for real right now, it’s 2024 - you need to be doing this step.
innisfree Daily UV Defense SPF 36
Correct me if I’m wrong here, but most women I know are partly, even mostly interested in skincare for anti-aging. You will never achieve the look of flawless skin if you are not protecting it from the sun, that’s just a fact. It is never too late, and especially important with the addition of retinols (tretinoin) into your routine, to start protecting yourself from further damage. It’s literally as easy as applying moisturizer.
I like the sunscreen from Sephora by the brand called innisfree (link) but drugstore brands I would recommend checking out are Paula’s Choice and La-Roche Posay.
Recap
To recap, here’s what I have been doing daily for the last four years:
1. Cleanser
2. Moisturizer
3. Tretinoin
4. SPF
You could stop reading here and you’d be solid! I’d feel so comfortable that you have all the knowledge you need to go forth and conquer. However, if you want every last drop of not-so secret “secrets” I have, continue reading.
Optional
1 - Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Filter (link)
Next to tretinoin, this may be the second most important step I use to give the illusion of “glowing from within skin.” I put this on as the first step in my makeup routine - underneath foundation and concealer. It doesn’t take much! It kind of “fakes” the appearance of additional hydration. There’s a travel size one I’d recommend to save yourself some $ if you want to test it before you splurge.
2 - Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid (link)
A great addition for winter or if you just feel like you need additional moisture. Apply this after moisturizer and give it a few minutes to sink in before layering anything else on top.
3 - ELF Holy Hydration! Makeup Cleansing Balm (link)
I switch back and forth between removing my makeup with the CeraVe moisturizer (step #1) and using this cleansing balm for heavier makeup removal. Again, a product that makes you look and feel super hydrated + refreshed!
4 - Good Molecules Toner (link)
If I’m so honest with you, I don’t really understand want toner is for. I sometimes use this because niacinamide makes me look extra glowy when I’ve taken off my makeup or with a cotton pad to see if there’s any makeup left on my skin after cleansing.
…And that’s everything I know about skincare.
<3,
S
