First of all, I’m not the girl with perfect skin. You know the one I mean. The girl on instagram jade rolling pure essential oil on her porcelain skin? Yeah, that’s not me. I had minor breakouts as a teenager and then hormonal acne when I switched my birth control method in my early twenties. I’ve tried all the miracle creams, prescribed medications, and treatments. Nothing worked at first, but I’m proud to say now, after a year of bad breakouts, I’ve figured out the perfect evening skincare routine for me.
Last thing before I get started – my skin type is combination, so dry everywhere but my t-zone. My skin also is extremely sensitive to things like essential oils, fragrance, and harsh textures. Finally, like I said, I have hormonal breakouts at times so not only am I sensitive, but I’m acne prone. Difficult combination to conquer right? Welcome to my skincare melodrama. Let’s do this!
Below is a detailed description of that routine and the products I use, plus transformation pictures, product links, and more!
Step 1 : Remove Makeup & Sunscreen. This step is critical!! I use a makeup wipe, eye makeup remover, and an oil cleanser. I’m serious about removing all toxins, cosmetics, and debris from my pores so all my other products sink in better.
- Wipes : Simple Micellar Makeup Wipes (available on Amazon, CVS, Walgreens, and Target)
- Eye Makeup Remover : Cetaphil Gentle Waterproof Makeup Remover (available on Amazon, CVS, Walgreens, and Target)
- Oil Cleanser : The Face Shop Natural Rice Water Light Cleansing Oil (available on Amazon)
Step 2 : Second Cleanse. Remove everything the first cleanse missed and really deep clean your pores. Message the cleanser into your skin for 60 seconds. This is a trick I learned from my dermatologist. Anything less than a 60 seconds isn’t as effective.
- Cleanser : It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser is gentle enough that it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin, but effective enough that keeps my skin clear. Highly recommend! (Link in the carousel above)
Step 3 : Tone. I use an AHA based chemical exfoliating toner from clean skincare brand. Exfoliating toners are great for refreshing your complexion and evening skin tone.
- Toner : REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic. I love their brand, they’re all about simple, clean skincare. Great for sensitive and dry skin. You’ll feel a little tingle, but exfoilation is key to removing dead skin cells so that your moisturizer can sink in and make a difference with your new skin cells. Don’t be afraid! This is one of the stand out products that has made a huge difference in my skin tone and texture (Link in the carousel above).
Step 4 : Essence. Think of essence as a the first layer of hydration after your cleansing and toning. You need to put the moisture back that you lost from previous steps in your routine. Essences are watery but have a smaller molecular weight so the hydrating ingredients soak in deeper then any lotion or moisturizer.
- Essence : HADALABO Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist is extremely nourishing. If you have dry skin this is a must. You can even layer it up for an extra boost. I also find this reduces my redness (available on Amazon).
Step 5: Serum. The best step to get the powerhouse ingredients your skin needs into your routine. At night I use either a glycolic, AHA, or retinol serum. All do different things, so I rotate use every night. Honestly, serums are 90% responsible for my skin improving in texture and clarity!
- Exfoliating Serum : T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum contains glycolic acid that is meant to exfoliate chemically and bring new, fresh skin cells to the surface. Bye bye dark marks! (Link in carousel above)
- Brightening Serum : Farmacy Honeymoon Glow AHA Resurfacing Night Serum. If you want your skin to glow, and I mean GLOW, then this serum is a must have. It brightens with AHA exfoliating chemicals that sink deep into your skin and rejuvenate like nothing I’ve experienced before. Truly gives you glass skin (Link in carousel above).
- Retinol : Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream is a freaking game changer. Studies have shown that retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A, is one of the only ingredients that actually improves skin texture and tone. If you’re worried about wrinkles, acne, or uneven skin tone, please consider introducing a retinol into your evening routine. It’ll change your life! (Link in carousel above)
Step 6: Eye Cream. The skin around your eyes is thinner, more sensitive, and doesn’t have any pores. Because it’s so different, you have to treat it different. That means eye cream, a custom blend of hydrators and brighteners designed to moisturize and depuff.
- Eye Cream : belif Moisturizing Bomb. When it comes to eye cream, I don’t mess around. I found one I love and I. Am. Not. Changing. This product moisturizes my undereyes, without causing milia (those ugly little white bumps you can’t pop). The gel-cream texture allows the product to glide on easily and absorb quickly. Obsessed with belif’s whole line (Link in carousel above).
Step 7: Moisturizer. This step locks in everything you’ve done so far, plus it hydrates and makes your skin super dewy. Depending on your skin type, you’ll want to customize your choice. Oily skin, go for a gel texture. If you have combo to dry, you should consider a thicker product.
- Moisturizer : belif Moisturizing Bomb is everything I want in a moisturizer and more. It’s creamy and thick enough to really sink in and plump my skin. It doesn’t have a strong scent, which can irritate my sensitive skin (Link in carousel above).
That is my full evening skincare routine that helps heal my acne, and made me fall in love with my skin again. Dewy, fresh, and fierce! I hope you enjoyed. Please comment below what your favorite skincare products are. I’d love to try! Also, stay tuned for a mask review of all my favorites. Up next 😉
