This post is about my skincare routine.

I was hesitant to do a skincare post mostly because everyone’s skin is different and what works for me might not work for others. :cry:

But I’ve gotten this question in comments & emails so much, :deco13: :deco2: I thought posting it would be beneficial for myself & others. And since my skincare routine doesn’t change very often it’ll be relevant for a long time. :ok:

Let me just say I don’t consider myself any sort of skincare guru. :deco13: I’m just posting my current routine. I’ve been using the same products for about 3 years now and I’m very happy with them!

I’ll start out with describing my skin type!

I have an oily T-zone with other areas prone to dryness. I am also extremely acne-prone. I cannot stress that enough. I run a good 90% chance risk that any new facial products such as moisturizer, foundation, concealer, primer, and face mask will give me pimples. :mad: Because of my acne prone skin my routine is extremely strict and high-maintenance. However, when I follow it strictly I can go weeks, sometimes a few months without a single blemish! This is like night & day compared to my old blemish covered face. :)

Everything below looks more taxing than it truly is;
I was just being really thorough and wanted to completely cover everything.

Honestly this routine only takes me a few minutes a day. :deco8:

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Cleansing & Treatment

1. Clinque Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam
2. Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Moisturizer (Oil-Free)
3. Clinique Acne Solutions Emergency Gel-Lotion
4. Neutrogena One Step Gentle Cleanser
5. Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
6. Clinique Mild Facial Soap
7. Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion

Most of my daily products are from Clinique’s Acne line.

In the morning I wash my face with Clinque Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam. Next I apply a thin layer of Clinique’s Acne Solutions Clearing Moisturizer. If I happen to have a pimple or maybe a spot where I can feel a pimple starting to come in, I apply Clinique’s Acne Solutions Emergency Gel-Lotion over the area. :ok:

After work (around 5:00) I come home and typically remove my makeup with another cleansing. I do this about every other day especially in summer. This may be too drying for others but it’s a must for me. If I know I’m going out that night I’ll leave my makeup on instead. But if I do that too many days in a row (3 or more) I’ll end up with a blemish! Never fails.

After work I use a different cleanser. I use Neutrogena’s One Step Gentle Cleanser because it’s also a makeup remover and does a good job on somewhat heavy eye makeup but also doesn’t break me out.

(*If my eye makeup is extra heavy though I’ll use Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover and Clinique’s Mild Facial Soap for my face instead.)

I follow that with just applying a very small amount of Clinique’s Acne Solutions Clearing Moisturizer again and their Emergency Gel-Lotion over any blemish that I might have.

(*I usually skip this cleansing on weekends b/c it’s not needed plus I’m usually out all day.)

At night I wash my face once again. This time I almost always use Clinique’s Mild Facial Soap for a quick, not too soapy, rinse.

(*unless I’m wearing makeup obviously, then I’d use the Neutragena cleanser here instead.)

If I have a trouble spot where I feel new blemishes are trying to appear I’ll use Clinique’s Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion over these areas. Though it’s a “lotion” it’s more of a toner. It’s extremely drying so I only use it when I have blemishes otherwise I skip it. Every night I reapply a thin layer of Clinique’s Acne Solutions Clearing Moisturizer again and the Emergency Gel-Lotion over any visible blemish areas.

I follow all of those routines with a moisturizer…

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Moisturizing

1. Aveeno ULTRA-CALMING Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15
2. CVS Luminous Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream

I use two moisturizers.

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer and CVS Luminous Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream.

I only use the Ultra-Calming daily moisturizer in the morning after applying the Clinique products. It’s the last thing I put on before I start applying makeup. The night cream I use after my post-work and night routines.

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Makeup

1. Missha M BB Cream
2. Benefit Boi-ing Concealer
3. Benefit Get Even Powder
4. Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Concealer
5. Victoria’s Secret Fluid Concealer

Including my basic full-face makeup routine with this just because I think it goes hand-in-hand with a skin routine especially for acne-prone skin. :deco8:

Blemish Free Face:
I apply some Missha BB Cream working out from the base of my nose covering my face evenly but also lightly. I keep it thin. I then add another small drop for chin and under eyes separately. Next I dab on some of Benefit’s BOI-ING under eye concealer to hide dark under eye circles. I follow that with an all over application of Benefit’s Get Even Pressed Powder with a large kabuki brush. Done :)

If There’s a Blemish:
First I’ll take my concealer brush and dab a little (very little) of Clinique’s Acne Solutions Clearing Concealer in “Light” over the blemish. I then add a tiny bit of Victoria’s Secret Fluid Concealer in “Light 10″ over the area if it’s particularly red blending with my concealer brush. Next I grab Missha BB Cream and follow the “Blemish Free” instructions above!

Sometimes I’ll come back over the blemish areas with a tiny extra dab of the BB Cream in extreme coverage-need cases. :ok:

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Other Stuff

There are other various things I do to keep my skin healthy and clear. :deco2: I’ll list those here. These are things that are either indirectly beneficial or products I might not use daily or didn’t fit into the other routine categories.

Collagen – I wrote this post about taking daily Collagen supplements. I’m still taking them daily.

Hair, Skin and Nails daily vitamins – Something I wrote about more recently. This is a multivitamin but it also contains collagen.

Water – drinking lots of water! It’s something I’m always forcing myself to do. I do this best when it’s water from a washable Starbucks Customizable Cold Cup. I have one at home & one at work. If I have a breakout I switch to only drinking water! No tea, no coffee, no soda JUST WATER. And it clears it up more quickly than if I don’t do this switch.

Clean Scene Gaga for Glow Gentle Facial Scrub – A must for me in winter! I started using it this past winter because I get bad dry winter skin no matter how much I moisturize and the dry skin will break me out if left untreated. But all past scrubs I tried broke me out or could only be used once a week. This one is extremely gentle and doesn’t cause me blemishes! It can be used daily if needed but I try to only use it 2~3 times a week when I have dry skin.

Blotting Paper – For my oily skin it’s fantastic. I try to use one at around 2:00 every day (at work.) But I sometimes forget. My skin looks better when I don’t forget though :). I’ve tried a lot of different brands and they all work fine for me.

Clinique Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel – this is an intense spot gel you place right over a blemish. I find this “draws out” a blemish. I only use it when I know I can no longer “suppress” the blemish away but instead must bring it out to clear it. It works usually in one day but I prefer to try to suppress blemishes away to avoid scars and dark spots.

Clinique Acne Solutions Post Blemish Formula – Used to fade dark or red post blemish spots. This works OK but isn’t really necessary since I can cover with concealer. I don’t rush to buy a replacement when I run out.

Boscia Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment – For dark under eye circles. Works amazingly well but at $40 I don’t rush out to replace it. Wish it were cheaper.

Fruits & Veggies – Honestly, I often had red blotchy, uneven skin until I started eating more raw fruits & vegetables on a daily basis and less sugary, fatty or oily foods. :deco8:

Clean Pillowcases – At least once a week or more I clean all my pillowcases and sheets. An unclean pillowcase can transfer acne-causing bacteria and clog pores transferring oils, products, etc. This one is sorta obvious I think.

Well that’s it! That’s my routine + a little more.

“In closing” lolol I’ve used a countless number of other products from high-end to low end, prescription to over-the-counter. :deco13: Miracle products that work for everybody except me. :drops: So, as much as I appreciate the helpfulness and desire to share personal experiences and advice, I’m really not looking for suggestions or anything like that. My current routine & products keep me clear and happy :) Thank you though. :P If you have questions though I’ll do my best to answer :)

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posted: 9:32 pm, Wednesday    [url]
Tags: beauty