Current Skincare Routine: Moisturization 

Hello loves! Let’s talk about skincare today! I am sharing with you my daily day and night time skincare routines—which are kinda the same haha. I’ve been on this regimen since the beginning of this year so I’ve had some time to get used to it and see the effects on my skin. I have combination dry skin, which means I have both oily & dry skin, but leaning towards dry. Thus my this routine is mostly centered around hydration and heavier moisturization.

Step 1: Makeup Remover

Removing my makeup is obviously part of my night time routine and is the first step. I’m sure all of you already know how important it is to take off your makeup at the end of the day to ensure better looking skin. I like to use some cotton pads with micellar water to help break all the products down. It’s super quick and easy too! For days I wear waterproof mascara, I will use the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water for waterproof makeup. This stuff is so amazing at taking off eye makeup while being gentle (I’m already on my second bottle). On days I’m not wearing waterproof mascara, I use Simple Cleansing Micellar Water, which is also very gentle and good for all skin types.

Step 2: Cleanser

In the morning, I use a gentle cleanser: Simple Kind to Skin Foaming Cleanser, to get any leftover impurities from the night before. I double cleanse at night because I like to make sure I get all the gunk out from  my skin. First, I use Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser, which is also gentle and great for all skin types. I follow up with a stronger cleanser from Murad, the Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser. This cleanser is amazing because it has mini-particles that aren’t too harsh on your skin to help polish away dull skin, which makes it perfect for every-day use. I use my Clarisonic for this step. If you don’t own a Clarisonic, I highly recommend getting one. I have seen my skin drastically improve after having mine. The wide range of brushes can suit the needs of every skin type.

Step 3: Exfoliate

I exfoliate every other day or every two days, depending on how my skin feels. Over-exfoliating can actually be bad for your skin! Exfoliation can be great for turning over cells, polishing away dead cells and revitalizing your skin. I like to use different types, all from St. Ives. My favorite has to be the St. Ives blemish Control Face Scrub, which helps with my acne. The other two I’ve been rotating in and out has been St. Ives Even & Bright Face Scrub and St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Face Scrub. These scrubs just prove that skincare doesn’t have to expensive to be effective. You just need to find products that work for your skin!

Step 4: Toner

This toner is from a Korean skincare brand, Moistfull Collagen, that’s a cult favorite and is very inexpensive. It’s aimed to provide more hydration through small particles of super collagen water and Baobab water. In the beginning I couldn’t see much difference, but after using it consistently for a couple months, it does make your skin very hydrated. Even better, Etude House is having an event where you can get this line on sale!

Step 5: Essence

The next step is essence, which is like toner, but has more nutrients for your skin. While toners usually level out your PH levels, essences are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and organic acids to further boost your skin. Again, this is from Moistfull Collagen and on sale!

Step 6: Emulsion

Emulsions are lighter formulated moisturizers and great for your skin  because of the added moisture. Because this particular one (from Moistfull Collagen) is lighter, I put it on before my serum to let it all soak in and lock in everything I’ve put on before. Because I focus a lot on creating hydrated looking skin, this step is very important to me.

Step 7: Eye Cream

The last item from Moistfull Collagen is this eye cream that is aimed at increasing hydration in the eye area. I apply this with my ring fingers under my eyes. Most people think it’s not important to keep your eye area hydrated and focus on eye creams for wrinkles/dark circles instead. While those are important, hydrating eye creams can help rejuvenate your eye area!

Step 8: Serum

I apply serum almost last because of the consistency of the particular ones I have. In the morning, after I do steps 1-7, I use a hydro-boost serum from Elishacoy called Moist Up Super Hyalurone Ampoule Serum. It provides amazing hydration throughout the day! During the night time, I use a brightening treatment from Propolis to create a brighter complexion and to help lighten up my acne scars. It’s actually an essence but I use it as a serum because of how thick it is.

Elishacoy: Moist Up Super Hyalurone Ampoule Serum

Propolis Brightening Essence

Step 9: Moisturizer

I switch between moisturizers based on how my skin is feeling. I’ve used this Ponds moisturizer ever since I was in middle school, when I had drier skin. It’s very thick and might not be for everyone, but for me, it provides amazing hydration. I buy a huge jar of this because it’s VERY inexpensive and I am always using it. On days when I need less hydration, I use my Chanel moisturizers, which smells AMAZING. If you’ve gotten Chanel’s skincare/beauty products, you would know what I am talking about. This also provides a lot of moisture without the thickness that the Ponds one contains.

Step 10: Face Oil/Face Mist

I finish off with a face mist in the morning and a face oil at night. The face mist I use is another cult favorite, the Mario Badescu Rose Water spray. It’s so refreshing and also adds another layer of moisture, which I am always down for. The oil I use at night is Josie Maran’s Argan Oil, which is amazing. I use this every other night because of how nourishing it is. At this point, my skin is glowing!

Step 11: Sunscreen

Lastly, during the daytime, I use sunscreen after all of that every single day. It’s so important to remember to wear sunscreen (even when the sun isn’t out) because UV damage can happen to anyone! It also helps with acne scarring and dark spots, which is something I struggle with. I use one from Neutrogena’s, which has 100+ SPF — I picked it up from Nordstrom Rack fro $8 and it has lasted so long. When I was there last week, I saw that they still carried it so make sure to pick up a bottle.

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WOW, I am finally done! I never realized how extensive my skincare routine is because well, it’s my routine and I am so used to it. It seems like a lot, but I promise that it is worth every step after your skin is glowing and plump! While I try to stay on my routine, I always make sure to listen to my skin and what it needs. Sometimes, overloading it with products can actually have the opposite effect, so get to know your skin. It took me a long time to figure out which products complemented each other, which is crucial to seeing desired outcomes. I still struggle with a lot of skin issues so I’m very open to trying new products. Let me know your favorite skincare products!

A million and one thanks for reading — until my next lil’ thought then!

xx Jen