I have struggled with textured skin and bigger-than-i’d-like pores my entire life. (Thanks, genetics.) which led me to trying everything and every brand that I could get my hands on in a desperate attempt to find something that made me feel like my skin was in a good spot. We all know that when your skin is good, we feelin’ good. So we try to take care of our skin around here.
That’s not to say that breakout isn’t normal. We humans tend to go through rollercoasters of hormones and stresses and circumstances that can cause normal breakouts. No skin is perfect, we are a beautifully flawed and intricate species. But with that being said, this skin care routine has definitely changed the game for me. I tried many combinations of day creams, night creams, witch hazel toner, face washes, and astringents. All that ever got me was clogged pores, too dry or too oily skin.
Finally, I found the perfect combination of products that has been working really well for me. I have stopped the hunt because I’m afraid I won’t be able to find a routine that has worked as well as this one has for me. So let’s get into it! My daily skincare routine that has changed my skin for the better. It’s so simple it almost seems too good to be true.
The products I use:
Step 1: SA Cleanser
Everyday when I wake up, I wash my face with this cleanser. It has been the only cleanser I have been able to rely on. I used to think that I had to use harsh, exfoliating cleansers to achieve the smooth skin I wanted, but this gel cleanser has proved me wrong. My pores have never been tighter using this face wash twice a day.
Step 2: AM Facial Moisturizer
You guessed it, the next step is moisturizer. I know, it’s that simple. This moisturizer is non-comedogenic so you don’t have to worry about filling your pores with excess product that you will struggle to get out for days to come. This moisturizer is lightweight and breathable and has SPF to protect your skin during the day. A little tried and true secret that I feel makes this routine work all the more is: Add a tinyyy touch of cold water to one (one and a half at the MOST) pumps of the moisturizer and mix between your palms. I feel like it just applies to the face way better while tightening your pores from the cold water. A plus on the pores shrinkage front if you run your hands under cold water (and then dry) before doing this. There’s no need for the extra serums, juices, and fancy pantsy things. This routine has been my staple. And as much as I wanted a cute and complex and fancy skin care routine, I couldn’t trade it for the results I get with less product. Like this simple routine.
Step 3: SA Cleanser
Alright, so the day has come to an end. I’m home from work, ready to shower, ready to get cozy. It’s time for another face wash. I use the same facial cleanser as I do in the morning. If i’m wearing makeup that day, I will wash twice. I feel like the first time it gets the makeup off, and the second time, it really has a chance to deep clean my skin. If I went sans makeup that day, I just wash once. Yay now we are clean again. Whats next?
Step 4: Resurfacing Retinol Serum (Every Other Day)
Using the same dash of water technique that I explained above under the AM moisturizer step, I apply one pump of this serum every other day during my evening routine. If I notice my skin is trying to break out, I start using this daily until my skin calms back down. This serum has done wonders to controlling my breakouts.
Step 5: Facial Moisturizer PM
I layer a pump (a pump and a half when my skin is dryer than normal) of this moisturizer on top of the retinol serum on those days or after washing my face when i’m not using retinol that day. It’s extremely lightweight like the AM moisturizer, and oil-free. And of course, non-comedogenic because c’mon, we want clear pores. Every product that I use in this skincare routine is non-comedogenic and lightweight.
P.S. During certain times of the year, my skin gets dryer than normal, so I will switch out the AM and PM moisturizers and use the Daily Moisturizing Lotion. Using the daily moisturizing lotion had my face smooth and hydrated within like two days, no joke. So if your skin is on the dryer side, definitely try the daily moisturizing lotion instead of the AM and PM. It’s also very lightweight and non-comodogenic so it doesn’t clog pores which is EVERYTHING for us with bigger pores and textured skin. okkk love u bye.
Recap Of My CeraVe Skincare Routine
1. Wash face in morning with SA cleanser.
2. AM facial moisturizer
3. Wash face in the evening with SA cleanser.
4. Retinol serum after washing in the evening every other day or daily during times of breakout.
5. PM facial moisturizer.
6. For dryer skin, switch out AM and PM moisturizer for Daily Moisturizing Lotion
That’s it, my simple and effective 5 step skincare routine that has delivered the best results out of many different brands and combinations of products I have tried. And surprisingly the most affordable combination of products I have tried. I really was out here trying 7 product routines and my skin was suffering for it. I guess I’ve learned that less is more. And my skin is loving that lesson.
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