Simple Skin Care Routine
Having the ultimate skincare routine is a must nowadays. Skincare might even be bigger than makeup at the moment. Everyone wants clear and healthy skin, but the process of getting there can be the ultimate struggle. Finding the right combination of products that work for you can be continuous trial and error. Skincare products can also be a huge financial burden. I am all for investing in quality products, but how do we know if they truly work or, if there is a better option? Lately, I have been questioning if luxury skincare is an absolute must for my beauty routine. Yes, there are fantastic luxury skincare products on the market that work like a dream. But, is there affordable skincare out there, that works just as well? My personal opinion is yes, there is. I transitioned from using pricey skincare to more affordable options and I am extremely happy with my current routine. I am going to be sharing my simple, affordable skincare routine.
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My skincare routine is not a billion steps long. Remember, we are trying to keep this simple and easy to maintain. It is a modest 7 steps. Now, that may seem like a lot still, I know don't yell at me. Once it is all laid out and explain it will not seem that intense, I swear. I am going to be sharing the products in order of how I use them. Let get into the routine. Keep on scrolling.
I love this face wash. I started using this during the winter months because my skin was getting severely dehydrated and this was a huge component to getting it to a normal state. Cerave is a great drug store brand in general. It is developed by dermatologists and has all the right ingredients that you want to be putting on your face. This face wash is gentle and nourishing on the skin while still giving you a deep cleanse. It removes excess makeup and debris, leaving your skin soft a supple, and not feeling stripped. I am a big fan of the cream to foam formula because, when soap foams up it makes me feel like its working (which is not factual at all, just the placebo effect doing its thing). This face wash is an absolute win and you can find it at most drug stores for about $10.
This is hands down the best vitamin C I have ever used in my life. I have even tried the Skincentuals one everyone raves about and it does not even compete. On my skin, this vitamin C has cleared up acne scars and discoloration on my face. I have red lines under my eyes from getting sunburn over the years and it has made it way less visible (never forget sunscreen... EVER). I have also found that this product helps prevent breakouts for me. The chin area is problematic in terms of breaking out. Consistent use of this has made my breakouts a rare occurrence.
The only somewhat negative thing I will say about this if it can be considered a con is that you have to work up your tolerance to this product. This is the highest percentage of vitamin C they sell and you will feel a burning sensation on your skin if you jump straight to this. Start with the lowest percentage, Vitamin C suspension 23% + HA spheres 2%, and work your way up. One last thing, if you have super dry skin, I would skip on this product. If you have dryness or any abrasions/ irritated acne (pimple poppers I am speaking to you) this will burn like hell and potentially dry you out more.
This is a new product to my skincare routine. To be completely honest with you I was hesitant to purchase this product. Primarily because it is the most expensive product in my routine and I was being cheap. My good friend Natalie, who is an esthetician, told me this is cheap for skincare and it's a great product... so I bought it. I have been using this for several weeks and so far so good. My skin has been clear and free of breakouts and I haven't noticed any new wrinkles forming or my current ones getting deeper. Natalie is convinced this reduced her pesky forehead wrinkle. I think this is great for overall skin health. Just remember to rinse your hands after using this. I had an issue where I woke up the next morning and my hands were orange.
P.S. Some of you may remember Natalie from my Dyson Air Wrap review. If you haven't read that article yet, make sure to read it after this. She tells you everything you need to decide if the air wrap is worth it or not.
4. Traders Joes Hyaluronic Acid Serum $8.99
It is no secret that I love Trader Joe's skincare. I talk about it all the time. If you wanna know why I love it so much you can head on over to this post to read about my favorite products. I think Hyaluronic acid is a great product for everyone's skincare routine. It locks in moisture to keep your skin hydrated throughout the entire day and is under $10! No matter what your skin type is moisturizing is always important regardless. Pick this one up on your next grocery run.
5. Traders Joes Supreme Hydrating Eye Cream $5.99
Yes, another Trader Joe's product. This eye cream is super affordable and a little goes a long way. It has a lightweight formula but is extremely hydrating to the under eye. This product works great under makeup because it's not too heavy. Your concealer will stay in place and won't look drying at all paired with this eye cream.
Weleda skin food is a well-known product in the world of skincare and rightfully so. I slept on this product for way too long. This formula and is so rich and nourishing and perfect if you have dry skin. This was a huge savior to me during the winter months. This moisturizer may be too rich for some of you. Lucky for you they have a lite formula, which may work better depending on your skin type. I personally love a thick layer of moisturizer when I am not wearing any makeup, this is great to use at night for an extra boost of hydration. If you are going to use the original formula under makeup, I would make sure you give it a good 10 minutes to seep in. If you go in with foundation right after applying it will slide around and not set (this is where the lite formula will come in handy). You can purchase this product at stores like Target and Ulta Beauty.
We have made it to the final step of the routine! I like to finish my skincare with a nice refreshing mist of rose water. Rosewater is a great way to refresh the skin and rehydrate throughout the day. It also works as a toner and calms/soothes the skin.
In total, this skincare routine comes to a total of $91.95. Nearing the $100 mark may still seem expensive, but for a quality skincare routine on a budget... that's a damn good price. A moisturizer on the higher end can cost you $50+. If you are someone who is just getting started with skincare, keep it basic. Maybe start with face wash and a moisturizer and add on more from there. Just because other people are doing a 20 step regime doesn't mean you have to. Everyone's skin is different use products that work best for you. Don't be afraid to consult with an esthetician or dermatologist to address what your skin needs. They are skincare experts and will get you on the right track for your skincare needs.
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