The Skincare Routine that Completely Transformed My Skin

I was today year’s old when I finally came up with a skincare routine – better late than never, am I right? But really, I am about 5 years too late so I wish I had started this sooner. So what exactly sparked this in me? To finally stop trying one of the random free samples that I got, and actually incorporate a real, grown up routine into my life? One word: quarantine.

I used my endless amount of hours in the day and stuck in my house to finally go makeup free and establish a skincare routine. The very first thing I did was speak to an Esthetician who happens to be a friend of mine! She works at a local skin center, so the first thing I did was pick her brain. Her first and obvious question was: what are your problem areas? What didn’t I  like about your skin? What was I looking to accomplish? For me, I am blessed that I never had problem skin – not oily, no acne, etc. but it SO dull. I also have pretty bad dark circles as well. I really was looking for something to just overall improve the texture and brighten my complexion. So, after some discussion and a little research on my own, we came up with the following day and night routines. And I am sharing with you now because my skin has transformed completely. Here is my first makeup free selfie!

1. Start with a toner with glycolic acid: toner is a natural exfoliator and essential to wipe away the dead skin from your retinoid. Glycolic acid is good for prepping your skin for product absorption and has anti-aging properties too. I use this one from Pixi! its super affordable.
2. Next, I layer on this vitamin C serum by Perricone MD. Vitamin C serum is important for decreasing wrinkles and brightening your skin, and I am telling you that it works! I have also tried these from Cosmedix mixed in with a Kate Somerville serum and this works too, albeit pricey.
3. Moisturizer is next! I know a good moisturizer is important, so I use this one from Filorga, but I also love these ones from Olay are really good drugstore brand ones too!
4. SUNSCREEN is arguably the most important item, for sure. I regret the days I spent in tanning beds when I was younger, so I wear sunscreen religiously – even when I am inside. This one by First Aid Beauty feels like an absolute dream – its lightweight, tinted, non-greasy and has zinc oxide.
5. I also use a roller on my skin a few days a week if I am feeling extra puffy! I love this one by beauty Bio, and its especially nice in the fridge!

Now, my nighttime routine is less steps, but probably the reason for my much better skin! Retinoid, which you only can get with a prescription, is a game changer. Even with only using it for around 2 months, my skin feel so much better! Its worth it to find a dermatologist that can get you a perscription.

1. Start with my eye cream, which is good for fading dark circles. My dark circles are BAD, friends, so I am happy to report that they have significantly faded with the use of this eye cream. Yes I know its pricey, but its worth it for me because it works!
2.  Use a retinoid every other day; I use this every other day, and by applying a pea size amount onto my face, using tiny dots and blending together. Retinoids are one of the only ways you can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and you need the perscription because its way more powerful than the over the counter products.
3. Lastly, I layer on a moisturizer along with my facial marula oil. The reason I use oil at night is because it definitely can look greasy – sleeping with it on allows it to soak into your skin while you sleep. Additionally, this marula oil is a dupe for really pricey Drunk Elephant version, and I have read so many reviews that its the perfect dupe!

I know my blog is all about affordable beauty, fashion, and the like – and trust me when I tell you, this skincare routine is not within that realm. However, there are certain items I can’t justify going cheap on – and really good skincare is one of them because its the skin you are stuck with! While there are some parts of this that are affordable, eye cream, mineral sunscreen, and retinoid are just something that you cannot skimp on. I am open to suggestions of good products, please tell me if you know of any!