Skin care = self care. Let’s start there.
There are so many benefits to taking care of your skin from a young age. Not only does it keep your skin visibly healthy, but it’s also a form of self care and helps you reset. It also saves you money in the future because investing a little bit of your time and money means it can save you from more expensive products, treatments, or even surgeries in the future.
If you’re brand new to skincare or just looking for something to add to your already established routine, think of it as a 5 step process, once in the morning, and once at night. Simple as that! When you try to overthink it, it becomes overwhelming, expensive or just a downright hassle and you may end up not doing it at all.
Implement your skincare routine into your ridiculously simple morning routine
Most blog posts and resources will tell you that the first thing you need to do is figure out your skin type. Although that is definitely true and would help you find the right products faster, the products I’m going to share with you are all suitable for sensitive skin (trust me – I have tried it myself), which means your skin will most likely not get irritated by it.
I started my skincare journey over a decade ago – thanks to my mother, who always told me to take care of my skin. Because apparently, my skin’s sensitivity has caused problems since the day I was born.
When I tell you I’ve been obsessed with finding the perfect skincare routine for myself, I swear I’ve tried a hundred different products in different orders and changed up the combination, and I have finally landed on a nice, balanced routine.
That isn’t to say that things like the weather, season, hormones, and overall health constantly change how I react to skincare products. I always try to revise my skincare routine every couple of months, to ensure that I’m using the best products for my skin.
I also want to add that everyone has a different budget when it comes to skincare. It depends on how much you value the product, what works best for you or just how much money you have. I like to find products that are effective, and have the best bang for my buck.
In this post, I’m going to share with you my current skincare routine that I have been following for the past few months and have seen great results without breaking my wallet.
Disclaimer: I’m not a dermatologist or have any license to tell you how to take care of your skin. This is purely from my research about products and my personal experience.
These are the steps I currently follow for my morning and evening skincare routine:
Step 1: Two-step Cleanse
I swear to god, cleansing is the core to all skincare. Without this step, you’re just applying layers of product on top of impurities and makeup that is going to seep into your skin even more.
For this step, I use two products: 1 for taking makeup off, and 1 to cleanse the skin. As I mentioned before, I have insanely sensitive skin so I wanted to find something that is gentle enough for my skin but cleanses well and leaves my skin feeling super clean.
Leahlani Pamplemousse Cleansing Oil
My go-to for this first step is the Leahlani Pamplemousse Cleansing Oil. This is a brightening cleanser that “dissolves excess oil, impurities and makeup, leaving skin sublimely supple and hydrated”. Honestly, I have used this product for a few years and I absolutely agree with the description and every 5 star review it has. The only downside is that it’s $56 for a 100ml bottle, but for me, it’s been worth it. I also have to point out that this cleanser smells absolutely divine!
Fresh soy cleanser
Step 1.2 of cleansing is to use a gel or foam cleanser to get even deeper into the skin. The first step does a good job at removing makeup and impurities, but you need this second step to actually cleanse your face. I love using the Fresh Soy Cleanser so much, I have the 400ml bottle in my bathroom and a travel size for when I need it on the go. Ths cleanser is incredibly gentle on the skin while making your skin feel refreshed and squeaky clean. It is proven “to instantly soothe visible redness & hydrate while supporting skin’s moisture barrier for a healthy look over time”.
Step 2: Tone
I will say, toning is not absolutely necessary for your skincare routine. I personally haven’t SEEN much of a difference in my skin whether I use a toner or not, BUT I do notice a difference in how I feel. Especially with this current one I’m using, the incredible scent and the perfect mist just makes my whole routine 10x better. This step is definitely not one you need to invest in, but I do and I love it.
Leahlani Bohemian Ruby Toning Mist
Ok, yes it’s Leahlani again, but I can’t help it because this is also SUCH an amazing product. This Bohemian Ruby Toning Mist is something I use right after cleansing, but also throughout the day, and even during flights and road trips! The description claims that it’s “for sensitive skin that provides enriching moisture and calming hydration, gently balancing redness and inflammation”. Love!
Step 3: Treat
I’ve read so many articles that say if you’re going to spend your money on your skincare, do it for serums. I do agree to a certain extent, but the two serums I use right now cost less than one meal and have worked wonders for my skin. As long as the ingredients are good and it’s the right fit for your skin type, it honestly doesn’t matter how much it is.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid
After lots of research, I found that hyaluronic acid helps with hydration, anti-aging, skin elasticity and sun damage repair. I decided to incorporate it into my skincare routine and see how I feel. After using The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum for about two years now, my skin has been consistently clear and feels moisturized. I use this both in the morning and at night!
The Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc
Niacinamide is something I introduce into my skin care routine during the summer months when I notice hyperpigmentation or if I feel like my skin needs a little more support. It calms redness and the zinc also helps with skin aging and uv protection. This Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum from The Ordinary is so cheap for what you get, I would recommend it for anyone looking for something effective that isn’t going to cost you a hundred dollars.
They even have a bundle so you can try both products at a very reasonable price!
Step 4: Moisturize
There are so many great moisturizers out there in so many budgets, but this Farmacy one is the one I’ve been reaching for lately. I like when my skin feels hydrated, but not sticky, and this moisturizer does just that.
Farmacy Honey Halo
First of all, this Farmacy Honey Halo Moisturizer LITERALLY smells like honey, so if you’re not into that, it may not be the right fit for you. I, on the other hand, have found this scent quite comforting because yes, it’s honey but it’s not an overwhelmingly sweet scent. The texture of this moisturizer is so soft and hydrating, without the stickiness.
Step 5 (AM): Protect
PROTECT YOUR SKIN. This is one of the most important steps in your morning skincare routine, because no matter how much product you put on at night, if you don’t protect your skin from the UV rays, all of that effort gets backtracked. Make sure to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 40!
Biore UV
My favorite has been this Biore UV Aqua Rich sunscreen from Japan. It’s dermatology tested, SPF 50, and has anti-aging UVA and UVB protection (PA++++). I personally like it because it goes on your skin soooo smoothly and it doesn’t leave any greasy feeling or white cast and works beautifully under makeup. I use it literally everyday, rain or shine, during exercise or to work. You can buy it on Amazon here for a very reasonable price. Trust me – it’s worth it.
I honestly believe skincare should be an essential part of your self care routine, not just because caring for your skin is important, but for me at least, it gives me a little sense of accomplishment. Because hey – If you can drink coffee every morning, you can absolutely implement simple skincare steps into your everyday routine. Hope this helps!
With love,
Your caffeinated friend
