Skincare Simplified

While I love the idea of pampering myself with a 10-step skincare routine, it just isn't practical, especially in college. Hectic schedules with late nights and early mornings make it easy to lazily rely on makeup wipes to get the job done. However, after a bit of trial and error, I have finally balanced and simplified my skincare routine to the point where is it both manageable (i.e. not too many steps) and beneficial for my sensitive, combination skin.

Isn't this how everyone washes their face?? (image via Twitter)

Because my T-zone is oily/more acne prone than the rest of my face, in high school I made the mistake of using harsh acne cleansers with heavy amounts of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide (twice a day!), without following up with any moisturizer. And on top of that, I had diving practice basically everyday, so the chlorine dried out my skin even more! Looking back, it makes sense that this is when my complexion was at its worst. I was completely depriving my skin of any moisture, causing it to produce more oil, which in turn caused more acne. It was a vicious cycle stemming from a lack of basic skincare knowledge. I thought my skin was so oily but it was actually just really dehydrated. I used tons of mattifying gels instead of replenishing the oil that I stripped away with a good moisturizer. Considering I lived in the swamp lands (Florida) at the time, of course my T-zone was going to be a little shiny at the end of the day. All I can say is smh.

Thankfully, I have things under control these days. I actually use moisturizer (hooray!) and rely on gentle products to get the job done without irritating my skin, considering I still have to deal with the drying effects of chlorine every day (yay water sports!!) The products I use are also affordable. The drugstore has excellent skincare options, and while I'm obsessed with "Skincare Routine" YouTube videos, I can't justify spending hundreds of dollars on fancy serums and cleansing balms without a legitimate income. That being said, if I find one or two pricier products that really make a difference, I'll get them- I just can't afford to make my entire routine "high-end."

Now for the breakdown of my current routine:

MORNING

1. Cleanse

• If I'm working out first thing in the morning, I will use a gentle cleanser in the shower afterwards (I love these from Aveeno and Cetaphil)
• If I'm not working out or showering that morning, instead of a full wash I will just use a bit toner on a cotton pad (this one from Proactive gets rid of excess oil without being super harsh)

2. Moisturize

• Regardless of cleansing method, I follow up with a moisturizer with SPF. This one from earth science is my holy grail- it's hydrating enough for the winter months, doesn’t leave my skin greasy in the summer months, sinks right into the skin, and is filled with all-natural ingredients. I actually discovered it when I picked it up on a whim from my local Whole Foods

3. Finishing Touches

• In the past year or so I have started to incorporate eye cream into my daily routine, because I'm told that "it's never too early!" to start preventing fine lines and wrinkles. I just use this one from StriVectin that I found on sale at TJMaxx (another great place for affordable skincare), but I'm not picky

*** Before I move on to the next step, I wanted to mention an awesome resource for finding the perfect eye cream to suit your own needs. While I'm primarily concerned with age prevention, I know many of you may be more worried about depuffing, brightening, counteracting dark circles...the list goes on. Reviews.com has an amazing comprehensive guide that rounds up the best eye creams on the market at a variety of different price points. The guide is a thorough combination of reviews from online retailers, lifestyle websites, and dermatologists in order to ensure reliability and accuracy. Considering I used to rely solely on a couple different websites for reviews, this resource is a game changer! I highly recommend checking the site out- not only to find the best eye cream for you, but also to see reviews on countless other products and services (not just beauty-related)!

• Lastly, I dab on my all-time favorite lip balm from Lush, and I'm good to go for the day!

EVENING

1. Remove Makeup / Cleanse

• The Garnier Micellar water is awesome at dissolving all traces of makeup off of my face. Because it does leave a slight residue on my skin, I follow up with a gentle cleanser afterwards to ensure that my skin is completely clean

2. Moisturize

• At night I like to use a thicker/heavier moisturizer to really nourish my skin while I sleep. Night creams are where I tend to spend a little extra cash, as I personally find that they make the most difference in my skin's overall texture. I love the Clinique Moisture Surge Intense- it feels particularly soothing in the winter, and I just love Clinique in general because I know their products are designed with sensitive skin in mind. I also love this one from Lush- it's made with natural ingredients (like soothing almond oil) and smells like vanilla bean!

3. Finishing Touches

• This step is the same as step 3 in my morning routine. Some eye cream and lip balm and I am ready for bed! 
• This is also when I would apply spot treatment if I'm having a breakout. While the treatment that I use is an antibacterial prescription (that I initially got when I had a massive nose cyst in high school...good times!), the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion is a great over-the-counter alternative 

I hope this post prevents you from making the same mistakes as my high-school self :) Don't forget to moisturize, people!!

xoxo Lizzie