We are starting with skincare because having a good base is very important. Your skin is unique to you and there are so many diverse skin types and skin issues so it is important that you know your skin.
Some people are blessed with amazing skin with little to no issues. They can basically put whatever they want on their skin and have no problems, but if you are one of those people you still need to take care of your skin to prevent wrinkles and damage in the future.
Skin Types: Oily skin is when your skin produces excess oil and you get shiny and that oil may even break you out. It is important to control it, but making sure not to dry out your face. Dry skin can be flaky and uncomfortable. Acne can be produced on any skin type. There are many underlying causes of acne. Your acne could be from makeup, hormones, over-stripping your skin, using harmful ingredients, diet, dehydration, sweat, etc. There are so many causes of acne so if you just cannot seem to get rid of it and these tips don't help or only help a little I recommend going to see a dermatologist. They can determine the problem and prescribe medication or topicals like cream or gels to get rid of the problem.
Disclaimer: Try to stay away from the marketed acne products you see at the drugstore. They are loaded with fragrance and chemicals that dry out and irritate your skin resulting in more acne and skin problems.
1. Removing Makeup
Do not wash your face to remove your makeup. It is just removing the top layer of the makeup and not cleaning your skin. You will end up with clogged pores and acne.
Stay away from makeup wipes. They are rough and harmful to the skin, they are packed with unnecessary chemicals and fragrance.
Use a micellar water to remove the makeup. Get one that is fragrance free. The Simple brand is good and so is the fragrance free Garnier. It is a big bottle and you just squirt a little bit onto a cotton pad and remove your makeup. It will last a lot longer than other makeup removers because of how big the bottle is and how little you use. Saving you skin and saving money!
-Simple Unscented Micellar Cleansing Water $4.99
-Garnier Skin Active Micellar Water $6.79
2. Cleansers
Your cleanser will have to do with your skin type and problems within your skin. Try to pick one with little to no fragrance. Here are some of my favorites!
Acne Prone Skin:
- CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser $9.89 (Contains salicylic acid, which pushes dirt out of your pores and zaps zits away)
-Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub $7.99 (Contains salicylic acid, very gentle)
Oily Skin:
-CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser $9.89 (Foams up to get rid of oil without stripping skin)
Dry Skin:
-CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser $9.89 (Creamy lotiony consistency, very hydrating)
3. Face Masks
-The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque $12 (Black mud mask that gets rid of acne)
-The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution $7.20 (Serum exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and build up. Use once a week for ten minutes max. This is strong for some people so feel free to do it every other week or cut the time down to five minutes.)
-Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask $7.99 (This comes in a powder that you can mix with water or apple cider vinegar. If you are oily use apple cider vinegar, if you are dry use water. This is a mud mask that cleans out your skin and gets rid of acne and any impurities)
4. Toner
-The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution $8.70
DO NOT use witch hazel as a toner. It will strip the skin and cause future damage.
5. Eye Treatments
-CeraVe Eye Repair Cream $10
-The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% EGCG $6.70
5. Treatments
Retinols are amazing for anti-again, acne, acne scars, age spots, sun spots, pigmentation. They are only to be used at night time. Do not wear retinol in the sun!
-CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum $16.99
-Differin Gel Acne Treatment $12-$25 (Depending on the strength) (Retinol)
-The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane $7.90
Salicylic acid is amazing to push out the dirt and dead skin cells while targeting acne.
-Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Salicylic Acid $10-29.90 (Depends on size. Get the $10 to try out.)
6. Serums
Acne Prone:
-The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% $5.90 (Amazing for acne and acne scars! If you suffer with acne this is a must!)
-TruSkin Tea Tree Clear Skin Super Serum $24 (20.0% Vitamin C, 3.5% Niacinamide, 2.5% Retinol, 5.0% Hyaluronic Acid, 2.0% Salicylic Acid) (Great Serum for those with acne prone skin. You are getting all of the benefits. You really only need this serum since it contains so many amazing ingredients)
Normal Skin:
-The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 $6.80 (Hydrates and plumps the skin + anti-aging)
-The Ordinary "Buffet" $14.80 (Anti-aging, collagen boosting)
-TruSkin Vitamin C 20 E and Hyaluronic Acid Serum $19.99 (Brightens skin, hydrates and pumps, anti-aging) (Good serum for the morning)
-TruSkin C Plus Super Serum $24 (20.0% Vitamin C, 5.0% Hyaluronic Acid, 3.5% Niacinamide, 2.5% Retinol) (Great night time serum. A lot of benefits in one!)
7. Oils
-The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil $9.80
-The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane $7.90
-Cliganic Jojoba Oil $8.49
-Cliganic Argon Oil $12.99
8. Moisturizers and Creams
Day:
-CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion $9.99
-CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen $13.49
(These are the same things, but one has sunscreen and one does not. I use the one with sunscreen if I am going out and I use the one with no sunscreen when I am staying in during the day.)
Night:
-CeraVe P.M. Facial Moisturizing Lotion $9.99
-CeraVe Moisturizing Cream $13.54 (Thick. Good for really dry skin or skin that needs a boost)
Tip! Make sure to wear sunscreen to avoid wrinkles, sun spots, and cancer! SPF 30 or more.
9. Spot Treatments
-Mario Badescu Drying Lotion$15 (DO NOT SHAKE! Leave the pink substance at the bottom and dip a cotton swab to pick up some product and put it on the blemish.)
-Acne Patches (There are many great acne patches. It is like a sticker you stick on your pimple before you go to bed and it sucks the puss out and dries up the pimple.)
DIY Celeb Secret Facial Mask
All you need is an egg which basically everyone has.
- crack the egg and put the whites in a bowl. Throw away the yolk and shell.
- take a fork and whisk the egg whites until frothy.
- once you have the frothy egg whites apply it to your face.
- keep it on for about 30-45 minutes and make sure it is all hard and dry.
- wash it off with warm water.
This helps firm your skin by removing excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells from your face. It reduces under eye puffiness and helps get rid of blemishes. It also shrinks your pores!
Tips!
Make sure to ALWAYS wash off your makeup before sleeping. Sleeping in your makeup is the worst thing you can do for your skin. It clogs your pores and makes you break out and makes your skin gross.
Try to wear makeup only when you have to. I won't leave the house without makeup. I wear it out and to school but as soon as I get home I wash it off unless I plan to go somewhere after. This is helpful especially if I am tired and end up taking a nap.
Create a morning and night routine. Write it down in your Beauty Bible or download an app!
If you wear makeup make sure to have a micellar water. You always need a gentle cleanser and a good face cream/lotion. I would recommend getting a face mask for your skin concerns. A serum or skin oil helps too. You really only need a couple of products keep it as simple or extravagant as you would like!
I know all of these products may have been overwhelming. I just wanted to include many amazing options for everyone's skin types!