Over the past year, I have had a love-hate relationship with my skin. I have had a combination of painful cystic breakouts on my cheek, pesky fungal acne on my forehead, and dark spots that feel as though they will never go away. Just when I thought things were taking a turn for the better, masks came along. While my health and Covid free lungs appreciate the mask, my skin does not feel the same. If you want to learn how to eliminate maskne once and for all click here. Over the past few months, I have done a lot of research about skincare and the root of many of my issues in order to create a skincare routine that works for me.
I would like to preface this post by saying I AM NOT A DERMATOLOGIST. I am writing this to share what I have learned during my research and much trial and error with products. My skin is nowhere near perfect but it is much healthier. If you asked me what skin type I had last year I would have told you that I 100% have dry skin. What I later learned is my skin was dehydrated, with a damaged skin barrier, and I really have combination / oily skin. I also learned that your skin changes with the seasons as well as different environments and unfortunately there is not always a “one size fits all”.
I am here to share with you all what currently works for me, and share my morning skincare routine and nighttime skincare routine that has helped me achieve healthier skin
Morning Skincare Routine
Face Wash: Tatcha The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser $35
I started using this face wash relatively recently and I have no complaints. I am a really big fan of Tatcha and I use a lot of their products. You do not need much of this product which I really like therefor it lasts you a long time.
Key Ingredients:
- pH-Neutral Amino Acid-Base: This gentle base removes impurities without stripping skin of its essential oils. Unlike most pH-neutral cleansers, this formula foams into a creamy lather, leaving skin silky, smooth, and well-moisturized. This key ingredient also helps to balance the pH level of the skin, which helps the skin function properly.
- Blend of Japanese Algae: Leaves skin feeling soft, comforted, and nourished.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Helps skin look smooth and plump with hydration.
- Tatcha’s Signature Hadasei-3: Restores a visibly healthy-, youthful-looking radiance.
Toner: Sweet Chef Ginger + Vitamin C Bright Spot Tonic $18
I love this toner because it makes my skin feel hydrated and fresh when I apply it. It has helped brighten my skin and I feel as though it helps the rest of my products apply evenly. The texture is not sticky and it does not have that potent alcohol smell some toners have. This toner is lightweight with a natural fresh smell and feel.
I apply it morning and night and I use my hands to apply the product.
Key Ingredients:
- Ginger: This skin booster is loaded with 40 antioxidants properties to revive dull skin and even out skin tone for clear, healthy, and youthful skin.
- 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid: This antioxidant is a stable and potent form of vitamin C, known for its abilities to brighten skin by reducing the look of dark spots, age spots, and photoaging
- Ascorbic Acid: A potent antioxidant and skin-soothing agent that can improve the appearance of signs of aging.
- Turmeric: This spice contains antioxidants properties that help prevent oxidation of skin cells, helping to brighten and improve skin complexion.
- Hyaluronic Acid: This holy grail high molecular weight hydrator holds 1000x its weight in moisture, keeping skin supple, bouncy, and visibly plump
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant $29.50
I am sure you have heard of this cult favorite before but if not, let me put you on it. This lightweight liquid exfoliant cleans out your pores and exfoliates your skin leaving it smooth and blackhead free. Okay, maybe not completely blackhead free but pretty close to it. This product has noticeably unclogged my pores, smoothed my wrinkles, and evened out my skin tone.
Every morning I will apply a small amount of this all over my face with my hands. Make sure to wait for this to completely dry before applying your next product to prevent pilling.
Key Ingredients:
- BHA (beta hydroxy acid aka salicylic acid): mimics the natural exfoliation process of younger skin by helping it shed extra layers while unclogging and clearing pores.
- Green tea: Soothes irritation, potent ant-aging benefits, visibly improves sun damage
Vitamin C
I recently started using Vitamin C serums to help brighten up my dark spots. I am not going to recommend a specific one because I have not found one yet that sticks out to me. If you have any good recommendation feel free to let me know in the comments!
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Creme $39
The Banana Bright eye creme is one I was hesitant about starting but am happy I did. A little definitely goes a long way with this cream and I would be careful with what other products you mix it with. Overall it definitely brightens and moisturizes my under-eye area.
Key Ingredients:
- Vitamin C: Ole’s “gold standard” for targeting visible signs of aging
- Collagen: Helps improve the look of skin’s youthful elasticity
- Banana powder-inspired pigments: Instantly illuminates and color corrects the eye
Moisturizer: Tatcha The Water Cream $68
While the full size is $68 I definitely recommend trying out the travel size one first for only $20. This lightweight gel cream is oil free but extremely hydrating. My skin feels refreshed after I use it, and it applies smoothly and nicely. My only complaint or caution is that since it comes in a jar, it is more susceptible to bacteria. I got applicators on amazon that I wash before each use and use the applicators to extract the product from the container. I try not to ever stick my fingers directly in the jar.
Key Ingredients:
- Japanese Wild Rose: In traditional Eastern medicine, Japanese Wild Rose is used to bring the body back into balance, improve circulation and even calm the spirit. We found that the antioxidant-rich fruits of this fragrant blossom can balance skin and diminish the look of pores.
- Japanese Leopard Lily: Found on the cool hillsides of Japan, this bright bloom has been prized for centuries. Used to decorate the streets of Kyoto’s geisha district during the Gion Festival, Japanese Leopard Lily has earned the name “the flower of Kyoto.” We’ve harnessed its special powers to help minimize excess oil production, calm problem skin, and promote turnover of the skin.
- Hadasei-3 Complex: This trio of antioxidant-rich Japanese superfoods reveals soft, healthy-looking skin. Featuring Uji Green Tea (known to detoxify and help prevent signs of premature aging), Okinawa Red Algae (rich in polysaccharides, essential for skin water retention and renewal), and Akita Rice (a nourishing moisturizer, rich in essential proteins).
Sunscreen: Paula’s Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 Normally $33 on sale for $26.40
If you are not applying sunscreen every day then do you really care about your skin? Just kidding… kind of. SPF is extremely important in protecting your skin and preventing conditions like skin cancer from developing down the road. This sunscreen is super lightweight and liquid-y as you can see and is easy to apply. Make sure your moisturizer and serums have been given enough time to really settle in to avoid pilling.
I apply two fingers worth of sunscreen on my face, ears and neck.
Key Ingredients:
- Broad-Spectrum SPF 50: Defends against damaging UVA & UVB rays and fights signs of premature aging
- Soothing Plant Extracts: Oat extract soothes sensitivity while green tea calms redness
- Multi-antioxidant blend: Provides potent anti-aging benefits and protects against environmental factors
Night Time Skincare Routine
Oil Cleanser
Skip the makeup wipes and start off your night routine with a good oil cleanser. An oil cleanser helps prep your skin for your skincare routine and gets rid of any makeup or oils sitting on your face. I use micellar water but just picked up two new makeup balm oil cleansers and will post about them if either of them work really well for me.
Face Wash: Tatcha The Deep Cleanse $38
Normally I stay clear of physical exfoliants but the Japanese Luffa Fruit is both effective and gentle on your skin. The deep cleanse exfoliates any dead skin without causing irritation and leaves my skin super soft. This wash does not strip my skin and is very hydrating. Once again, a little goes a long way with this product.
Key Ingredients:
- Japanese Luffa Fruit: A natural beauty multi-tasker beloved by Japanese women for centuries, ground fibers from the Japanese luffa fruit exfoliate, helping to turn over dead skin cells, deeply purifying and decongesting pores, while the fruit extract beautifies and conditions skin.
- Japanese Wild Rose: In traditional Eastern medicine, Japanese Wild Rose is used to bring the body back into balance, improve circulation and even calm the spirit. We found that the antioxidant-rich fruits of this fragrant blossom can balance skin and diminish the look of pores.
- Japanese Leopard Lily: Found on the cool hillsides of Japan, this bright bloom has been prized for centuries. Used to decorate the streets of Kyoto’s geisha district during the Gion Festival, Japanese Leopard Lily has earned the name “the flower of Kyoto.” We’ve harnessed its special powers to help minimize excess oil production, calm problem skin, and promote turnover of the skin.
Toner: (same one from morning)
Treatment: Differin Gel $14.99 on sale for $12.88
Differin gel is a retinoid that is used to treat acne. This treatment increases cell turnover clearing breakouts and preventing new ones. This product has improved the texture of my skin and has reduced the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I am still waiting to see a significant change in my acne from this product but I have seen gradual improvements.
Gradually add this to your skincare routine and be sure to let this sink in before applying moisturizer. Only use a pea sized amount for your entire face.
Key Ingredients:
- Adapalene 0.1%: This retinoid is the only active ingredient in this treatment. This is the first over-the-counter active ingredient for acne in more than 30 years. Clears acne with the power of Rx. This prevents breakouts, blackheads, whiteheads, blemishes and clogged pores. Additionally it restores skin tone and texture by clearing acne
Eye Cream: (same one from morning)
Moisturizer: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream $68
This moisturizer is also available in a travel size for only $20 which I would recommend buying at first if you are just testing it out. This light purple moisturizer is great for the evening in my opinion since it is a thicker consistency. The dewy skin cream is a great way to balance any dryness caused by the Differin gel. I love this moisturizer because it is hydrating and creamy while not feeling heavy on my skin.
Key Ingredients:
- Japanese Purple Rice: Purple rice, an ancient precious rice, first beloved in Japan, has long been used to celebrate longevity and vitality. It is packed with nutrients and known for its ability to survive any harsh environment. Rich in anthocyanin, a strong antioxidant, helps restore skin and protect against stress and pollution, helping skin look healthier and more balanced.
- Okinawa Algae Blend + Hyaluronic Acid: A special blend of Okinawa algae and hyaluronic acid captures water to help restore skin’s natural moisture reservoir, immediately leaving skin feeling soft, comforted, and deeply nourished. It also helps to replenish ceramides to ensure an optimum skin barrier, aiding in the reduction of future moisture loss, for skin that is visibly smooth and plump with hydration.
- Botanical Extracts: A blend of botanical extracts and oils from ginseng, wild thyme, and sweet marjoram nourishes and moisturizes skin, enhancing its natural ability to retain and release moisture as needed, and imparts a radiant, dewy glow.
Skincare Routine Conclusion
While this skincare routine works for me, every person is different. It is important to conduct your own research to create a skincare routine that works for you. If you have the funds and resources to do so, a dermatologist is a great way to figure out what your skin needs. Unfortunately, that is a luxury not everyone can afford. I hope this was informative and you can take something away from this post. If you liked this article, leave a comment down below and check out my other post Why Your Hair Is Stringy and Damaged to learn how to give your hair the same type of care.
