Skin Care Routine

I was one of the lucky ones during my high school years who never suffered from acne. I don't exactly know why, because I didn't really do much to take care of my skin. I didn't wear much makeup yet (really only wore eyeshadow and lipgloss), so that could be the reason. As soon as I hit college, that all changed. I started getting really bad acne on my face out of nowhere. It didn't matter if I took off my makeup before I went to bed and washed my face twice a day religiously, I still suffered horrible breakouts. I started using Proactiv because I thought that was really my only solution. It worked pretty well for me, but it got to the point where I didn't feel like I needed it anymore (plus the price was kinda ridiculous). So I stopped using it and tried just doing a normal three-step skin care routine. To my surprise, it worked!

For a while, at least.

I didn't need to use Proactiv anymore, but the three-step routine didn't seem to do the trick as well anymore after a few months. So for the past couple years, I've been using a four-step skin care routine. I was browsing online one day for advice about skin care regimens and whatnot, and I read on a blog that you should wash your face TWICE at night. I was curious to see if this worked better for me than just washing my face once at night. I started using a gentle scrub and a cleanser at night. I can honestly say, washing my face twice at night makes a huge difference. I hardly break out anymore, if at all.

Without further ado, let me introduce you to some good friends of mine...my current skin care regimen!

Sea Breeze astringent, Noxzema Clean Blemish Control Daily Scrub, Noxzema Clean Blemish Control Foaming Wash, St. Ives Apricot Scrub (CVS dupe), Clean & Clear Morning Burst Shine Control Facial Cleanser, Clean & Clear PERSA-GEL 10 (CVS dupe), Pond's Dry Skin Cream (CVS dupe)

Nice looking bunch, eh? 

I don't use all of these products in the morning AND at night, of course. I have a nighttime skin care routine, and a morning skin care routine (that's normal, right?...haha). 

Nighttime

Step 1: I use Noxzema Clean Blemish Control Daily Scrub first. It's a really gentle scrub (it's so gentle, I think it barely passes as a scrub). I use this first to take off my makeup & remove any dirt and oil from my face.

Step 2: Next I use Noxzema Clean Blemish Control Foaming Wash. I use this after the scrub to remove any "impurities" that may have been left behind after the first round of washing my face.

Step 3: After I wash my face, I use Sea Breeze astringent. This removes anything left behind after washing your face. I've been using this stuff for years, but recently I was told by a woman who does all the skin care services at the salon & spa where I get my hair done that it's HORRIBLE for your skin. I've never really noticed anything negative about my skin during my years of using this product, but I may switch to using a toner instead. I'm gonna finish up this bottle first... :)

Step 4: The last step of my nighttime skin care is a moisturizer. I use Pond's Dry Skin Cream. I like it mostly because it lasts me a very long time. Other moisturizers I've tried don't last that long, and I had to go buy more after a couple weeks. Along with the moisturizer, I use Clean & Clear's PERSA-GEL 10. It's an acne treatment gel. I use it maybe three times a week. I used to use it every night, but it dried out my skin. So I knocked it back to three times a week, which works just fine.

Morning

Step 1: First thing I use in the morning is about a dime-sized amount of St. Ives Apricot Scrub for oily/acne prone skin. I'm well aware that they say it's not good to use an exfoliating scrub every day, but I've never noticed my skin to be irritated or anything from using this product on a daily basis. What can I say, I'm a rebel. 

Step 2: Next I use Clean & Clear Morning Burst Shine Control Facial Cleanser. For some reason I've gotten into the habit of washing my face twice in the morning too. It's really not necessary, I just feel the need to do it.

Step 3: Sea Breeze astringent

Step 4: Moisturize!

And that's basically it, kids. It's simple, but effective. Another thing I do is I try to switch up the products I use (especially my cleansers/scrubs). After a while your skin becomes used to the products, so they aren't as effective. Plus switching it up every once in a while gives you a chance to find new products you love. That's ALWAYS fun!