My Skincare Routine

Hello everyone and welcome to my complete skincare routine!
This regimen of products has helped to get rid of my acne and fade my acne scars! In no way am I saying that these products are proven to cure acne and fade acne scars, this is just what works for my skin.  Speaking of my skin, I guess I should go over the type of skin that I have and what it's needs are.  I have normal, combination to oily skin which means that in my T-zone (center of the forehead, between the eyebrows, down the nose, sides of the nose, and chin) are oily and the rest of my skin (temples and cheek area) is normal (not too oily, not too dry).  I also have acne-prone skin which means that I am looking for products to help keep my pores clean and keep the acne at bay. If you are interested in finding out the different steps that I take in my skincare routine (morning and night, January to December), then keep on reading and enjoy!

1. Cleanse 

The most important step in my skincare routine (in my opinion).  This is my chance to wash my face and cleanse away all the dirt, oils, make-up, etc. that may be on it.  For my acne-prone skin, I believe I have found my holy grail face wash and it is the Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator.  Now before I go and recommend a bunch of Proactiv+ products, I do recommend you click here to head on over to the separate blog post I wrote about the entire 3-Step System.  I wet my face with warm water so that my pores can open up, and squeeze about a pea size amount onto my hands, massage it between my fingers and gently massage my face avoiding the neck and eyelid area.  I make sure to spend at least a minute rubbing the product into my wet face.  Once I have rubbed in the cleanser, I turn the tap to cold and wash it all off.

  
2. Tone

Immediately after I pat my skin dry from cleansing, I go in with a toner on a cotton round (I just use the cheapest ones I can find at Walmart which are the Equate Quilted Pads).  My holy grail toners at the moment are the Banish Acne Scars Vitamin C Beauty Elixir and the Paula's Choice Clear Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution.  Both products helps to balance the pH in my skin so that I don't produce excess oil because who wants that anyways?!  Although, I will point out a toner is not absolutely necessary in a morning skincare routine, however, for really getting off all of your make-up at the end of a long night, toners are great!

 

3. Moisturize/Hydrate/SPF

 Once my skin is toned, I go in with the Proactiv+ Pore Targeting Solution and the Proactiv+ Complexion Perfecting Hydrator.  Both products help to combat my oily skin as well as add a light layer of moisture to my skin all while leaving it feeling baby smooth.  As well, an oldie but a goodie: Cetaphil's Moisturizing Lotion.  Mixed in with this, I also like to add in some SPF and for that I use the Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen.  It is important to always use an SPF even if you don't think the sun is out, the rays are very harmful.  It can help prevent premature aging and skin cancer!  And, for acne scar sufferers like me, we don't want those damn scars to get darker, so WEAR YOUR SPF.

4. Serums/Night Creams 

 This is one of the most important steps for me (as well as the cleansing step).  Serums are topical treatment products that efficiently deliver active ingredients—things like antioxidants, vitamins and moisturizing agents—into the skin.  Your body as well as your skin rejuvenates overnight so you want to make sure you are putting your best products on during this time.  My all-time favourite serum is the Banish Acne Scars Vitamin C, E, Ferulic Acid Serum.  I use this in conjunction with the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum.  Both products include some pretty exaggerated claims on their boxes but I do notice a definite brightening effect to my skin from them. 

5. Extra Hydration and Masks 
Now since I am using the Proactiv+ system, my skin tends to get very dry.  What I love to do on the really dry days, is slather on a generous amount of CeraVe's Moisturizing Cream.  This stuff is great if you want that extra boost of hydration for your skin that makes it feel super smooth.  In terms of masks, I have two holy grail products: Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask and Banish Acne Scars' Pumpkin Enzyme Masque.  Both masks do an excellent job at getting deep in the skin's surface and taking out all the crap that's hiding out in there.  They are fairly strong masks, so I always recommend working up to using them (i.e. start off with a small area then work up to your whole face).

6. Acne Treatments 

As you know, this whole blog was created to document my journey to clear skin so this wouldn't be a complete skincare routine if I didn't include my trusty Banish Acne Scars system!  Do I really need to say any more? You've seen the wonders that this system does to my skin from my week-to-week updates here on my blog.  There are tons of before and after pictures included in each week's post as well.  Every Sunday I take the M roller and roll it all over my face in every which way to puncture tiny holes in my skin.  I then follow up with the Vitamin C, E, Ferulic Acid Serum and in the morning, my skin thanks me! 

 And that is my complete skincare routine of what helped cure my acne and what is now working to help fade my acne scars.  I keep it really simple with my products, nothing too fancy or an excess amount of products, just a couple items that work wonders on my skin.  Of course I am not perfect so I do get the occasional breakout from crappy eating, not enough sleep, wearing make-up for too long, PMS, etc. but for the most part, these are the products that work for my skin's needs.     

Stay tuned for any updates and take care,
Glynn

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow." 
Helen Keller