Starting a skincare routine was the best thing that I ever did for my skin. For years, I was very blas about skin care because I never had any major issues. As time went on, I realized my mistake. I started noticing subtle changes in my skin, like fine lines and redness. That’s when I developed a daily skincare ritual that I’ve maintained for the past five years.
My skincare routine isn’t particularly complex, but it’s the best thing for my skin, and I’m proud of it. It’s simple yet effective, and it’s easy on the wallet. I developed it through trial and error and finding out what really works for me. I’ve tried hundreds of products, but in the end, I found that sticking with the basics worked well.
I wash, tone, exfoliate, and moisturize. That’s it! On days when my skin needs a pick-me-up, I’ll implement extra pampering measures like skin rollers, facial masks, and under-eye pads, but those are really just a bonus.
So, here’s how I treat my skin to the tender love and care that it needs.
I always start with a clean slate
The very first thing that I do is wash my hands. You don’t want to touch your face with dirty fingers. This could exacerbate any skin problems that you have (or even lead to new ones).
Next, I wash my face. I wet my face by splashing it with tepid water from the tap. Then, I pump the product once into my hands and apply it using upward and outward motions. I pay special attention to the crease on my chin and the area around my nose, as I often find these areas to be prone to trapped dirt and oils. Once my face has been sufficiently washed, I rinse and then pat dry using a microfiber cloth.
Everyone has a facial wash that works for them. For me, it’s a cleansing lotion. This formula works best for me because it utilizes aloe and is gentle and soothing on my dry, prone-to-redness skin. It glides on smoothly while gently removing sweat, dirt, and makeup. It is full of moisturizing ingredients, so it doesn’t strip my face of its natural oils. It leaves my skin smelling fresh, looking smooth, and feeling clean. It’s exactly what I need for my skin.
I remove any dirt that’s left behind
Once I’ve finished washing my face, I use a toner. Toners remove any leftover dirt after washing and soothe the skin. Believe it or not, the only product I use for toning is witch hazel. It is simple enough for me, and it works. I pour witch hazel directly onto a cotton round and gently wipe my face to remove any excess dirt or debris that was left behind after washing.
Toners don’t have to be fancy. I find that scented toners tend to dry me out, which is why witch hazel works best. There are also pH balanced toners out there that have worked pretty well for my skin, but witch hazel is my constant go-to.
I apply an eye cream and a moisturizer
After my face is nice and clean, I reach for my eye cream. Eye creams are so important to me! The skin around our eyes is thinner and more sensitive, so it needs a little extra TLC. The eye cream that I use is a thicker formula (but not greasy). It absorbs easily into the skin and glides effortlessly around the eye area. I pat it in gently using my ring finger (it applies less pressure).
The last part of my daily skincare routine involves using a moisturizer. Moisturizer is my favorite part of my skincare ritual. It feels incredible on my skin and prevents transepidermal water loss. It restores and locks in that hydration that my skin so badly needs.
I have both a daytime moisturizer and a night moisturizer. My daytime moisturizer is thinner so that it looks best under makeup if I choose to wear it. My night moisturizer is thicker, so I can get some extra moisture while I sleep.
Sometimes, I take a few extra steps to keep my skin looking fresh
My daily skincare routine is simple and straightforward, but once a week, I implement a few extra steps to keep my skin in tip-top shape.
I exfoliate once a week using an acid exfoliant. My exfoliant utilizes aloe and glycolic acid and is gentle on my skin. While it’s safe for daily use, I find that for my skin, it’s best to use it once a week. It softens, smooths, and brightens my skin while removing any buildup of old dead skin cells.
When my skin is looking a little dull, I’ll use under-eye pads, face masks, and a quartz facial roller.
During the winter months, I keep a bottle of rose water in my bag. The air in the winter is drier here, so my skin often feels pretty chapped. A spritz of rose water instantly smooths my skin while adding a small amount of hydration.
As you can see, my skincare routine is pretty basic, but it’s also pretty awesome. Of course, there is no one cure-all for regular aging — that’s just a part of life — skin care methods can just slow down the process. I’ve considered advanced methods of skincare, like skin resurfacing and injectables. These treatments can have skin looking flawless in a short period of time, and it’s wildly appealing. Until then, I’ll just keep “glowing up” with my current skincare ritual.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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