Hey, y’all! My skincare journey has been an interesting and fairly recent journey. I’ve been blessed with good skin genes and for most of my life, I’ve never had any major skin issues. Because of this, up until October 2017, I didn’t really have a skincare routine. I was, and still am, a novice in this world. I mean, homie didn’t know that moisturizer and lotion were not the same things! Chiillee, thank goodness for Google! I basically started this journey because I didn’t want to be the one person whose black did crack because she didn’t take care of her skin. You won’t catch me slippin!
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I’m going to forewarn you that this is a long post. I contemplated whether I wanted to break it all out by morning and night routine. For better or worse, I decided against it and included all the products in one post. I have a separate post that talks about the order that I apply the products.
About my skin type: I have naturally dry, sensitive skin. I was always ashy as a kid because no matter what lotion I put on, I still ended up ashy! LOL! Because of my dry, sensitive skin, I tend to look for products that will not be too harsh, are more hydrating for my skin, and don’t make me look or feel too oily. After trying many products and different combinations, I am happy to report that I’ve finalized the products that I’m in love with.
PRODUCTS I USE
There are a couple of products that I use throughout the week. Though this list seems like a lot, it includes all the products that use day and night. I’ll go more in-depth about where it’s incorporated in my routines in a later post.
As I go through the list of products that I use, you’ll see that most of the products are relatively inexpensive with most items being less than $20 (only a few are outside of this range). I am a sucker for a good deal so when curating the products that I use, I wanted to make sure that I would be able to afford the products.
Also, following this budget, I learned that skincare can be affordable and there are great products on the market for those who don’t want to break the bank to have great skin. Please don’t think that I bought all of these items at once. It took time, and lots of patience, to get this list to where it is.
CLEANSERS
Cetaphil ($8.99) I’ve been using this cleanser since I began taking my skincare routine seriously. It’s budget-friendly and great for all types of skin. A true staple to incorporate into your routine.
Tula Purifying Face Cleanser ($28) This product was free for me when I worked with Tula for a sponsored post in 2018. Since finishing the first product, I’ve re-upped several times because I love it so much. My favorite part of this product is that it foams when you use it. Because it foams, a little goes a long way & gives me more use per bottle.
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water ($8.99) I typically double cleanse and this micellar water by Garnier is a perfect addition to my routine. It’s not drying and I love that it makes removing makeup a lot easier.
Elemis Travel Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm ($14) I actually only paid $5 for this because one of my favorite bloggers had a coupon code for the travel size for her followers. Never one to miss out on a good deal, I scooped it up quickly & it has truly changed my life. This cleansing balm works better than the micellar water and coconut oil. Shocking. I know. One swipe of this and it instantly removes my makeup, even those pesky lip stains that take forever to come off. Because I don’t often wear a face full of makeup, I try to reserve this only for the days that I do or when I wear the stubborn lip stains I own. I don’t care for the smell so I will try the rose version when this one finishes. The full size carries a hefty price tag ($64) so I will stick to the travel size until I can justify, and have the disposable income to match, purchasing the full size.
TONERS/FACE MISTS
Thayer’s Witch Hazel ($10.95) I raved all about this toner and will continue to use it until the wheels fall off. I’ve tried the Rose Petal and the Coconut Water scents but I prefer the Rose Petal scent because it’s very subtle.
Pearlessence Rose Water – sometimes Coconut Water – ($12.95) I wasn’t quite sure why I needed a facial mist when I first purchased it. Now, I can’t see myself not using it! The water makes my face feel so soft since I’ve incorporated it into my routine. I typically can find this at TJ Maxx or Marshall’s for under $10. I’m always up for a bargain so if you can, buy it there.
SERUMS
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($6.80) As you’ll see, The Ordinary is a staple brand in my routine because its the GOAT for affordable skincare products. I heard about hyaluronic acid only recently and how much you need it in your routine. So, of course, I went out to try it and I’m glad that I did. This makes my face feel insanely soft to the touch.
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane ($5.80) As a woman in her 30s, retinol is recommended for me to incorporate into my skincare. Also as a novice, I went with the 0.5% solution to test to see how my skin would react to the product. I had no issues with it so once this is finished, I’ll go with the 1% retinol from The Ordinary.
The Ordinary Buffet ($14.80) I knew I wanted to incorporate another serum but unsure what I wanted to go with, I went with a multi-peptide serum because peptides are really good for your skin. It’s a combination of peptides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid. I typically use this at night with retinol & it makes my skin look and feel wonderful.
Innisfree Green Tea Seed Intensive Hydrating Roll-On Eye Serum ($20) I’ve never had any major issues with my under eye area. The only thing that happens is when I don’t get enough sleep, my bags get really puffy. So, I decided to try this affordable product that would address that issue. Also, the smell is heavenly!
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum ($27.19) Vitamin C is an antioxidant that will help your body repair damaged skin cells. This is one of the last products that I included in my routine because vitamin C can carry a hefty price tag. I found something with great reviews & under $30.
MOISTURIZERS
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream ($22.99) I use a light moisturizer in the Spring/Summer months because it’s so hot out. Even though it’s hot, I still need a hydrating moisturizer for my dry skin. This cream is the perfect combination of hydrating and lightweight. The product has no scent which is perfect for my sensitive skin.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream ($32) This is one moisturizer that I don’t add to my arsenal until the Fall/Winter months. This cream is super thick and hydrating which is perfect for my dry skin when it’s cold out. I understand why so many people rave about it. Because I only use it when it’s cold, I get the 1.7 oz for 2 reasons 1) a little goes a long way, and 2) it’s the perfect amount to use for the short timeframe.
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion ($15.99) This product is fairly new to the routine but I’m in love with how lightweight the cream is and that it provides a lot of moisture which is perfect with my bedtime routine.
FACIAL OIL
Pearlessence Hemp Seed Oil ($6.99) I typically purchase this at TJ Maxx. I only use a few drops in the morning so this oil lasts a long time. Hemp Seed is great because it includes Omega Fatty Acids and helps reduces inflammation. There’s no scent associated with this oil.
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil ($9.50) I reserve this oil for nighttime because that’s when the instructions say to use it. Contrary to the name, there is no smell with this oil. Great way to top off your nighttime routine.
SUNSCREEN
Supergoop Play Everyday Sunscreen ($22) I love that this sunscreen doesn’t leave me with a grey/white residue on my face and it doesn’t smell like sunscreen (we all know that horrible, medicinal smell). I chose this over the Unseen version because it was cheaper for the size ($22 for 2.4 oz vs. $34 for 1.7 oz), had a higher SPF (50 versus 40), and sweat & waterproof up to 80 minutes. I use this solely for my runs and any rigorous outdoor activity because it leaves me really shiny when I use it before makeup.
Black Girl Sunscreen ($15) I had to do it for the culture. I finally got my hands on this sunscreen after it being sold out at my local Target for the longest time. It’s a great product for the price and I love that there’s no harsh smells or grey residue.
OTHER PRODUCTS
The items in this section are not used every day but are used weekly so I felt the need to include them on my product lists.
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution ($7.20) This replaced my previous scrub because I get deeper exfoliation that helps fight blemishes. Though the instructions recommend 2x/week, I only use this once a week. I tried 2x/week but my skin couldn’t take it.
Innisfree Pore Clearing Clay Mask 2X with Super Volcanic Cluster ($15) I use once a week, either at the close or beginning of the workweek.
DIY Activated Charcoal Mask ($8.49) I purchased activated charcoal and create a mask once a week every so often whenever I notice an abundance of blackheads on my face.
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17) I don’t use this often at all. This product is only used when there’s an annoyance on my face so I’m not tempted to pop it. I like this because it dries out the blemish.
I hope this list of skincare products helps you see that it can take a lot to make you look good, but skincare doesn’t have to break the bank. Also, I hope you see some products that you would consider trying out.
WHAT ITEMS ARE IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE?
