TIPS┊ My New Skincare Routine for Normal to Combination Skin

With all the skincare posts I've been doing this month, I thought a great way to round up everything is to introduce my skincare routine to y'all so you can see how it all comes together! Now, these are just the bare basics that I use on a (near) daily basis. I forgot to include my facial masks and spot treatments but those change depending on my mood so...that's my excuse for forgetting to photograph them X.X

Anyway, I divided it up into my morning and nighttime routine because there are some changes. I did include a special trio of products that I use when I need to but it'll make more sense when I describe my routine. Just to start off, I have normal to combination skin tone. My skin isn't particularly sensitive--I have only reacted badly to one product in my entire life so yeah, quite resilient. Disclaimer: These are the products that have worked well for me. I cannot promise that you will achieve the same results. Proceed at your own caution.

Starting with the morning stuff, I cleanse my face with whatever cleanser I have on hand. I was using the Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser for a while but have now switched to the Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash (not pictured). I've only been using it for a week so I can't really speak for its efficacy but so far, nothing bad to report. I will list the stuff I plaster all over my face in the order I uhh...plaster:

• DIY Toner-- I got this recipe off of Lisa Pullano (with a few tweaks) but it is basically composed of glycerin, rosewater, witch hazel astringent, vitamin E, and tea tree oil. I only use this if my skin is feeling dry or dehydrated as the glycerin does a great job of sucking moisture from my environment and plumping up my skin. However, go easy on the glycerin or else your face is going to get real sticky. 

• Hyperpigmentation Mark-- I've recently added the Paula's Choice Resist C15 Super Booster to my routine and it's a bit too soon to speak but I haven't broken out or anything. Looking forward to seeing more results!

• Facial Oil-- I'm currently using the Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil. I have a review of it on the blog, so check it out of you want more information. Basically, it does a great job of prepping my skin before foundation and sunscreen. 

• DIY Foundation-- Mine is more of a tinted moisturizer that I tweaked to fit my skin tone and undertone better. I also changed the texture to be thicker with more oil control properties as well. Conveniently, I also a post on how to do this so read it to find out how!

• Sunscreen-- If I'm using my DIY TM, I won't add sunscreen to my face as the DIY TM already has SPF 35. However, my neck and ears still need some protection and since I don't have spots I'm trying to cover, I use the Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen in those areas. It's quite liquid-y so it spreads quickly for easy application. Even though it has SPF 50 PA+++, it doesn't leave an awkward white cast. For now, I like it enough but after a recommendation from Rae, I'm going to try the Kanebo one next!

• Lip Balm-- For lazy days, I'll just add a lip balm on top. The ones I like are Fresh Sugar Lip Balm in Rose because it does double duty, adding lip color with SPF 15. If I'm using another lip color, I like to add Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 for added protection. It does change the texture if I'm wearing a matte lip but if I'm going to be outside for a long period of time, glossy lips is better than sunburned lips. One that I liked using in the past was the Maybelline Baby Lips in Quenched. I have not repurchased but I do really like it.

Moving onto nighttime stuff, I try to keep it real simple. After removing my makeup with the it's Skin Cleansing Oil and the Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, I cleanse my skin with the same cleanser I used in the morning. Onto the skincare stuff!

• DIY Toner-- As I mentioned above, I use this when my skin is feeling dry. If it's feeling okay that night, I use the Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Toner to clean off any last traces of makeup. 

• Hyperpigmentation Mark-- I've recently added the Paula's Choice Resist C15 Super Booster to my routine and it's a bit too soon to speak but I haven't broken out or anything. Looking forward to seeing more results!

• Facial Oil-- This is going to sound very repetitive, but I add the Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil if my skin needs it. 

• Eye Cream-- Now this isn't an essential part of my routine but prevention is key. I don't have a particular favorite and just use whatever I have on hand. Right now, it's the Benefit It's Potent! Brightening Eye Cream. I've used a couple of eye creams before but haven't found a HG yet. This one is okay but doesn't really do any brightening. At least it doesn't sting my eyes!

• Lip Balm-- Again, I just use whatever lip balm/lip gloss that I think is too goopy for everyday use. Right now, I have the NYC Extreme Lip Glider Lip Gloss in Chinatown Cherry. I've had this for an unspeakable amount of time so I'm just going not going to go on about it other than that it does the job of keeping my lip hydrated throughout the night without any adverse effects. I think they still make these glosses but they aren't very pigmented so I don't know why they're called "extreme". They are extremely sticky so I wouldn't wear this on a windy day.

• Night Cream-- This is the last step of my routine. I give it a bit of time between the toner and facial oil before I apply my night cream because I want to give the other stuff time to absorb before I add this. I'm currently using the Holika Holika Skin & Good Cera Super Cream and it packs a powerful punch of hydration so I definitely recommend this to my dry-skinned readers for sure!

So I didn't really know what to call these but these are my special stuff. I only use this when my skin needs it and not on a daily basis.

• Instant Gratification Exfoliant-- On days when I need my skin to look smoother and brighter in 2 minutes, the Eclos Instant Radiance Facial Scrub is a salt-based physical exfoliant that is quite gentle on the skin. I used to use this exclusively but now toss in the next thing to give my skin a break from all the abrasiveness.

• Long term Exfoliant-- I've gone on and on about how awesome the Paula's Choice Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution with 2% Salicylic Acid is so I won't bore you here but it really does deliver incredible smoothness and radiance that I have never achieved with any other product before. If you only pick up one thing from this list, let it be this amazing elixir of amazeballs. It does take time for results to be noticeable but I swear, this has changed my skin for the better. 

• Spot Treatment-- I've tried many types of spot treatments but nothing has worked as well without wreaking havoc on my skin. The Paula's Choice Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide quite gentle that it seems like it isn't working until you notice three days from now that your flaming monster now looks like a tame kitty. It doesn't have the instant gratification of drying alcohol-based ones but the healing process is a lot gentler and pain-free. 

So that's the long and short of everything I use to maintain my skin. I realize it would have been more effective to include a before and after picture. I'll have to include one in the morning when there's better sunlight. Right now might not be a good time to be showing the amazing results I've achieved as I'm breaking out right now as I haven't been sticking to my routine these past few weeks but when I was really strict, my skin was awesome and my foundation went on so smoothly. 

What are some of your favorite skin care items? 

Let me know down below!
If you want to buy Paula's Choice products, you many use my referral link here!

XOXO,
MWAH ♥

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Disclosure Statement: All products mentioned were purchased with my own money. I am not sponsored by any of the companies mentioned above and was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. Links are not affiliate links and are provided for the readers' convenience. I cannot guarantee that the product(s) will work for you. I do not approve or endorse the products or information available on these sites. Proceed at your own risk.