How I Got the Best Skin of My Life

For the majority of my adult life, I never felt very comfortable being seen without makeup. Although I didn’t suffer from acne, I broke out sporadically and those breakouts lead to stubborn dark spots that lingered for years. It made me extremely self conscious. Something as simple as running to the grocery store for a few items will warrant the application of a full face of makeup. I really enjoy wearing makeup, but I didn’t enjoy it when it felt like a necessity. I got tired of having my husband wait 20 extra minutes or having the obsession of finding the perfect foundation shade or just not being able to sleep in for an extra 30 minutes. 

I decided I was going to get serious about my skincare so I started doing some intense research. I learned what I needed to do and I learned what I was doing wrong. I learned about ingredients in professional, medical-grade skincare brands and educated myself on key ingredients that aligned with my own skin’s needs. Most surprising of all, I learned that many of these key ingredients were extremely affordable to obtain thanks to a brand called The Ordinary.

The goal was to test out products that were affordable before I delved into pricier items. I thought that if the “cheaper” stuff didn’t work out then I would explore more high-ticketed products. After some trial and error and over 18 months of trying out products I can confidently say that I have curated a regimen that has transformed my skin and my life.

Disclaimer: I have dry, blemish prone, sensitive skin. Although the products mentioned in this article have worked for me, it may not necessarily work for you. My personal skin goals were to hydrate my parched skin, fade dark spots, prevent breakouts and obtain a smoother complexion. In trying any new product on your face, you should always spot test first.

Daily Topical Skin-Care

Cleanser

• Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser is and forever will be my favorite cleanser because it thoroughly cleans my skin, but does not strip it. It contains squalane so it feels very rich upon application and lathers up just enough. I like that it removes all of my makeup, even eye makeup, but is gentle enough to not make my skin feel tight afterwards. I was told by an aesthetician that you should cleanse your skin for 60 seconds to obtain all the benefits from your cleanser. Cleanse, rinse off, and pat dry.

Toner

• A skincare OG. I’ve used Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel for many, many years. It does a great job at evening out textured skin. I also broke out significantly less using it.
• I enjoy The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner in the nighttime since it makes your skin sensitive to the sun. This toner has taken my skin care to the next level. It gently exfoliates my skin and I wake up glowing every morning. I use both of these products with a cotton round and swipe across the face, avoiding the eye area.

Arbutin

• Dark spots can have several seats. The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin is excellent and works wonders for fading those stubborn dark spots. I’ve been using this for about 18 months now and it has literally faded all of my dark spots. This also contains hyaluronic acid which is a nice hydrating base for the rest of your skincare to sit on.

Squalane

• The Ordinary 100% Plant Derived Squalane is a yummy treat for anyone with dry skin. It has a thin consistency so you don’t feel sticky layering it with other oils and creams. I put a drop of this on each side of my cheeks and use a patting motion to press into the skin. This sinks beautifully into the skin and sits so well on top of the alpha arbutin. I’ve found that the patting motion has reduced the chance of products “pilling.”

Niacinamide

• Breakout who? If I had to choose only 3 items to be in my skincare, The Ordinary Niacinamide would be one of them. This has put a hard stop on breakouts for me. I don’t break out and haven’t broken out since I started using this, which was well over a year ago. My skin is the most normal it’s ever been and I’m so happy to have it that way. I put 2 drops of this on the skin right on top of that squalane and pat it well into the skin until it fully absorbs into the skin.

Moisturizer

• I like a moisturizer that’s easy and trustworthy. And that’s exactly what this Aveeno’s Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 is for me. It’s got SPF in there that gives me the most basic form of sun protection. I can use it around my eyes without irritation. It is not too thick and doesn’t pill my serums and other skin care below. It locks in all of my skincare products and just creates a barrier for all that goodness underneath to work. It also has a pump so it’s much more hygienic than a pot you have to dip your fingers into.

Oil

• The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil has taken my hydration level to just the place it needs to be. Think overnight-mask-looking-skin every single night. I drop a couple drops of this on my cheeks and pat it in right over TOP of my moisturizer. I know it sounds crazy, but it works wonders and leaves my skin looking juicy. Patting is key for application here so you don’t move around all of the products already on your skin.

Once-in-a-while Products

Pimple patches

• If you get the random pimple here and there, this will be your best friend. You stick them on your pimple after cleansing and it literally sucks the gunk out of your zit overnight. I’ve tried many brands, but the best one I’ve used is Rael Acne Pimple Healing Patches from Amazon.

Acids

• The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is incredible. No, it does not make your skin peel. Instead, the acids will eat away at the uppermost layer of dead skin on your face, revealing a brighter complexion. I use this only when my skin needs a pick-me-up, generally about once a month.
• The Ordinary Lactic Acid is also great and a milder acid compared to the Peeling Solution. If you’re new to acids, I would suggest using the 5% version. I used this once or twice weekly in the beginning of my skincare journey, but I hardly reach for this now. I will say it has assisted in fading my dark spots.

Disclaimer: When using acids you MUST use sun protection for the following 24-72 hours. Acids can make the skin sensitive and prone to UV damage.

Masks

• Glamglow Berryglow has been my favorite lately. It’s the only mask I will use in the morning. It brightens and leaves the skin glowing all day for a fresh, bare-faced look.
• If I want to really treat my skin for a big event, I enjoy the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Sheet Mask. It tightens the pores and plumps the skin for flawless makeup application.

Additional SPF

• If I’m going to the beach or need to protect post-acid skin, I enjoy the Aveeno Protect & Hydrate Face Sunscreen Lotion with SPF 50. This stuff is BOMB. It’s affordable, hydrating, smells good, and does not leave a white cast on my medium/dark skin.

Daily “Internal” Skincare

Water

• Seriously, drink water and lots of it. None of the topical products will work if you’re not drinking enough water. I like to keep a 32oz. water bottle near me at all times and I drink 2-3 of those throughout the day. I’ve struggled with drinking enough water and made a conscious effort to increase my daily intake. The water bottle is use is the Camelbak Chute from Amazon.

Sleep

• Rest is crucial to repair all the organs in the body and guess what? Your skin is a whole organ! Not only is your skin an organ, it is the largest organ in (err.. on?) your body. If I go multiple days without ample sleep I break out and my skin looks dull so I try my best to get 7-8 hours each night. On nights when I have trouble falling asleep I like to listen to Rainy Mood.

Reduce stress

• This could mean a multitude of things for different people and you have to find what it is that reduces stress for you. It could be anything from exercising to cutting out toxic people in your life. To list a few, I personally enjoy listening to jazz, cooking, and writing to reduce stress. For further self-care tips, check out my article, “Ten Self-Care Tips for Quarantine.”

---

Thank you for reading!

What are some of your holy-grail skincare products? Let me know in the comments down below!