My Skincare routine

Skincare is very important to me because I have super dry, sensitive, and eczema prone skin.  If I don't take the necessary steps to make sure my face is clean and hydrated, I can develop some pretty bad dry patches (and they don't look pretty under makeup).  I've gone through so many products over the years and after trial and error have stuck with the ones that have worked best for me!  Here is my FULL skincare routine - sometimes I skip some of these extra steps if I'm traveling or in a time crunch.

Step 1: Cleanser

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser - $21

I've been a fan of Kiehl's skincare products for quite sometime now, mostly because they have products that focus on dry and sensitive skin.  I've had cleansers break me out in the past because they were too harsh, but this one is gentle enough so it doesn't irritate my skin yet still works really well at removing makeup.  I also love how this one comes in a tube with a cap so it's travel friendly.  I use this in the morning and at night.

Step 2: Exfoliator

Peter Thomas Roth FirmX Peeling Gel - $48

​This is one of those products that I've been using for years and it's definitely the BEST facial exfoliator I've ever used.  It's different because it's not a scrub with beads - it's a gel that you rub around on your face and you can actually feel the dead skin come up and roll around.  This is a little bit on the harsher side.  It's about the harshest thing I can use on my face.

Since exfoliating too often can dry your skin out, I only use this product about once or twice a week.  I also always use it before using tanning mousse or doing photoshoots.  Another reason I don't use it every day is because it's a little on the pricey side, however the bottle does last a really long time because a little does go a long way.

step 3: Pore mask
​(optional)

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask - $26

I only use a mask every once in a while when I need a real deep pore cleanse.  I usually use it when I start to notice more breakouts than I usually have.  It's a charcoal mask that you rub a layer on your face, let it dry for 10-15 minutes, then rub it off with a damp towel.  I feel that it does a really good job at clearing the pores out.

step 4: toner

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner - $16

See, more Kiehl's products!  Toner is just an extra step to prep the skin for moisturizer.  It's not essential, but I do notice a difference in my skin texture when I use it.  This one is alcohol free and very refreshing and moisturizing.  I put a small amount on a cotton ball and dab it around my face.  If anything I try to use it at night.

step 5: breakout treatment
​(optional)

Curology - Free Trial + Shipping

While I didn't have acne as a teenager, my skin does have an occasional set of breakouts that can be pretty stubborn to get rid of.  I signed up for Curology's free trial and actually really liked it!  You go to their website and take a quiz about your skin type so they can formulate a treatment for you.  I used it on a set of breakouts I had recently and they went away within a day or two.  If your skin is prone to breakouts, I'd definitely give it a try!

step 6: serum

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum - $48

I just recently added a serum to my skincare routine because I found that my moisturizer alone wasn't enough to keep my skin from drying up.  I came across this one at Sephora and absolutely LOVE it.  It's literally water for your face.  I've heard a lot of good things about Drunk Elephant and I like how they're on the "Clean at Sephora" list.  It is very pricey, but the size is actually very generous and a little bit of this goes a long way.  I bought this about three months ago and still have more than half the bottle left.  I'll definitely repurchase when I run out!

step 7: moisturizer

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream - $18 (small size)

Moisturizer was the very first product I bought from Kiehl's years ago.  The original one I used and fell in love with was the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Deep Moisture Balm.  It was hands down the BEST moisturizer I had ever used.  It was made especially for very dry skin and did the job.  Unfortunately, Kiehl's recently discontinued it... so I started to use this one that's for all skin types.  It still works well and does not irritate my skin, but I do have to pair it with a serum to keep my skin from drying up, as I previously mentioned.

Step 8: eye cream

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado - $30 (.5 fl.oz.)

I love how hydrating this cream is and that it doesn't irritate my skin.  It makes my concealer go on smoothly.  A little goes a long way, I've had the same tiny jar for months!

Side note - Ulta sells this eye cream, the Ultra Facial Cream, Ultra Facial Toner, and the Ultra Facial Cleanser in a Kiehl's hydration pack.  It's a great way to test out all of these products at a lower price!  I'm not sure if it's only going to be around for Christmas or if it's a permanent item.

Step 9: overnight mask
​(Optional)

Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Sleeping Mask - $49

I just started using this product about a week ago and so far I'm really liking it!  My skin is especially dry in the winter so I use this once or twice a week to help combat the dryness.  Also a little on the pricey side, but a small amount of this will cover your entire face so the jar should last a pretty long time.  This brand is also on the "Clean at Sephora" list which I like.

additional skincare tips
​

1. Drink LOTS of water.  As part of my diet, I try to drink about a gallon a day (definitely no less than half a gallon a day).  It really helps clear up your skin and keeps it looking healthy.

2. Take your vitamins daily!  I take a multivitamin, fish oil, biotin, and collagen peptides (I put a scoop of the powder from Vital Proteins in my tea every morning).

3. Watch your diet.  I find that when I'm eating on the heavier side (fast food, fried food, all things tasty that my body punishes me for), my skin will break out.  It's nice to indulge every now and then, but definitely try to eat clean.