Quarantine Skincare Routine
I don’t know about y’all, but my favorite part about quarantine and social distancing is that I do not feel the need to wear make-up. It’s been over a month since I last put make-up on, and my skin is loving it. The one thing I did kind of miss was the ritual of putting make-up on in the morning to get my day started, but I’ve traded that in for a skincare routine, which is just as satisfying. I’m starting to love my face without make-up again and hope by the end of this, I feel comfortable enough in my skin to go out without putting a full face on. Since Jr High, I’ve struggled with some pretty nasty chronic acne so much so that it feels like I haven’t had an acne-free day since I was 12. Since then, I’ve been dealing with residual scarring, hyperpigmentation, and enlarged pores, so that’s where a lot of my skincare focus has been. I thought it might be fun to share some of the products that I’ve been using.
Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser
I’ve always struggled to find cleansers that work well without drying or leaving residue, so I’ve been pleased with this product. It has super gentle exfoliants, so it isn’t too harsh for daily use.
Trader Joe’s Microdermabrasion Scrub Exfoliation Cream
I used this scrub two or three times a week to give my skin a little reset. It works even better on slightly damp skin, and my skin ends up feeling noticeably smoother.
Curology
By now, everyone and their mother has heard of Curology because I think every social media influencer has promoted it. I decided to get it a shot and ended up happy with my results. They have real doctors that you get to talk to and discuss skin goals. My provider helped me create a formula of niacinamide, clindamycin, and azelaic acid to keep my acne under control while working on getting rid of some of the scaring. You can also ask them questions about skincare outside of their products that could help compliment the medicated formula. I’ve been happy with my experience with Curology. I would suggest it to anyone who is looking for affordable professional skincare help without having to go to see a doctor in person.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
This stuff is my favorite! I use it as my sleeping mask every other night and feel so soft, moisturized, and glowing in the morning. It smells like watermelon jolly ranchers, but the smell doesn’t linger long enough to become a bother. It’s a jelly consistency mask that goes on super light and surprisingly doesn’t feel sticky at all even though its main ingredient is a fruit. I couldn’t recommend this product enough.
Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
On the nights that I’m not wearing my watermelon mask, I use this guy. This one is a thicker cream-based mask. It has that magic ingredient that everyone seems to be talking about right now, vitamin C, as well as some super hydrating ingredients. My skin likes to get most of its hydration at night, and I’ve found night masks to work better for me than just wearing a daily moisturizer to bed.
Trader Joe’s Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum
If y’all haven’t caught on yet, Trader Joe’s skincare line is great. The products work so well, and the price point is ridiculously affordable for something that would be so much more expensive at any typical beauty store. Anyway, this is my go-to hyaluronic acid boost. I add it to my daily moisturizer every morning.
Trader Joe’s Rose Water Facial Toner
Everybody needs some rose water for that midday refresh. Now that it’s getting warmer outside here in California, I’ve been using this guy more and more. I also want to shout out to the two other rose products at Trader Joes, the Rose Facial Oil, and Rose Hand Cream. Both of which I have on hand at all times and use when I need some hydration boost or just want to smell like a field of roses.
Balance Me Wonder Eye
I’m new to the eye cream game. I always assumed it was for when you get older, and there was no need to think about eye cream now. Then I stopped wearing makeup and remembered why concealer is a thing. I got this particular eye cream in an IPSY sample bag, and it’s been getting the job done. It has reduced the look of my dark circles, and I feel like I look more awake once I put it on, coffee or no coffee.
Bliss Mighty Marshmallow Whipped Mask
I’m a big fan of the Bliss line of masks, 50% because they are good and 50% because of cute packaging. I have to control myself whenever I’m at Target to stay away because there is no real need to buy anymore. Masks like this aren’t a large part of my everyday skincare routine, but it’s nice and relaxing to have that “treat your self” moment every once in a while.
REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
Toner is another newer type of product for me. I would use witch hazel as a toner whenever I would think about it, but it wasn’t a part of my routine. This one has been my day time toner that I put on after cleansing. It’s not only smoothing and brightening, but it gets deep into the pores to clean all the gunk out.
Hey Honey Tone It Up
This is the toner I use after cleansing at night. It’s calming and balancing, which feels so lovely at the end of the day. This toner is light enough that I can still wear it under my Curology without it keeping my formula from working on my skin.
Sweet Chef Ginger + Vitamin C Serum Shot
Vitamin C is just that magic ingredient that everyone is saying we need more of to have bright and even skin, so I’ve jumped onto that bandwagon full force. I found this serum at Target one day and realized the sister company of Glow Recipe (the brand that makes my favorite watermelon mask) made it, so that gave me the trust I needed to give it a shot. I like that this serum isn’t sticky and really absorbs into the skin. I’ve seen minor progress with this guy, but that’s to be expected with anything that is supposed to help skin texture.
So that’s pretty much it. As I said, I’m no expert here. I think my main criteria for a good skincare product is if it makes me feel good, and I don’t end up breaking out from it. Everybody’s skin is unique, and your needs may be different from mine. If you have any of the same skin goals, now you know about these products you can try out. Let me know in the comments if you have any skincare products that you swear by; I’m always looking for new things to try out.
Love,
Julia Carrington
