The Best Skin Care Routine

ULTIMATE LEARNING GUIDE

Let’s be real for a second, finding the best skincare routine can take ages to come across. We wanted to put together an extensive list for individuals who may need help finding a routine that works. Instead, of causing more breakouts, dryness, redness, or general skin deterioration.

Topics you'll learn in this guide

Introduction

We will break this down into specific categories aimed at issues that you may be suffering from. We also want to acknowledge individuals who suffer from multiple combinations of skin irritations.

Oily skin and cystic acne have a lot in common.

For the most part, ance happens because of the oils trapped within your pores and under the skin. So no matter what dryness may occur, you may have a combination of oily/dry counteracting conflicts happening. We want to provide preventions and aftercare for the best skincare routine you can afford. As we go through and cover specific areas, we suggest testing out a small patch of skin beforehand. This is to prevent potential allergic reactions or worsening your current outbreak.

What To Do About Dryness

Do you suffer from extremely dry skin? If so, think about toning down those super hot showers or baths. This can be one contributing factor to your dry skin. However, finding a moisturizer that locks in and hydrates the underlying layers is most needed. You may experience dry skin more intensely during the Winter. With the lack of moisture in the air, your skin will be thirsty for some TLC. Oils, creams, and serums are sought after during this time of year, so we will list which one below has the best benefits.

1. Jojoba Oil – Without a doubt look at the ingredients of any moisturizer and see if it contains this oil. If so, you are headed towards the hydrated highway! Now only use oil-based products if your face can contain oil without overproducing in the first place.
2. If you’d like to stick to a singular brand Ordinary has the 5 Piece Everday Essentials Set. This set contains a general overhaul of every repairing hydrating serum anyone could ask for. And while our skin takes a beating in the Winter, this is well worth the $68 price tag.
Opt for alcohol-free toner or wipe remover. Alcohol can easily dry out your skin. This $20 Avene Gentle Exfoliating Gel is also infused with Jojoba. So you can’t go wrong there!
3. Hydration and some more hydration. If you’re prone to severely dry skin, please find an ultra-hydrating serum, cream, or lotion. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream offers 24-hour hydration and contains glacial glycoprotein. Utilizing it’s super lightweight formula that’s also phthalate-free.
4. Don’t forget under the eyes! This is the one area that can become drier than any other part of the face. Other areas include around the mouth, under the nose, and around the eyebrows. But under the eyes (since the skin is thinner) can suffer. FARMACY Dew It All Total Eye Cream is for combination skin. But works promptly on dry under-eye problems.

The best skincare routine for dry skin:

What Precautions To Take For Cystic Acne Breakouts

Some women after never suffering from acne of any sort may develop cystic acne after getting on birth control. While we’ve all heard reports that taking the pill may cause this and no other forms of birth control. It’s also about the dosage amount.

Nonetheless, extreme stress can bring on isolated or widespread breakouts. Even the best skincare routine takes practice to finally execute right. Sadly the more oil your skin produces, the more likely you may end up with a cystic acne spread. This means that a type of cyst forms under layers where dirt and dry skin ends up pooled together. Causing a combination of plugged pores and spots that hold this type of bacteria in. From there you’ll notice slowly as the cyst grows a bit and becomes red. But do not panic. We have a few solutions for you to try: (First, we would like to mention that seeing a dermatologist if you are experiencing pain is the best route for cystic acne this a crucial step for the best skincare routine)

Aiding in Prevention:

1. Retinol – Most swear by using retinol, however, one side effect is what’s called the “retinol uglies”. This is a purging period where your skin will seem to get worse before transitioning into baby smooth.
2. Drink More Water – Sounds over the top simple but, a lot of people with cystic acne have upped their intake of aqua and noticed how some of the redness and swelling had started going down.
3. Diet – No don’t start dieting start noticing what you eat. Sometimes certain foods may be too acidic for our body chemistry. Some do breakout after having too much sugar. And others breakout after having one too many rolls. We are not saying switching to vegan is the best option, but incorporating some vegetables for must need nutrients wouldn’t hurt.
4. Hydrocortisone Cream – purely for an individual who experiences inflammation. This is best to be prescribed by a dermatologist.
5. Salicylic Acid – Cystic acne is about what’s living under the skin or better yet, trapped there. Exfoliating may seem like an irritant but salicylic acid aids in cleansing before using other products to combat. For instance, Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Cleanser by Philosophy has received excellent reviews.

The best skincare routine for cystic acne:

1. Typically cystic acne is curated a routine by a professional dermatologist. However, a few individuals have shared their self-made organic routines.

2. Use cold water if your skin is inflamed, and warm can aid in opening up the pores to drain.
Always use a soft cloth, the Eve Lom Muslin Cloths are some of the softest on the market. You don’t want to use a rough coarse cloth to aggravate your cystic acne.
3. Always cleanse in a clockwork rotation, start from the chin.
4. Cleansing with 100% Jojoba Oil. Use a cotton pad to apply. Sounds ridiculous by smothering your face in this oil, but honestly the coolest factor about Jojoba is it helps to stop persistent acne in its steps.
5. This oil is a natural skin healing product. Cliganic’s Organic Jojoba Oil 100% Pure is one of the best on the market. Jojoba oil is fantastic about taking off makeup residue that you couldn’t completely wipe away with a wipe.
6. An all-organic mask formula. Most swear by these fruits and ingredients you can find in your kitchen. Honey and turmeric. Take 1/2 a teaspoon of both ingredients and mix the two to form a blended mask. Be careful to buy only organic material. If you’re unsure about this we suggest trying out a small patch beforehand.
7. Apply with the pads of your fingertips until evenly covered.
8. Wait for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water using a cloth to help get off the mask.
9. The right moisturizer… Rose Hips Cold Pressed Beauty Oil by Shea Terra Organics. Apply with fingertips.
10. Or an alternative followup is after cleansing and toning. Try treating highly effected areas with raw shea butter. The strangest thing… we know. But this does work. Because of its hydrating element and consists of fatty acids to effectively nourish and repair damaged skin cells.

How To Prevent Regular Zit Breakouts

This whole category will involve zits occurring after shaving, waxing, and other ways of preventing some nasty zit outbreaks. Now some breakouts cannot be prevented and should be handled with care. As a word of caution never uses abrasive scrubs or exfoliants that scratch your face. Be gentle with your outer layers because they are more susceptible to redness, dryness, and heavy scabbing.

Prevention:

1. Dirty Hair, Put It Up – Simple. If your hair is ending up on the greasy side just put your hair up. The oils in your hair follicles can cause zits to appear around the curves of your jawline. We know a lot of individuals use the method of co-washing. Just if it’s been a few days, aim for a cute updo.
2. Wash Your Pillow Case Once A Week – What’s a better time than on the weekend to wash your pillowcases. Think about a pillowcase soaks up oils from our face, hair, and probably any pets we may own.
3. Wash Your Face – Yes, we know we don’t need to tell you but, it is that simple. Sometimes a splash of cold water with a get face wash is all it takes to prevent a breakout.
4. Stop Touching Your Face – Oddly enough when it’s flu season what’s the one thing you remember from school? All the teachers telling you to stop touching your face because you’ll spread germs quicker. Be sure to wash your hands or keep some wipes on hand. Especially if you use public transit, public place, or any time you enter a public restroom.
5. Move Around – exercise besides helping us to stay in shape has a huge acne benefit. Exercising helps our pores to purge and get rid of clogged dirt by sweating. See sweating is great for the skin as well, and aids in a healthy complexion.

The best skincare routine to prevent zits:

1. A towel we would like to introduce you to is the Cariloha Carihola Washcloth Set. Because this cloth is made from bamboo, the material is antifungal. Along with being anti-bacteria that will lead to preventing zits.

2. Cleanse with a gentle foam like Eminence Organic Skin Care Acne Advanced Cleansing Foam, to prevent zit breakouts. We suggest only washing in the morning as over-washing can cause breakouts. If you’ve noticed no breakouts, then try a nighttime routine.
3. If breakouts occur, only stick with a morning wash routine.
4. Wash in circular rotations going in a clockwork direction.
5. Toner will become your best friend. Use a cotton pad to apply La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micellar Water Ultra For Oily Skin. You can use this before washing your face to see what dirt has been locked onto the outer layers of your skin. This can be a great learning tool to see how much environmental dirt, oil, and dead skin cells collect on the surface.
6. Pat on the toner until your entire face is covered.
7. Always use an oil-free gel or serum after applying toner. Whether it’s a gel or serum you can apply with your fingertips. Toner is always best applied with a cotton pad.
8. Time to invest in some excellent sunscreen protection. Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Weightless Sunscreen Face Lotions SPF 30. For under $9 on Amazon, you can protect that gorgeous face of yours. Without a doubt when it comes to sunscreen avoid heavy lotion formulas.

Let’s Talk About Large Pores And Blackheads

Large pores or small pores? How do you properly clean large pores and where do you begin with blackheads? We’ve all seen videos of Dr. Pimple Popper and while it can be grossly entertaining, we all know and fear that at some point a blackhead will pop up similarly.

The dreaded blackhead, so where can we begin:

1. St. Ives Saves The Day – St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Green Tea Scrub offers a salicylic acid formula. Making sure those pesky blocked hair follicles that oxidize and turn into blackheads to be cleared.
2. Want to Prevent Before They Return – Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser does the job most face washes could. For the best skincare routine when it comes to blackheads try pairing the Vanicream with an oil-free moisturizer.
3. Please Moisturize – An old myth is to not use a proper moisturizer to help unblock the oil in our pores. However, the best option is to use an oil-free moisturizer such as the Mini Water Drench Hyaluronic Acid Cream by Peter Thomas Roth available at Sephora for $22.

The best skincare routine to prevent and diminish large pores and blackheads:

1. First off consistency is the number one key to fighting large pores and blackheads. The more consistent you are in your skincare routine the better the results will be.

2. Use a cotton pad or a makeup wipe to cleanse your face before washing.
3. Be sure to clean your skin of any makeup and no falling asleep with makeup on. Try this Charcoal BLAQ Face Wipes.
4. Say yes to clay masks! Yes! Clay masks can help pull out all the gunk stuck in your pores. That means all the dirt sitting in your pores as they oxidize won’t be containing bacteria anymore. The BIORACE Pore-Purifying Spirulina and Tea Tree Clay Mask does the job well! If you haven’t heard of Spirulina expect your skin to feel rejuvenated afterward. We’ve provided the travel size version which only costs under $4.
5. Masks can be applied by a facial mask brush. Check out Eco Tools, Facial Mask Mates. Cover your entire face evenly by starting with the T-zone and expanding out.
6. Follow your clay mask with an oil-free moisturizer. Look for moisturizers with vitamin C and collagen present within the ingredients. This Fresh Umbrian Clay Oil-Free Lotion has all the key ingredients and now of the aftershock effect.
7. The moisturizer can be applied with your fingertips. Pat in the moisturizer as this allows your skin to soak up more of the product.
Always avoid heavy moisturizers as this could be the cause of your blackheads in the first place.

Preventing Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize is the only way to prevent and help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The less time you take each day in the morning and at night to take care of your facial routine, the more your skin can suffer. Now we are not saying you need to spend glorious amounts of time. A simple 5-10 minute routine twice a day and prep and save your complexion. At times celebrities will let out their beauty secrets and one individual who stands out is Heidi Klum. She recently shared a moisturizer that works best for her and let’s face it, she hasn’t aged in a couple of years. Mario Badescu Buttermilk Moisturizer! What piqued our interest is the affordable price this Amazon product comes out to… a total of $23. The only negative reviews about the product are that the bottle is a bit small but otherwise, this buttermilk magic supports sensitive skin.

The best skincare routine for wrinkles (preventing and reversing) would go like this:

1. Find a gentle body cleanser and moisturizer you can use during your morning shower. A product such as Aloe Multi-Use Soothing Gel is a great place to begin. To save even more CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Body Wash acts as a great dupe for most luxury moisturizing washes.

2. Use a soft luffa or washcloth to use for the body cleanser.
3. Using a super gentle facial cleanser that won’t strip natural oils, induce redness, or cause any type of irritation. We suggest Tea Tree Facial Wash for this step. The Body Shop currently has this facial wash on sale for $4.20.
4. Next is a serum. That’s right! Get on the serum kick because this is one of the most important steps to take. At an affordable price, The Ordinary Buffet covers what dermatologists call the “checklist”. This miracle serum is for anyone who is looking to improve wrinkles, anti-aging, or dark spot areas.
5. Time for a lotion or cream! This is the luxury brand Skinbetter, their product does work some incredible magic. The Interfuse Treatment Cream for Face and Neck comes in at a $190 value. Rub this product in a clockwork direction. Start with the neck then move to in a clockwork motion over your face. Our affordable cream is the Clarins RE-Boost Comforting Hydrating Cream for $27 in a 50 ml container. Gently pat the hydrating cream on to your skin.
6. The last being SPF. Wearing SPF is essential and will guard against dark spots forming and preventing skin cancer. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen at SPF 55 is a fantastic choice. And this can be found at Walmart, Walgreens, and virtually any drugstore.
7. It always takes a bit to rub in sunscreen so don’t use too much. Don’t rub fast, be soft and delicate with your approach.

Night Use

1. Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Night Cream – night creams are the best when they do what the fine print says. We’ve linked you to Sephora’s mini version of this product for a try by trial basis. For $25 this cream is all about a little goes a long way. No fretting about heavy oils seeping into your pores. This formula is lightweight and does the best part… aids in fixing and building the skin’s natural barrier to protect. That’s protection against environmental elements and everyday makeup wear.

2. Use the pads of your fingers to apply the night cream. Start with the under eyes then move down to the cheeks. Then apply to your T-zone and forehead. Don’t forget the cupid’s bow area and chin.

What About Combination Skin

Like all things, combination skin is a test and see the type of playground. Either one product will contain just a bit too much oil and allow for breakouts. Or another will contain an ingredient that dry’s out your skin. There’s no winning here. Paula’s Choice has a set worth mentioning called Skin Balancing Essentials Kit. This kit is on the high price side at $85 however, worth it because it’s of the same line. At least with the same company’s formula, you’ll know if it works or if you should try a different brand.

1. Use products that specify for both oily and dry sensitive skin.
2. Think about trying blotting papers. Since only a portion of your face because oily, these papers truly help out. Boscia Clear Complexion Blotting Linens.
3. Most likely your T-zone is the oily zone. Pay attention to this area with REN Clean Skincare T-zone Balancing Gel Cream. The price range goes between $42-$44.
4. Have you heard of AHA/BHA? Well, it’s the time because this will save your world-and wallet. Of course, the Ordinary has it in stock under Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution.
5. One word for this face treatment oil is expensive, but Drunk Elephant has quite an upstanding reputation. The Virgin Marula Antioxidant Face Oil.

The best skincare routine for combination skin:

1. Try not to mix and match too many serums, oils, and face washes. Simply pick out products that work with sensitive skin on both oily and dry complexions.

2. Start by cleansing your face. Burt’s Bees Micellar Cleansing Towelettes are perfect for this task. These towelettes are specific for a combination of skin tones.
3. Followed by either a toner (if toner is too harsh for your skin) then blotting paper.
4. Go over your t-zone and other oily areas with the blotting paper. With the blotting paper simply apply the paper until it’s soaked up enough oil. You’ll be able to see when the paper is covered.
5. Avoid using a cleansing brush, since you have combination skin, the dry patches may suffer from this.
6. Apply a gel or face oil that’s alcohol-free, also oil-free. Use your fingertips for this. If it’s a gel apply in a clockwork motion. If it’s oil apply by using an upward motion on your cheeks, forehead, and neck. Simply dab at the under eye and cupid’s bow. The best skincare routine for combination skin when it comes to applying is always remembered to pull your skin upward when using your fingertips, never down.
7. Allow to dry, check to see if your dry patches need a little extra love by applying a combo moisturizer such as Bioderma Hydrabio Gel Cream.
8. If so apply with your fingertips by dabbing.

What You Eat May Play A Part

Most of us do not know we are allergic to a type of food until we try it. Now save that same premise but for your breakouts. Yep! What you are eating can play a factor within the chemistry of your body oils. This includes the natural oils produced by pores. For the best skincare routine trying out these other methods may help out your problem.

1. Limit Greasy Food – We are not saying cutting out greasy food altogether but limit your intake to notice a difference in your complexion. Grease can cause all sorts of breakouts.
2. Citric Acid – Most don’t know if their body can’t handle too much citric acid in their diet. And this can come out as breaking out in red bumps, acne, or a hive looking rash. If you have to dilute orange juice. Or after eating pineapple experience red bumps around the mouth, this is why.
3. Sugar – If it’s not organic sugar and naturally occurring sugar from fruit. Then this could be your problem. Too much processed sugar is messing with your hormone functions.
4. Coffee drinkers beware! One too many wake-me-up cups can cause dehydration. This will show on your face. Of course, you don’t have to give up coffee! But try limiting your intake to 1-2 cups a day.

Conclusion

We highly suggest figuring out what type of skin type you may possess. By check-marking what could be aiding in your breakouts and what can help prevent them. You’ll be able to narrow down the best skincare routine that works for you.