Fashion
These 4 Skincare Products Changed My Life
Trying to find the right products for your skin can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. It has personally taken me five years, a lot of trial and error, two dermatologists, and every last ounce of my sanity to find products that actually work for my skin. You’d think that between the wide swath of skincare products on the market and the endless supply of information available at our fingertips, it’d be pretty easy to craft the perfect skincare routine. But no, nothing as important as skin care can be that easy, or cheap for that matter. Not to mention, it is nearly impossible to make an appointment with the dermatologist, and I, for one, have a hard time believing that is just a coincidence. Needless to say, it can be quite an overwhelming process that will cost you a pretty penny if you don’t do your research.
So, long story short, I was blessed with clear skin as a teenager, which many of you probably would’ve hated me for. Don’t worry though, my almost perfectly clear, yet dry and sensitive skin eventually fell victim to the female hormone trap. Now, I not only have extremely dry and sensitive skin, but I also occasionally suffer from ungodly cystic pimples and rosacea flare-ups. For longer than I’d like to publicly admit, I neglected my skin, and my own ignorance trapped me in the realms of skincare purgatory. If it weren’t for the almighty TikTok, I’d probably still be living in my own naive world where the concept of skin care just merely existed. But, after getting way too invested in “DermTok” one day, I came to the embarrassing realization that I knew absolutely nothing about skin care and decided I could live like that no longer. So naturally, I prepared a mile-long list of questions to drill my dermatologist with (poor woman!), and this magnificent angel from heaven above took me under her wings and guided me into the light. I’ve reached the other side of skincare paradise, and it is because of these four products:
1. Facial Cleanser
I have never loved washing my face more than I do with CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser ($15 on Amazon). I wash my face with this twice a day; once before bed and again when I wake up in the morning. This is by far the best face wash I’ve ever used, as it never fails to leave my face feeling smoother than a baby’s bottom. It cleanses and hydrates my skin enough to where it feels moisturized, but not too much to the point it is greasy and oily. This product is recommended for those with dry, sensitive and/or acne-prone skin, so if you fall under that category and haven’t already tried this face wash, stop what you’re doing and buy it now. Your skin will be glowing before you know it.
Despite the fact that face wash alone hydrates your skin, a face moisturizer is still an essential step in any skincare routine that must never be overlooked, especially for those who have dry skin. I use two different face moisturizers; one in the morning and one in the evening. In the mornings, I use CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion AM ($14 on Amazon). If I was stranded on a deserted island and could only take one thing with me, it would be this. This moisturizer is amazing. It is thicker than others, but it absorbs quickly, effectively nourishes my dry skin, and keeps my face moisturized all day long. This one is specifically designed for morning use because it contains SPF 30 to protect your skin from harsh UV rays. Whether you’re someone who spends every second of every day outside or not, it is critical to keep your skin protected at all times, and every dermatologist out there will tell you the exact same thing. So, if you aren’t already putting sunscreen on your face everyday, let this be your cue to start.
3. Moisturizing Cream
In the evenings, I use CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ($16 on Amazon). Once again, this moisturizing cream is thick and will keep your skin moisturized all throughout the night. What I love most about this moisturizer is that I never wake up to a greasy face, and more importantly, it does not irritate my sensitive skin or cause any breakouts. I really cannot stress enough how much these products have improved the integrity of my dry, flaky skin. Hats off to CeraVe—they really know what’s up.
4. Retinoid Acne Treatment
Last up on the skincare agenda for the day is Differin Gel ($13 on Amazon). Differin is a non-prescription retinoid that normalizes your skin cells by clearing out deep pores where breakouts occur and clearing up any dark spots or acne scars. The most frustrating part about Differin is that it takes your skin about a month to adjust, so for that first month, your face is more susceptible to irritation and breakouts. All jokes aside, this tube of gel sat on my bathroom counter for an entire month before I built up the courage to finally use it. I was terrified of how my sensitive skin would react, but it honestly wasn’t that bad. I use Differin three times a week and always apply it during my nighttime routine. It took about a month for my skin to adjust, but since then, my skin is less red and irritated, my acne scars have almost completely disappeared, and I haven’t broken out once. I don’t know who created this magical concoction, but thank you. I absolutely love this product and will never go without it again. (Pro tip: if you’re using a retinoid, whether Differin or another brand, it is absolutely critical that you apply SPF everyday, as the retinoid will make your skin more sensitive to light.)
Always keep in mind that no skin is the same. I mean, that’d make this all way too easy for us. And while I’ve had a positive experience with all of these products and stand by my recommendations, it’s important to understand your own skin type first. From there you can set your own goals, do your research, and start experimenting with different products. Unfortunately, this is one of those things in life that takes time and patience. Lots and lots of patience. But, without a shadow of a doubt, it will all be worth it. After all, there is no better investment in this world than in yourself. Seriously though, I’ve become a much more confident person ever since I started taking care of my skin. My skin now feels healthy, it looks healthy, and to be quite frank with you, I am just glowing.