my SKINCARE routine

I recently had a request to share my current skincare routine.

I can honestly say that my skincare routine is something that never changes.  ever.

I cannot remember how long I've been using these products.  it seems like forever.

First, let me begin by telling you a little about my skin.

I have combo/oily skin.  It seems to be getting a tad better as I age.  But still, oily in the t-zone.

My skin was more prone to breakouts as a teenager.  AND during pregnancy.  I had TERRIBLE acne while I was pregnant with BOTH of my children.  And my skin is still trying to recover from Jett.  It's been 8 months.  And it's getting there.

It went completely back to normal after Jase, so I am confident in a few more months the scarring will be much less visible.

My skin is BY NO MEANS flawless.  It's not terribly discolored, but I do suffer from extremely dark circles.  Haven't found anything to make those disappear... yet.

Also, as I mentioned, I have some scarring and discoloration on one cheek from baby Jett. :(

Other than those issues, I'm pretty happy with my skin.

For the most part, it's smooth and pretty clear.

So here's how I take care of it.....

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here's my disclaimer: I completely understand that some of these products will not work for everyone.  Heck, you might think I'm crazy for using them.  But they work for ME.  They've worked for years and, frankly, I'm afraid to change.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it. :)

I do realize, though, that I will eventually need to start using more "age-defying" products.

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First up....

The MOST IMPORTANT THING about skincare is:  cleansing.

I cannot stress enough how crucial it is to wash your face morning & night.  NO going to bed with your makeup on.  If you are one of those people, and you feel your skin is dull and prone to breakouts, just try it.  Wash your makeup off EVERY NIGHT before you climb into bed.  You'll be pleasantly surprised.  I can promise you that.

For this, I use:

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash

Cream Cleanser

This is the original version.  Now, they have several different ones - pink grapefruit, redness reducing, etc.  But I prefer this one.

It works well to remove makeup, oil and dirt from your face and pores.  It rinses easily and leaves your face feeling exceptionally clean.  It also has salicylic acid to help treat and prevent acne.

Next, you MUST moisturize.

One mistake people make is this:  they assume that since their skin is oily, they don't need to moisturize.  Negative.  Completely false.

The more you deprive your skin of moisture, the more oil it will produce to compensate.

Makes sense, huh?

I have used this moisturizer for years.  It's crazy, I know.  But it works for me.

Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion

I use this lotion under my makeup, as well as at night before bed.

It packs in the moisture without making my skin extra oily.

It contains oatmeal to soothe skin and lock in moisture.

It's hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and won't clog pores.

It's formulated for sensitive and delicate skin.... my face in a nutshell.

That is the extent of my skin care.  For real.

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Now, there are a few products that coincide with my routine.

I've been using makeup remover wipes since the summertime.  They are so easy and work great.  I've been using them as part of my nighttime routine.  I've tried several, but my favorite so far are these from Target:

They are cheap and very saturated.  I've also tried the Clean & Clear ones.  I liked them a lot.  But I think I like these best! 

(They also come in other versions.)

I use 2 different masks on occasion... when my skin is in need of extra care.

These are the 2 I LOVE and swear by:

 Apricot Scrub

Walgreen's brand

I love this scrub.  It is a dupe of the St. Ives Apricot Scrub.

It works great at exfoliating (which should be a regular part of your skincare routine).

I also use this if I'm having trouble with little whiteheads.  

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

This mask goes on creamy and dries.  Leave it on for about 10 minutes and your face will feel nice and refreshed.  It works great for blackheads, pimples and removing excess oil.

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So there you go..... my skincare routine.  Nothing hard to find or expensive.

And again, I can't promise this will work for you, but it works for me.

I just wanted to share it with you.  And you might try some of these products and find they work for you, too!