Nightly Skincare Routine for Fair, Dry, Acne-Prone Skin
It's been awhile since I've done a skincare post, so I thought it would be a great time to update you all on my skin regime. For those of you who don't know, my skin has changed quite a bit over the past few years. I used to have really oily skin, and when I was a sophomore in college, my skin broke out horribly. It took me a really long time to clear my skin, so much so that I went to a dermatologist (who paid greater attention to the mole on my leg...that I later needed to get a skin graft for...than on my face). For the record, I fixed my skin better than the dermatologist did. Now, my skin is really dry and I only break out when I'm stressed which is a lot of the time if I am being honest.
Typically when people have acne-prone skin, their skin is usually oily, so when you go online to find solutions for acne with dry skin, there is barely any information out there. Perhaps this is why it took me so long to find a solution that worked to solve all of my skin problems without drying my skin out.
I am always trying new products to see what works best for my skin, and I change up my routine every few months or so. Unfortunately, my current nightly routine requires a lot of steps, but it has helped to clear my skin, keep it clear, all while not drying my face out, so I think it is totally worth it. Clear, hydrated skin at night equals beautiful makeup in the morning. So if you want to know how I take care of my skin at night, just keep reading.
Equate Daily Acne Control Cleanser
After years of trying out anti-acne products, I have found that benzoyl peroxide works the best for me. I have used a few different basic benzoyl peroxide face washes, and they all work the same. I use ones that have 10% perozide, so if you are just starting out, use one with a lower percentage. I have absolutely no patience for acne, so I go all in and use the highest percentage on the market. I want my skin as clear as possible, as fast as possible. This helps heal and get rid of any problem areas I might have in a day or two. Of course, if I were to use this stuff alone, it would suck the life out of my skin in no time, but that's why I use other cleansers and moisturizers in addition to it. It's all about balance when it comes to dealing with acne with dry skin.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Redness Soothing
The second step in my cleansing process is a redness reducing wash with salicylic acid. Now salicylic acid doesn't really do much of anything for pimples, but it does help with blackheads. Since I have really fair skin, I use this wash to help get rid of any redness and irritation in my face after using the harsher benzoyl peroxide before it. My skin gets red and irritated very easily, so I use this morning and night to help calm my skin. I love that it has aloe and chamomile in it (I'm a huge fan of chamomile tea if you are interested in a random fact about me) because I find that they are very calming ingredients and they help bring down inflammation in seconds. Aloe Vera gel is also really good for breakouts if you have dry skin because it not only treats the trouble spots, but also hydrates the skin.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
So for my final step in cleansing, I use a hydrating cleanser to help revive my skin from all of the chemicals I am attacking it with. I have spoken about this cleanser before, but I will talk about it again. I love the consistency of it and how smooth and soft it makes my skin feel. I have tried a ton of different hydrating products, but very few of them actually make my skin plump and feel good. It even leaves my skin feeling hydrated for hours after I use it. I know this because I got sloppy with my skincare during final's week and didn't use moisturizer but my skin didn't deflate and get super dry by the morning, so that was a fantastic discovery. I am now on my third bottle of this stuff because it is just that good.
Tamanu Oil
Perhaps the most interesting product on this list, and one that is relatively new to my routine is tamanu oil. One day I was on Sephora's website (because when am I not?), and I saw that Farsali was releasing a new oil and it was for acne. So I went over to the reviews and everyone was saying how it was just pure tamanu oil but with a hefty price tag. So, I went on over to Amazon to see what tamanu oil was all about. This oil, which only cost me 10 dollars instead of almost 50, is good for acne, acne scars, skin irritations, skin problems like eczema, and much more, so I decided to give it a try. I just use a small drop for my whole face and pat it in really well. It smells pretty bad, but the stuff works. Once I started using this stuff in my routine, I noticed my skin tone becoming much more even and my older acne scars have started to disappear. I haven't been using it for that long but I am starting to see a huge difference in my skin. It's incredible.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Cream Serum
Hi, I'm Christina. I'm 21 and I use a wrinkle cream. Don't judge me. I started using a retinol a few years ago for acne, especially around my jaw lines, and this stuff does work great for that purpose. I didn't necessary use it for wrinkles, because quite frankly I don't have that many. I do have a big wrinkle on my forehead, but it's covered by my bangs so who cares, and my skin does have a far amount of texture due to previous acne, so this stuff does serve a purpose for me. I use this to get rid of any uneven spots to try to get a nice, smooth surface to my face. I enjoy this retinol over other ones because it sinks into the skin in seconds because of how thin of a texture it has. Yes, it says cream, but it is not thick at all. Thinner than most lotions and I love it. Better than high-end retinols at a much lower cost.
CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion PM
You're probably sick and tired of CeraVe popping up on here, but I really love the brand. This is one of the most hydrating and lightweight moisturizers I have ever used. It sinks into the skin in seconds and leaves my face feeling incredible. It is super thin so it is even good under makeup during the day as long as you use SPF in addition to it. I only use the smallest amount and it works wonders. I highly recommend it if you have dry skin and have been struggling to find a moisturizer that actually lasts until the morning.
Gold Bond Rapid Relief Itch Cream
Perhaps you're wondering why this is on here. It is not for itchiness, but rather for redness. Since my skin is so fair and sensitive, by the time I am done applying the aforementioned products, my skin can sometimes get a bit red. It depends on how quickly I am going through all the steps or if I am not gentle enough on my face as I should be. I just put a little bit of this stuff on any red patches like on my nose or cheeks, and by the morning, they are all gone. If I have any inflamed pimples, this takes care of the redness on them too, and then I pair it with the next product: The Clearasil Stubborn Acne Control Spot Treatment
As I mentioned earlier, benzoyl peroxide works the best on my skin. This stuff can take care of any issues over night, which is why I repurchase it time and time again. Tea tree oil or other kinds of spot treatments don't do anything for me, but this stuff does. It helps keep my skin clear, and since I use proper hydrating products beforehand, it does not dry out my skin.
OKAY, wow that was a long one. Hopefully, you find this helpful when it comes to taking care of your skin. If you have any other questions or comments leave them down below. I would love to hear from you.
If you want more tips and tricks for how to deal with fair, dry, and/or acne-prone skin, subscribe to my blog! You won't regret it.
As always, thanks for reading,
Stina :)
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