This is currently what I’m doing to my face to take care of my skin. If it changes in the future, I’ll update with a new post, and reference with this one.
Morning Routine
Face Wash
I use one or the other, based on how good I was at cleaning my face the night before. The White Clay Foam is a little higher-octane.
Acid Toner
Moisturizer
- CeraVe PM Face Moisturizer for Nighttime Use
I like this formula well-enough: it was great for the winter when my face was a but a dried-out corn husk. It’s a little too occlusive for the summer Ohio humidity – the ceramides in it suck up all the moisture in the air, and makes me feel a little greasy. - belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
Sample size purchased using Sephora Points – would love to be able to buy/afford the full size.
Evening Routine
Double Cleanse
The first cleanse is designed to remove makeup, and the second to cleanse the skin.
- Heimish All Clean Balm
So good, I’ve repurchased it 3 times. Better cost/oz than Bye Bye Makeup 3-in-1 Makeup Melting Balm, which is also a good balm makeup remover. Would like to try Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm in the future. - Sonia Kashuk Gel-to-Oil Cleanser (Discontinued)
This stuff was amazing, and I only found out about two weeks ago that Sonia Kashuk is moving away from her skincare line. - bliss Makeup Melt Cleanser
Purchased to be the replacement for the SK Gel-to-Oil Cleanser. It was between this and the Glossier Milky Jelly cleanser, and this won out, the cost/oz ratio was better. It’ll never be SK, but it will do.
Acid Toner
- Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1.0 Twice A Day Exfoliator
Need a gentle evening exfoliator, since I’m using my acne treatment at night, and I’m not keen on my face peeling off.
Acne Treatment
One thing I discovered is that the only way I’m able to keep my acne at bay is by treating my whole face (not just spot treatment) every single day. Spot treating is locking up the barn after the horse already escaped.
- DDF Benzoyl Peroxide Gel (5%)
- (Formerly) La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
Made the switch to DDF because the cost/oz is so much better, part of which is because I think you aren’t paying for ingredients in negligible quantities. That said, if you can afford to use Effaclar every single day, it’s a great product.

Moisturizer
- Hada Labo Goku-jyun Premium Hyaluronic Solution
The thing with this solution is that it’s a serum – a little goes a long way. I use this only in the winter time, and only after I use my acne treatment gel and before I moisturize. It’s the only thing that kept my face from peeling to hell when using benzoyl peroxide. - CeraVe PM Face Moisturizer for Nighttime Use
- belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
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You’ll note that I don’t have an SPF integrated into my skin care. Be ye not so foolish as me! Use sunscreen every single day, separate from what’s in your makeup product! I’m just super lazy and haven’t integrated it into my skincare routine.
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Edited 05/22/2018 @ 7:35pm EST:
Some Notes:
- A lot of websites will give you a discount if you sign up for their email list. I’ve gotten great deals this way. To get around using an actual email account, sign up for a burner and never get pestered again (unless you use an actual email to confirm the order – then you’re on your own).
- If you want to check what the ingredients in your skin care actually do, like I did in my spreadsheet above, go to the INCIDecoder, and nerd out.