beauty blog: affordable skincare routine spring 2020
skincare routine for acne prone skin
Growing up I was never blessed with perfect skin. I had acne, redness, bumps all over my face during my teenage years, looking back at my photos from high school, it still makes me uncomfortable. I know I didn’t have the worst skin but it was enough to experience the pain and embarrassment caused from having imperfect skin. There was a point when I didn’t want to go out without having foundation on because that self-conscious me, didn’t want to show my naked face to anyone.
Now that I am 25 years old, I don’t have as much acne problems anymore but I still have redness all over my cheeks, nose, and “battle” scars from the past. Although it’s far from being perfect, I have never been so happy about my skin until recently. My skin has dramatically changed in the past few years, in a positive way, where breakouts aren’t such a frequent occurrence as they used to be. I’ve been focusing on my skincare routine ever since I was young but I started giving them a little extra love ever since it started clearing. Now that I have a lot more time during this quarantine, there’s no better time than now to indulge in self-love for that healthier and better skin!
2020 has been a good year for my skin and these are the products I am currently loving. I have been using these for the past six months and it leaves my skin feeling hydrated AF! I am aware there are better skincare products available but these are affordable products that work for me. I am not a beauty guru nor a skin expert, so be aware that not everything mentioned here will work for your skin and that these are the products that suit my skin, which is dry-normal and sensitive.
mentionable products
1. Pixi Glow Tonic Serum ($24.49)
The first thing I do after getting out of the shower and wash my face is put on this serum. This is a great serum for people with dry skin - it has a really liquidy-thick feel to it. Once you put it on you can feel that it is repairing your skin barrier and it’s a great base to lock in hydration for the next steps. It Includes exfoliating glycolic acid to purify skin and enhance your natural glow, ginseng to energize skin and improve circulation, and aloe extract for that soothing hydration!
I massage about two to three drops of Glow Tonic Serum onto clean, dry skin and move on to my next step.
2. Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Skin EX and Lotion EX ($37 as a set)
I have been using Innisfree skincare for several years now and it is one of my favorite affordable beauty brands. Their toner and lotion is perfect for intense hydration. It is my go-to and it leaves my skin smooth, dewy, with a silky finish!
I put the Skin EX first, about dime-size, rub my hands together and pat it on my skin. Then, I put the Lotion EX on, about dime-size on my palm, dot it all over my face using my ring finger, and gently rub in a circular motion.
3. Pixi Retinol Eye Cream ($22.49)
This has got to be my favorite product from PIXI! This is my second bottle because I use so much of it. I put this on generously all over my under-eye, lids, and the leftover on my smile line day and night, or whenever I feel like my eyes need hydration. It has retinol, caffeine, and peptides which help to smooth, refine, depuff, and revitalize the skin around the eyes. It’s not too thick, yet it’s super nourishing. I also put this under my makeup and it acts as my eye primer!
4. Sebamed Q10 Anti-Aging Face Cream ($31)
Sebamed is a skincare brand my mom introduced to me when I was in high school when my skin was at its worst.
Just a lil fact of the day, normal and healthy skin has a pH level of 5.5 which is slightly acidic. Sebamed products have a pH of 5.5, which leads to “soft and smooth skin, aids in skin renewal, imparts a healthy glow to the skin, and guards skin from infections.”
They recently introduced their Anti-Ageing line which is formulated with co-enzyme Q10 which is an antioxidant which helps your skin look and feel younger. I have to say this is not the most moisturizing face cream but I love that it makes my face feel firm and doesn’t leave a greasy residue on my face!
5. The Face Shop - Jeju Aloe Fresh Soothing Gel in Tube ($14)
A couple months ago, I had a severe allergic reaction on my face from using my friend’s skincare when I was over at her house. I had hives all over my cheeks, nose, and chin. I was FREAKING OUT. From that day, I smeared this aloe gel all over my face. After just one day, it started to go away and by the second day, the hives were completely gone. Obviously, natural aloe will be better but I thought this gel was perfect for convenience! Now, I routinely put this on like a face mask after my face cream and let my skin absorb the hydration overnight.
6. Burt's Bees Lip Balm with Vitamin E & Peppermint Oil ($3.5)
Finishing off with hydrating lip balm, this is my favorite chapstick! It lasts forever and it is my life savor when I have dry lips. It keeps my lips soft throughout the day and is a great base for when I’m planning on wearing lip gloss. The peppermint smell is not too overwhelming, and I love that perfect “tingle” to let you know it’s working!
Leave me a comment and let me know if this was helpful or if you have any other skincare recommendations. I would love to try new products and learn new tricks from you!
Xx, Amie