Skincare routine… I used to think they were a sham & then I realized; no, you actually do have to take care of your skin.
My skincare routine has come a long way. I remember back in middle & high school using that St. Ives exfoliating scrub that smelled like someone threw up in the container. Then came those Stridex pads that BURNED everyone’s faces.
Then for a while, I relied on just soap & regular body lotion, thinking that was going to be fine & then wondered why my skin was never soft.
I will say, knock on wood, I’ve never struggled with acne. I get a pimple here and there, but nothing wild. And can we talk about pimple patches? Absolute best invention.
Okay, after that long-winded backstory… this is my skincare routine!
One quick note: this is my routine. I’m not a medical professional, nor am I certified to give skincare advice. This is simply what works for me.
With that out of the way let’s begin.
I had a skin consultation at Inclusive Aesthetics a Medical Spa in Pittsburgh. They are absolutely the best. I see Heather. During my consultation she pulled out all the gadgets, goggles & lights. I found out I have both oily & dry areas wild that one face can have both.
Heather helped me with the dry patches on my skin & recommended products that would work for me. The best part? She sent me home with samples & wrote out a card detailing what to use in the morning & at night. Perfect to keep in my medicine cabinet.
I combined Heather’s recommendations into a routine & added the products she suggested along with a couple I was already using.
Morning Routine
I start with a nice spray of HC-Pure Skin Health Solution Mist. It feels so good on my skin. I also use it on scratches, bumps, and eczema flare-ups.
Once it dries, I use the Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner, which smells great & helps tighten my pores.
Next is the OSEA Hyaluronic Sea Serum one tiny drop covers my whole face, which blew my mind. After that absorbs, I add the OSEA Atmosphere Protection® Cream. This has helped make my face noticeably softer. Pittsburgh’s air quality is not the greatest, so the extra protection is needed.
I finish with belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb to seal everything in & moisturize.
In the winter, I also add Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointment. That’s my morning skincare routine.
Evening Routine
I start with a steamy shower & wash my face with Native Sensitive Face Wash. I add a pump to a silicone face scrubber & gently massage in circles to remove dead skin & help clear out my pores.
After my shower, I dab my face dry & get dressed first. My bathroom gets too steamy & I swear my skincare just slides off. Once the air clears, I start my routine, which has fewer steps.
First, I apply the belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask; it’s cooling, lightweight & jelly-like. It feels like nothing is on my skin, which I love.
Then I finish with the belif Sleeping Lip Mask, which has sadly been discontinued & breaks my heart. I have dry lips year-round, especially in winter, this product helps keep them hydrated so I’m not applying chapstick 20 times a day. The combo of Aquaphor & the belif mask works really well.
Recently, I added the fresh Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator once a week before my lip mask to remove dead, dry skin.
To help with my dry skin & eczema, I use Gold Bond Medicated Extra Strength Body Lotion on my heels, legs & elbows once or twice a week. I like this lotion because it’s not sticky & doesn’t make me want to wash it off right away.
A couple times a week, before applying anything to my face, I use a stainless steel ice roller. I do NOT recommend using it right after a hot shower; your skin feels like it’s sticking to the roller. It’s very Christmas Story flagpole moment.
Facials & Skin Care Growth
That’s my daily skincare routine! I have to thank Heather for helping me get my skin soft again and tightening up those pores.
Not only have I upped my home skincare game, but I’ve also started getting facials. Once a month, I see Heather for a relaxing facial where she uses all her gadgets & hot towels to clear congestion, make recommendations & do extractions. Extractions are my second favorite part; it’s gross but so satisfying! My favorite part is the steam & hot towels.
If you’ve never had a facial before, I highly recommend one. Every time I leave, my skin feels amazing & I’m relaxed. One time I got a cool peel; such a fun experience. Inclusive Aesthetics is truly amazing. They have multiple team members who actually know what they’re doing.
They also send you a full write-up in your online portal of everything they did, which I love. And they coordinate with medications! If you know anything about antidepressants, they can dry your skin out, make you more sensitive to the sun & cause irritation. They take that into account.
Taking care of your skin is important! It’s also important to know your skin type so you can use the right products. Don’t just buy whatever is popular or on sale; that doesn’t mean it’s right for your skin. I recommend going to a MedSpa like Inclusive to figure out what’s best for you.
Like I mentioned before, my skincare journey has come a long way. In the end, I know I’ll have a couple wrinkles, but I just don’t want my skin to be dry & itchy.
And as a reminder: moisturize & wear sunscreen (BASK is my recommendation)!
Product Mentioned
- HC-Pure Skin Health Solution Mist — Sold at Inclusive Aesthetics
- Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
- OSEA Hyaluronic Sea Serum — Sold at Inclusive Aesthetics
- OSEA Atmosphere Protection® Cream — Sold at Inclusive Aesthetics
- belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb
- Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointment
- Native Sensitive Face Wash
- belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask
- fresh Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator
- Gold Bond Medicated Extra Strength Body Lotion
- BASK — Sold at Inclusive Aesthetics