I have never been one to write much about beauty- my idea of nice products are the ones that come from the ‘fancy’ shelf at the drugstore (as opposed to those that come from the ‘regular’ shelf), but here I am- about to write a post all about my skincare.  Why now?  Well, a few weeks ago, I had coffee with a friend here in Madrid and was telling her that my skin was starting to show some blotchiness and that I really want to start doing some preventative skincare, but didn’t know where to begin.  Toners! Oils! Creams! Acids! Scrubs! Masks!  There. is. so. much.  Lo and behold, she is extremely interested in skincare and wants to be a dermatologist, so she gave me some recommendations for products I should be using.  Of course, she told me like 15 different things, but I picked up just a few of them and have been loving what they are doing for my skin.  Maybe it’s the placebo effect and it’s very likely that there has been no change, but I can say that I no longer use cover-up during the day as it isn’t necessary (and I have been using cover-up for a long time).  Like I said, I really don’t know much, but wanted to share what I am doing for my current skincare routine at 26 years old!

For reference, I am 26 years old, have normal skin (gets oily after a few hours), occasional acne, and minor wrinkles (lol can I say that?) around my eyes.  I also had little bumps all over my face, under the skin, which I have been told is due to dirt build-up in the pores.  They aren’t really noticeable, but in certain light (like elevators, I can see them).

My major concerns were getting rid of the tiny bumps, brightening my skin, and using a moisturizer to help prevent wrinkles (ie something hydrating and with SPF).

My routine before was: wash with a gentle cleanser in the am and pm. Use Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair with SPF 30 during the day and put rose hip oil on my face at night.

My friend recommended using a mild exfoliating cleanser to help reduce the bumps and get a deep clean in my pores, as well as a cream cleanser for a more gentle cleanse at night.  She recommended a toner to help close my pores, as well as a few different products from The Ordinary, which is a line of beauty products that work well, but are affordable.  Lastly, she recommended that I use a hydrating lotion at night.  I mixed and matched her recommendations and came up with a routine that seems to be working (although it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what is doing the work – I like to think it’s a combination!).

Skincare Routine at 26 Years Old, from Morning to Night

MORNING

1 // Gentle cream cleanser // I use a gentle cleanser in the morning, just to wake myself up and clean my face from the night before.

2 // Toner // I spray 2-3 mists onto my face and let it dry.  I love the cool feeling it brings!

3 // Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair with SPF // I still use this in the morning as a moisturizer with SPF.  It’s not too greasy and seems to get the job done.

NIGHT

1 // Exfoliating cleanser by Biotherm //

I wet my face and then use a tiny dollop of this.  I massage it into my skin in gentle circles, focusing on the areas where I get the little bumps (they have mostly disappeared since I started using this!)

2 // Toner by Marionnaud // Same as above- 2 or 3 mists onto my face

3 // Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% by The Ordinary//

This is supposed to brighten and smooth the skin, and reduce signs of aging with a derivative of vitamin C and can be used in the morning and at night.

4 // 3 drops of Alpha Lipoic Acid 5% (by The Ordinary) //

I ONLY use this 2-3 times per week, as directed by the company.  The nights I use this, I don’t use the product in #3.  I use this at night and wake up with noticeably brighter, smoother skin.  This product is one of my favorite.

5 // Moisturizer //

This one is thanks to Luis, since I have been ignoring his direction to use a highly moisturizing cream at night but he was RIGHT.  I use this moisturizing cream and it has been night and day for how soft my skin feels at night.  Right now I am using the Shiseido brand and think it’s wonderful, but also pricey!  

Occasionally: 

1 // Prime Gold Snail Eye Patch by Dewy Tree //

I am not very good about using these and only use them about 1x/ week.  I can’t say I notice a difference, but I should probably use them more often.