My Skincare Routine

Over the past year I have been trying a lot of skincare products to help with my very dry, sensitive skin with acne. It can be difficult to figure out how to fight acne, cleanse skin, and not irritate and over dry in the process. Over the past few months I have been strictly sticking to this routine and my skin has had almost no breakouts, and the sesitivity has improved! Overall my skin is looking better than it has in a long time, and I am thankful to these products for it.

From left to right:

Buxom Lip Polish -
I included this in my skincare routine because my lips are not the same without it. They get dry and peel very easily. This lip gloss heals them and prevents dryness better than any lip balm. I love it so much I even sleep in it. It is a skin healing product for me, not just makeup. The color shown here is Katie, a good nighttime color because it is so light it is pretty much unpigmented so I feel like it's better in preventing pillow case stains.
(sephora, $19)

Equate Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover -
This is a cheap but effective eye makeup remover that doesn't irritate my skin. Nothing too special about it but I do use it so I thought I would include it.
(walmart, $4)

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater -
This is my second bottle of this. I started using this as it directs as a moisturizing facial spray, then as a toner of sorts to cleanse my face, but I have found my favorite way to use it is to remove my face makeup. Instead of makeup removing wipes, I will spray my face and a cotton round with it, and simply wipe the majority of my makeup away. I do feel like my skin is less irritated by doing this method than using makeup wipes that have a lot harsher ingredients. It is a great multifunctional product for dry skin however, in anyway that you wish to use it.
(nordstrom, $7)

Trader Joe's Spa Face Wash with Tea Tree Oil -
Now I will admit this may not be the best thing on the planet for dry skin. However I had wanted to explore Tea Tree oil for acne since so many people swear by it. I purchased this specific cleanser because I could not find any others with out parabens. I'm not sure just how much of a difference it has made with my acne, I have been using this cleanser for a long time now and have had acne while using it. I'm planning to continue to use it because it is currently the absolute only face wash I can find that doesn't make my sensitive skin burn. It has a very watery texture so it is best to lather in hands then apply to face. I try not to wash too long with it to prevent it from drying more than necessary.
(trader joe's, $6)

Trader Joe's Spa 100% Pure Jojoba Oil -
The product that has made the biggest improvement in my skin! I started using this because my skin was being so sensitive/temperamental/awful/dry that I was desperate and trying everything (with no success). I apply about 4 drops of this to my face immediately after washing. It will be oily to the touch at first but my skin sucks it all up in about 10 minutes. It keeps my skin from being tight and dry, but I feel like this product alone has really kept my acne away! Ever since I have started using it I have not had anywhere near my normal amount of acne. I have had maybe 2 in the past 3 plus months, and if I'm being completely honest they may have been around the time I was getting lazy with my skincare routine. Since getting stricter/back to normal again, no more acne! I also use it on my eyelids and in place of an eye cream now. I'm not sure how oily skin people will feel about using an oil, but it is important to remember it is not the type of oil that acne bacteria can eat, and therefor it can't survive in it like it can in our natural skin oils. It is also great for keeping nails from getting dry and brittle, I apply it every time I take my polish off. All in all this is the one product I do not ever want to do without!
(trader joe's, $7)

Burt's Bee's Citrus Facial Scrub -
This is maybe my 6th jar of this scrub, I've lost count, I've been buying it/trying other things then coming back to it, for so many years. It smells amazing! I know that doesn't make it a good skincare product but it is so good it is worth mentioning! This has rose petals and an oily-er base. So it's not too harsh but it does give you proper exfoliation when you need it. It is a concentrated formula so I take a small glob and mix a couple drops of water and it loosens up and turns into a more easily spreadable scrub. You can also personalize how thick you want it. I always have glowing skin after using it. I love it and plan to continue to use it as long as they keep making it.
(target, $8)