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My Updated Skincare Routine

I've been using this skincare routine for a few months now and it has been working pretty well for me. This routine is gentle enough for normal acne-free skin, and yet strong enough to treat acne: 1. Remove makeup: I use Clean & Clear's Makeup Dissolving Foaming Cleanser. It gets off all of my face makeup, and most of my eye-makeup. See my full review of this product here.

2. Cleanse: On most days, I use Biore's Ice Fighting Blemish Cleanser, which contains 2% salicylic acid (I reviewed it in my 2009's best skincare products post.

2.5. Exfoliate: About 3x a week, I substitute the Biore for my LUSH Dark Angels. Exfoliating with a charcoal-based product has revolutionized my skin by making it softer, brighter, and almost entirely acne-free. I've posted about it here.

3. Tone (when I'm not being lazy): I like to use Olay's Refreshing Toner with witch hazel (which is not only great smelling, but also a total bargain for around $4!)

4. Treat/Prevet acne: I apply LUSH Grease Lightning to my cheeks, where I tend to break out the most. See my review on it here.

5. Moisturize: Skin MD's Shielding Lotion is the perfect night-time moisturizer in my opinion. It goes on light, gets absorbed immediately into the skin, has no scent, and I wake up with a supple, smooth face every morning. I'll be posting a full review on that very soon.

I do all these steps at night, but in the morning, I use just the Biore cleanser, and then jump to moisturizing. Overall, I think this routine has been very effective for me. I think the only product I'm not completely satisfied with is the C&C makeup remover, so I will be trying something else once this runs out. All of the other products are amazing and staples in my collection!

FTC Disclaimer: Skin MD's Shielding Lotion was sent to me to review. I was not paid to review it and this is my honest opinion. All of the other products mentioned were bought with my own moolah. Beautygirl24 said...

I have seen so many positive reviews of the Lush Grease lightning! Oh, how I wish I had a lush close by. I still need to make a trip to L.A.!

January 8, 2010 at 5:32 PM lilluna5416 said...

looove to see ppl's routines, great indiv. reviews also!

January 8, 2010 at 5:55 PM Ashwini said...

Thanks lilluna! @Beautygirl24: I don't have a Lush close by either! Let's write them a letter to open more stores!

January 8, 2010 at 6:05 PM Laura Loo said...

I've never even SEEN a lush store. Oh, that they had one nearby in TN!

January 8, 2010 at 8:29 PM DANA said...

Ooohh Lush hehehe, I use Dark Angels too! I'm kind of scared to try Grease Lightning due to my previous reactions caused by Tea Tree Water I tried... =( And I've been thinking of trying out that Biore Ice Cleanser! Haha, maybe I'll give it a go once my Neutrogena Cleanser finishes or maybe I'll get one as an alternative... hahaha I'm such a sucker for alternatives >_< bad for the wallet! lol

January 9, 2010 at 5:04 AM 
Oh by the way, you are tagged, my dear ^^

January 9, 2010 at 5:05 AM 
I included Biore's Ice Fighting Blemish Cleanser in my skincare routine at the begginning of the winter, but I found that it dried my skin more than anything else. I'm disappointed... but I guess it would be nice to use in the summer.

I was also contact by a Skin MD's representative to try out this lotion. I can't wait for it to arrive in the mail!

January 9, 2010 at 8:30 AM Linda Phuong Tran said...

Skin MD is amazing!!! =D. X

January 9, 2010 at 9:37 AM Maria Elizabeth said...

thanks for sharing! i've been interested in the clean & clear makeup dissolving cleanser.

January 9, 2010 at 1:12 PM 
thanks for the review. For pimples I use Clinelle a drugstore brand.

January 10, 2010 at 6:42 AM xcharleym0ox said...

Iv tagged you for an award on my blog! :)


January 10, 2010 at 4:18 PM 
Thanks for the tag Dana! Hmm if tea tree in general doesn't work for you, then stay away from Grease Lightning, because I think its pretty much aloe vera and tea tree.

@Gaby, yes Biore's cleanser can be drying. I personally have so much acne on my cheeks that I'm okay with dry but clear skin! I think its quite effective, and if you use an intensive moisturizer on just the dry patches, you'd be good to go. But to each their own. :)

@Maria: feel free to try the clean and clear cleanser. It's great for removing face makeup, but I think its an epic fail when it comes to waterproof mascara!

@Charley: ooooh yay an award! Many thanks. :)

January 11, 2010 at 7:30 AM semone said...

I am using natural cosmetics from last 6 months and believe me they are wonderful..

January 12, 2010 at 12:16 AM Minerva said...

A skin care routine is very essential and I couldn't agree more to what you've said. But keeping a track is also important. On mySkin.com I came across a system that enabled me to track my skin for a period of4 weeks and that helped me detect a pattern in my acne flaring up. A routine and a tracker are the best parts of any skin care regime.

March 30, 2010 at 10:54 PM The legal stuff