I Finally Have Flawless Skin, and It’s Because of This Skincare Routine

This article originally appeared on RealSimple.com.

It's maddening to spend money on beauty product after beauty product without any results. I’ve had terribly dry skin since I can remember, and bad acne whenever my period would roll around. I felt like I was always waiting for my next breakout or spell of dry, flaky skin that I couldn’t get rid of. I started taking skincare really seriously about three years ago when I got into beauty. Putting in the time to look at ingredients and research how they could benefit my skin (or not) helped me pare down my skincare routine. Now, I use a small collection of products every day. Since starting this routine, the results have been amazing. 

Besides mascara and some eyebrow tint, I’m not wearing any makeup. Which (let me tell you) hasn’t always been the case. Since I started using these products in my daily skincare routine, breaking out is out of the ordinary for me. Dry skin? It’s a thing of the past, even in the wintertime. I haven’t strayed from the routine for awhile now and I don’t think I ever will. I listed all the products I use below and why I use them. Although they can be expensive, good skincare products that you believe in are worth the price. I’m not only more confident (thanks to these products) but far more aware of what I’m putting on my skin and how it’s affecting me. After going through countless other products, I can feel the difference. Trust me, once you find products that work, it’s hard to forget them.

I use this first. It’s a super gentle cleanser that gets all the makeup off my face in just one go. I find it works best for removing my eye makeup, which is the most stubborn and difficult to get off.

To buy: $18; glossier.com.

This is my saving grace. This natural cleanser is completely free of sulfates, silicones, and parabens and smells like lime and spearmint. It’s not only extremely refreshing, it also calmed my skin dramatically. The sugarcane contains a natural source of alpha hydroxy acids, which has been a big role in keeping me acne free. Breaking out is now a very rare occasion for me, thanks to this face wash.

To buy: $28; dermstore.com.

I use this cream in the morning and it gives my skin the burst of hydration it needs. It soaks into the skin nicely so it doesn’t feel like it’s sitting there. The papaya enzymes help to smooth and exfoliate my skin, which I’ve noticed leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft.

To buy: $65; sephora.com.

This scrub reminds me of a facial scrub my mother used to use when I was little. There’s a warming and cooling effect that’s invigorating but not overwhelming. I use this about twice a week to exfoliate. Volcanic sand and neem seed oil help to remove dead skin cells. The peppermint scent is just the wake up call I need.

To buy: $28; sephora.com.

My skin is pretty fair, so I’m no stranger to sunscreen. I put this on for preventative measures so my skin stays protected. It’s lightweight, so it doesn’t feel like it’s weighing me down like some sunscreens do. It’s oil-free and fragrance-free so there’s no funny smell and no greasy mess.

To buy: $19; amazon.com.

I used to steer clear of thick moisturizers for fear they'd give me acne, but this face cream is rich and hydrates my skin without leaving it greasy. At night, I lather it on my face. The fatty acids in the cream help lock in the moisture, so it’s not being wicked away when you sleep. It’s luxury at a very affordable price point.

To buy: $35; glossier.com.

When I do get a pimple, I use this stuff. You can either leave it on for 20 minutes or you can leave it on overnight, depending on how stubborn the pimple is. I find that it’s not so powerful that it dries out my skin, but powerful enough to get rid of the pimple (or dramatically decrease its size after one application). The best part about this acne treatment? The pimple doesn’t come back. I never have to reapply.

To buy: $55; sephora.com.