You Glow, Girl!

This is how my skin looked before I changed my skincare routine. You can see the acne scars, and my skin was constantly breaking out!

All queens need a great skin routine. I don't want to be one of those women who can't even go to the grocery store without a face full of makeup. I'll be the first to tell you that I have TERRIBLE skin. It's oily, acne prone, and scars show up easily because of my complexion. It has been that way since I was a teenager, and I have been irritating my skin for years trying to make it "better." 

I used to think that I had to treat my acne with harsh chemicals and scrubs. I have tried countless products that were labeled for acne prone skin. These products usually contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which are extremely strong chemicals and irritants. Of course they only made my skin worse. It wasn't until recently that I did some research and realized that I was abusing my skin (and my bank account). I started using fewer chemicals and my skin did a complete 180! Here are some of the products that I have been using recently, as well as my updated skincare routine.

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1. Cleanse twice a day.

I wash my face twice a day--once in the morning and once in the evening. I use Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily skin. I love this face wash because it's gentle and hydrating. It contains niacinamide, which has anti-aging benefits, and hyaluronic acid for added moisture. In the evening, I use a spin brush with my cleanser to exfoliate and thoroughly wash off dirt and makeup.

2. Toner.

I use the Clinique Acne Solutions toner sparingly. I only use it when I'm on my cycle because that is when I tend to have breakouts. It gets rid of any extra dirt and oil on the skin and contains medicine that prevents acne.

3. Moisturize.

Always, always, always moisturize your face after cleansing. Until recently, I skipped this step because my face was so oily, but all skin types need a good moisturizer. I use Clinique's Moisture Surge and it is amazing! It is an oil-free gel that penetrates the skin, plus it contains hyaluronic acid which draws moisture to the face. Even though I have oily skin, it doesn't make my face greasy or shiny. As with all Clinique products, it's a bit expensive but lasts for months.

4. Water.

This is the most important component of any skincare ritual! I try to drink about half a gallon (64 ounces) of water each day, which is easy since I don't drink a lot of sodas or sugary juices. I honestly think that water is the #1 secret to dewy, glowing skin.

This is how I look after 6 months of a consistent skincare routine. My skin isn't perfect, but I think I look pretty good without makeup! #nofilter

Feel free to share some of your skincare secrets! I would love to hear from you :-)