Today’s topic is a little more personal than most, but ultimately it’s something I’m passionate about and want to share with you all, and that is my skincare routine and favorite skincare products.

My history with skincare is a long one. As someone with very acne-prone skin, it feels like I’m sometimes in a lifelong battle for good skin, and I don’t use “battle” lightly. Consistent breakouts have taken a toll on my emotional health - it’s hard to feel anything but self conscious when I’m having a bad skin day. My confidence definitely took a toll, and it’s hard to keep up appearances when you’re not feeling confident and comfortable. I have tried every prescription topical and medication, and every drugstore item out there, and today I want to share the products that have worked best for me. Twice in the last week I’ve gotten comments on how great my skin looked, which feels like the biggest compliment in the world to me. Though I know my skincare battle is likely long from over, it does feel like I finally cracked the code on what works for me.

A healthy lifestyle (at least for me) goes hand in hand with better skin. I’ve been upping my workouts to minimum 4 days a week, and overall am making a conscious effort to eat healthy. Stress also plays a major factor in how my skin looks, so I’m working on keeping that under control (though that is a little bit harder to control than simply avoiding the chips aisle at the grocery store).

Self care and self indulgence go a long way. Aside from my at-home skincare routine, I have been getting facials every 12 weeks at Skinspirit here in Dallas, and I cannot recommend them enough. I feel like I’ve seen some serious improvement over the last several months. Plus, it feels great to do something indulgent that’s just for me.

Of course, this is just what works for me and my skin, but you should absolutely consult your dermatologist for yourself. I wanted to share my favorite products in case this might help someone dealing with the same thing. Having sensitive skin can really affect your confidence some days, so if this helps one person, I’ll be over the moon.

Here are a few tips I’ve learned over the years:

• Try as hard as possible to not touch your face

• Keep a standing dermatologist appointment on the calendar in case you need to go in

• Be diligent about taking your makeup off and washing your face at night. I do a double wash at night to make sure it’s all gone. I also have gotten into the habit of washing my face at the end of the day before I make dinner or start watching TV/relaxing, because I’m ten times less likely to do it after that.

• If you’re trying a new product, introduce it in very small doses. If you have sensitive skin like I do, going all in on a new product can be a trigger for breakouts

• After you wash your face, dry it with a paper towel. I know - not great environmentally. But keeping things as clean and sterile as possible is a priority when it comes to my skin.

• Let your product sink into your skin before layering another product on top

• Use your moisturizer on your neck!

• Sunscreen every.single.morning. It should go on your eyes, too!

• If there is a blemish that is no longer active, stop treating it like acne and start treating it like skin that needs to heal. Once I have a blemish that’s no longer active, I put First Aid Antibiotic Ointment on it to help it heal and stay moisturized. This feels like one of my biggest skincare hacks and I’ve not heard anyone else mention this before.

• You do not have to spend a lot of money on skincare or buy fancy designer skincare products. Especially if you have sensitive skin, keeping it simple is usually the best course of action. I will be a drugstore skincare gal for life!

• Wash your makeup brushes! Try for once a week if you can. I use basic dish soap, believe it or not.

• If you are trying a new foundation or concealer, if at all possible, take home a sample and see how your skin reacts before you buy it.

SKINCare heroes

Face Wash: I’ve used this for years and will never get tired of it

Vitamin C Serum: I am slowly integrating this into my routine. Right now, I only use this twice a week after I was my face. It helps calm inflammation.

Moisturizer: I’m currently using this, but sometimes switch to this to change things up a bit

Sunscreen: Never miss a day!

Peel Pads: I use these at night maybe once a week if my skin is clear, or two to three times a week if my skin is breaking out

Blemish Patches: These are absolutely incredible, and I was speechless the first time I used them. They seem to actually speed up the life cycle of the blemish, deflating it and keeping it under control!

Lips: I use this chapstick. I got a sample from my dermatologist a while back and immediately went to order it online. I’ll never use anything else.

Skincare Routine

Morning Routine: Ice Roll to de-puff and wake up skin. Wash Face with Neutrogena Gentle Daily Cleanser, followed by IS Clinical Proheal Serum (twice a week only), then layer on Cera Ve Moisturizer, let that soak in for a few minutes, then layer on sunscreen

Evening Routine: Remove eye makeup with Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover, double cleanse with Neutrogena Gentle Daily Cleanser, then use a Dr. Dennis Gross Peel Pad (depending on what’s going on with my skin) then Cera Ve moisturizer, eye cream, let that soak in. Once moisturizer has soaked into the skin, I’ll use a blemish patch if I need to.