I’m a recovering beauty junkie. Walking into Sephora was like being a kid in a candy store. The amount of things being thrown into my cart out of impulse and desire were not only wreaking havoc on my bank account, but my skin. I also work in an industry where beauty samples show up at my doorstep unexpectedly. Yes, it’s an awesome perk of the job, but I was unknowingly suffering from it.

Adult Acne

A couple of years ago, I had painful and relentless cystic acne that I couldn’t get rid of no matter what I tried. At first I blamed my hormones, which was probably accurate since I had just had a baby and finished breastfeeding. Those two things are known for causing your skin to freak out. Except, most of what I read said that the acne should get better in a few months or max a year, but my acne felt like it was there to stay. I became obsessed with reading and watching everything I could on fighting cystic acne, and I went to my dermatologist and was prescribed a recipe of things to start using that were pretty harsh on the skin. After only a week of using them, I knew that they weren’t for me. I decided to stop using almost all of my beauty products and to stick to a few products for three months. The results, my acne improved! (Read more about my adult acne journey here.)

It’s almost a year later and my skin is still looking a lot better and I’ve continued to stop adding a ton of new products back into my routine. I try new products very cautiously. As much as I would love to be testing all the amazing things out there, I know that my skin can’t handle it. Not only that, but I just don’t need that many products.

Beauty Resolution: Use Less

Next year, I plan to take this even further. Focusing more on sleep, stress and diet in an effort for glowing skin versus the next big skincare trend. I probably still use more products than the average person, but keeping to a routine that works for my skin is key. Plus, I’m saving money and space!

My current routine is one cleanser, one toner, one serum, one moisturizer (usually an oil) and sunscreen. In the morning, I usually skip cleansing since my skin is dry. I use the Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner; then one pump of Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum; followed by a couple drops of Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Oil. Then I will layer on Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40.

In the evenings, I do a bit more. I cleanse with La Roche-Posay Toleraine Hydrating Gentle Cleanser; then add one pump of Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Frambroose Glycolic Night Serum (although I do like to use this every other night so I alternate with Monastery’s Rose Glycolic Gel); followed by a couple drops of Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Oil or Monastery Attar Concentrate. On the weekends, I will occasionally do a face mask, but it’s not a regular thing. It’s pretty simple aside from sometimes changing one or two products depending. I also aim to completely finish the products and then start all over again. It’s very satisfying to become a person who actually finishes her skincare products.

Another benefit from this routine is that I know that these keep my skin clear. If I add in a new product and I break out, I immediately will know why (that and tracking my menstrual cycle, but that’s a whole other post).