Ever since I can remember, my skin has been extremely dry and sensitive. So dry, that it hurts if I don’t moisturize, and one false move of perfume ending up on my skin instead of my clothes, and you can expect to see a rash the next day. With that said, I could never enjoy those yummy Bath & Body Works lotions or even the colorful bath bombs growing up. To this day, I still have to be strategic about what I put on my skin.
I had developed a pretty solid skincare routine the past couple of years. But, just as you could imagine, when the world seemed to fall apart last year, so did my skin because what else could go wrong in 2020? My go-to face moisturizer had been discontinued, I went through hormonal changes, and I had breakouts from my skin not reacting well to the new products I so desperately tried. Thankfully after much trial and error, half-used containers of failed products, and many dollars wasted, I’ve finally curated the perfect skincare routine that has helped my skin bounce back.
Step 1: Cleanse
To begin my skincare routine, I cleanse my face with the Honey Girl Skin Care Milk and Honey Bar. This cleanser is filled with moisturizing agents such as goat milk and coconut milk which are super beneficial for my dry skin. The goat milk is also anti-inflammatory and full of vitamin A which helps repair skin damage, while coconut milk’s abundance of vitamin C aids in maintaining the skin’s elasticity.
Step 2: Tone
After cleansing, I follow up with Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner. Dry skin not only needs moisture but hydration as well, and the watermelon extract is the star in this toner because of its ultra-hydrating properties. Cactus water follows closely behind for its extra level of hydration and moisture-retention abilities. This ingredient also gives the toner its springy, stretchy texture. What makes the toner “pore-tight” is the two types of BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) that help penetrate and decongest clogged pores while also being gentle enough for sensitive skin like mine. PHAs (polyhydroxy acids), another sensitive skin-friendly acid, are also added to gently resurface and smooth skin.
Step 3: (Optional) Apply Eye Cream
Before I revamped my skincare routine, I never gave eye creams a second thought. In fact, many dermatologists and skincare specialists are divided on whether this category is necessary or not. But based on my experience with Cocokind’s Revitalizing Eye Cream, I’ve slowly started seeing a difference. It has slightly reduced the fine lines under my eyes and brightened that area. And since the skin around the eye area is thinner than the rest of the face, the eye cream delivered the perfect amount of hydration and included ingredients that are delicate enough to penetrate the area.
Step 4: Moisturize
Finally, I generously apply Kinship’s Supermello Hydrating Gel Cream Moisturizer. Most moisturizers I’ve tried that were targeted at dry skin left my face feeling very greasy and heavy and sometimes clogged my pores. Gel moisturizers like this are light on the skin and help add the right amount of hydration and moisture. This cream has a cooling sensation and a light sweet scent, thanks to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich marshmallow root. It also features coconut water which is full of amino acids and proteins that moisturize, soften, and protect skin.
My skincare routine definitely took some TLC. But to anyone currently with their skin, take a deep breath. Take some time to really learn about your skin, what reacts well with it, and what ingredients in certain products you shouldn’t mix with each other. Your skin will transform before you know it.