I can never seem to make up my mind when it comes to a skin care routine. In all honesty, I don’t even have a routine, I just use a variety of products that seem to work pretty well for me. I have combination skin, meaning it’s dry in some places and way too oily in others. I also struggle with mild to moderate acne, and tend to have more breakouts during times of stress. I don’t stick to a specific brand or a specific price range, I just use what works for me specifically. These products may not work for everyone and they are just my personal favourites that I use. Hopefully they can help out some other folks! This article is not sponsored by any of these brands, and these are my honest opinions about these products.
- Generation Clay — Ultra Violet Brightening Purple Clay Mask ($65.94 CAD)
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This face mask will brighten and rejuvenate your dull skin, with stimulating collagen. It uses aloe to soothe skin and reduce redness, and bilberry as a natural exfoliator. I use this once every couple days by applying a thin layer onto my skin, and rinsing it after 10 minutes with warm water. Instantly I can feel a difference in my skin from using this product. It always leaves my skin feeling fresh and glowing!
- Dermalogica (Clear Start) — Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash ($28 CAD)
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This foaming wash clears dead skin cells, excess oils and dirt. It’s cruelty free, vegan and safe for sensitive skin. It’s formulated with Salicylic Acid, botanicals and orange peel extract. I use this morning and night, applying a small amount with my hands and rinsing with warm water. My favourite part about this cleanser is that it doesn’t leave behind any residue but instead makes my skin feel soft and clean!
- Alba Botanica — Natural Hawaiian Balancing Facial Toner ($12.79 CAD)
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Using witch hazel and aloe, this toner is able to help minimize pores and provide a more even complexion. It’s hypoallergenic and can be used on sensitive skin. I use a cotton ball to dab it onto my face when I apply it daily. It has a very natural and fresh smell, which is due to the extracts of passion flower and guava. I love how it helps my skin glow without making my skin oily or dry.
- The Ordinary — Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ($5.90 CAD)
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This is probably my favourite and most used product on the list. This serum has Vitamin B3 and Zinc to help reduce the appearance of acne. I usually apply a thin layer before bed, and rinse it off in the morning. A week of using it daily makes my acne almost disappear, and even after one night it makes a bit of a difference. This is a great budget-friendly option and perfect for people who don’t have the time for an extended skin care routine.
These are just a few of my all time favourites! Keep in mind that these won’t be perfect for everyone, but could be worth a shot to try out if you have a similar skin type to me. I hope you can find some new favourites as well! If you have any favourite skin care products that you recommend, let me know! Send me a message on instagram @rachelcleland.