Our idea of what skin “should” look like has been completely distorted thanks to being constantly bombarded with perfect looking people on social media and the undisclosed usage of filters. I went to a dermatologist out of frustration a few years ago. I had tried various cute, perfectly marketed and packaged products with zero clue as to what I was doing and much to my dismay, zero results. I needed a professional.

I never thought I’d be the girl who gets stopped with questions about her skincare routine. I was always the one asking my friends for suggestions. Today, it’s the question and compliment I get most often. It’s actually quite simple, very few products required, and I am so happy to share it here.

…fear not, these are products you can find at your local drugstore. Yes, even you from my rural hometown. I’m not here to “hey girl,” you into joining my MLM (I don’t believe in those either). However, these are affiliate links so I will receive a small commission if you shop from this page.

Disclaimer

Before we get started, let’s note a few things. I’m sorry, but you’ve heard it all before:

This is what works for me.
I am not a doctor (shocker, I know)
This is information I am passing onto you from my doctor
This is also my own (amateur) research and personal experience

That being said, here are my four essential products/steps you should consider for your own daily routine:

1. Cleanser

The first step in my skincare (and I’d argue, any) routine is a cleanser.

My favorite, doctor recommended product is the CeraVe foaming cleanser (link). This works for me as someone who has normal to dry skin. This is a very gentle product, and I think a great place to start if you have no idea where to begin. Barring any allergies, of course. Use your best judgement when trying new beauty products.

Cleanse your face (1) every morning when you wake up, before applying your moisturizer and makeup for the day and (2) every night before bed to remove makeup. If you didn’t wear makeup that day, you should still aim to cleanse at least once a day.

If you’re here to improve the look of your skin, then you also aren’t allowed to be upset when I tell you that there’s no reason you should ever go to bed with your makeup still on your face.

2. Moisturizer

This is the step I get asked about the most!

**Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing Gel (fragrance-free)**

There’s one ingredient you need to know when it comes to successfully moisturizing your skin and that’s “hyaluronic acid.”

Ideally, you should also keep fragranced products away from your face as they can cause unnecessary irritation. I always double-check to make sure I grab the fragrance-free version of the Neutrogena Hydro Boost moisturizer (link).

Recently, I also noticed that there’s a cream version. I am not sure what the difference is between that and the gel, but I assume it’s slightly heavier as most creams tend to be. That’s not necessarily good or bad, I just have more experience with the gel version.

As mentioned before, this step should be performed daily after you’ve cleansed your face. Ideally, twice a day, but at least once.

3. Retinol

In addition to SPF, the real reason I get so many compliments on my clear skin.

Okay, so far you’ve used images of exact products, so what’s going on here?

My only experience with retinol/retinoids/retin A is a product called “tretinoin,” and if I could link it for you, I would be sending it to my friends and family left and right. However, I can’t do that because it’s a by-prescription-only product you can get from a family doctor or dermatologist. At least, that’s how it is in the USA - other countries do not require this step.

There are other ways you can obtain what is, essentially, synthetic vitamin A. I’ve heard curology or other similar skincare diagnosis websites will send it to you. There is also a lower-strength version of tretinoin called “adapalene” that is available over the counter, without a healthcare provider necessary. I do not have personal experience with any of these alternative routes.

Even if I could, I would hesitate to link tretinoin without giving you the knowledge of how to use it safely.

To be clear, it is a safe, topical treatment when used correctly. It’s not painful, or difficult to use, and I have not experienced any major negative side effects or changes besides clearer skin over time. I first began using it four years ago so I feel very comfortable talking about it.

I believe this step is where the skin compliments are mostly stemming from. However, I hear people using it incorrectly all of the time. Eager for immediate change, they use too much product, they start off doing it every single day, they put it too close their eyes, etc. Please don’t do any of those things.

Before you start running to your doctor, though, you might want to know what you’re signing up for.

The way synthetic vitamin A/tretinion (I use the 0.05% strength cream) works is by speeding up the rate at which your skin cells turn over, faster than they would do so on their own.

So, your skin is going to peel.

This is very beneficial if you’re looking to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, acne, milia, and/or dark spots. Because of the top layer slowly peeling, you want to take your time increasing in strength and frequency as you are exposing newer, more fragile skin to elements and the sun.

If you’re careful and consistent, the peeling will go away and your results will be that of glass skin. If you rush, you risk destroying your moisture barrier and possibly, a mild burn. Start by applying every other day for a couple of months before increasing your usage to every day. You only need a pea-sized amount to cover your entire face! One small tube lasts me almost an entire year.

If I fall out of my routine, I will still experience mild peeling until I’m back on track. This doesn’t hurt anything except for my feelings when I apply my makeup for a couple of days.

Please talk to you doctor if you are interested or have further questions.

4. SPF

Be so for real right now, it’s 2024 - you need to be doing this step.

Correct me if I’m wrong here, but most women I know are partly, even mostly interested in skincare for anti-aging. You will never achieve the look of flawless skin if you are not protecting it from the sun, that’s just a fact. It is never too late, especially important with the addition of retinols (tretinoin) into your routine, to start protecting yourself from further damage. It’s literally as easy as applying moisturizer.

I like the sunscreen from Sephora by the brand called innisfree (link) but drugstore brands I would recommend checking out are Paula’s Choice and La-Roche Posay.

Recap

To recap, here’s what I have been doing daily for the last four years:

1. Cleanser
2. Moisturizer
3. Tretinoin
4. SPF

Because I have nieces that love, adore me, and follow my every move -
If you’re younger than 26, I’d highly suggest at least steps 1, 2, and 4. You do not necessarily need to worry about retinols unless you’re struggling with acne, and again - talk to a doctor about that not me :) Love you so much!

If you’re over 27 and want to treat mild acne, other small skin inconveniences, and/or reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, I’d suggest all four steps.

You could stop reading here and you’d be solid! I’d feel so comfortable that you have all the knowledge you need to go forth and conquer. However, if you want ever last drop of not-so secret “secrets” I have, continue reading.

Optional

1 - Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Filter (link)
Next to tretinoin, this may be the second most important step I use to give the illusion of “glowing from within skin.” I put this on as the first step in my makeup routine - underneath foundation and concealer. It doesn’t take much! It kind of “fakes” the appearance of additional hydration. There’s a travel size one I’d recommend to save yourself some $ if you want to test it before you splurge.

2 - Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid (link)
A great addition for winter or if you just feel like you need additional moisture. Apply this after moisturizer and give it a few minutes to sink in before layering anything else on top.

3 - ELF Holy Hydration! Makeup Cleansing Balm (link)
I switch back and forth between removing my makeup with the CeraVe moisturizer (step #1) and using this cleansing balm. Again, makes you look and feel super hydrated + refreshed!

4 - Good Molecules Toner (link)
If I’m so honest with you, I don’t really understand want toner is for. I sometimes use this because niacinamide makes me look extra glowy when I’ve taken off my makeup or with a cotton pad to see if there’s any makeup left on my skin after cleansing.

…And that’s everything I know about skincare.

Thank you and have a nice day! :)

— S

Skincare 101