My Favorite Skin Care Products

I have struggled with acne the majority of my life. I had lots of acne ESPECIALLY at the beginning of my pregnancy. Before I got pregnant, I was prescribed retinol to help with my acne issues and scars. However, when I got pregnant, I wasn’t able to use retinol anymore and was forced to find a new skin care routine. After some research, I found a routine that worked for me and have tweaked it to fit my skin care needs even well into my postpartum life! I wanted to share that routine with you today along with my favorite skin care products!

Shop my routine here!

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This routine goes for my mornings and evenings! The only thing that changes is that I don’t wear a moisturizer at night. I’ll let you know why in a moment, but let’s start at the beginning!

MY FAVORITE FACE WASH:
Aveeno Clear Complexion Foam Cleanser

I have tried LOTS of face washes in my day (even quite a few from Aveeno), but I must say… this Aveeno Clear Complexion Foam Cleanser has been my favorite. I came across this cleanser when I met my now husband. He uses it and one day I forgot the cleanser I was using at the time and tried this foam cleanser and fell in love. It INSTANTLY cleans out my pores. When I say instantly, I mean instantly. I remember long days and nights in the first few months of being a new mom where I wasn’t quite disciplined to wash my face in the mornings or before going to bed. Naturally, my pores would be clogged with blackheads and I could literally feel the filled pores along my nose. This Aveeno Clear Complexion Foam Cleanser gets all the gunk out and after rinsing, I’m left with smooth and clean skin again!

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MY FAVORITE TONER:
Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner

Another favorite in the pore clearing department is the toner every person should have, the Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner. First off, the bottle is huge and it goes a VERY long way. I think this is only my third bottle since my pregnancy back in 2020! Also, it’s one of the more affordable (yet effective) toners I’ve come across. I’ve found that this also helps to reduce the size of my pores. I like the fact that it helps get rid of residual makeup that my cleanser might not have picked up the first time!

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MY FAVORITE SERUMS AND ACNE TREATMENTS:
The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum
The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Brightening Cream

This may be my favorite section to share! The next three products are probably now my holy grail of skin care. These are the products I came across when I was in the early stages of my pregnancy scrambling for a replacement to my retinols. I needed something to help control my acne and ever since I started using them, I’ve noticed a drastic difference in my skin. The trio I am talking about is from the brand The Ordinary.

The first product in the trio is The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum. It gives my skin a boost of moisture, prepping it for the next products in the line up. I have found that just two drops of the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is all my skin needs. Actually, going in blindly with The Ordinary products may seem a little daunting. I found that this video by Melissa Van Dijk helped a lot with serum layering of The Ordinary products, as well as best practices to get the most benefits out of the products!

After the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum, I go in with The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum. This is probably my favorite of the trio! It helps to reduce blemishes and congestion in the skin. It also helps to brighten the skin overtime, helping to fade dark spots from surfaced acne scars. Just two drops again is all I personally need. I’ve noticed that if I’ve done extractions, the serum does tingle a little in that area. By the next morning, my skin has healed almost completely!

The third step for me would be using The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Brightening Cream. This formula has multiple functions! What I love the most about it is that it helps to even skin texture which helps to reduce the visibility of blemishes. It also helps to brighten the skin. I tend to get red around the middle of the face (around the nose, down smile lines and on my chin). I’ve noticed that in using the Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Brightening Cream, it helps to reduce the redness for a more even complexion. I LOVE IT!

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MY FAVORITE EYE CREAM:
SiO Cryo Eye Cream

My next favorite product in my skin care routine is the SiO Cryo Eye Cream. This eye cream helps to tighten the skin around the eyes, reducing the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. I also love to put this in the fridge for an added cooling effect to help depuff the under eye area!

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MY FAVORITE MOISTURIZER:
Perricone MD High Potency Classics: Face Finishing & Firming Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30

If I could have a forever supply of something, it would be this moisturizer. It’s the Perricone MD High Potency Classics: Face Finishing & Firming Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30. I came across this moisturizer in 2018 and have been in love ever since. It is on the pricier side ($75 at Ulta) but I stand by this moisturizer and probably will until the end of time. With complete SPF protection, this moisturizer is a must after using the Azelaic Suspension 10% Brightening Cream. I mean, SPF is a must any day, but definitely needed after the brightening cream.

I LOVE how light and airy the moisturizer feels, while still keeping my skin hydrated and moisturized well! It absorbs into the skin quickly, but doesn’t leave your skin dry! The tint is a very healthy glow. Not tanned, not greasy… just healthy! A little also goes a long way, so I feel that the price is justified, as one jar lasts me for months! I LOVE how soft it makes my skin feel. Soft and smooth, again… not greasy! This is hands down my FAVORITE moisturizer.

Now, I only use the moisturizer during the day. I don’t apply moisturizer at night because I prefer just using The Ordinary trio and letting them work their magic on my skin over night. I will have to warn you though, if you don’t apply moisturizer after the Azaleic Acid Suspension 10% Brightening Cream, your skin will look chalk like. I brave the chalk face at night, and my husband is used to it! But in the morning, I can’t be seen in public with face like chalk… so again, the moisturizer is a must!

So let’s recap, shall we? Here is the complete list in the order in which I use them:

• Aveeno Clear Complexion Foam Cleanser
• Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner
• The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
• The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum
• The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Brightening Cream
• SiO Cryo Eye Cream
• Perricone MD High Potency Classics: Face Finishing & Firming Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30

Quick note, for makeup removal (not pictured), I love to use Dermalogica’s PreCleanse makeup remover! On day’s when I’m wearing more than just my 5 Minute Makeup Routine, I start my ENTIRE skin care routine with the Dermalogica PreCleanser. The cleansing oil does NOT break me out… thank God! But it does a fantastic job at breaking down the makeup! After rinsing, I follow with the Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser and continue with the rest of my favorite skin care products as I mentioned above.

PHEW! That seems like a lot, but it’s really not. It works for me, and if there’s someone out there that has struggled with acne like I have, this might work for you! Hope it helps!

Un Besito,

Rocío Isabel