Beginning Skin Care

Ushana Garst
3 days ago
4 min read

A pimple. It all starts with one zit and all chaos ensues; what cleanser do I use, should I add in a toner, OMG what is making me breakout, etc. Well, as someone who has acne their entire life (hormonal) I am going to tell you my secrets on how to get clear skin! All Products will be found at the end of the post at my Amazon Storefront!

Finding the Right Cleanser
Cleanser is the most important step in your routine. You are taking out literal gunk, buildup, and residue, so you want a good one. There are two different types of cleansers: oil and water.

Oil cleansers is exactly what the name entails, oils are the primary ingredient. This cleanser is your base cleanse or first cleanse. This is the initial step to getting buildup off of your face. It works by dissolving oil base impurities. This is what takes the first layer off. My favorite oil cleansers are from Valmont and Anua
Valmont Icy Falls: Although not the most afforable product, it works wonders. It removes all sunscreen and is a lightweight formula that does not clog pores!
Anua Heartleaf: This is one of my ultimate favs! This gets anything and everything. There are no prior steps like micellar water, it is just the Anua Heatleaf cleanser. This product I have been using for about 3 years and I have repurchased I don't know how many bottles. It keeps my pores clean and I always feel so refreshed after using it! Link in AmazonStore Front (end of post)!
Water cleansers are just as important. This is a final step to ensure everything is clean so you can move onto toner. Water cleansers are exactly what they say! Water is the primary ingredient (listed first) and they remove water soluble impurities, like sweat, environmental pollutes, etc. My favorites are Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser and Lait U SR.
Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser: This is a very affordable product and leaves your skin feeling clean and looking clean too. It is very lightweight and it catered to all skin types. It hydrates your skin to have it ready for your next steps.
Lait U SR: Found at Biologique Recherche, it is a luxury product that is milky and hydrating. It has your skin glowing and pairs great with the Valmont Icy Falls.

Toner Time!!
Toner is tough to find because there are so many and they all do different things. That is why Skin Flooding was created, but I am going to tell you a secret...It is not worth it. Yes, while it can make your skin look great, needing that many toners is really not that helpful because they only penetrate into the outer layer which helps with pores, not the root issue. That is why only one toner is necessary.
I'm From Rice Toner: Arguably one of the best toners on the market. As a girl with hormonal acne, I never broke out once using this. This has the most natural ingredients. It gives your skin, hydration, glow, brightening, and helps with pores. What is there not to love?

Serum that Serums
An absolute optional step, but I think having more serums are better than more toners. Serums penetrate in the deeper layers of skin, epidermis and dermis, but this depends on polarity and molecule size. So, having 2-3 is not a bad idea. Serums are effective for brightening, acne, and pores. My favorites come from Biologique Recherche, but I can make a seperate post on that because that is one of the best brands on the market. For right now I am going to share some more affordable ones that give the same results!
Anua Azelaic Acid: Have a breakout? Use this for 5 days straight and it will be gone. Azelaic acid is not a new discovery but Anua uses it in a very pure form which makes it much more effective. Anua promotes it as an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory product and it couldn't be more true.
Skin 1004 Centella Ampoule: A classic, but for a very good reason. Highly moisturizing but not too overbearing, so every skin type is able to use it. The replenishing formula ensures the skin is rebalanced and smooth.

Moisturizer: Lock it In!
The final step is moisturizer. A highly important step yet so overlooked. Moisture is important for your skin just like drinking water. Your skin needs hydration! My favorites are from Cetaphil and Dr. Althea Relief Cream.
Cetaphil: The Daily moisturizer is a "cult classic" although a little heavy on the skin, it makes sure your skin is nice and hydrated. It layers great with makeup and it not clogging at all.
Dr. Althea Relief Cream: I would only use this as night if you are acne prone, but it helps with blemishes and scars and it is very hydrating providing a nice layer before you go to bed.

Sunscreen: The Official End
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide. This is because people do not either wear sunscreen or are choosing the wrong ones. Starting to use sunscreen at a young age and everyday not matter the season or weather will push back the need for Botox by about 10 years. Who doesn't want to age backwards?
Mixsoon Bean Sunscreen: a mineral formula is the best for acne prone skin. But it is also good for texture and making sure the harmful rays of the sun does not damage your skin barrier. Mixsoon leaves no whitecast nor is it too greasy. It is lightweight and has a watery texture to give you an amazing finish.
Round Lab Sunscreen: This product is amazing. It leaves no whitecast is highly moisturizing. Voted as NBC Selected #1 Sunscreen for a reason. It is acne safe and layers with makeup very well, no pilling or residue left.