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Have you found your perfect skincare routine?


Have you found your perfect skincare routine? If so, what is it? If not, what are you still looking for?

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Yes and no. I have a good idea about what I’d stick with, if that was where I was, but since I rotate through products to test out new ones, I’d probably go with no.

55 Comments

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Christina Avatar

I found a great cleanser and sunscreen! beyond that, i’m kinda stumped. My skin’s apparently combo with an oily t-zone but if I don’t moisturize my t-zone with rich stuff I flake out hard core and then get super oily. Any recs for a combo moisturizer?

Liz Avatar

I have a similar problem- dry cheeks, oily t-zone that still gets dry and flaky if I’m not careful with it. Lush’s Imperialis moisturizer works really well for me. It’s got a light texture but it moisturizes well, and it has natural extracts that are supposed to help your skin balance out its oil production. When I use it, my cheeks are comfortable and not dry, and my t-zone feels less oily, plus it doesn’t break me out or cause blackheads.

Laura Avatar

Well, I HAD found my perfect routine but my skins been changing on me and I have to find something new.
I was using pro-active until my skin got better and now instead of being oily my skin is normal to dry! So I’m phasing out proactive (only using it in the morning) and testing out new cleasers and toners.

kali Avatar

Christine, I don’t think this even goes in this section but here we go..

I have such a hard time with foundation. They always say, “make sure your neck and face match,” but that definitely hasn’t worked for me. My neck and body are about 2 shades darker than my face (brows to chin.) But then, my forehead is like 3 shades darker than my face! Whenever I get a foundation that matches my forehead, I look way too dark and not natural at all. When I get a foundation that matches perfectly with my face, my forehead looks gray and ashy. Then, there’s the whole problem of my neck not matching.

Basically, I have no idea what color to choose when it comes down to it because it’s either been the choice of forehead looking ashy or the face looking way too dark. Any suggestions?

I’ve been stuck with tinted moisturizer because of this. I love tinted moisturizer and rarely need foundation but I’d like to have a set “face” for days when I need to be made up -special events, weddings, parties, etc. Please help if you can or if anyone else has suggestions, please let me know. =)

marisa Avatar

i have the same issue. i take the foundation that is the color of my face (pale with pink undertones) and mix it with a tad bit of foundation that is closer to the color of the rest of me (a couple shades darker and olive/yellow). i use that on my face and then i use benefit’s hoola bronzer around the perimeter of my face and where the sun would hit. that way it doesn’t look weird and fake. hope this helps.

Dusty Avatar

i pretty much have the same skin care routine that i’ve had since i was… 15? 12? lol! i RARELY use soap or any kind of cleanser on my face (unless i’m wearing makeup, and even then… it has to be a lot of makeup). i wash my face with warm water and my hands – sometimes a washcloth and moisturize almost every day. that’s about it.

i think skin is 90% genetics, 15% how you take care of yourself (stress, sleep, diet, drugs & achohol, exercise), 5% what you actually put ON your face. i’ve never been a firm believer in most skincare routines… it just doesn’t meld with the way my brain figures common sense (i often compare what products tell us with what nature does, and nature usually wins – she’s got more experience afterall).

the last year i started doing a deep exfoliating scrub once, maybe twice a week though, and i like how it makes my face feel – very soft 🙂

Carrie Avatar

I think so. My skin is dry and sensitive, but also acne prone. I’ve been using a Dove face wash for sensitive skin in the morning w/ Murad’s Pomegranate Moisturizer that has SPF 15 in it. At night, I use Murad’s Clarifying Cleanser. Sometimes I use the Skin Perfecting Lotion afterward. I also use Atopalm Moisturizing Face Cream on red areas. I use Murad’s Gentle Acne Treatment Gel in areas where I might break out. Sometimes I use the Exfoliating Acne Treatment instead. If I have a zit, I use the Spot Treatment during the day and dab the Clarifying Mask on it at night. Can you tell I like Murad products? I think I could switch out the gentle cleanser for just about any drugstore cleanser for sensitive skin, though. I just avoid using the acne cleanser twice a day so that my skin doesn’t get too dry.

katy Avatar

yes i do (i have very oily skin), in the morning i wash my face with the clinique mild cleansing gel, and then i moisterize my face with la roche-posay effaclar duo and then i put my make-up on. in the evening i just wash my face with the clinique cleansing gel so that all the make-up is off my face but i don’t moisterize it again. this face routine is what my dermatologue (don’t know how you say this in english) recommended, and it works great!

Miss_M Avatar

Partly. I have found a few products that I always use or come back to, like Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing cleanser and toner and EL Advanced Night Repair, but I do use different eyecreams and moisturisers to see what’s best for my skin (at that moment).

Anitacska Avatar

No, not really. I’m trying to find a good cleanser that gets rid of my blackheads and blocked spores, and I also have some acne under my chin that doesn’t want to go away. 🙁

Marian Avatar

Yes, I have. For reference, I am 55 years old and have normal skin.
Morning and night, I cleanse with Cetaphil
Morning, I apply sunscreen SPF 55
On alternate evenings, I apply Renova or Alpha Hydrox Souffle
I use Cetaphil moisturizer as needed in winter.

Jillian Avatar

Yes. Finally! My dry, sensitive, rosacea skin has been the bane of my existence. But I have finally found a system to keep my rosacea at bay, keep my skin moisturized, AND keep break outs away.

I use Dermalogica. I use the ultra calming cleanser, then the daily microfoliant, then one of the moisturizers, shit, can’t remember the name. Expensive, but I hardly use any of each product per day! Plus,when I feel a pimple coming on, I dab some Tea Tree Oil on that area.

marisa Avatar

almost! i only just started my skincare routine! but it looks like i am on my way to using several korres products, i love what their pomegranate moisturizer has done for me skin. dior’s mattifying toner has been amazing as well, as has l’occitane’s brightening exfoliator. i am going to return/exchange two other products today for some more korres stuff!

JD Avatar

Definitely not! I have the whole large pores/blackheads things going on, with a couple tiny whiteheads here and there (which are mostly hormone related)…I use neutrogena’s pore refining products, which are ‘eh’. I am excited for when more comments come up so I can get some tips!

stacy Avatar

I change my skin care depending on what my skin needs. The one staple that I use every single day is Philosophy Purity Cleanser and my Clarisonic!

Joanna Avatar

I am really happy with my current routine. I have tried many other brands in the past, but lately, I am stuck on MAC.

1) Remove eye makeup with MAC wipes
2) Wash face with Lightful Foaming Cream Cleanser
3) Spray face with Fix+
4) Apply Prep + Prime Skin Brightening Serum, avoiding eye area
5) Apply Moisturelush Cream all over, including eye area

Kaoyee Avatar

For me, yes!! Finally, after 28 years 🙂 I have an oily t-zone and my cheek area is pretty soft, normal, not dry at all. I break out mostly on my forehead and chin plus I have some blackheads. I use products in Shiseido’s Pureness line – the foaming cleanser, softener, and mattifying moisturizer. After I wash my face (focusing on my t-zone), I swipe the softener all over, dab Clinique’s All About Eyes serum roller underneath my eyes, dab Philosophy’s On A Clear Day all over acne treatment on my t-zone, massage in Murad’s Active Radiance Serum on my cheeks (to brighten and get rid of sunspots), and then finish with moisturizer all over. Admittedly, none of these products have an SPF, and so I’m still on the hunt for a moisturizer with SPF that won’t irritate my skin.

Um, that was a long comment. haha, sorry.

Trina Avatar

Yes I beleive that I have finally found (maybe not perfect) great skin care for my face. I have very dry skin in the winter and dry/normal skin in the summer. I am now using LUSH skincare and it’ll take something pretty huge to change from that. I have been using this routine for a few months now.

Makeup Remover – MAC Wipe/Professional Eye Make-up remover
Cleanser – Ultrabland
Toner – Eau Roma Water
Moisture (night) – Skin Nanny/Skin’s Shangra La
Moisture (day) – Hope in a Jar

My skin has never looked better. My dry patchy places (my entire forehead) gone.

The night moisturiser is really heavy and sits on the skin but by morning you skin is amazing.

Samantha T. Avatar

Pretty simple:

1) MD Forte I Cleanser
2) Green Cream Level 6 (night)
3) Eucerin Daily Protection SPF 30 (morning)

I’ve had to stop using my Kate Somerville Exfolikate and Clarisonic – it’s just too much exoliation with the retinol. I just started using Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation SPF 32 for added protection.

Getting great results with my stubborn clogged pores and pigmentation. I’m able to use the Green Cream every night with minimal peeling. I just turned 40 and the retinol is making a huge difference in the texture of my skin!

Alexis Avatar

I can say that the products I have been using for the past weeks have been WORKING for me. That’s big for me since I never really gave it much thought since my skin is so problematic (eczema/rosacea issues) I just used the ointment my dr. prescribed along with drugstore cleanser/moisturizer. I was given a sample of Philosophy’s Help Me retinol cream to help fade my acne discolorations. It hasn’t completely faded yet but I do notice a very subtle lightening on my skin. I tried a myriad of moisturizing samples but the two that really hit it out of the park are the most expensive (for me) – Chanel’s Hydra+Max gel cream and serum. The serum really made a difference even with it under my Olay day moisturizer it keeps my skin soft. I have been using samples because the serum alone is $135 but because of what it has done for me and my super sensitive skin I am sold. The Chanel moisturizer is great too but I just wished it had an SPF, therefore I only use it as a night cream and use my Olay w/SPF for the day. The cleanser I’m using is the Aveeno foaming pump cleanser. I guess it’s can be a dupe for the Philosophy Purity cleanser which I have never tried but that’s what I’ve read it compared to.

For the first time in a very LONG time I am pleased with my skincare! I just wished it wasn’t so pricey…

tremorviolet Avatar

I think I have it down because I rarely break out anymore but that could just be because I’m older too.

Morning: Cetaphil with Clarisonic, mix of Purpose cleanser & Head&Shoulders for seborrhea, 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, EltaClear sunscreen.

Evening: Sonia Kushak eye make-up remover, Cetiphil, 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, Differin (prescription).

The H&S mix made a huge change in my skin. I was getting red, flakey patches by my nose but it wasn’t dry skin,it was seborrhea. Also, the Differin keeps my skin from looking dull.

HebrideanSprite Avatar

No, I’m oily with fairly bad acne that I can’t get rid of. I’m currently trying Murad’s system but I’m not noticing too much of a difference thus far. It’s very frustrating. Especially as quite a few skin care companies test on animals which means I won’t purchase from them. hoping for better luck in the future.

Carrie Avatar

Stick with Murad for a few months (it really helped me) and if you still don’t see a change, you may need products that contain benzoyl peroxide instead. All of Murad’s acne products have salicylic acid or sulfur in them, which doesn’t work for everyone. My skin is too sensitive for benzoyl peroxide and that’s why I decided to try Murad.

Julia Avatar

Im in between stages right now, I think the cleanser I’ve been using lately has been causing me to break out (L’occitane almond apple oil cleanser). So I recently incorporated a toner (Neostrata toning solution level 2 with 8% glycolic and 2% Salicylic), I am hoping to see an improvement soon. I used to have really good skin until about 3 months ago and now I have little bumps and white heads galore!
For moisturizer I use Biotherm Age fitness 2 for day time and neostrata night cream for PM.
Lately I’ve been wearing liquid foundation which I never used to do so that may be what’s breaking me out as well.

Emily Avatar

Not quite, but I’m getting there.. One step at the time, I’m thinking if I get one step done by each year that goes by I’ll be done by the time I’m 25…so five years to go.

Lucia Avatar

Yep, after many years ( ha! ) I go with this:
A.M: toner, moisturizer or eye cream
P.M: eye make up remover, cleanser, moisturizer.

In summer I may get a serum instead, and that will work just fine because of the heat

elena Avatar

I use Burt’s Bees acne solutions line and I am loving it. It’s not perfect but it’s the best I’ve tried so far and I don’t think I will ever find anything that is perfect.

Kharina Avatar

I second this. I think Burt Bees stuff is not bad. I’ve tried their line because they’re mostly natural… and for my oily skin type… it’s ironic that when I use the carrots face cream (which is thick stuff) at nights works for me to a point that when I shower in the morning, I don’t have to moisturize anymore. I’m so soft and I get less oily throughout the day. Super weird.

Dorie Avatar

I wish. I found a decent sunscreen but I cannot find a good enough cleanser, scrub or lotion. I’m dry-combo, so I either end up being flaky, pimply, or worse a combination of that all over. =/

Kristy Avatar

No, sadly 🙁 My nose is super weird, it looks oily but dry and taut at the same time
This may be a weird question, but is a ‘perfect’ skin care routine supposed to stop you from getting any acne? Like, after you’ve used it you don’t get blemishes? If that makes sense.

marisa Avatar

i don’t think that’s weird! my oily spots are the same ones that are dry. and i think the definition of a perfect skin care routine is one that gives you skin you are happy with 🙂

sarah Avatar

I have improved my regime and it seems to be working well for me. I used to break out frequently as well as get dry patches. Now, i have tamed my skin, i will get an occasional zit but they aren’t nearly as gross or painful and go away quickly, and my dry patches are non-existent.
-I wash my make-up off nightly using boscia purifying cleansing gel (SLS free, i avoid this is my toothpaste as well, great lather agent, but not for sensitive skin)
-I then exfoliate using Lush’s Dark Angels or Ocean Salt (every other night)
-I then tone, using lush’s breath of fresh air
-I then treat using lush’s grease lightning, this stuff is my life saver, a non drying ance treatment, light and ph balanced since the base is aloe, uses anti-bacterial herbs rosemary, thyme and tea tree to treat
-moisturize using lush’s cosmetic lad, a medium aloe gentle moisturizer.
-i use a fresh mask on clean freshly toned skin 2-3x a week, usually lush’s bb seaweed, cupcake, or oatafix

in the morning i use water to rinse and wake-up and tone only, this prevents dryness, then i use grease lighting lightly and moisturize, and use a powder spf like peter thomas roth spf 45

Dianna Avatar

I had found the perfect skin care routine… but my skin has been going NUTS for the last 2-3 months 🙁 I got a few spots of really bad acne, decided to treat them with Clearasil (5% Benzoyl Peroxide), and the situation just got out of control – dry patches, flakes, etc. I’ve stopped using the Clearasil (even though it really helped with the pimples) and am slowly getting back to normal. I haven’t quite figured out what works for me and I still have a few stubborn dry patches around my chin but I’m getting there, however slowly. For now, I’m trying out a few different cleansers and really paying attention to my diet. We’ll see how it goes 🙂

Liz Avatar

Yes,,, finally, I’m using Paula’s choice line and it is amazing..
cleanse– skin balance cleanser
tone — skin balancing toner
exfoliate — 2% BHA liquid
serun — skin mattifying antioxidants concentrate
day time — skin balancing mattifying moisturizer spf 15
night — skin recovery moisturizer…..
everything is from paula’s choice.. and my skin could not be in a better condition. Very impressed with this routine and highly recommended for troublesome skin..

JEN Avatar

Oh gosh, it took me two years to find it!

Makeup Remover: MAC Cleanse Off Oil – probably the best makeup remover I have used that doesn’t make my skin dry and doesn’t sting my eyes. Makes my skin really soft as well.

Cleanser: Mary Kay Timewise 3-1 Cleanser – Toner, gentle exfoliation and cleanser in 1. It also has anti-aging properties in the exfoliation beads. As you cleanse, the beads burst and release vitamin c and other nutrients that help skin stay young. The cleanser also is available for different kinds of skin. I use the Combo/Oily.

Day time Moisturizer: Mary Kay Timewise Moisturizer – I think this is better for a day moisturizer. I find that I have to use a little more than I would like to because I have dry skin around my mouth and eyes. Otherwise, it is a great moisturizer

Nighttime Moisturiizer: MAC Moisturelush – I love the smell, consistency, and moisture this gives my face. I LOVE this stuff! In the winter, I actually use this combined with Mary Kay’s moisturizer to give me extra moisture.

Weekly Scrub: IQQU’s Rice Scrub – Smells so good! Really softens my skin and gets rid of dead skin cells around my nose and face. I love it!

Fix +: For added extra hydration.

Amanda Avatar

Cleanser: Peter Thomas Roth foaming cleanser

exfoliator: clarins

Toner: shiseido

moisturizer: clarins for night Kate sommerville for day

suncare: shiseido

Eyecream:? Still on the hunt

haya Avatar

hi

it is yes and no also for me but the skin care line That is worked for me is Natura bisse it is expensive but it work.

also, i like lancome and clinique.but because I like to change due to my personality hahahahahha.

For Clarins,shishedo,dior and most of drug store did not do at all it is awful.

Hayley Avatar

No, I wish =(

At the moment I’m using a variety of natural, organic products that seem to be not bad…but since I have really sensitive, fragile skin that’s so easily prone to redness I haven’t found an absolute perfect routine.

HLespier Avatar

I am 43 yrs old, and I have been trying different products since I was 12! I have never been stuck to any specific brand (most of my life), I like to change and try different and new things. However, the routine is basically the same:

PM

1. Eye makeup remover
2. Gentle cleanser
3. Toner
4. Eye cream
5. Night Cream
6. Lip Balm

AM

1. Plain water
2. Toner
3. Moisturizer
4. Eye Cream
5. Sun Block (Anthelios!)

Leenie Avatar

My day time routine I cleanse my face with African black soap and moisturize with jojoba oil, the oil absorbs very quickly. And the same at night except I moisturize with shea butter I try to stay all natural when I can help it

Vicki Avatar

I do change my skin care from time to time depending if winter or summer, because your skin needs change…buta staple in my routine: I use Purity w my Clarisonic and that’s always the same 🙂 I do love Graftobian moisturizer at the moment, and in hotter months Clinique moisture surge gel, its so soothing on the skin.

Bridgette Avatar

I found my perfect skin care routine by receiving some samples from Lush. I tried out the products and I was hooked! Now I just have to wait to finish my old skin care product and then I will buy the full size Lush products that I got in samples.

Monica Avatar

Hi my name is Monica and I’m 11 years old with not perfect skin but skin I’m happy with! Here is a step by step guide for any 11 year olds out there!

first with clean hands splash your face with cold waterr

Now in your sink run boiling water and hold your face over it for 1 or 2 minutes (this will open your pores)

Now with olay daily facials wash your face (these wipes include bar soap, makeup remover, facewash, cleansing milk and toner

when rinced aply neutrogena black head eliminating scrub

Now wash with COLD water and apply whichever moisturizer is best for you

hope this helps! Please give feedback!!! Thx lol 😉

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