My Current 5-Step Skin Care Routine

I'm a huge advocate for a bomb skin care routine, as I am an even bigger advocate for a beat face, but the key to a face beat to capacity is the skin underneath. Now the state of my skin has been a journey, as I have scars and hyper-pigmentation from both petty pimples and eczema, but I think I've nailed down what works for me.* 

For the most part, I have a clear complexion now thanks to a steady regime, water, exfoliation, and my poppin' gene pool. I've been using these products as of recent and my skin seems to like the combination. 

1. Cleanse. I use Garnier Micellar Water to both remove makeup and whatever dirt has accumulated on my skin from the day. If I've gone without makeup for the day, I can get away with a 1-step cleanse; if wore makeup that day, I'll follow my micellar water cleanse with a quick foaming cleanser or one of a milkier consistency. I don't have a cleanser to recommend just yet because the ones I have are just "ok," I'm still on the hunt for a holy grail product. 
2. Tone. After you cleanse your face, your next step is to tone. Using a toner balances the skin's pH as well as gets whatever excess dirt residue may be lingering. I used to skip this step but recently I've seen a difference from using a mixture of apple cider vinegar (ACV) and water; the water dilutes the acidity of the ACV. The ACV mixture is great, I'm pretty sure it had a hand in the fading of my dark spots but let's be real, it smells terrible. So I've switched to Thayer's Aloe Vera Witch Hazel Rose Petal Toner (that name is way too long, tbh) because as the aloe vera calms the skin, the rose water hydrates. Name a better duo, I'll wait. 
3. Essence. Using an essence has been a new step for me but it's been a staple in the Korean beauty community for centuries. If you're not familiar, essences are basically serums in a more watery and concentrated form. Essences are used before serums as prep, getting your skin ready to absorb the nutrients and benefits of the serum you're about to use, also adding a boost of hydration. This May Coop Raw Sauce is 100% natural, made of Acer maple sap, and has an extremely lightweight consistency. It's the first essence I've tried and so far, so good. 
4. Serum. So as of late, my pores have been getting larger (I blame the obnoxious heat the summer months brought, also causing an unusual production of oil.) Glycolic acid is great for minimizing the pores and tightening the skin. I use the Nip&Fab Glycolic Fix serum on my T-zone and cheeks, where my pores are the biggest. 
5. Eye cream. Another newbie to my routine, I've incorporated an eye cream to moisturize the skin under my eyes and on my eye lids. The skin around your eyes is the most delicate skin on your face so you want to keep it moisturized to prevent aging. The Yes to Coconuts Eye Balm is lack luster to be honest, it gets the job done but I know there's better on the market. I'll keep you posted on my hunt for a better one, I have my eyes on the Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Anti-Wrinkle Eye & Lip Cream. I got a sample from Sephora (I'm the sample queen, you should know) and I fell in love...the gag is...it's $42. El oh el. 

*I have combination/oily skin sensitive skin. My skin used to be extremely dry but as I've gotten older, my skin has decided to switch paths and be oily. How rude, right? Also notice how I do not have a moisturize step listed, between the tone, essence, & serum step, my skin stays pretty hydrated during the day. I'm currently on the hunt for a good night cream to seal in my routine.