My Acne Skincare Routine: Holy Grail Skincare Products

I have been following a consistent skincare routine for all of 2021 and most of 2020, and my skin has never looked better! I have battled adult cystic acne in my twenties, but found some amazing products that have significantly improved my skin. Currently at 25 years old, I am the happiest I have been with my skin in years! Keep reading to find out my favorite skin care products and my everyday routine!

My Morning Routine

Cleanser

I begin by washing my face with the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. This is a very simple cleanser that does not irritate my skin. You can purchase it at almost any drugstore and it typically retails in the $10-$12 range for a 16oz bottle.

Serum

I then apply my holy-grail vitamin c serum: the Skinceuticals CE Ferulic. While this product comes at a hefty price point ($166), it truly does last a long time. I usually purchase the Skinceutical serums from Blue Mercury when they do their seasonal sales, so that I can get a discount. You can easily get 6-8+ months out of this bottle. I apply a few drops to my entire face and gently pat in.

Moisturizer and SPF

Following the serum, I apply the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream which is around $58 for a 4.2 oz jar. I personally use a good amount of moisturizer, and love this Kiehl’s one. Lastly, I apply SPF which is crucial to healthy skin, especially while using a retinoid. I have tried a few sunscreens in the past, but my current favorite is the Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30. I feel for a mineral sunscreen, it blends well into my moisturized skin. This retails around $15 for a 3 fl oz tube. Another favorite of mine is the Blue Lizard Mineral Sensitive Face Sunscreen SPF 30, which is around $16 for a 1.7 fl oz tube.

My Nighttime Routine

Makeup Removal & Cleanser

If I am wearing makeup, I always use the Trader Joe’s 100% Pure Jojoba Oil as a makeup remover. I love the Trader Joe’s one as it only costs a few dollars. Also, I purchased a pack of reusable cotton rounds on Amazon which I love to use with the jojoba oil. I typically wear makeup 2-3 days per week.

I wet my face, and apply a few drops of jojoba oil onto my hands. I then massage the oil into my face and around my eyes to remove the makeup. I take a wet reusable cotton round and gently rub my face to remove the makeup and oil from my skin. Once I have thoroughly removed my makeup, I will go in with a cleanser.

I use the same Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, or if I want to manually exfoliate, the Acure Brightening Facial Scrub. The scrub costs roughly $10 at Ulta, and a little goes a long way. I’ve had the same tube for months and it still has plenty in it. I truly think that gentle and manual exfoliation has improved the overall texture and look of my skin. The Acure scrub is amazing as it is made with sea kelp and french green clay. Physical exfoliants such as this scrub can be harsh on the skin, especially while using a topical retinoid, so it is best to be very gentle and not do it too ofter. I personally like to do it every week.

Serum, Moisturizer, and Eye Cream

After my makeup is fully removed and cleansed, I will apply a pea size amount of the Skinceuticals H.A. Intensifier. This serum amplifies your skin’s hyaluronic acid levels, reduces fine lines/wrinkles, and enhances your skin’s hydration. Like the CE Ferulic, this serum is pretty pricy at around $102 per bottle. I am able to make this bottle last me roughly 6-8 months+. I apply to a slightly damp face after cleansing, and then immediately go in with the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. Now when it comes to eye cream, I am usually good with just using my same facial moisturizer, but I did recently find a cream that I like. The Acure Radically Rejuvenating Eye Cream is roughly $15-$16 for a 1oz tube, and has a light and creamy consistency.

Acne Treatment

After I have applied my serum and moisturizer, I will apply a pea size amount of the Acne Free Adapalene Gel 0.1% to my entire face (minus the delicate eye area). This adapalene gel is the same drug as Differin, and only costs around $10-$12 depending which drugstore you purchase it at. Lastly, I will apply the Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 (10% benzoyl peroxide acne medication), which retails for around $5-$7 at drugstores. I have been using both of these acne treatment products since last year, and have seen a huge improvement in my skin. I have very minimal active acne these days, and my acne marks have significantly faded.

If you want to learn more about my acne journey & how I cleared my skin using these products, then check out this article I wrote here.