4 Steps to Simplify your Skincare Routine (plus my holy grail product)

Full disclosure, I made up my mind that upon hitting the big 3-0 I would immediately run to my dermatologist and have her slap a load of Botox in my face. But, because I am still breastfeeding, my first date with freezing my face has yet to come.

However, having to wait a bit on a “quick fix” made me take a step back and figure out a skincare routine that was actually making a difference in my skin. I was trying (and inconsistently using) so many new products that I couldn’t really tell what was doing what anymore. I knew I needed to simplify the process and products to see results. (BONUS: Thank goodness I did, because it forced me to discover my HOLY GRAIL skincare product that completely transformed my skin.)

4 STEPS TO SIMPLIFY YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE:

1) Ditch the variables and find your constant. Treat your skin like a science experiment. How can you tell which product is doing what until you narrow your products down by using them solo or in small combinations. New cleanser? Great, but keep everything else the same and watch for changes. Don’t get 6 new products to solve all your problems and try them all at once (like I have). This helped me target the products that were helping vs. wasting my money or actually harming my skin.

2) Set specific skincare goals. It’s easy to buy into the latest trending skincare products. Setting skincare goals can help you avoid buying into too many trendy products and instead search for ingredients within products that are going to improve your skin goals.

This is how I found my holy grail. I set my skincare goal: reduce fine lines and clear the crazy tiny bumps I was getting from working out in the heat. I realized I was using too abrasive of a physical exfoliator and stripping my oils. So instead, I started searching for a beta hydroxy acid…and that’s when I found her. No one was really raving about this product (that I knew of), it wasn’t insanely expensive or overly hyped, but the ingredients matched up, it’s promises were within my personal skincare goals and it had excellent reviews.

I used her consistently until every last drop was gone and then…I didn’t immediately buy a new one. Nope. I hadn’t realized her magic yet. But, within days of running out of product I noticed my skin had reverted back and lost some glow (that I had yet to realize I had gained).

I restocked…and continued using. It’s been months now and I can’t live without her. In fact, it’s the first (and potentially the only) product I have ever set up for auto-replenish because I know I can’t go a day without her (and it saves money). It totally transformed my skin’s texture (exactly like it promised). The BHA ate up all the dead skin that was clogging my pores and causing the bumps, and bonus—within that first month I noticed a huge reduction in my fine lines. I don’t want to call her Botox in a bottle…but she’s honestly worthy of the name.

3) Be consistent…and patient. Easier said than done. Using a product consistently and being patient for potential results is why the skincare industry is booming. People are impatient and move on to the “next best thing” before they give products a true test. But, if you’ve truly done your research and believe in the ingredients you’ve purchased…use her up! It took me an entire month to realize the love of my life (not talking about the man I married). Consistency is key! Taking photos along the way is a great way to track tiny changes you might not be noticing on the day-to-day.

4) Be realistic. If your skincare routine is 9 steps, takes 45 minutes and involves a yoga pose at the end…make sure you’re willing to commit to that. Even though I love a good pamper routine, I am beat after getting two littles to bed and I typically rush through my evening skincare routine. 3ish products and I’m hitting the pillow. In this season of life, that’s all I can commit to.

I linked to everything I use throughout the week, but I typically don’t use all of these in combination every single night. (But I never skip my cleansing oil + witch hazel + holy grail combo.)

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