My Winter Skincare Routine

Happy #beautymonday, everyone! I have been talking LOTS about skincare over the last few months. If you are new here – here’s a little #skinupdate for you: I am VERY acne prone. Most of it is hormonal from pregnancy and now postpartum. It started to get really bad about a year ago when I found out I was pregnant with Jack. It’s been in various stages of bad over the last 12 months. My acne is painful, red, almost welt-like. It is cystic in some spots and it feels like it’s never ending. And it scars. On top of that, my skin is a combination of a VERY oily t-zone and EXTREMELY dry cheeks and under eyes. It’s a hot mess express over here. Because of that, I’m always trying new products to see what works for me and sharing the good and the bad with you guys. Today – I’ve got a whole lot of good to share! Let’s dive into this.

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My Winter Skincare Routine

This post is sponsored by Physicians Formula. All opinions are mine and mine alone.

I have had a pretty consistent nighttime routine for the last 3 months now. While my skin still fluctuates, it’s been WAY better. I can tell that even though I still am getting new acne, my scars are fading and my oilyness/dry spot are nearly as noticeable. I ALWAYS start with taking my makeup off with my Neutrogena face wipes. As far as skincare – here’s what I’ve been doing:

ONE: Wash face throughly with Kiehl’s Gentle Foaming Cleanser

TWO: Pat dry and use a cotton ball to apply Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Exfoliant all over face every other day – only at night.

THREE: Pat dry and apply Dermalogica Age Bright Clearing Serum all over, and Physicians Formula 24-Karat Gold Collagen Oil to my cheeks (and any extra dry spots). Allow to soak into the skin for 5-10 minutes.

FOUR: Apply Kypris Antioxidant Dew to face and allow to soak in for 5 minutes.

FIVE: Gently rub PF 24-Karat Gold Collagen Moisturizer all over face. 

SIX: Tap PF 24-Karat Gold Collagen Eye Cream under eyes with fourth finger (it is the gentlest finger, so you don’t tug at your delicate eye skin). 

SEVEN: Apply Dermalogica Age Bright Spot Fader to acne spots to help decrease acne scarring pigmentation.

EIGHT: Apply PF 24-Karat Gold Collagen Lip Serum to lips after I brush my teeth. Use a generous amount. If you prefer an actual lip balm vs. the lip serum, the Bite Beauty agave lip mask is another favorite.

*Note: in the morning, I switch out the collagen oil for the 24-Karat collagen serum. It’s a little bit lighter than the oil and is better for prepping skin under makeup. I also switch out my age bright clearing serum for my Kypris Antioxident Dew serum*

I have found that this particular range of products has really helped my skin stay somewhat consistent. I am no longer dry where I apply spot treatment to my acne or on my cheeks where I tend to get overly dry and chapped. My oily t-zone isn’t as shiny or as overproducing as it has been in the past. My acne scarring really is lightening. 

You guys know how much I LOVE Physicians Formula – and not just because I work with them. I have loved and shared their products love before our partnership developed. This 24-karat skincare line is my favorite of theirs – and the fact that I’ve already gone through almost a full moisturizer pot AND took it with me while I traveled it a testament to that!

All that said, my skin isn’t perfect. It won’t be because I’m acne prone, and unfortunately, this is the season of life I’m in trying to have babies. I used to be on hormonal birth control which really kept my skin in check, but since being diagnosed with migraines with aura and my increased risk of stroke, I won’t be able to go back on it. BUT. I am doing everything I can to make sure that what I am doing is actually helping, not hurting. I’ve tried a few other products here and there (like the Source Vital skincare line I shared in last month’s monthly obsessions or the super affordable Elf moisturizing skincare line) but this is the lineup I always come back to!

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Do you have problem skin? What products have you found that help?! I’m always open to adjusting my routine as I find new and amazing products!

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!