Hey gals, Cassidy here from LIY! I am the Visual Content Creator at Living in Yellow, but today I am bringing you all the details into my newest skincare routine! A friend of mine introduced me to an Instagram account called Skin and Sweat and my life was absolutely changed for the better! I have always felt overwhelmed and lost when it came to picking the correct products for my skin. I have struggled with acne and oily skin my entire life and it feels like I have tried every product under the sun with little to no results. Skin and Sweat helped me get back to the basics and give my skin what it actually needs without all of the hoopla! For years I have felt so incredibly embarrassed of my skin but now, I am feeling SO confident in my skin [with and without make-up!]

Only one thing matters when it comes to drugstore products versus luxury brand name products, ingredients! While some luxury brands may have great ingredients, you are often paying for the packaging and the name brand. I found this article which discusses the key differences between drugstore brands and luxury brands PLUS insights from industry experts! That being said, I want to share with you the skincare routine [that mostly features drugstore brands!] that has changed my skin my forever! Please keep in mind, I have oily, acne-prone skin, and every person/skin is different. I am also not an expert or a doctor! This is a routine that has worked for me and perhaps there is something you can take away from it!

Okay so let’s get started!

In the Morning:

Step One / Step Two / Step Three / Step Four

Step one: Cleanse. First thing first, clean that skin girl! Starting with a clean foundation is key to setting up your skin for success! I use the CeraVe renewing Salicylic Acid Cleanser because it helps combat my oily skin by cleansing my pores and reducing the amount of oil that builds up. While this cleanser is suitable for any skin type, I highly recommend it if you struggle with oily skin or mild acne. If I am having an intense acne flare up, I will incorporate this foam cleanser to target my problem areas and prevent future breakouts!

Step two: Vitamin C Serum. I heard so many things about Vitamin C Serums, but I wasn’t sure if it was just some trend or if it was the real deal. After some research, it’s definitely the real deal! Vitamin C is a naturally occurring protein within your skin but with age, the production of it slows down which causes your skin to sag more. By introducing a Vitamin C Serum into your routine, you will be infusing more collagen production to help prevent skin from sagging! I opted for CeraVe’s Vitamin C Serum. I suggest introducing these serums slowly into your routine to see how your skin reacts, if no issues, then feel free to add them to your normal routine!

Step three: Moisturize. Keep that skin hydrated! Whether you have dry, oily or combination skin, it is so important to moisturize your skin! It may help prevent extreme dryness or oil and also potentially help prevent future breakouts. I opted for La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer to help with my oily skin. It is oil-free and recommended for sensitive and/or acne-prone skin.

Step four: CC Cream w/ SPF. I have fallen IN LOVE with this CC Cream by It Cosmetics. It not only contains SPF, but is also oil-free and creates an effortless matte finish! It gives me that feeling of “no make-up” make-up look! Best part? It actually lasts all day and holds up against my oily skin!

In the Evening:

Step One / Step Two / Step Three / Step Four

Step one: Cleanse. As much as I dread it, it is so important to get the make-up and grime of the day off of your skin! For this step just repeat everything you did in the morning! And like I mentioned, if I am having an intense acne flare up, I will incorporate this foam cleanser to target my problem areas and prevent future breakouts!

Step two: Jade Roll + Serum. At night I like to incorporate my Jade Facial Roller + Jade Gua Sha Tool. I chose to incorporate these practices to help with skin rejuvenation, lymphatic draining, and de-puffing but you can read more about the power and history of Jade tools here! I typically pair this process with The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum which helps hold moisture in your skin!

Step three: Moisturize. Yup, you guessed it! You have to moisturize that skin day and night! My go-to is La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer!

Step four: Treat. If you struggle with acne, treatment comes last! I have actually used this Differin Acne Treatment for years and swear by it! While it does help current breakouts, it can also help prevent future breakouts! NOTE: If I plan on using an acne treatment at night, I will opt for a cleanser that is free from alpha hydroxy, salicylic or glycolic acids. My go to is another CeraVe fave!

And there you have it! That is my AM and PM skincare routine! Like I said, this skincare routine is unique to me BUT I was able to find these options with the help of Skin and Sweat! I hope there was something you could take away from this post and maybe even try incorporating into your skincare routine at home!