5 Step Nightly Skincare Routine

This is a post I’ve been wanting to put together for quite some time now; Especially because I feel that I’ve finally found a combination of products that’s working well for my skin. I know what it’s like to struggle with skin issues, I know what it’s like to not want to leave the house because you can’t deal with the fact that you woke up with more breakouts, and I know what it’s like to want to scream from frustration because it feels like nothing’s working.

To backtrack a little bit, I definitely got breakouts throughout middle school, high school, and even college. I still get little breakouts here and there (usually around my chin), but as a whole, things feel much more in control than they used to feel. I think my past struggles have made me absolutely obsessed with skincare (confession: totally wish I could go back to school and become a dermatologist!), because it’s definitely something I spend a lot of money on, and am borderline obsessed with. The bottom line is that if you’re having constant issues that are leaving you feeling so upset that you don’t want to leave the house, and/or you feel that you have no control over it, get a referral from your doctor and go to the dermatologist. I so wish that I had done this a long time ago. If you’re feeling embarrassed, don’t because they’ve seen it all and aren’t judging you. They are professionals and will be able to get you on a routine that will start to clear things up for you. If you guys follow my Instagram (@mackenzienoelm) and Snapchat (mnmurphy1223), then you know that last month I had a pretty bad allergic reaction on my face, and no we aren’t talking a little redness. We’re talking at least 50 tiny little blisters with so much redness, covering my entire face. I promise you guys I’m not even exaggerating. Every single person I show pictures to has the same reaction – “OH MY GOD.” Luckily, I went to the doctor, I figured out what it was, and am in the clear now. Below I will give you guys a step by step routine of my nightly skincare routine! Note: I am not a dermatologist, an esthetician, or a skincare professional – this is just what’s been working for me as of lately.

Step 1: Remove Makeup
I remove all my makeup with Simple’s Micellar Water Makeup Removing Wipes. These are the most gentle makeup wipes I’ve found to date, and have no funny fragrances or oils in them. They’re inexpensive and get the job done.

Step 2: Wash Face
I have sensitive, combination skin which means finding a cleanser I fall in love with is no easy task. Many leave me oily in the t-zone or so dry in other places that I’m peeling. This First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser With Red Clay is my absolute favorite cleanser to date. It’s gentle, combats oil, but also doesn’t irritate. My only request is that I wish they would make a larger bottle! I put a little bit of this on my Clarisonic’s brush head, and also lather this up on my face. First Aid Beauty is an amazing brand to use if you have sensitive skin since their products are dermatologist recommended,allergy tested, and fragrance free. Everything I’ve tried from their brand I’ve fallen in love with. Secondly, if you don’t have a Clarisonic brush yet, do yourself a favor and go get one! Total game changer. I’ve said it before, but the one item I use on my face that has changed my skin the most is the Clarisonic. Completely worth the money.

Step 3. Tone
After cleansing my skin, I put a little bit of Simple’s Micellar Cleansing Water on a cotton pad and gently wipe it all over my face. This is not an essential step, but it definitely makes my face feel more refreshed, clean, and prepared for the next steps in my nightly skincare routine. I’ve been so impressed with Simple’s Micellar products, and this is the only toner I’ve found so far that is gentle on my skin and doesn’t make it burn. It’s very inexpensive and can be found at CVS and other drugstores. I’ve repurchased many, many times because for me, it’s a must in my skincare routine. I also use this toner to take off my makeup before a workout when I don’t want to use an entire makeup wipe.

Step 4. Facial Serum
One of my top skincare concerns has always been redness and dullness, which is why a few nights a week I use Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. This serum helps balance redness and also brightens the skin. I’ve been very impressed with Caudalie’s products, although I will say that the moisturizers I’ve tried have felt very rich, so they may be better suited to someone with dry skin rather than oily. This serum would be fine for any skin type, and feels so amazing on the skin. It has a really nice texture which is creamy, milky-like, but also light. This serum is made to be used both day and night, and is light enough to wear under makeup and have it still look flawless!

Another serum I also use a few nights a week is Lancome’s Advanced Genefique Youth Activating Concentrate. I had two or three small samples of this from Sephora and was using the tiniest bit of this every night to make it last as long as possible. Then of course I ran out and it felt like my world was ending because it’s that good. This is another serum that’s great for every skin type and can be used daily and nightly. This serum is great for uneven texture or uneven skintone. It’s expensive, but totally worth it, and I also feel like it shrinks my pores by morning.

Step 5. Facial Oils
Luckily in the past year or so, most of us have gotten over the idea of oils on the face being bad and causing acne. Of course some oils are better than others (I can’t use coconut oil on my face). A facial oil that has been a complete game changer for me is Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate. All it takes is a few drops and your skin will be glowing by morning! The great news is that the bottle will last you forever. I sometimes mix this with a couple drops of Leven Rose’s Apple Seed Oil which is 100% pure, organic, cold pressed, and is unrefined. I received this as a gift at a Boston blogging event I went to a couple months ago. It boosts collagen, fights fine lines, and leaves you radiant by morning. You can also use it in your hair, but I haven’t tried it yet!

I hope this post helped you guys gain a bit of knowledge about the products. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a comment in the comments section below, or you can reach out to me on any of my social media channels!