Skincare in Five Minutes or Less

There are so many articles out there of how to maintain great skin and look glowy even when you’ve been at work all day and barely had time to go to the gym. Having gained some experience in dermatology in the past few months, I’ve been cognizant of what doctors prescribe, but more importantly, what they recommend for good skin.

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Surprisingly, you don’t have to use much in addition to a good diet! Here is my skincare routine and how I usually maintain clear skin:

In the A.M. 

Although every day I attempt to convince myself I love waking up at 6 am, I cannot get myself to enjoy being awake early and forcing myself to function. Therefore, it is usually in my best interest to keep things uncomplicated. To wash my face, I usually like to use Cerave Foaming Cleanser or Cerave Hydrating Cleanser in the winter. Both are gentle washes that are good for all types of skin and remove makeup and dirt without stripping skin of its natural oils. After my trip to India earlier this summer, I picked up Ponds Anti-Pollution and Purity Cleanser and have been using that until it runs out. I have been breaking out a little since I’ve started using it, but this is also my first summer off Accutane, so I am not sure if solely the cleanser is causing the breakouts.

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For moisturizer, I use either Ceptahil Daily Facial Moisturizer when my face feels dry or Formula 10.0.6 Seriously Shine Free Mattifying Oil-Free Moisturizer for days when I know it will be a long day before I wash my face. Cetaphil also has a great oil-free moisturizer since Formula 10.0.6 is not a brand sold everywhere.

If it’s been a long week and my skin is looking dull, I’ll wear Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer – Hydrating Gel Cream in Spice. If I’m going out later, I use Glossier Wowder in Dark/Deep since it keeps everything matte yet glowy.

Since my Accutane times, Carmex is the only chapstick I use. I also like Glossier’s Balm Dotcom, but since it comes out of a squeeze tube, I only use it at home when I know my hands are clean 🙂 For times when I’m going out, I wear MAC Satin Lipstick in Rebel. I also like Smashbox’s Be Legendary Lipstick in Chestnut for a more muted look. MAC’s Ruby Woo is also a common favorite when wearing a bright red lipstick with plain makeup.

For eyeliner, Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner in Onyx is my go-to, but the last time I ran out, CVS did not have it in stock. I ended up buying L’Oreal Paris Infallible Eyeliner in Noir and it hasn’t failed me yet. It does take more scrubbing than usual to take off, but it is jet-black, which is admirable.

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I don’t always wear mascara, especially at work, as it tends to flake and get in my eyes. I’ve been using GrandeLASH – MD Lash Enhancing Serum in hopes that I can stop wearing mascara. I have definitely seen my eyelashes get longer, but in terms of density, they don’t seem to be growing any thicker. When I am going out, I’ve been wearing Almay One Coat Get Up & Grow Mascara in Black or L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara in Blackest Black if I need super big lashes.

In the P.M.

To wash my face, I use Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser because it always takes off every ounce of makeup and products off my face. I swear by this product and honestly can never use anything else to take off my makeup because it simply does not work as well as this cleanser!

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Then, people say you should put on your serums. I had a Sephora giftcard in February and bought Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum. I feel like it has positively changed the texture of my skin and kept breakouts at bay. I know it’s pricey, so in order to prevent a dent in my wallet when I do eventually break out, I’ve been trying out just using prescription Retin-A Micro 0.08% Gel that my dermatologist prescribed for spot treatment post-Accutane and Cerave Moisturizing Lotion PM or Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask in the winter.

Before I bought the lash serum, I bought a thing of Castor Oil from Whole Foods and used to apply some with a Q-Tip to my eyebrows and eyelashes (because apparently they help them grow). I think it did help, but it also made my face sticky by morning, which was not the best.

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I like having consistency so having a skincare routine that is easy and quick allows me to follow a regimen without getting stressed out. As always, make sure you try a small patch of skin for products to make sure your skin does not have a bad reaction!

What kind of products do you guys use at home? Comment below!

All photos are from Into The Gloss