I have constantly struggled with my skin since the glorious days of puberty. One of my biggest problems was that I never dedicated enough time or attention to my skincare. Now that I’m older (and I’d like to think wiser) I know that good makeup starts with a good base! Here is my current skincare routine and the products I use every day.

Step 1: Wash face with Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser (Creamy Formula) – $9.99

I use about 1-2 pumps of this cleanser for my entire face and I find it to be great for dry skin. It adds a boost of hydration without leaving an odd residue. It also doesn’t overly clean my face to the point where it squeaks if you rub your finger against your forehead. Yes, some cleansers are that harsh!

Step 2: Tone face using Thayers Natural Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner – $10.95

As I’ve mentioned before, my friend Gianna (gmdlife) started my addiction to this product. I generously pour some of the toner onto a cotton round and glide the product across my face. It almost instantly makes my face feel softer and look glowy too! I’m currently using the rose petal scent but have gone through an entire lavender bottle as well. I don’t think the different scents really add any extra benefits but, I do like to mix it up just for fun.

Step 3: Apply Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater – $12 (8 oz)

This is a great additional step for people with severely dry skin such as myself. I usually give a good 5-6 sprays all around my face, so the mist gets everywhere. If I apply too much, sometimes I’ll rub my hands over my face to help it sink into the skin. I have sworn by rosewater for at least three years at this point. First, if you love the smell of roses, you will instantly be addicted. Second, it’s a simple addition that really makes a difference.

Step 4: Apply Bio-Oil to acne scars – $5.99 (0.85 fl oz.)

I have a lot of acne scarring from previous breakouts and it’s something I’ve wanted to treat for the longest time. I just recently started incorporating this dry oil into my routine and I’ve already fallen in love with it. The bottle says that it takes up to 3 months to see results but, I feel like my scars have already slightly faded with only a few week’s use. I pour out the tiniest bit into the palm of my hand and then gently apply the oil with my fingers to the desired areas. It makes my skin super smooth and makes my moisturizer glide on even easier.

Step 5: Apply Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ – $28 (4.2 oz)

This is a holy grail product for dry skin queens. I use 1-2 pumps of this iconic yellow moisturizer and rub gently over my face and sometimes down my neck. When I first started using this product, I noticed a literal change in my skin. After just a week’s use my skin felt more hydrated and less textured. Since then I haven’t stopped using it and will continue to do so!

Bonus Step*

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub – $3.64 (6 oz at Target)

Exfoliating is also extremely important to keep your face fresh and new. I exfoliate every 3-4 days because that’s when I start to notice my skin feel dull. I’ll swap out the first step in my skincare routine and replace it with this apricot scrub. It takes a while to get used to the odd scent of this exfoliator, but it works absolute wonders. It completely removes all the dead skin cells without being too harsh, which is really all I can ask for.