A few months ago I decided to give my skincare routine a complete overhaul. I have combo skin that tends to be more dry with hormonal acne and scarring. When it comes to hormonal acne there’s only so much you can do on the outside but I decided I really wanted to try and improve it as much as possible. I also struggle with large pores, blackheads and whiteheads. Basically, my skin is a wreck and it’s been this way since my PCOs diagnosis three years ago. I’ve been using most of these products for a few months but some I’ve only had for a few weeks. I have been very dedicated to my skincare routine and I’m already seeing some fantastic results. My goal is to write another post in October to see how much my skin has improved by then. So while this isn’t a first impression there will still be a follow up.
Morning Skincare Routine

• My first step in the morning is to wash my face with the Belli Anti-Blemish Facial Wash. This facial wash is $12.00 for 3 ounces. It contains Lactic Acid, Green Tea and Cucumber. Lactic Acid is an AHA, Alpha Hydroxy Acid. These are acids derived from natural substances, this one being lactic acid. They work by melting the intercellular glue that holds skin cells together and this helps the skin’s natural shedding process. AHAs are preferred for sun-damaged and dry skin because they exfoliate the skin’s surface and have the added benefit of also improving moisture content. They don’t penetrate as deep as BHAs (like salicylic acid) and the effects are mostly felt on the surface of the skin. AHA’s are great to rejuvenate aging skin. Lactic Acid is considered to be the most gentle AHA which is why I wanted to use it. I absolutely love this stuff. It does not irritate my skin in any way and just leaves it feeling super clean. While I do still have acne, I have seen a great improvement in just my skin overall since I started using this. This particular brand is safe for pregnant and nursing women as well. It is important when using AHAs to use sunscreen because they can make the skin more sensitive.
• My second step is to use my Thayers Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera and Rose Petals. I get this from Amazon for $9.29 for 12 ounces. I’ve always used Witch Hazel BUT previously I was using a cheap kind that had alcohol in it that was terrible for skin. The Thayers brand is totally alcohol free. Witch Hazel can help with irritation, inflammation, acne, helps to tighten pores and cleanses dirt and oil from the skin.
• My third step is to moisturize under my eyes with the IT Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream. This is the most pricey product I use at $38.00 for 0.5 an ounce. I have already reviewed this right here.
• My fourth and final morning step is to moisturize with the Cetaphil Oil Control Moisturizer. At Ulta, this is $18.99 for 4 ounces. I would not pay that because WalMart sells this for around $15.00. This is made for acne prone skin. It is non-comedogenic, helps manage oils and contains SPF 30. My skin is typically dry, not oily, but I love this moisturizer. It’s not too thick but not too thin and it works fine under makeup. It does smell like sunscreen and will burn the eyes. A little bit of this goes a very long way so it’s well worth the money.

Nighttime Skincare Routine

• My nighttime skincare routine starts in the shower with the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. This is $8.99 for 8 ounces at Ulta. Again, this is cheaper at WalMart, I think around $6.00. This is non-comedogenic and removes oils without drying the skin. This does have a scent, it smells like cold cream to me. I do find it to be gentle but if your skin is irritated this can slightly burn. This does not burn the eyes so it’s great for removing makeup.
• After washing my face I use the Alba Botanica Acne Dote Deep Pore Wash. This is $6.68 for 6 ounces. This is a 2% salicylic acid cleanser. Salicylic acid is a BHA, Beta Hydroxy Acid. BHAs are preferred for oily, acne-prone skin and for treating blackheads and whiteheads. BHAs can get through the oil that clogs pores and helps to normalize the lining of the pore that contributes to acne. BHAs have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This cleanser has no parabens, phthalates or synthetic fragrances. It’s ingredients are 100% vegetarian. This has never irritated my skin and just leaves it feeling cool and cleansed.
• My fourth step is to use a mild exfoliator, the Freeman Feeling Beautiful Apple Cider Vinegar Mask /Scrub. This is $4.29 for 6 ounces. I have reviewed it before right here.
• My fifth and newest step is to use the Freeman Feeling Beautiful Manuka Honey + Tea Tree Oil Mask/Cleanser. I’ve been using this every night for the past week as a cleanser. It’s also $4.29. I don’t know if it’s benefitting my skin yet but it’s not harming it. It smells incredible and just makes my skin feel even cleaner.
• Once out of the shower, my sixth step is to use the Alba Botanica Acne Dote Deep Clean Astringent. This is $6.68 for 6 ounces as well. This has the same amount of salicylic acid as the cleanser. This is some VERY strong stuff. I advise only applying this on each individual pimple because this will burn, irritate and dry out the skin. If I even get this stuff close to my eyes or nose they start to water and burn. This is not for people with very sensitive skin.
• My seventh and last step is moisturizing. I use the IT Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream again and then I use the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion. Like all the other Cetaphil products, this is more expensive at Ulta. It’s $13.99 for 16 ounces there. I believe this is around $10.00 at WalMart. I really like this moisturizer but only at night. It is very thick and it doesn’t melt into the skin so your skin will feel sticky all day if you use this in the morning. It is fine for the face and body. It’s non-comedogenic and fragrance free. It claims to be a light moisturizer but again, I disagree with that. A little bit of this goes a long way so this big bottle will last forever.
• For body skincare I have been loving the scrubs and lotion from Tree Hut. Right now, I’m using the Belize Breeze sugar scrub. It’s $7.99 for 18 ounces. I’m not a huge fan of the smell of this. It has a very floral smell that just isn’t my favorite but it works so wonderfully. I’ve also used the Moroccan Rose scented scrub and it smells fantastic, like a bit of rose with a feminine sweet scent. I loved that scent so much that I bought the Moroccan Rose Body Lotion. It’s $6.69 for 9 ounces. It is a perfect, non sticky lotion.

These pictures were taken a few days ago during a hormonal break out. This is typically the worst my skin looks during the month, however, I generally always have at least two pimples every day. You can’t tell in these pictures, but since implementing my new skincare routine my pores are much less noticeable (especially on my nose), my dark circles are lighter, I have less fine lines around my eyes, I no longer get whiteheads, the blackheads on my nose are basically gone and my skin just overall looks healthier except for the acne. I’m hoping within a few months to see better results.

That is everything for my new skincare routine! Like I said above, I will update around October and see if this is working for me. I’d love to know what your skincare must haves are! Thanks for reading and have a great day!