Skincare Overhaul

The day I started following Caroline Hirons, the skincare God, I should have shredded my credit cards. She's bad on your bank account but sublime for your skin. I haven't had someone indirectly speak to my skincare soul in a long time. (Yes, your skin has a separate soul). This woman has captured my heart and my skin has thanked me for her wisdom.

My skin: acne-prone, sensitive, combination, fair.

The most important thing in my skincare routine has to be my prescription strength Retin-A. The stuff is a pain in the ass to get used to. I've been using it for over a year and my skin still goes berserk if I apply too much of this stuff. It is great for scarring, acne, and for anti-aging. My skin is not mature, but I do like to think of it as a preventative measure.

REN No.1 Cleansing Balm/ Balance Me cleanse and smooth face balm/ REN Hydra-calm cleansing milk/ REN Clear-calm Clay Cleanser/ REN Clarifying Toning Lotion/ Retin-A 0.1% Cream, Mario Badescu Aloe, Herbs and Roewater spay, Hydraluron/ REN Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream/ La Roche Posay Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid/ Dermalogica Gentle Cream Cleanser.

Here is my new-er morning routine:
1. Wash face with non-foaming cleanser.I prefer either REN Hydra-calm Cleansing Milk or Clear Calm Clay Cleanser. (I'm not the biggest fan of foaming cleansers.)
2. Spritz toners, currently using Mario Badescu Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater Spray or REN Clarifying Toning Lotion.
3. Hydraluron
4. moisturize, REN Hydra-calm Global Protection Day Cream
5. sunscreen, La Roche Posay.

&Night Routine:
1. Balm Cleanser: REN No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm or Balance Me.
2. 2nd Cleanse either Cleansing Milk or Clay Cleanser mentioned above.
3. Spritz face with toner(s)
4. Hydraluron
5. moisturize
6. wait a few minutes, than apply half a pea sized amount of Retin-A nightly or bi-nightly.


This is a REN heavy routine. I cannot help that I love their products. I purchase all of my products with my own money. Retin-A is a prescription only product. Contact your GP or dermatologist if you feel that your skin might need it. For me it was either Topical Vitamin A or Accutane. I chose the topical because of the nightmarish side effects of Accutane and my uneasiness around needles and medical offices. :)

I find that this routine keeps the skin clear, makeup free, not as clog prone (sometimes I won't have active acne but am susceptible to blocked pores), hydrated, glowing, and healthy looking.


Are there any products that you would suggest? How does your skin regiment look?
Should I do a body regiment next? It's pretty darn simple...