New Routine

*I am in NO way claiming to be a beauty expert, but I am trying to figure out what works for me, and figure it may help someone else down the road.  Also, there will be quite a few links, as I have learned a lot from reading some pretty fabulous blogs :)

So... my skin has been a huge area of, well, shame for a very long time.  It has been super tempermental starting about the time I was 13, and while I do have some weeks where I don't have a blemish, more often than not, I have some sort of lovely red bump on my face, reminding me that I did NOT inherit my dad's great skin.

I have tried many things in the past 15 yrs... Expensive treatments mixed with drug store stuff, and now I have even added natural items in the mix, thanks to some wonderful tips from bloggers.

Here is what my window sill in my bathroom currently looks like:

I keep everything I use daily right here, other than my makeup bag and face wash.  I am super Type A, so the products are organized there... morning stuff on the left, hair and body in the middle, night stuff on the right.

Here's a breakdown of what I use:

Morning-

~Wash with Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash (IF I even wash my face.  Sometimes though, I just feel like my face is super yucky, and I love when my face just feels clean)

~Aveeno Active Naturals Smart Essentials Anti Fatigue Eye Treatment: I have massive under eye circles, and while I do use quite a bit of concealer, I just feel like this helps "prep" the eye area in the morning.

~Toner: a homemade formula from Meg.  I mix with hazel with lemon juice and apply with a cotton ball.  It really helps to brighten my skin and clean out my pores (think about how you used to put lemon juice in your hair to lighten it... same philosophy)

~Burts Bees Roll on Tea Tree Oil: I put this on any problem areas in the morning, and since I have sworn by tea tree oil for years, it does help dry up the pimple.

~Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer: This is a sample size, but I have loved this product for years.  It doesn't make my oily spots feel more oily, and really helps to keep my skin soft.

Night-

~Makeup Remover: another tip from Meg.  That little blue bottle holds olive oil.  That is it.  And yes, I have acne prone skin.  But as long as I wash RIGHT away, it doesn't bother me.  In fact, I have been using this since at least Sept, and my breakouts aren't any worse.  You will see a sample size of the Clinique Take the Day away makeup remover.  Sometimes I do use this, but is rare.  The olive oil is really good at removing even water proof mascara.  Really, the clinique should be over on the morning side, as I usually just use this in the morning if I have been a horrible person and slept in my make up :(

~In the tub, I use the Clinique 7 Day Scub cream right on top of the olive oil, and then rinse it off.  This is a great way to make sure I get all of the oil off my face.

~Wash: St Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub.  This is obviously nothing fancy, but I have always loved this product and the way it made my skin feel smooth, soft and clean.

~Toner: I picked this suggestion up from Chelsey just this week.  That little pink bottle holds unfiltered, raw apple cider vinegar.  I used it for the first time Sunday night (when I wrote this post), and she was right.  I def felt like it was cleaning out my pores.  It did sting a bit, and some might not be a fan of the scent, but so far, I really like it!

~Acne Treatment:  Right now, I am having a massive case of breakouts, so I called in the big guns (for me)... Clean and Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment.  This is pretty harsh, but doesn't irritate my skin, and generally minimizes the spot significantly overnight.

~Eye Cream: Clinique All about Eyes.  I have tried many creams, and this one doesn't cause my eyes to water and burn after I use it, so it's a keeper!

~Moisturizer: Olay Night of Olay Firming Cream.  I love this... thick, great scent, makes my skin super soft.

Misc-

~Crest 3D White mouth wash.  Love the minty taste of this in the morning, and I am obsessed with getting my teeth as white as possible.

~Victoria Secret Pink with a Splash Fruity and Bright: This is my go to scent right now.  Love how bright it smells.

~Bed Head After Party: I put this in my damp hair after my heat lotion.  It helps keep my hair smooth, and if I use it after I dry, I feel like it somehow weighs my super fine hair down more.

~St. Ives Intensive Healing Lotion: I am trying to be better about remembering lotion after my shower or nightly baths, and this one doesn't irritate my skin, as I am allergic to the scents in most lotions.

~Hair Spray: Big Sexy Hair.  I tried the drug store stuff, and even though my hair is fine, it would end up falling out of my pony, etc by lunch.  This stuff is pricy, but it works.

~Arid Deodorant: J and I both use this.  I am always concerned about smelling, and he was having a hard time finding something that would last him all day.  Win for both of us.

~ClosysII Mouthwash: I used to work in a dental office for 7yrs, and we would recommend this to all patients, whether they had gingivitis or not.  Its got a neutral taste, and it helps to balance the PH in your mouth.  I have used it religiously out of habit, and I am hoping it is why my gums and teeth are in good condition :)

So there it is, nothing fancy.  After I write this, I am going to go put on my nighttime moisturizer (as I read somewhere you should wait at least 15mins after putting on serums, etc to moisturize, that way you don't dilute your serums and they have a chance to properly absorb).  My skin feels great, even without the moiturizer.

Do you have any routines or product recommendations?  I know my arsenal seems like a lot, but really, I have my mornings down to 45minutes, and nighttime is only about 15minutes... which is nothing if my skin will behave itself!  I have been emailing though with Taylor, and she is an Arbonne Consultant.  She mentioned that they have some great all natural products, so I might be trying some of those in the future, too!