A little bit ago, I decided to change up my skin care routine. I have combination skin with pretty mild acne (combination skin is an equal mix of oily and dry skin), which almost makes perfecting my regime that much harder. There are many products that aid in removing oils and there are some that assist with removing dryness. Finding the perfect mix of both products is essential if I want to achieve the perfect skin for me!
Now let’s get back to where I said I have mild acne. I’d like to think I have pretty normal skin as far as acne goes but I get cystic acne on my chin area with an occasional (sometimes rare) small breakout on my cheek. My acne is more related to hormones and stress (ugh— couldn’t I have been a boy?). So, when I try to correct my skin, I really try to focus on my acne first and then treat for my combination. My acne is much harder to treat than treating dry/oily skin. If you are treating your acne, keep in mind that acne products are very drying, so if you do have dry skin, finding the right moisturizer is crucial.
Today I am going to tell you my current step-by-step skin care routine with Mario Badescu!
Acne Facial Cleanser, $15
This is the product that started it all for me! I was in Ulta browsing for a new face wash and a Mario Badescu representative happened to be there, giving me the lowdown on what works best for combo skin with acne. I went home and used this for nearly two weeks and instantly noticed a difference. This product is supposed to help prevent and heal existing acne while deep cleaning your skin and pores! I use this product morning and night every day, and I feel SO clean after using it!
Seaweed Cleansing Lotion, $15
I have the sample size that the representative gave to me to test out! If you purchase this for $15, you will be getting a much bigger size. As soon as this little guy runs out I will definitely purchase the large size. I was using an Aveda toner and moisturizer and love them. But, having this set of Mario products truly works well together. I use this non-alcohol/non-drying toner right after washing! It also removes any leftover makeup you may have missed while washing!
Whitening Mask, $24
This is CRUCIAL for my skin. I used to pick and pop my old pimples and sometimes even stick a needle in the cystic ones. I tried anything I could to get them to go away. Little did I know, I was setting myself up for some acne scaring in the future. Like I said, I don’t have terrible skin, but there are many imperfections that could have been avoided had I just taken care of my face properly. I asked the representative if she had anything that helped removed scars and dark spots; she gave me this product and told me I would not be disappointed. I use it every other day and leave it on for 20 minutes (sometimes an hour because I’m lazy). I have noticed a slight difference— I have read it is a slow process, but works if you are consistent with it! So far, so good!
Buffering Lotion, $19
Here is where we get down and dirty to fighting the acne. This product is specifically made to treat large, deep, cystic acne— something I totally suffer from. This product is very thin, loose and milky. It says to put some on your fingers and massage into the skin, but honestly, it runs right off my fingers and it ends up getting wasted. So, I soak a Q-tip and massage it in circular motions around the affected area.
Seaweed Night Cream, $22
This is my oh-so-heavenly moisturizer that a friend told me about (hey heyyy, Jess!— she’s a skincare junkie, like me! LOL). Because all of my other products are pretty drying, I use this to bring back the moisture my skin needs. It leaves my face and neck feeling super soft and silky— I love it. It truly is for night only. I used it once in the morning before makeup and it totally threw off my entire look; I had to wash my face instantly. Definitely only use it at nighttime! To moisturize in the morning, I use my regular Aveda lightweight moisturizer.
Bring in the magic potion! This is an overnight product and the last step to my nightly skincare routine! It’s a fast drying, acne spot treatment and probably the coolest product I have ever come across. As you see from the first picture, the top half of the bottle is clear while the bottom has a thicker pink substance. You should not shake this bottle and mix it together and it should be kept in a straight up position. You use it exactly how I have it pictured. Take a q-tip and dip straight down until the q-tip reaches the pink portion and then take it out. You dab the q-tip on your affected area and leave it to dry. Do not rub the product in. It dries very quickly and should be washed off until the the morning! THIS PRODUCT WORKS INSTANTLY. Like, I’m telling you, it is A-MAZ-ING. Completely worth it and really fun to use.
Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater $7 and the Drying Cream $17
These two products are ones that I do not use regularly but still wanted to quickly mention. The Drying Cream is what I mentioned above that is similar to the Buffering Lotion. I do not use the lotion and the cream at the same time because they are both very drying and it’s almost too much for my skin personally. So I alternate! This Facial Spray with Aloe, Herb, and Rosewater is heavenly. It’s very lightweight and smells wonderful. Sometimes I spritz a little right before bed. It can be used as a makeup setter, sprayed on dried hair, or just to get some hydration on your face and neck throughout the day!
