This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission if you choose to shop through the links provided at no extra cost to you. Please know that while I may be promoting products in this post, all opinions are my own and these are products I love and support.
Summer is in full swing down here in Houston, and with that brings HEAT & HUMIDITY. Oh, how I did not miss these 100 degree days. Being naturally oily, summer generally isn’t my skin’s BFF. That was however, until this year! *knocks on wood* lol. I have mentioned this before on my IG but I made it a point to take control of my skin this year. After all, 2020 is the year of change, am I right?! I decided to invest in my skin and buy higher quality products vs. bargains. Why? Because I wanted to see if that is what was really making the difference. And uh wow, why didn’t I think of this sooner?! I am going to share with you guys my summer skincare & my skin journey. Now, I am not saying that my skin is perfect or it doesn’t have it’s bad days (thanks hormones), but it is SO MUCH better. Like day and night. Really… I am mind blown.
I want to start by saying that I have struggled with my skin since I was about 15 years old. This is the first time in that long where I am actually confident in my own skin and have zero issue with going out in public bare-face. My journey has been that long. Your’s may be longer or shorter- and that’s OK. I am just here to share what has worked for me and the steps I’ve taken to tackle my problem skin. I have tried many different drugstore brands and even Proactive for a little bit. But I finally found a regimen that works FOR ME and I am finally seeing a difference.
My First Skincare Change: New Cleanser & Consistency
Now, before I even name this brand…. Y’all it is WORTH the hype. This is coming from a skeptic herself. Every single blogger and their mother raves about it so obviously I was like “meh”. But, I went ahead and bought a trial size of TULA, yes Tula. I caved. And I am SO GLAD I did. (I would also like to note that this is NOT sponsored in any way. I wouldn’t do that to y’all.) Now, I started using Tula’s Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser in February 2020. This was my first big change. Before, I was using CeraVe for about a year or two. Which, I have absolutely nothing against. A few of my friends swear by it. It just wasn’t actually changing my skin, but merely dealing with it. I would also like to note that I have been super consistent with my skincare routine this year. In the past I would wash my face in the shower and be done. But like I said before, I wanted to make a point to CHANGE my skin. So with that, you need consistency.
Second Skincare Change: Adding in Moisturizer
I know what you’re probably thinking… “Uhm, what do you mean you JUST started adding in moisturizer?” Yes girl, don’t come at me lol. Like I said before, I have oily skin, so my thought process was that moisturizer would make it worse. That was until I found my new BAE. I tried the Tula 24-7 Moisturizer and it just wasn’t my jam. Again, I bought a trail size to start. What I noticed about it was that it was thick and lotion-y. Not really what my skin was needing. I kept hearing about “gel moisturizers” and how those were good for oily skin types.
So, I went ahead and tried out the Neutrogena Hydro-Boost Water Gel . Now, what’s funny about it is that the packaging says for “extra dry skin” which would be the exact opposite of my skin type. But, I gave it a try. Let me just say-WOW. It’s not heavy, it’s cooling and best of all it works with my skin! I am honestly addicted to this stuff lol. I apply it morning and night, then before my makeup if I am getting ready mid-day. I can’t get enough!
Third Skincare Change: Adding a Cleansing Brush
Okay- For the longest time I didn’t really see the need for a cleansing brush. Like, my hands work fine? But, I saw that Dani Austin (@daniaustin) shared the Vanity Planet Raedia Brush on sale so I figured I would give it a try. My first thought when I received it in the mail was “oh how stinking cute?!” the handle is a matte blush color and easy to grip so you don’t drop it. I also liked that it came with 3 brush heads. One for daily cleansing, one for exfoliating and one for sensitive skin. I tried all three and the one I stuck with was the silicone brush for sensitive skin. The other two were a little to harsh on my skin and were causing redness (my skin is kind of a brat, ok). I use the brush every night in the shower with my Tula cleanser (the whole thing is waterproof so that’s also a plus) and I keep a little mirror in there so I can see what I am doing, you don’t want to get your soap in your eyes, lol.
Why I am calling this my “Summer Skincare”
First off, since I didn’t start really changing my routine and consistency until late February, I would say that I wasn’t actually noticing changes until late March to early April. They say it takes about 4-6 weeks for your skin to actually start showing a difference (don’t ask me who “they” is, it’s just what they say). My winter routine mine be a little different, or stay the same. But for now, I don’t want to go ahead and say this is my “full proof- all year round routine”.
For instance, winter is usually a good time for my skin. The air is dryer and less humid, so I am sweating less and having less breakouts. But, then again, I live in Houston, Texas where sometimes Christmas morning requires shorts and a tank top. So- for now, we are calling this my Summer Skincare.
Skincare Routine: Morning
So- I don’t wash my face in the morning, unless I end up having to shower in the morning. But, for the most part I shower at night and that’s when I do my in depth routine. For morning I keep it pretty simple as generally I am headed to work and running late, lol.
- I apply my retinol cream, which I have been using about 2 months now and have actually been very impressed with. This is the first retinol I have ever used, so for a first timer- me likey. The cream I use is CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum. I bought this to help with acne scars. From what I can tell, it’s doing it’s job. When this is out I may try a more expensive brand just to see if there is a difference in how fast I will see results.
- I apply my eye cream. This one I am not actually sold on. I bout the Kylie Skin Eye Cream back in May and it isn’t doing much for me (from what I can tell). I have some dark circles that I am trying to treat and I just don’t feel like I am getting results from this. *not even going to link it for y’all because it’s meh* But, I paid for it so I am going to probably give it until the end of the month before I move on. If you have any recommendations, send them my way!
- I apply my moisturizer/water gel. Ahh the cooling effect from this in the morning is SO SO GOOD.
- I apply my Tula Daily Sunscreen. YES another Tula product I am obsessed with. I have only been using this about 3 weeks to a month, and I love it. I used to hate putting sunscreen on my face because, surprise, I would break out. They always had too much oils or were greasy. This one is literally amazing. It also has a glow to it so if you do go the day without makeup you have this pretty sheen to your face.
And that’s it. 4 little steps in the morning and I either go about my day or put on makeup. I’m not the “puts on makeup everyday” kinda girl so most of the time that’s it lol.
Skincare Routine: Night
Now- this is the big shabang! But, so worth it. When I go to bed my skin feel so good and when I wake up it is so soft and fresh feeling, ah I love it! Side note-if I wore make up that day I use Aveeno Positively Radiant Makeup Wipes to remove it all before hopping in the shower.
- I get in the shower and start with the Murad Skin Smoothing Polish. This is a scrub that I use every other night for exfoliating. I choose to do every other night just so that I don’t irritate my skin. Exfoliating too much can really piss it off, tbh.
- I wash my face with the Tula Cleanser & the Vanity Planet brush. I use the brush on the high setting so that I get a good scrub. I do this for about 60-90 seconds going all over my face and into my neck. I rinse with cool water.
- After I get out of the shower I let my face dry off, then if I have any breakouts I will use the Tula Spot Treatment to treat any spots that are being stubborn.
- Next, I apply Toner. I use Thayers Witch Hazel Facial Spray and let that air dry before applying the next step.
- Next I apply my Retinol serum all over my face.
- Then I apply the Kyle Skin eye cream. Again, it’s meh.
- Finally, I apply the Neutrogena Water Gel to seal it all in.
Not too many steps, right?! Listen, you gotta do what you gotta do. Now, for the vulnerable part…. some before and “after’s”. I was really hesitant on adding these but ya know, let’s get real. No one’s skin is perfect and if it is then comment on here and help a sister out & tell me your secrets.
My Skin Journey
When I started my journey to taking control of my skin.
I noticed my skin looked clear this day in front of a window, this was the first time I was really like, WOW.
This is today- as I am writing this post. The marks on my nose are from my glasses and I have a couple of hormonal breakouts happening. But other than that, my scaring is looking better as well as the texture of my skin.
Something to note is that all three of these photos were taken in different lighting. Bathroom, natural and at night under a bedroom light. Again- my skin is no where near perfect, but it is a work in progress and I am liking the progress I am seeing!
I wanted to write this post first and foremost to help you out if you are shopping for any new skincare products or were curious about what I use. Secondly, I wanted to write this post to just be real with you all about my skin. Instagram isn’t always “real life” and most of the time I have make up on (on my feed pics at least) and I didn’t want to give the perception or false advertise that I just look that way 24/7, lol. As I have always said I want to be real and honest with you all and never want you to feel like I am just sharing something to share it. I will always try products first before recommending them to you and if I don’t like something, I WILL TELL YOU.
But, that’s all. I hope you liked reading this blog post (that kind of turned into a novel-sorry) and I hope it encourages you to show your bare face and rock it! I will link all the products on my LikeToKnowIt for you and post it here below. If you aren’t already, follow me on the app! I post tons of stuff daily for you to shop. As always, make sure you are following me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook to be in the loop of all things WWAB.
‘Til Next time!
Shop all the products mentioned in this post here!
All tips and tricks listed on this blog post are from personal experience and results are in no way fact or guaranteed. Individual results may vary based on your own experience.
