My New Skincare Routine

by Stephanie McCarthy

Close-up of young woman in black t-shirt washing face over sink.
Close-up of a woman washing her face by Alena Darmel. 

One thing you can bet on is that life is always changing and we need to change with it. In our quest for perfection, we’re always evolving and striving to be better human beings. Products come and go. Some no longer cut it. Some may need to be added. Some may need to be swapped out for a different version. The list goes on. Therefore, I’ve made several necessary revisions to what I use in my skincare regimen.

Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 Acne Spot Treatment, Maximum Strength, 1 ounce, $10.55 at myotcstore.com: The salicylic acid in the Advantage Acne Spot Treatment, from the same brand, wasn’t cutting it. Due to a major lifestyle and medication change in 2019, my breakouts were horrible and stubborn and they enjoyed sticking around for two years. Then I purchased this spot treatment and they were gone. The gel also diminished my acne scars. The only caveat is that the benzoyl peroxide in it bleaches your towels. So be sure to use lighter-colored or cheaper ones that you’re not too invested in.

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30, 3 ounces, $21.88 at Target: I had been using Eucerin’s Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Sensitive Skin Lotion with SPF 15 for 10 years and it was hard saying goodbye when it was discontinued. Then I came across this lotion online and most of the reviews on it were good. I ended up being very pleased with it. I have very fair skin and the SPF 30 protects me from the sun’s harsh summer rays. I never get burned when I wear this. The hyaluronic acid in it is what really sold me on it. I’m up for anything that reduces fine lines and wrinkles. My easily irritated skin also gets a little red around my period and the niacinamide in it lessens that. Finally, the price point is wonderful.

Differin Restorative Night Moisturizer, 2.5 ounces, $20.83 at iHerb: In 2021, I discovered that you shouldn’t wear your day moisturizer in the evening, being that the SPF in it can clog your pores. This was one of the reasons why my acne-prone skin was breaking out. I remembered some of the best brands my first dermatologist recommended to me when I was in my mid to late 20s. Differin was one of them. I encountered this evening moisturizer in a Google search of the brand. The formulation of it is so luxurious. It feels like ribbons of silk on your face.

LOreal Revitalift Moisturizer, 1.7 ounces, $13.55 at myotcstore.com: For a while, when my Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Sensitive Skin Lotion with SPF 15 started being phased out and was getting way too expensive, using the Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Day Cream with SPF 25 was the next best thing. The only problem was that it was making me break out more than usual. The consistency was way too thick for the blemish-prone skin on my face, especially in the warmer months. Now that I’ve found CeraVe AM Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 15, which alleviates fine lines and wrinkles, I no longer need this version of Revitalift with all of the extra properties. The regular bare-bones version does just fine on my chin and neck in the day and evening.

Change is a difficult, but necessary part of life—especially if you’re getting older and would like to prevent signs of aging as much as possible. These skincare products help me look years younger and have helped me get my skincare routine down to an exact science. I hope they will be able to help you too.


This post contains Sovrn affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Rest assured, I only recommend products that I've tried and love, pinkie swear!

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