Whenever I find myself with a little extra time on my hands, I browse my collection of face masks [1] and beauty treatments for entertainment. I have other hobbies, sure, but I view skin care as my main one [2]. (It also happens to be my job.)
Because I love it so much, it feels wrong calling taking care of my skin "hard work" [3]. But candidly, it is. It's taken a lot of trial and error to get my skin-care routine just right. I'm one of those people who rarely had acne as a teenager, but started getting breakouts as an adult when I turned 21. It was the type of cystic acne that primarily shows up around your jaw and is triggered by hormones. Boy, was that a time.
Now that my skin has cleared up for the most part — I still get breakouts occasionally but the situation has vastly improved — I feel like I know what my skin needs and stick to it religiously. That includes doing an extended DIY facial once a week [4]. (I like to call it my me-time.) The products I use help detox my skin while still supplying it with hydration [5] and also lighten discoloration from acne — oh, and increase radiance, because aside from clear skin, that's my other big skin-care goal.
Keep reading to see the products I use to do my own at-home facial for my combination skin.
Step 1: Cleanse to Remove Makeup
I do a double cleanse every night [6], even when I'm not doing a little facial at home. Ever since I started, I noticed a huge improvement in my skin — probably because I was finally removing all of the impurities from the surface. I use cleansing balms or oils to get the job done and the Lilah b. Aglow Cleansing Butter [7] ($44) is one of my favourites.
Step 2: Cleanse to Purify the Skin
I love testing new skin-care products, but the one thing I won't change is my face wash. The Tula The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser [8] ($28) is the perfect formula for removing dirt and impurities without stripping my skin of moisture.
Step 3: Exfoliating Mask
Exfoliating two or three times a week is best for my skin. Most of the time I use peel pads to get the job done but once a week, I reach for an exfoliating mask to get a deeper treatment. The Lancer Skincare Caviar Lime Acid Peel [9] ($95) is potent but doesn't make my skin the least bit irritated after using it. What it does do is brighten my overall complexion.
Step 4: Detoxifying Mask
After exfoliating I use a detoxifying mask to really give my pores a deep clean. Because I'm breakout-prone around my jaw and T-Zone but not on my forehead or cheeks, I need a mask that won't dry me out too much. The Renée Rouleau Rapid Response Detox Masque [10] ($67) is unique in that it has a gel-like texture (not clay, like most purifying formulas), so it leaves my skin feeling hydrated and comfortable.
Step 5: Toner
I've tried a lot of toners, but this drugstore hero will always be one of my favourites. After cleansing and masking, I swipe the Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner Rose Petal [11] ($11) to rebalance my skin.
Step 6: Eye Cream
Moving on to the treatments portion of my at-home facial, I dab the Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum [12] ($50) under my eyes to hydrate and brighten [13].
Step 7: Hydrating Serum
In the morning I reach for a brightening vitamin C serum, but at night (which is typically when I do my extended facials) I use a hydrating formula, like the Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum [14] ($48), and pat it into my skin.
Step 8: Moisturise
No matter how badly my skin is breaking out, I never skip on moisturising. I love lightweight, glow-inducing formulas like the Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream [15] ($68).
Step 9: Face Oil
Last but not least: face oil. To lock in moisture, I press the Eve Lom Radiance Face Oil [16] ($80) onto my skin as a final step. It leaves my complexion so dewy-looking — it's like the icing on top of the cake.