My 7 Skin Method Products:

This is my first post pls be gentle I am soff My experience and exposure to skincare was...odd growing up. I came from a poor family and was constantly switching between households. Consistent skincare routines did not exist for me, if we could afford it at all. I also had no idea what was going on with my face or why, just that I was being mocked and berated for it as though it was some sort of lack of hygeine or moral failing on my part. About 3 years ago, I started using a consistent skincare routine with more than just a face wash in the shower. Granted, it was whatever the cheapest face wash I could find at Safeway that week (likely biore or st. ives) and argan oil that I found at Marshall's. I had no idea what ingredients to look for or even what my skin type was. That first pic STILL marked a huge improvement for me and kicked off my desire to learn more to finally rectify this issue that had plagued me for more than a decade. The 2nd pic is from a few months ago. I kinda think I peaked there. I was using Neutrogena - Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser in the shower. I have oily, sensitive skin (thanks eczema) and it's very gentle, not irritating in the slightest. However, it feels like all it does is clean my face. No real benefit apart from that. I was using pixi - Glow Tonic as a toner which I loved and gave me great results but rent is literally over half my monthly income and that doesn't touch all the other bills I have and at anywhere from $18-$24 a bottle? Well... I'd rather eat tbh. I also got over the "oily skin don't need moisturize hurr durr" mentality and began to use (still do, this jar has lasted me since like July) AVALON ORGANICS - Intense Defense, With Vitamin C, Oil-Free Moisturizer . Works fine, nice and light, absorbs pretty quickly, and I like the smell. I'd like something that qualifies as a night mask instead tho, just because my entire routine is done exclusively at night with extra moisturizer or treatments as necessary. 3rd pic is from about a month ago. I've changed up the roster a few times. I'm really feeling FORMULA 10.0.6 - One Deep Attraction Daily Foaming Face Wash as I used it years ago, liked it then for the suds and the actives, but haven't gotten much in the way of results. I might try the FORMULA 10.0.6 - Three Times Sublime 3-in-1 Blackhead Wash + Scrub + Maskand FORMULA 10.0.6 - P.M. Perfectorinstead of the moisturizer I use as mentioned above. I'm also alternating between Cos De BAHA - BHA Salicylic Acid 2% Exfoliant Liquid 4oz with Niacinamide Acne Spot Treatment + Redness Relief + Pore Minimizer + Pore Cleaner and The Ordinary - Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% . The serum makes my skin incredibly soft and the suspension helps a bunch with oil control. If y'all have any comments, questions, or suggestions regarding my routine, I'd love to hear what y'all have to say!

For a long time I was intimated by skincare because it seemed very expensive and overwhelming. How do I know what to buy 🤷🏻‍♀️ When I started noticing wrinkles that was enough of a push for me to invest in skincare. Here’s some great lessons I’ve learned to build your skincare routine affordably: 1. Research to figure out what you need- here’s where my love of @cheriestarted! I read lots of reviews, advice, so I knew what type of products I should buy and what ingredients I should focus on. 2. Keep it Simple It’s easy to want to buy new products, adding new steps or ingredients to your routine, or try out the hype after reading reviews! Focus on your concerns and add slowly to give your skin time to adjust and see what’s working. It’s better to have a few great products that you love than many products you don’t use. I started with: Cleanse AM antioxidant serum, PM anti-aging serum Moisturizer Sunscreen Toners, eye cream, facial oil, and masks can be extras if you are looking to save money 3. Spend your money on the middle - if you can only splurge on one product make it the serum! This has the most benefit. Drugstore cleansers, moisturizers, and spf are great! 4. Try some great affordable brands such as The Ordinary, The Inkey List, Versed, or CeraVe 5. Buy trial size first, Value Sets or better free rewards before investing in a new product 6. Once you’ve found your Holy Grails keep your eyes open for sales to stock up, join the brands mailing list or reward program, buy value size Here’s my current skincare line-up and how much it cost me: CLINIQUE - Jumbo Liquid Facial Soap Mild Use AM & PM Bought on sale for $27 for 13.5oz CLINIQUE - Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm Use PM Free from Clinique rewards pixi - Glow Tonic pixi - Milky Tonic Rotate PM Bought multi-pack on sale for $22 OLE HENRIKSEN - Banana Bright Eye Crème Use AM and / or PM Bought on sale $25 The Ordinary - Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Use AM $6.80 VERSED - STROKE OF BRILLIANCE Brightening Serum Use AM $26.99 OLAY - Wrinkle Correction Serum with Vitamin B3+ Collagen Peptides Use PM Bought on sale for $32 BIOSSANCE - Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum Use PM 1-2 times per week Free from Sephora Rewards Bazaar CLINIQUE - Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Use AM & PM Free gift with purchase from Clinique CAUDALIE - Vinoperfect Instant Brightening Moisturizer Use PM when not using lactic acid Free offer with purchase from Sephora The Ordinary - 100% Organic Cold Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil Use PM $9.90 (Not pictured) currently using my kids Banana Boat Kids Simply Protect SPF 50 as my sunscreen