Favorite Skincare Products

If there’s one area of life that constantly has me feeling like I should dedicate more time to, it’s my skincare. As a busy momma, I’m lucky if I have enough energy to actually get through a nighttime regiment before plopping into bed. And while I may not be the most consistent with incorporating these six skincare favorites of mine, I will say that at the very least, I have a really great lineup of items that keep my skin clear, fresh, and nourished.

My face is generally comprised of combination skin. I’m almost always oily in my forehead and in the creases of my nose. But my chin and my cheeks tend to live on the dryer side. I live with a trail of red bumps along my jaw line, which almost every skincare professional has blamed on hormones. But my beloved regimen has helped me control major breakouts, minimize my pores, and quench the constant thirst under this hot Florida sun!

Micellar Water – I typically only use this product when I have the day’s makeup still lingering. I squirt two cotton squares with the water once or twice, depending on the amount of makeup I have on. Then I gently rub my skin, moving from the center of my face towards the outer rim, to remove the makeup. I use two squares, one for my eye makeup where it’s heaviest, and one for chin, cheeks and forehead. I love how easily this takes off stubborn makeup, while swapping leftover foundation for a good dose of moisture. Budget tip: go for Target’s Up & Up brand and save a buck or two. This bottle works just as good as any brand name I have tried!

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel – This little green bottle houses my absolute favorite face wash. The consistency a little light. But as per the recommendation from a friend in skincare, I can actually cleanse twice with this without feeling like I’ve completely stripped my face of healthy oils. She says the first wash is to remove any dirt, oil, or leftover makeup. And the second wash truly gets the cleanser deep into the skin. This gel keeps my breakouts at a minimum, but doesn’t strip my drier areas of the moisture they need! I work this gel into my skin in a circular motion, then wash away and pat dry with a clean face towel. When I’m on my A-game, I use this product daily in the morning and the evening.

Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion – I know this is labeled a lotion, but it’s actually a thin liquid formula that tones my pores and eliminates breakouts. It also helps cool down the lingering redness I experience. Once again, those cotton squares come in handy. And just one squirt of this can go a long way! I make sure to wipe the areas where my pores suffer the most first – my nose and inner cheek. Then I continue to the less needy surfaces of my face. This gets incorporated twice a day after each time I cleanse!

Trader Joe’s Rose Water Facial Toner – The absolute easiest product in this regimen. So if you’re looking for ease, start here! This sweet little liquid comes in a super handy spray bottle. A few sprays after a fresh cleanse and my skin instantly feels cool relief from the day’s harsh sun. The rose water calms the redness my skin almost always carries, with or without the heat exposure! Whenever I have a day outdoor planned with my crazy babies, I actually throw this baby in the diaper bag. A quick spray here and there can really make me feel refreshed before grabbing lunch or hitting a coffee stop.

Trader Joe’s Nourish Anti-Oxidant Facial Moisturizer – Let me explain. The first week or so of using this I did experience more breakouts than usual. But very quickly my skin adapted, and I fell in love with this product! The pump bottle distributes the perfect amount to cover my face and my neck. And a twist-lock keeps my toddler from going quietly crazy in my bathroom. This light cream has just the right amount of moisture to spread beautifully and evenly across the entire surface. Plus, I wake up without any extra oil on my T-zone. And paired with the Trader Joe’s toner spray, you can not get more budget friendly with this skincare duo! In my regimen, this follows my toner every morning and about five nights a week.

Acure Seriously Glowing Facial Serum – When I started looking into “skincare for your twenties,” a heavy suggestion was using a serum regularly. This serum gives my skin the perfect dose of a variety of beneficial oils to encourage youthful, bright skin. This specific serum is discontinued by Acure, but I plan to replace it with a very similar product of theirs – Acure Brightening Glowing Serum. The serum always incorporates into my skin by the time I wake up in the morning. Perfect for early morning makeup routines! This company is super thoughtful about the ingredients in their products, and I feel confident finishing my skincare regimen with their serums two nights a week!

I love this lineup because I truly believe its budget balanced. The Mario Badescu and Acure items can be a little pricier than items you’d find on the shelves of your nearest market. But I absolutely make up for it with those easy breezy Trader Joe’s items! Plus, just a dab goes a long way with each item. Each bottle generally lasts me at least a month or two when used regularly! With skincare, I believe you get what you give! And I’m happy to spend a few dollars more to keep the (little bit of) youth left in my skin after two beautiful, but tiring, babies. Find what’s right for you mama, so you can feel radiant without your makeup bag in tow!