Over the last decade, I’ve documented my journey with skin issues several times and some of the products/routines that have really made a big difference in the way my skin looks and feels. It’s just now at 36 years old that I’m finally starting to understand just how interconnected different systems in the body are and how things like hormone and gut health imbalances can majorly play a role in the acne breakouts I’ve been dealing with since I was a kid. I’m slowly learning and working on healing my body from the inside out, but in the meantime I still want to use quality skin care products that are going to minimize breakouts, balance oil production in my skin, and minimize the appearance of wrinkles, texture, and large pores.

Here is my morning skin care routine I’ve been using for several years now –

I’ll start by going through some of the protocols I’ve doing to help heal my skin and body naturally because it seems to always garner a ton of questions any time I talk about it. Getting to the bottom of my hormone and gut issues has been a big focus for me this year because no matter how good or expensive of skin care I use, if my body is imbalanced the acne is just going to keep coming back. Here are a few of the biggest things I try to do or incorporate daily:

eliminate sugar, alcohol, and highly processed foods from my diet
incorporate a variety of colorful fruits/vegetables and fiber-filled foods
include probiotic foods such as kefir, Greek yogurt, sauerkraut, and kombucha
hydrate with plenty of water throughout the day
drink anti-inflammatory teas like ginger/turmeric or green tea
stress management and 7-8 hrs quality sleep
red light therapy and 15-30 mins sauna several times a week
take supplements like a women’s probiotic for digestive, vaginal, and immune support, DIM for hormone balance, and an adrenal cocktail – you can see all the supplements I use here

I know it sounds like a lot, but these are little habits I’ve slowly incorporated into my daily routine over time. Once you start getting in tune with your body and giving it what it truly needs to thrive, it’s amazing how good you will feel. Okay, now onto the skin care details:

It may or may not surprise you that MOST of these products are the exact same ones from the same brand that I first shared over 4 years ago now. I came across Paula’s Choice after a large amount of Google research, long before I had ever seen anyone talk about it or I had even heard of it. I was intrigued by the quality ingredients backed by science, but more than that, the amount of positive reviews from longtime customers who have been using these products for years. To be clear, I am not sponsored by this brand – I genuinely love, use, and re-order these products repeatedly, and I hope sharing them might be the help your skin needs too.

MORNING SKIN CARE ROUTINE

step 1: CLEANSER | Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser – This anti-aging and pore-reducing cleanser is formulated to gently remove makeup and excess oil while balancing your skin’s moisture. I use it morning and night, and I love how creamy and gentle it feels on my skin. I always take my makeup off before I go to bed, but if for some reason I still have makeup on in the morning, I use micellar water and cotton rounds to remove it before cleansing. Another noteworthy product that seems slightly ridiculous but is actually a genius invention, is this set of towel wristbands so water doesn’t run down your arms while washing and rinsing your face!

combination/oily/normal skin types
gently removes all traces of makeup, sunscreen and excess oil
hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture and instantly plumps skin
ceramides restore the moisture barrier and strengthen skin’s surface
aloe calms sensitivity and soothes signs of redness

step 2: TONER | Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner – This toner balances oily skin, minimizes enlarged pores, and provides a light hydration. I use this twice daily after cleansing by applying the toner on a cotton round and gently wiping all over my face and neck.

combination/oily skin types
niacinamide minimizes the appearance of pores and promotes a more even tone
chamomile and burdock root extract soothe sensitivity and provide antioxidant benefits
hyaluronic acid and ceramides restore moisture barrier and provide lightweight hydration

step 3: EXFOLIANT | Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – If there is one product I would say has improved my face the most, this cult favorite and #1 global best seller would have to be it. With rave reviews and numerous beauty awards, this clinically proven liquid leave-on exfoliant with salicylic acid unclogs and minimizes pores and evens out skin tone for more radiant, youthful looking skin. I use this 1-2 times daily after toning and before my moisturizer. I’ve purchased a million different scrubs and manual exfoliators over the years, which can sometimes feel harsh on my sensitive skin. I love that this is just a simple liquid I apply with a cotton round and leave on my skin underneath my moisturizer. Within days of trying it, I noticed my skin was immediately smoother and more even, and years later it is still my not-so-secret trick to that “glass skin” look and the perfect prep for a flawless, smooth makeup application.

all skin types
optimal pH range of 3.2–3.8 for maximum effectiveness without irritation
BHA (beta hydroxy acid) works within the pore lining where congestion, blemishes & blackheads begin
green tea quickly calms redness and soothes the skin barrier

step 4: SERUM | Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment – A highly concentrated innovative niacinamide (vitamin B3) serum that effectively tightens and minimizes the look of enlarged pores and bumps caused by age or sun damage. This is the first niacinamide serum to contain a safe, effective 20% concentration, complemented by purslane and acetyl glucosamine, which smooth out rough, orange-peel texture. I use a few drops prior to applying my moisturizer for a more youthful appearance.

all skin types
dramatically reduces the look of enlarged pores
helps reduce hard, clogged bumps & orange-peel texture
visibly improves blotchy tone & fades post-blemish marks

step 5: MOISTURIZER | Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 – One of the major changes I’ve made in my skin care routine was adding a daytime moisturizer that specifically protects against sun damage and aging. This lightweight formula with SPF 50 has a matte finish, which is perfect for days I put makeup on, and contains vital antioxidants and broad-spectrum sun protection to fight visible signs of aging.

all skin types
promotes a healthier, younger-looking appearance
fights against environmental stressors
matte finish leaves skin feeling smooth and hydrated, never slick or oily
oat extract soothes sensitivity
green tea instantly calms redness

SHOP EVERYTHING HERE

OTHER OPTIONS:

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | The Ordinary has a lot of more affordable skin care options, and while most I’ve tried don’t come close to matching up to Paula’s Choice, their Niacinamide + Zinc is a good one. It’s a lightweight, water-based vitamin + mineral formula for skin brightening, controlling shine, minimizing pores, and texture irregularity. It doesn’t have as high concentration of niacinamide as the Paula’s Choice one, but this formulation with zinc added seems to do a really good job keeping my face matte and oil-free throughout the day.

Paula’s Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 | In the summer, I often like to just wear a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation, and this is a great one. It has a matte finish, which is perfect when my skin gets more oily in the summer humidity.

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel | At certain times during my cycle, I will get large, painful acne on my jawline, and when nothing else will work on these stubborn spots, this is the BEST spot treatment I’ve ever come across. I try to use it sparingly because it does irritate my skin if I use it too often or in too large of an area – I’ll dab just enough right on the spot and let it work its magic. It has 10% benzoyl peroxide and is clinically proven to reduce the size and redness in just 2 hours.

Natural Skin Care Routine | I wrote this post back in 2018 when I first started paying close attention to the ingredients in skin care and the best way to heal acne-prone skin safely and gently, but effectively. The only reason I eventually turned to Paula’s Choice products was because I wanted something that would target both acne + anti-aging, as well as products that would be a little more simple and easy/less messy to use than honey, clay, and oil. But it has always been one of my most visited and asked about blog posts, so I wanted to make sure I provided this resource here as well.

SHOP HERE

FIND PRODUCTS TO BEST FIT YOUR SKIN TYPE + NEEDS:

dry skin
oily skin
normal/combination skin
sensitive skin
wrinkles
acne

Any questions? Let me know!

As always, I sincerely appreciate you shopping through the links I share, which allows me to make a small commission from your purchase while your purchase price remains the same. When you use my affiliate links, I’m better able to create content for this blog as well as support my family, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting what I do!

Morning Skin Care Routine