Skincare Routine 2019 Edition | Oily Skin

Hello, gorgeousness! I am finally going to do an updated skincare routine. This is definitely a long overdue post that I have been wanting to do. My Instagram peeps always keep the request coming so here it is. For over just December last year I have kept my skincare routine pretty simple and basic. You can say that I am being slightly strict with what I put on my skin now.

My skin definitely changed for the better when I use fewer products and I wish I knew that earlier but oh well. Now what else I can do other than hope it's here to stay. I ain't risking my skin anymore. All I know is that the products I use now helped immensely with my skin concerns and I won't be changing them, hopefully not in the near future. So, I will be sharing not 1 but 2 skincare routines today — being my AM routine and PM routine. Hopefully, it's not too long and bore you.

TL;DR: Cleanse > Tone > Spot treat > Moisturise > Protect

Step 1: Cleanse

I really adore this cleanser from CeraVe that I got for at least over three months. It does its job pretty well. I like it a little too much because it's so gentle on the skin even though it's a foaming cleanser, my skin never feels tight after using it. It's a bomb dot com facial cleanser if you're on the mission to repair your moisture barrier. My skin reacted so well with this cleanser!

Tips: I am using the #60SecondRule to wash my face that's created by the amazing global esthetician on Twitter - Nai. Who knows washing your face for just 60 seconds could make your skin glow!

Step 2: Tone

I always, always tone. I feel like my skin is in a good place right now is all because of the toner I use (or I could be wrong lol). You would know by now if you read my The Body Shop Vitamin E skincare range post. My current bottle is my fourth one! I love it and I wouldn't know honestly what do I do without this toner.

Tips: I usually do a double or triple layer of toner to boost extra hydration into my skin. This tip is golden. It works like a miracle. I know it seems excessive but it works — it helps a lot with texture, pores, and of course dark spots.

Step 3: Spot treat

Spot treatment is like an option to me. I don't always use it but I do use it every now and then. This Hiruscar Post-acne Gel works pretty okay. You do have to use it frequently so you would be able to see the result faster. Also, using it after toning the skin works great too if you want to see immediate results.

Step 4: Moisturise

I feel like I am cheating because I have been using this moisturizer for only 2 weeks by now but it works phenomenally! The Body Shop Vitamin E Gel Moisturiser is really lightweight and deeply hydrates without sitting on top of the skin. If I can talk sh*t about it, it's the scent. It smells like men's cologne. It's obnoxious!

Sometimes, I like to rotate this moisturizer with the Bio-Essence Hydra Tri-Action Aqua Moisturizing Gel one too. Whichever I feel like using that day. Both of them perform the best as a moisturizer and didn't break me out!

Step 5: Protect

I have only started using sunscreen on and off two years back. I am pretty consistent with it now I guess. The one I love at the moment is the Wardah Sun Care Sunscreen Gel. It has an SPF30 and that's just what I need for everyday use. No alcohol, no white cast and is fantastic under makeup.

TL;DR: Remove > Cleanse > (Exfoliate - optional) > Tone > Serum > Mask > Moisturise

Step 1: Remove

I remove my makeup or pretty much just everyday skincare residue with Garnier Skin Naturals Micellar Cleansing Water. The one with the blue cap is perfect for oily babes like me. It doesn't sting my eyes, doesn't burn or strip my skin.

Every other day when I wear slightly heavy makeup, I will use the Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Cleansing Oil just to easily break down all the layers of makeup and I will use the hydrating Sephora Collection Watermelon Cleansing Wipes afterward. I then will cleanse my face (again) with a facial cleanser just because.

Step 2: Cleanse

When it comes to PM routine, I usually use a slightly "heavy" and thick type of product as that works the best for my skin type. I use The Body Shop Vitamin E Gentle Facial Wash during my PM routine only. Although it's a cream type of facial wash, it's really gentle on my skin, I don't feel any tightness after washing my face. It removes every last trace of makeup or dirt. I really like it. It also smells good.

Step 3: Tone

I really like my Vitamin E toner but part of me just don't want it to run out a little too fast. I gotta do something about it by having a backup. So I tried Clinelle PureSwiss Hydracalm Lotion over two months ago and I kinda dig it. The consistency is almost the same as my Vitamin E toner except thicker. But I didn't get breakouts which I thank God so much for that. I just don't like the scent - it smells like a bed of roses. It's too much for my liking.

Step 4: Serum

I have just started using serums again. I would say it took me a month or so to calm my skin without these additional steps in my skincare routine. Now I am using a Vitamin C serum from Wardah. This is the only serum that works for my skin other than the Bougas Beauty Serum. I use the Bougas serum every now and then but the Vitamin C serum is definitely a staple. I use it daily for my PM routine.

Vitamin C is really good if you have PIH like my skin. And this one from Wardah is pretty mild in my opinion but doesn't matter as long as my skin can handle it.

Step 5: Mask

The mask I am using in my skincare routine has been talked about before on the blog. I will leave the link here for your convenience: Link to post. I only stick to this brand specifically for my weekly-mask-time but I have used quite a few from different brands too. I just love Mediheal sheet masks as you're able to see the result almost immediately after using them.

Now, I have heard somewhere else that the only thing masks do is hydrate and that's it. Something is not quite right there (to some extent) as we all know masks are catered to different functions to kinda solve different concerns in my humble opinion. I could be wrong but I do think masks are more than just hydrate.

Step 6: Moisturise

I was so afraid to use a cream type of moisturizer because y'all know, with this skin type? It will only make it worse. Until that one night where I finally gave it a try (because I bought that using my own money and I want to make use of the things I bought using my hard-earn money) and I love it!

I use The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream as my moisturizer and I only use it during my PM routine. It basically works well for my skin - lightweight, quite tacky but didn't break me out and my skin glows every time.

Exfoliate. You have to exfoliate regardless of your skin type and I do exfoliate my skin (if I am not being lazy) two times a week. I love my Pixi Glow Tonic (chemical exfoliator) and St. Ives Green Tea Scrub (physical exfoliator) so I will rotate them according to whichever I am feeling the most that particular day.

They both work great to remove dead skin. They will leave your skin baby's butt smooth. If you're feeling your skin a little bit rough, just exfoliate them away! I will do this step after washing my face with facial wash and before toning (so the skin's pH is balanced again!)

So, that's that. I hope you enjoy a rundown of my skincare routine. I can't believe using these 'minimal' products helped calm my skin. The results are just astonishing! I love my skin more than ever now. I would say, if you're suffering from breakouts, don't be afraid to change your skincare routine. Get out from that bubble and find loads of hydrating stuff because #HydrationIsKey.

*Some links used are affiliated links, which allows me to earn a small commission when you buy the product using my link. Please note that no commission is earned through clicking links. Thank you~

What's your skincare routine like? What is your skin type and what are some products you swear by in your skincare routine?