I haven’t blogged much about my skincare routine, but taking care of my skin has always been top on my list of priorities. Sure, I love makeup and everything that goes along with it but I also love caring for my skin so that it look its best.
First, let me quickly explain my skin type. I am dry/combination: which means my cheeks are dry while my t-zone is active and a bit oily. About 98% of my breakouts occur on my chin or forehead, and while I don’t breakout very often, when I do they last a full week and almost always leave behind some hyper pigmentation.
Finding the right balance of products that not only treat my dry skin, but also prevents breakouts and wrinkles has been quite a journey. However, one product that has remained in my stash for over two years has been this SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream.
Prior to purchasing this, I was using a really expensive cream from DDF called the Retinol Energizing Moisturizer. With an incredibly steep $88 price tag, I was shocked to learn that it actually contains a watered down, less effective form of Retinol. While SkinCeuticals contains 0.5% pure Retinol for nearly half the price at $54 dollars.
A big mistake I made with this was applying too much, too soon. I assumed the DDF product had acclimated my skin to Retinol, but because it was much less potent I reacted pretty badly to this. After 1 week my face had turned lobster red, peeled and stung like crazy…OUCH! 
After my bad reaction, I took about a month off from any and all Retinol and then slowly began to incorporate this back into my nightly routine. At first I used it every 3 or 4 nights, then worked my way up to every other night.
Now that my skin is completely used to this, I can say I absolutely love it! It is potent, but don’t let that scare you away. Retinol is one of the only proven anti-agers on the market and has helped my skin in so many ways.
For starters, the acne I experienced on my chin has gone from 2-3 breakouts a month to only 2-3 a year! Plus, those pesky hyper pigmentation spots have also drastically faded. Of course it hasn’t entirely cured my acne. I still experience breakouts from time to time but it has definitely improved my complexion.
This product also makes my skin really soft. Although it seems as if it would be drying, it’s actually quite nourishing. In fact, I really don’t even need to use a separate moisturizer after applying this.
After two years of continued use I can’t see myself without this product. It has calmed my active t-zone, evened out my complexion and helped soften its texture. Prior to using this, my skin was all over the place. I had dry patches, oily zones, dry fine lines and constant chin breakouts.
Best of all, this tiny can has lasted me an entire year! So, if you’re afraid of its $54 price tag keep in mind only a tiny pea sized amount is needed for your entire face.
You can purchase this online or at select dermatologists offices. To find a location near you, click here.
Leave your comments below!
XOXO,
Julie
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