First things first, I know these rules will not apply to everyone. For a long time, I did not have a skin care routine and my skin showed it. Others may not have noticed the dry patches or the clogged pores, but I did. Once I scoured the internet for affordable skin care products, there was no turning back. So I purchased face wash (I had only been using bar soap, eek I know), morning and nighttime moisturizers, and a bottle of exfoliating gel and began transforming my skin.

1. Wash your face morning and night.

The facial cleanser I purchased is specifically for normal to dry skin, since I had patches of dry skin. The brand Cerave does have different regimes for different skin types, is a top rated brand by dermatologists, AND it can be found at Walmart and Target, so check it out!! With warm water I use my face wash in the morning before I do anything else and at night when I bathe. Look for a cleanser tough enough to remove dirt and makeup, but gentle enough to heal and hydrate your skin.

2. Moisturize religiously.

To go along with my facial cleanser, I also purchased the AM and PM Cerave moisturizers. They are also made for normal to dry skin and I can definitely tell if I skip a few applications. Find a moisturizer that has SPF in it to protect your skin from the sun and that hydrates without leaving skin oily and sticky.

3. Exfoliate once a week.

This is an important step for my skin. If I go too long without using a facial exfoliation, I can feel a sort of build up on certain areas of my face where my pores clog more. I definitely would NOT recommend anyone exfoliating daily but instead maybe once a week. After I massage the exfoliant into my skin, I allow it to set a few minutes before washing off so it can almost work like a magnet in my pores. There are no certain rules except finding what works best for your skin type. What I do recommend is finding an exfoliant that is gentle so it does not dry out your skin, but also tough enough to unclog and clean out unwanted buildup in your pores.

4. Find a routine and stick to it.

After finding the products and routine that works best for your skin type, stick to it and watch your skin transform. Having a skin care routine is beneficial in that our skin is a large barrier protecting us against infections. When you keep your skin healthy, this barrier remains strong and helps us lead a healthier lifestyle.

All in all, taking care of your skin is important. No matter how you do it, make sure you take the time to invest in your skin.