I am obsessed with skin care and have been for years, but more so now in my 30s. I’ve tried many products, especially after I started this blog since I started receiving products from different brands; some which I loved and some not so much. I’ve never had perfect skin due to my combination/oily skin and after breaking out during my teens and early 20s, that phase ended but I was left with a few dark spots. Spots I was able to get rid of thanks to a serum by Clinique. After going through two bottles of it, I no longer needed it so I stopped using it which is why the product doesn’t make it to this list but let me know if you’re interested in knowing which one and I’d be more than happy to share it with you. Back to this list. These are the products that I currently use whether on a daily basis or as needed, and I will explain more as I share the products with you. This post is not sponsored by any of the brands mentioned although I did receive them as gifts initially by the brands.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
This is part of the 3 step skin care system by Clinique and I use it in conjunction with the Clarifying Lotion (toner not pictured) in the morning and at night. I first tried these products a couple of years ago when I was gifted them by Clinique and immediately fell in love. I had been looking for a product that would clear my skin and this one did it. I haven’t stopped using it since and have already gone through several bottles of both products. I use number 3 which is meant for combination/oily skin. It is hands down the best at maintaining my skin clean and breakouts at bay. I also bought the travel size version of these products and it’s what I take with me when I travel; I can’t afford to have my skin without them even if for a few days. Highly recommended even if you don’t have combination/oily skin since they have a different one for each type of skin and they’re all affordable which is the best part.
Mary Kay TimeWise Miracle Set 3D
I was gifted the 4 piece set by Mary Kay recently and I am absolutely loving it! My skin has improved so much since I started using it! I use the Day Cream SPF 30 in the morning and the Night Cream and Eye Cream at night. I also use the 4-in-1 cleanser but not on a regular basis but I do love it as well. My skin looks much firmer and smoother since the first application; it’s honestly improved so quickly that I’m shocked because it hasn’t even been a month since I’ve been using them. The overall appearance of my skin has improved so much that I can even see a difference when looking at a mirror from afar. Super highly recommended! I am in love with these products.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost
These are by far THE BEST hydrating face and eye cream I have ever tried! I’ve mentioned this product before and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s like a surge of water to your dry and parched skin. I have oily skin so I don’t use it regularly but it is a face cream I keep on my nightstand with my other creams because it is one that I love. Every so often my skin can feel kind of dry or parched and when I feel it that way, I add this cream to my regimen at night. That’s all it takes for my skin to feel once again hydrated. The hydrating eye cream I do use on a daily basis in the morning just because my under eye area can get a little dry sometimes so I add this to my morning regimen to keep it hydrated especially under makeup. This was also a product I was gifted years ago but have been purchasing it ever since because it is amazing. It’s not expensive either which is always great.
SkinMedica Retinol Complex .5%
Last but certainly not least; a retinol cream. It is so important to use a retinol cream because it helps stimulate collagen production and cell turnover, which in turn reduces the appearance of fine lines, evens out complexion, and unclogs pores. It is basically the holy grail of anti-wrinkles! Something we definitely need in our 30s. This particular one I received in a gift basket I won from a dermatologist in Miami when I lived there. I used it for a while and then stopped because of my move and have just begun using it again. Because of this, I’m easing back into it again so I don’t use it on a nightly basis but rather once a week. Little by little I plan to increase its weekly use until my skin can take the nightly dose. Retinol creams at first can cause dryness, peeling and skin irritation (this is when I use the Neutrogena Hydra Boost mentioned above) when incorporated abruptly on a daily/nightly basis which is why you need to start slowly and increase it accordingly. Using a sunscreen is also a huge must since using retinol can make your skin more susceptible to sunburn. This specific one I use is .5%. Other options include .25% and 1% which can all be obtained over the counter. Anything stronger will need to be prescribed by a doctor.
I’m not saying my skin is perfect, it can still use some help but that’s something that needs to be treated with a doctor already, but I can honestly say that my skin currently looks the best it ever has. All of these products are what I use on a daily basis and what I have found to make my skin look its best despite having combination/oily skin. I remember when I was younger, I hated having oily skin and always complained about it until a dermatologist once told me it’s the best skin type to have because oily skin tends to age at a slower rate than other types of skin. The oil is what delays the wrinkles. Since then I’v grown to actually love my oily skin. It can be a hassle sometimes when it comes to makeup but overall I do appreciate having my aging process delayed naturally. Plus I know it’s true because as of yet, I don’t have any wrinkles. I only have some fine lines I’ve had since I was younger so they’re not necessarily due to age, so here’s to looking young for years to come and I have my dad to thank for that.
