If you’re anything like me, you have probably tried a million skin care products trying to get the results you are looking for. As a stay at home mom, I honestly don’t have the energy, time or money for anything elaborate and expensive. Thankfully this is the hands-down best quick and affordable skin care routine for dry skin that I have ever found.
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I had acne from like 12 years old until I was 27. Some years were worse than others. Sometimes it was normal, small blemishes and other times I would have cystic acne for months on end. It wasn’t until I got pregnant with my first child that my hormones balanced out a bit and the acne started to subside.
Don’t get me wrong, I still get zits and black heads from time to time, but now that I’m 31 I have new concerns. Like wrinkles, dullness and sun damage. I have tried nearly every type of product out there and I finally found that the best skin care routine I have tried, has also been one of the easiest and affordable.
This post is all about sharing my quick and affordable skin care routine for dry skin.
I know it will probably seem like I have a paid sponsorship with CeraVe and The Ordinary, but I don’t. Seriously, I just love their products. I have tried so many brands and spent so much money and these have been my go to brands for over a year.
I decided to give them a try because a social media influencer named Hyram was making these informative and hilarious videos where he reviewed and compared products and talked about the science behind the ingredients. He reviews a whole spectrum of products from drug store all the way to high end. These two brands stuck out to me because they are cheap, effective and not full of fluff ingredients that just sound good, but don’t really do much. CeraVe has also been recommended by many renowned dermatologists, so who am I to scoff at it?
1. CeraVe Face Wash
I can’t believe I had been sleeping on this drug store brand for so long. I had no idea that this stuff was actually effective. No need to spend an arm and a leg on face wash. They make one for dry skin, one for oily skin and another for acne. They won’t strip your skin of the natural oils that protect the skin barrier.
The key ingredients that differentiate this face wash from the competition are ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. The first is a fatty molecule/ lipid that helps to create the skins natural barrier. The second helps with a clear complexion and the last locks in moisture. It lasts a long time because a little goes a long way. It often goes on sale at CVS and Walgreens for less than $10. So although I wouldn’t wait for a sale to get this bad boy, you should stock up when you see them on sale.
2. Facial Spray
This one I switch up based on what I have on hand. There are so many good options but my two favorites are the Trader Joe’s Rosewater Spray and the Mario Badescu Aloe Sprays, which come in many varieties like Chamomile and Lavender, Green Tea and Cucumber, and many more. These sprays boost hydration and balance PH. They can also help to remove excess oils and dead skin. I make sure to spray all over my face and neck and quickly follow up with the next step in this quick and affordable skin care routine.
3. The Ordinary- Hyaluronic Acid
You saw that this is in the CeraVe facewash but honestly you basically can never get enough hyaluronic acid. Make sure that your face is still damp when you apply because the function of hyaluronic acid is to attract and bond water molecules. This helps with elasticity, the reduction of dark spots as well as a preventative to other skin damage. Dermatologists recommend using in the morning AND evening. You can buy this on it’s own in Ulta or Sephora for about $9, but through Amazon your best bet is to get it in a package deal with other The Ordinary products. Which are also amazing and a part of this routine. Below is a link to a bundle including hyaluronic acid and the niacinamide for under $20.
4. The Ordinary- Niacinamide or Vitamin C Cream
Niacinamide is also known as Vitamin B-3. It has so many benefits including- repairing damaged skin, helping to prevent skin cancer, boosting hydration, clearing acne and clogged pores and helps with dullness. This one truly makes a huge difference especially over the long term. This bundle linked below also includes the Vitamin C Cream which I love and use at night instead of the Niacinamide. Vitamin C can make you more sensitive to sunlight and the actual vitamin C will breakdown in heat and light so it won’t work as well during the day. Vitamin C helps with improving hyperpigmentation, brightening your skin and reducing wrinkles. I get the silicone one which feels almost like a makeup primer. I have seen in reviews that the one with the HA spheres can cause discomfort.
5. CeraVe Moisturizer
The AM Moisturizer has SPF, which is so essential for any daily regimen, BUT I DO NOT USE THE AM Moisturizer. This is because the chemical it uses to filter UV rays (Octinoxate), is an endocrine/hormone disruptor and can also affect the thyroid. I use simple light weight sunscreens that have zinc and or titanium dioxide. Like these ones in my Scalp Care for the Female Buzzcut post. Or this one by CeraVe, which does not have any hormone disruptors and is tinted so there is no white cast. The PM moisturizer is super lightweight and locks in all the other products I use at bedtime.
So that’s it. 5 Steps morning and night to lock in all the moisture necessary to keep your protective skin barrier hydrated and your skin looking bright and clear.
If you are looking for a few extra products that will help with brightening your skin and making it more vibrant try adding these products in once a week. This is called skin cycling.
- I love a simple microdermabrasion scrub every once in a while, but they can be a bit harsh on the skin. Once I found The Ordinary’s “peeling solution” (there is no visible peeling) I feel in love. Using it once a week was an absolute game changer. Make sure your skin is clean but also completely dry before using.
- A gentle Retinol solution! You may be able to get a prescription for Tretinoin or something similar, but they can be harsh on the skin and expensive depending on your insurance. If you want to find a gentle alternative try The Ordinary’s 1% Retinol Solution .
