This is a break away from normal posts, but I want to share my dermatologist recommended skin care routine with all of you. Here’s why:
A stranger recently mistook me for being quite a bit younger than I am, and then they mistakenly assumed that I have gotten Botox. I actually haven’t. I can’t tell you for certain “how to keep your skin young.” I can only tell you that combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, this is the skin care routine that I use. I have, and always have had, very oily skin. My husband and daughter have dry, sensitive skin. This skin care routine – the steps and method used to take care of our skin – is what was recommended to us by our dermatologist years ago. To make this easier for you, I have linked the exact products I use on my LiketoKnow.it. You can click HERE for the commissionable links, or you can follow me on the app, or you can screenshot the picture showing the products and use it in the LiketoKnow.it app.
It’s important to note that this skin care routine is a combination of specific steps and products. Using these exact steps will prevent people with oily skin from producing more oil, and it will keep people with sensitive skin from irritating their skin and drying it out. I am going to outline the steps, but it’s very important that regardless of what type of skin you have, as you go through them you use very gentle pressure and minimal rubbing/touching. You never want to scrub or “rub in.” When people with oily skin touch or scrub too much, it signals their skin to produce more oil. And for people with sensitive or dry skin, it signals their skin to become irritated.
Below are the steps. It’s important to note that it’s recommended to wait 5 minutes in between each step. This is not always possible, but just what is recommended. This routine should be done both in the morning and at night, but never more often than twice a day. Also, ladies, you should never apply makeup in the morning before at the minimum washing your face. However, all of these steps are recommended before applying makeup.
Step One*
Wet your face with luke-warm water by cupping your hands with water and gently splashing your face. Using a very mild cleanser, (Our doctor specifically recommends using Purpose brand cleanser.) you want to lather the cleanser in your hands, and then very gently move it over the surface of your skin. You want to do this with as little pressure of your fingers as possible while still cleaning it. Then, wet a microfiber towel with the lukewarm water. Again, using as little pressure as possible, very gently wipe away the cleanser. Try not to scrub or go back-and-forth as you’re gently wiping the cleanser away. Try to go in one direction with as little pressure as possible. Finish this step by cupping your hands with luke-warm water and gently splashing your face. If you cannot air dry, you can gently blot your face with another microfiber towel.
Step Two
Using a gentle astringent, such as Witch Hazel, and a cotton pad, very gently go over the surface of your skin. Again, using as little pressure as possible and never scrubbing.
Step Three
Apply a non-comedogenic lotion specially for faces. Applying lotion is extremely hard for people with oily skin. However, it is important that you do not skip this step. You want to regulate the oil, and if you do not apply a moisturizer your skin will overproduce its own oil. (Trust me, as someone with oily skin, I know how hard this step can be – don’t skip it.) We recommend this lotion with hyaluronic acid for all skin types.
Step Four
At this time you can apply under eye products or acne products. It is important if you are treating acne to use ONLY benzoyl peroxide in 2.5% strength. Do not be tempted to use a higher strength than 2.5%. Anything higher will make your skin overproduce oil and clog pores. Also, if you can find it, it is best to use a benzoyl peroxide in gel form. Actually, 2.5% benzoyl peroxide in gel form is hard to find, so THIS is the one we recommend. (After Step Four is when you can apply makeup, if using.)
*Step 1b
Once a week, in between steps one and two, you can treat your skin with a mask made from bentonite clay. In addition, you can use dermablade to remove dead skin and peach fuzz. However, do not do these things on the same day (mask/dermablade), and make sure after you use them to continue on with the rest of the steps.
It’s important to note that in order to share you with the exact products that were recommended to us and that we use, I have provided commissionable links. Also, this is the method and the products that were recommended to us. I am not a doctor, and this should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition. You should seek the advice of your own doctor.
Belle Antiquarian 
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