Made this for my best friend and anyone else who’s curious 🙂

Before we begin:

I linked to the product websites, but many of these products or similar junts can be found in brick and mortar stores as well. I’ll leave details below.

ALSO, read on to the end to find out how I get these high end skincare products for super cheap! I rarely pay full price for skincare. Enjoy the cheat codes ☺️

OKAY!

The first step to glowing skin is DIET!! I can’t overstate how leaving out processed foods and switching to foods from the earth has healed not only my skin, but boosted my overall health and productivity.

Now here’s what I use on the outside:

Cleansers:

A Korean rice foam cleanser.

I love this cleanser type because it lathers up into a smooth, creamy hydrating foam that feels like a spa treatment every morning & night.

I like niacinamide as an ingredient; it brightens the skin but usually is not harsh.

[BONNYHILL] Rice Foam Cleanser

The face wash linked above was one of my favorites! It looks like you can only buy it resale. But I’ll tell you my buying hack:

I found it at Marshall’s for $5. They have tons of new cleansers at a discount. They usually have Korean rice foam cleansers from different brands! This is my latest find that I’m loving:

Soqu Rice Cleansing Foam

Also found at Marshall’s for $5!

Moisturizers

During the day I use this simple and gentle moisturizer with SPF for sun protection:

TOLERIANE DOUBLE REPAIR FACIAL MOISTURIZER WITH SPF

It may seem expensive, but unless I’m stocking up, I usually buy skincare products one at a time so they never run out all at once. The day and night moisturizers from this skincare line last a REALLY long time when used together.

“I’m black, I don’t need sunscreen.”

SPF is important because I use a chemical toner at night. Chemical sounds scary, but it just contains an active ingredient like AHA or BHA that helps fight acne and regulates the skin’s natural biome or whatever.

At night, I love a Korean toner followed by La Roche Posay’s regular moisturizer for sensitive skin:

TOLERIANE DOUBLE REPAIR FACE MOISTURIZER

I usually grab these at Walgreen’s.

Toner

A Korean toner with AHA and/or BHA is my best friend!

Clarifying Facial Toner

Multi Hyaluronic Hydrating Toner

I’ve personally tried these toners and LOVE them. I got them in my Ipsy bags and I plan to purchase when it’s time to re-up.

Face Masks

My two all time favorite are below:

CLEAR IMPROVEMENT™ Active Charcoal Mask To Clear Pores

SUPERMUD® Instant Clearing Treatment Mask

I love a clay mask to help remove additional impurities when my skin is feeling heavy laden. My other skincare products + diet kind of handle the rest, so I haven’t felt a need for other face masks in a long time.

Face Scrub

We all need a good exfoliation from time to time.

This is my all time favorite:

Doctor’s Scrub RUBY CRYSTAL MICRODERM EXFOLIATOR

It really is gentle enough to be used daily, but still does a great job as an exfoliant!

Routine

Daytime:

1. Rice foam wash

2. La Roche Posay Toleriane Moisturizer with SPF

Night time:

1. Rice foam wash

2. Doctor’s Scrub (occasionally or as needed)

3. BFF Toner or other Korean Toner

4. La Roche Posay Toleriane Moisturizer (without SPF)

Cheat Codes

One Word: IPSY

I loovvveeed my Ipsy subscription because I get to try tons of high quality skincare products for dirt cheap. At $14 a month with a customizable bag, how could you say no?

The only reasons I cancelled my subscription last year was because after 2 years I was hoarding products, and money got tight.

BUT even without my subscription, I still have access to shop their online marketplace and grab skincare, makeup and other beauty products for crazy discounts. An $80 product could be snagged for $20, for example. I also trust their picks. When my stash gets low, I run to Ipsy to stock up.

Use my referral link to start your Ipsy subscription! You can cancel anytime.

Join Ipsy!

I already mentioned Marshall’s, which is a faster route than waiting on shipping. Their skincare aisle is usually jammed with dope products at a discount. Check the expiration date though! Often times it’s baked into the top of the packaging expressed as the month and year.

Learning about skincare

YouTuber Liah Yoo was my savior several years ago when I decided to take charge against the horrible acne I used to suffer from. Her science-backed tips helped me save my skin!

Me on a bad day in 2019

Me in 2023! No filter!