I am not ashamed to admit that I am EXTREMELY VAIN when it comes to my complexion. It has taken me a great deal of time and effort to get my skincare routine streamlined to a few key products, and since y'all have asked, I am finally sharing them with you!

Seriously, I get hit up at least once a week for my skincare routine. I am spreading the wealth now, so let's do this, fam.

Part One: Keeping it Clean

I will NOT, under any circumstance, sleep in my makeup. I remove my makeup and then cleanse with a foaming cleanser. It's a two-step process, but I get all traces of makeup and dirt outta my pores.

clinique
clinique
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This cleansing balm is amazing. I've been using it for a year now, and I swear by this stuff. You smear it on and it just melts your makeup off--even stubborn waterproof mascara is no match for this cleansing balm. You splash some water on your face and BAM--it transforms into a moisturizing milk that easily rinses away.

sephora
sephora
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You can't beat this cleasner for its price point. I love that it gets my face clean without stripping it of essential oils.

target
target
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I use this scrub three times a week. I like manual exfoliation to really remove any dead, dull skin, but using this powerful scrub more often than that can actually damage your skin, so be careful.

Part Two: Treat it Right

Now that you've mastered my cleansing routine, let's talk about treatment products. I'm in my (sigh) mid-30's, so my skincare concerns are fine wrinkles and sun spots--and I get a few pimples on occasion. How unfair is that? Wrinkles AND acne? Ugh. Anyway--I stick to my routine and I really don't have any problems. I'm ride-or-die for all the stuff below.

sunday riley/anthropologie
sunday riley/anthropologie
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I know--my first instinct was to balk at the price tag, too... but I tried a mini-version of this stuff and OH MY SWEETNESS. This is the real deal. The lactic acid in this treatment is gentle enough for daily use but powerful enough to reduce lines and wrinkles. It's evened my complexion, reduced the appearance of my dark spots, and basically made me a radiant warrior goddess. It takes me about three months to use an entire bottle, so it's worth every penny.

l'oreal
l'oreal
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I use this eye cream every night--religiously. It's available at basically every drugstore and I can assure you that it really WORKS. This cream helps reduce crow's feet and other lines and wrinkles, and it also prevents eyelid crepiness. I like that it's kept in a pump; did you know that exposure to air degrades retinol and other active ingredients in anti-aging treatments? That means having a pump is not only hygienic; it's a way to protect your investment.

sephora
sephora
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Yes; it's another eye cream in a pump! I use this one from Saturday Skin in the morning. I get up at like 3:45 a.m. (literally), so I need something that can reduce the dark circles that seem to be a constant struggle. I love how this eye cream firms my skin and makes me look and feel about five years younger.

sephora
sephora
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Y'all, I LOVE this moisturizer. It also comes in a pump, and it contains a bunch of active ingredients I don't understand that work to make skin firmer and more radiant without any greasy feel.

Part Three: A Little Extra Somethin' Somethin'

When occasional acne strikes, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Here's the backup squad I deploy to keep the perfection in my complexion.

differin gel
differin gel
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You used to need a prescription for Differin Gel, but it's available OTC now. This retinoid treatment clears pores and promotes cell turnover which means you'll reduce pimples and blackheads. If I feel a zit or blackhead, I start applying Differin Gel in the morning.

band-aid
band-aid
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When I get a pimple, I use hydrocolloid bandages. I buy the larger ones at the drugstore and cut them down to the size I need. The gel matrix of these bandages pulls out the gunk almost overnight. This trick will CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

the ordinary
the ordinary
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Post-inflammation hyperpigmentation sucks. If I notice a zit has left a scar or a dark spot, I use this chemical peel from The Ordinary twice a week. I swear by this stuff. It's incredible.

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