Skin care routine

[Truyaz]

Hello, I'm trying to find the best skin care routine for my mix type skin,  being in a budget, even though I know the best result would come from little pricing products.  So far all I do is clean my face with a toner, put moisturizer an a cream that I forgot what was. I am 35 and have never had a skin care routine until last couple months

[WinglessOne]

Hello @Truyaz ! (Quick BIC tip: remember to “@“ the person you reply to, so they’ll get a notification. Otherwise they might never see your reply.) 

Sounds like you have combo skin and a possibly tight budget. (Got a specific price cap?) Price =\= quality when it comes to skincare, among other things in life. There are lots of good effective low-cost products and bad ineffective high-cost ones. Depending on your goals and personal preferences, there’s no need to spend lots of money to get a great skincare routine. 🙂

Further down, I saw you want to minimize pore size and boost hydration. Here’s my suggestion: 

1. Non-drying cleanser (PM, optional AM) - you said you use a toner to clean your face; which exact toner (brand & product name)? Do you use any kind of actual cleanser first? A toner likely isn’t removing enough of the day’s makeup and cooties. 
   
   
2. Treatment (AM &/or PM) - this is where you treat your pores. Note that you can’t really “erase” your pores; we all have ‘em, and some folks genetically have larger pores than others. But if your pores look larger than usual, there might be gunk (dead skin cells, excess sebum) clogging and stretching them wider. Salicylic acid/BHA can get down into your pores to debunk ‘em. 1-3 times a week, try a leave-on BHA product like The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Blemish + Blackhead Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL  or Paula's Choice Mini Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant . Or a couple times a week, swap your usual cleanser with a BHA cleanser like The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Acne + Blackhead Cleanser or CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser. 
   
   Also consider adding niacinamide to your routine. This ingredient’s good for ongoing pore size management and does other good stuff for skin. Find one that also contains hydrating ingredients to help meet your hydration needs. Consider Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 0.67 oz/ 20 mL  if it’s in your budget; Paula’s Choice frequently has sales at their own site, by the way. Other good lower cost options are COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum (available at Ulta and probably other places) and The INKEY List Niacinamide Oil Control Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL  . 
   
   
3. Moisturizer (AM & PM) - which one do you currently use? Apply it while your skin’s damp (not soaking wet) to help seal in hydration. If your skin’s dried down by the time you reach this step, just spray or tap a little water onto your face and then apply moisturizer. 
4. Broad spectrum sunscreen (AM) - at least SPF 30, applied generously to all skin exposed to sunlight, all year long, regardless of weather or season. UV rays can contribute to pore and dryness issues, and cause other types of skin damage. We should all wear sunscreen daily, regardless of what other products we use. Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 is a good low cost option. You can try The INKEY List Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30 1.7 oz / 50 ml but I’ll warn you that makeup might not sit well atop it. (I use it only on no-makeup days, or I’ll apply it just on my neck and chest.) Another way to save money on sunscreen is to buy the body version of a facial sunscreen: body sunscreens usually come in bigger tubes and cost less per ounce, and they can be used on the face. Native and Bondi Sands make good body sunscreens I’ve used on my face with no problems. 

[Truyaz]

@WinglessOne 

 this is what I've been using, I have not knowledge whatsoever about skin products but I really appreciate the tips and I will be looking into this products, because I want a glowing natural skin, and I usually don't wear make up I have zero experience on how to apply makeup. 

[CorgiMommy]

@Truyaz a great skincare line on a budget is The Inkey List.

I highly recommend The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Hydrating Face Serum  . 

Remember spend less  on the things you wash off your face and more on the products your use to care for you skin.

[CynthieLu]

What are your skincare goals @Truyaz what do you want your routine too do for you? 

I can see that your missing an SPF and if your doing any kind of toning/exfoliating you should really be using one imo. Some products make our skin more susceptible to damage from the sun's rays.

[Truyaz]

I will like to make my pores less visible and m6 skin to look smooth and hydrated.