For most of my life, I’ve had skincare issues. My skin is naturally oily and somewhat dry, so I’ve experienced acne and redness that varies from slight to extreme depending on the weather, my mood, and other factors. In high school, my skin was so inflamed and sensitive that I went to a dermatologist and tried every prescription but Accutane.
Since then, my skin has drastically improved. I don’t credit this to one product, but the combination of vegan diet, less stress, and (finally!) leaving the hormonal rollercoaster of being teenager behind.
Still, I wish I had adopted a simple, cruelty-free skincare routine years ago. Whether you have naturally clear skin or a multitude of concerns, these basic steps and product recommendations are the bread and butter of taking care of your skin.
When you’re experiencing acne or any other skin inflammation, it can be tempting to use products that promise you the world. Harsh cleansers, drying astringents, and chemical-heavy creams may initially solve your skin texture or tone woes, but they do more harm than good in the long run.
I’ve summarized my personal skincare routine with links and descriptions of the products, as well as options for folks with different skin concerns than mine. These are basic yet effective products that come at a variety of price points, but all are cruelty-free (not tested on animals) and vegan (free from animals or any of their by-products).
Anecdotally, I think my skin was especially shiny when I used chemical-heavy products like Proactiv and Differin because it produced more oil to compensate for the layers I was exfoliating and stripping away excessively.
Cleanse
Washing your face with a gentle cleanser 1-2 times a day prevents bacteria, dead skin cells, and other gunk from clogging your pores. Your don’t want to strip away too much to the point that it feels tight or dry– but especially after exercise or wearing makeup, it’s ideal to wash your face very well.
Use your hands, rather than a washcloth or scrubber, lather your cleanser slightly and apply to your face. Massage your face, paying special attention to areas like your forehead and cheeks that tend to be acne-prone. I prefer bars of soap because they are minimally packaged and have condensed product.
Tea tree oil is a great ingredient to incorporate into your skincare routine if you have oily/acne-prone skin like me. Tea tree oil comes from the Australian tree of the same name, and it is a strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties have been used for centuries to treat fungal infections, itches, and cuts.
My favorite cleanser (for oily skin)
I personally prefer using bar soap on my face because it is easy to travel with and doesn’t get packaged with lots of paper or plastic. Right now I’m using Dr. Bronner’s All-One Hemp Tea Tree Pure Castile Bar Soap which can be found online and stores like Target and Sprouts.
Other product recommendations
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cleansing Bar (for dry skin)
- Herbivore Pink Clay Gentle Soap Bar (for sensitive skin)
- Kiss My Face Olive Oil and Lavender Bar Soap (for combination skin)
Tone
Toner is a water-like liquid you can apply directly with your fingertips or a cotton ball (or reusable cloth pad). It removes traces of impurities the cleanser missed and prepares your skin to absorb moisturize.
Toner can’t “shrink” or reduce your pores, but it can create a clean slate on your face for other products better absorb to. Toner that has alcohol should be avoided, even if you have acne-prone skin– way to irritating and drying. Look for refreshing ingredients like rosewater, hyaluronic acid, witch hazel, or aloe.
My favorite toner (for oily skin)
I like Teddy Organics Rose Water Facial Toner Spray because it has simple ingredients and is cooling to put on after a workout and washing my face. You can also use it as setting spray for your makeup!
Other product recommendations
- Alaffia Purely Coconut Toner (for dry skin)
- Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner (for sensitive skin)
- S.W. Basics Organic Toner (for combination skin)
Moisturize + Protect
Moisturizer replaces your skin barrier and prevents future damage, assuming you’re using one with SPF– which you absolutely should. Your nighttime moisturizer could be a more rich formula, either a heavier cream or hydrating serum.
Though it sounds counter-intuitive, moisturizer is necessary even if (maybe especially if) you have oily skin. You want to prevent your skin from over-producing oil, and be protected from environmental triggers.
My favorite daily moisturizer (for oily skin)
Right now, I’m loving Supergoop! Superscreen Daily Moisturizer. It’s a little pricey, but the container opens to let you get every last drop so one has lasted me nearly 3 months. It gets rid of any tightness/flakiness around my skin in dry spots, but doesn’t cause breakouts.
In the evening, I just use a little bit of rosehip oil. It is intensely moisturizing but doesn’t make me shiny the next day, and helps lighten some acne scarring I have while preventing new flare-ups.
Other product recommendations
- Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47 (for dry skin)
- Kiss My Face Sensitive Side 3 in 1 SPF 30 (for sensitive skin)
- ACURE Radically Rejuvenating Day Cream SPF 30 (for combination skin)
Target
When you gently but fully cleanse, tone, and protect your face, it’s overall appearance is more likely to improve. However, it is optional but encouraged to treat specific concerns like acne, fine lines, etc. with a specific product. SPF will only prevent new wrinkles and discoloration from occurring, and cleanser and toner prevents excess oil, a major cause of breakouts, but can’t reduce inflammation quickly.
That’s where targeted treatment comes in. Depending on the severity and sensitivity of your skin condition, you may want to consult with a dermatologist for prescription-strength solutions. However, most breakouts, fine lines, and discoloration can be managed or reduced with over-the-counter products. As always, use common sense and consult with a skin care specialist if you have questions or concerns.
In general, targeted treatments can make your skin temporarily more sensitive, especially to the sun. That’s why moisturizing and protecting your skin (and the investment of products you’re using to improve it) is so important– SPF will literally work with your other skincare products to improve tone and texture, while preventing future marks.
Product recommendations
- Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream (for the eye area)
- OZNaturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Face (for fine lines)
- The Ordinary 100% Plant Derived Squalane + Hyaluronic Acid 2% with B5 (for dark spots)
While my skin is far from perfect, consistently using products that are good for my face and the planet has helped tremendously. Let me know if you want to see more product guides like these in the future!
