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Skincare has always been a huge part of my life, just like most of the women out there. But since I have two skin conditions – rosacea and melasma, I’ve really had to fine-tune what works for me. There are so many products I’ve tested over the years, and now I finally found a routine that keeps my skin looking its best.
So, if you’re looking for the best skincare products that actually deliver, here’s everything I recommend. These work great especially for those with the same skin conditions as me. I’ll even include some before-and-after photos so you can see the difference!
The Lasers I Swear By
Before anything else, I just want to say that I only trust Swan Medical in Los Gatos—Dr. Castillo and his staff—to do my laser treatments. These are the ones I’ve tried:
- Halo Laser: This one is really invasive. It’s about a 10-day recovery process and you’re just very red. It definitely gets deep into the second or third layer of the skin, and helps with texture, melasma, age spots, and so on.
- Moxi Laser: This has way less downtime, but I did get really good results so I probably would stick with this one over the Halo.
- BBL & SkinTyte: I’ve done these laser treatments before depending on how harsh I was over the summer with my skin. The sun causes my melasma to get really bad so I love that BBL targets dark spots (freckles, melasma, age spots), while SkinTyte is more for tightening.
In my opinion, lasers are basically the only thing that truly gets rid of major skin concerns like enlarged pores, pigmentation, and overall skin texture. People will say you need to buy a whole package which can be very expensive, but I’ve never done that. I do one laser a year in winter to repair any sun damage I had.
Cosmetic Treatments —What I Get & Why
Yes, I do Botox and filler. A lot of high-rated skincare products claim they’ll erase wrinkles, but let’s be real—skincare alone isn’t going to fix those skin problems.
I go to a master injector—someone who knows every segment and crevice of the face. She’s been doing this for over 30 years! Don’t just go to any random plastic surgeon or someone who can shoot Botox. You really want someone who understands the face completely. It’s your face, so be careful who you trust with it!
Why am I doing these cosmetic skincare treatments?
I’m a good candidate for filler because my face is very hollow after having kids, so it helps add youthfulness to my cheeks. Without it, my face would be extremely sunken.
Filler is water-soluble, but if you have a fuller face or retain water, be cautious. You shouldn’t use filler just to fill in wrinkles if your face is already full, as it can make things look off.
I get filler every two years, in one spot at a time. For example, if I get cheek filler, it’s two years before I treat that area again. We alternate between cheeks, lips, and laugh lines, so it’s a once-a-year treatment.
My Basic Skincare Routine
Now onto my basic skincare routine, the only thing that I am using skin care products for is to basically get my makeup off and control dryness. That’s because I’m constantly taking make-up on and off. Also, it’s to help control my rosacea and melasma.
1. Cleanser: This Eminence Age Corrective Exfoliating Cleanser is a money age corrective exfoliating cleanser. I always recommend starting with an exfoliate to just get everything off of your skin.
2. Makeup Remover: I love using Bioderma or Neutrogena for this! Then I rinse all of that off and I always use a microfiber cloth or reusable microfiber washcloth. I don’t like using and tossing one every day – reusables are the best.
3. Second Cleanse: And then after that, I use my Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm. Since my skin is dry, it’s also important that I use oils. But if you have oily skin, you should be looking for lotion instead.
4. Rosacea Treatment: So after my face is completely clean, I just basically go ahead and moisturize it. If I’m having a flareup of rosacea, I always use my Ivermectin. Note that, it’s a prescription though.
6. Targeted Treatment: Next is The Ordinary Caffeine Solution. This is my go-to for pimple breakouts or rosacea rashes. It literally clears everything up overnight!
7. Moisturizer: I alternate between Colleen Rothschild Face Oil and Beef Tallow (an organic vitamin-rich fat). It’s like organic fat that has vitamin A, D, E, and K. The only thing you should know about it is that it kind of gets in your hair so it’s nice to put it on earlier in your skin care routine. That’s because if you go right to bed, your hair might get oily, but I’m obsessed with it. It completely changed my skin – it went from dull, dry, and gross to glow up so that’s fine. I just wash my hair more if it gets in.
8. Eye Cream: The other thing I use is the Shiseido Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream. I have used that for years, and I barely have dark circles or fine lines around my eyes. I don’t know if that’s simply genetic or because of this amazing eye cream!
9. Lashes & Brows: The last one on my skin care routine is something that both my mom and I have used for 10 years. It’s called AlphaLash Eyelash Serum. It’s like $140 a bottle, so quite expensive, but can last almost a year. It seriously transforms your lashes and brows. It’s perfect if you’re looking for lash growth. I actually only have to use it once a week if I feel like I have a bunch of eyelashes growing.
So those are the best skincare products in my skincare routine that keep my skin hydrated, smooth, and free of irritation.
Top Skincare Products for Extra TLC
If you’re looking for high-rated skincare products with a little more luxury, Colleen Rothschild is amazing. I was given the entire line as a gift, and I’m obsessed with it. If you can only get one or two things, I’d recommend the Facial Oil and Vitamin C Serum. Even the Cleansing Bomb is so good.
My Go-To Face Masks
These are my favorite masks when I need a little extra love:
- Biodance Full Facial Mask – This is a full facial mask that works really well. I love to put it on and then take it off, but it’s like a peel (like a paper) that hydrates and soothes skin.
- Dr. Jart+ Mask – This is another sheet mask that works wonders for deep hydration. It has all the goodies on it so I use both masks.
- Grace & Stella Under Eye Mask – I love this one for getting rid of dark circles and puffy eyes.
- Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel – This one is great for brightening and smoothing.
- Stella Grayson Eye Masks – These eye masks are perfect for de-puffing under-eye bags.
If you’re trying to build a nighttime skincare routine, adding a hydrating mask once or twice a week makes a huge difference.
Final Thoughts for the Best Skincare Products I Use
Finding the best skincare products for dry skin has been a journey, but I’ve figured out what works for me. Between laser treatments, a solid skincare routine, and the right injectables, my skin is the best it’s ever been. If you’re dealing with rosacea, melasma, or dryness, these are the holy grail products I’d recommend!
If you want to see my collection of beauty finds that are perfect for travelling, read my Mini Amazon Travel Finds For the Beauty Lover post. Or, you can also check out this Bathroom Organizer Essentials post to keep your skincare products clean and organized.
