I found my perfect skin care routine

And it costs under $20 a month.

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In a Nutshell Until about 5 years ago, my "skin care routine" consisted of wearing sunscreen when I was in the sun and rinsing my face with water when I showered. Then I started working at Healthline where researching and writing about skin care was a regular part of my job. I learned about sunscreen best practices. Who knew you were supposed to wear it every day! I discovered types of topical vitamin C which can armor your skin cells against sun damage. I looked closer in the mirror at my own skin than I ever had before. Being proactive about my skin health appealed to the newly formed adult in me. So I added skin care as a line item in my budget and started down a road of exploration. Five years and who knows how many dollars later, I'm far less optimistic. Below, learn why I gave up on complicated skin care and how my routine looks now. But first, do you need any of these stories? • The 5 best types of food for your heart • Common codependent behaviors • How does a healthy lifestyle protect against dementia? Pat, pat, Ginger Wojcik Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Ginger Wojcik March 1, 2024 • 4.5 min read

what's got us buzzing I've given up the perpetual search for the "perfect" skin care treatment By the time I came to skin care, my skin had already seen a lot of sun. I've been surfing since before I could read, and I tanned regularly till my mid-twenties. Combine that with my fair complexion and sun damage was impossible to avoid. So my main goals have always been to treat past sun damage and protect against future damage. I started with vitamin C and its derivatives, which are widely recommended for addressing sun damage. The first serum I tried was $30 a bottle — which is actually on the low end for these products. I was careful to use it in the correct order in my routine and exactly as directed, as vitamin C is notoriously unstable. But after going through a couple bottles over 4+ months, my skin looked exactly the same. So, I moved onto a formula from a different brand at a higher price point. Another 4 months of diligent application, and still my skin looked the same. From there, I tried out all kinds of products with ingredients that can improve the various effects of sun damage, including retinol, copper peptides, salicylic acid, and niacinamide. It's not like these products didn't do anything. But I had to look pretty hard to see a difference. I know what you're thinking "It's about future protection, not immediate effects!" And yes, for many ingredients, that's true. The problem is that future protection can't be measured, so you're forced to trust these formulas are doing their job, while continuously shelling out money. It's not that I lost faith in the science of skin care. There's plenty of clinical evidence showing the skin benefits of certain ingredients, and many of the products I tried work wonders for other people and their unique skin. It's that I'm over trying out new formulas in search of that one product that will change everything. I'm happy with the few products I've found that get the job done at a reasonable price point. Here's what my routine looks like now: In the morning, I: rinse my face with water apply an oil-free moisturizer apply a chemical sunscreen with added UVA protection At night, I: use a drugstore cleanser (it's only on my face for 30 seconds, it doesn't need to be fancy!) use a glycolic acid toner (every other day that is) apply some more of that oil-free moisturizer And guess what? At $20 a month, my skin looks as good as it ever has. Below, learn exactly what products I use. SKIN TYPE QUIZ Your turn! What's something you've simplified in your life? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (We might use your response in an upcoming edition!)

great finds My $20-a-month routine       CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser I like this cleanser because it cleans my oily complexion without giving me that tight feeling. (Lasts 6 months.) SHOP NOW     The Ordinary 7% Glycolic Acid Toning Solution I use this 3 times a week at night. It brightens my complexion and clears my pores. (Lasts 1 year.) SHOP NOW     The Ordinary HA Factor Moisturizer The best oil-free moisturizer I've found at any price. Can't live without this stuff. (Lasts 2 months.) SHOP NOW     Biore UV Aqua Rich 50 SPF Sunscreen This is my daily SPF. It offers extra protection against UVA rays and feels so light on my skin. (Lasts 2 months.) SHOP NOW Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health.

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Thanks for reading, friends! Have a great weekend, and don't forget to reapply.

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