Skin Care

ditch apricot scrub, don't use witch hazel directly (dilute it), if you get retinol don't use it at the same time as glycolic acid, get a sunscreen, get niacinamide

https://www.sephora.com/product/the-ordinary-deciem-niacinamide-10-zinc-1-P427417?skuId=2031391
https://www.sephora.com/product/retinol-serum-P443842?skuId=2211498
https://www.sephora.com/product/the-ordinary-pycnogenol-5-P455898?skuId=2336485

this stuff is magical
also start double cleansing
at night before bed, rub a cleansing balm or non-clogging oil (like avocado or olive) into your DRY skin,
focusing on areas where pores get clogged up - the oil will break down excess oils and buildup in your skin
then take a washcloth, run it under hot water, and hold it close to your face to let the steam penetrate your pores
finally use the washcloth to wipe off the oil
then go in with a foaming cleanser and wash the oil off

doing it in two steps removes oil based impurities as well as water based ones
it also prevents your skin from getting too dry
more on apricot scrub: you have a chemical exfoliant, glycolic acid, so you don't need a physical one

my full routine:
summer day:
- gentle cleanser like Cerave's hydrating cleanser
- pat dry, apply niacinamide
- apply a lightweight gel moisturizer
- sunscreen

in the winter I use a heavier moisturizer

and night:
- double cleanse
- face mask if I feel like it
- wash off mask, pat dry
- glycolic acid OR niacinamide
- retinol (skip if glycolic acid used)
- pycnogenol if I feel like it
- moisturizer
- rosehip oil (sometimes skipped)
https://www.sephora.com/product/aha-30-bha-2-peeling-solution-P442563?skuId=2210607

you can also try this but ONLY 1-2 times a week and do not use any other harsh products in the same night
also with retinol start with using it once every 5 days, then every 4 days, then every 3, and so on
in intervals of a few weeks

you can consider vitamin C as well but it cancels itself out with niacinamide so alternate them between night and day
I'm using a really expensive one rn and honestly seeing no difference, this one is way cheaper (but has a weird grainy texture) but it worked really well for me: https://www.sephora.com/product/the-ordinary-deciem-vitamin-c-suspension-23-ha-spheres-2-P427410?skuId=2031466

you might also like an eye cream, I haven't found my holy grail eye cream yet tho
but I will say that these worked incredibly well for me in one use:
https://www.sephora.com/product/baggage-claim-gold-eye-masks-P428668?skuId=2156925

finally you may want a non-exfoliating toner, I don't use one but I guess I'm keeping an eye out for one
finally some best practices:
- no actives (retinol, glycolic acid) on broken skin
- DO NOT PICK AT SKIN JUST DON'T
- acne patches are amazing for open breakouts
- DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE WITH UNCLEAN HANDS JUST DON'T
- keep your pillowcase clean
- harsh actives only at night