a couple of days ago i met one of my best friends (of over 20 years…omg…where has the time gone) for breakfast. we hadn’t seen each other in a couple of months but it always feels like it was just yesterday that we were in high school whenever we get together. so how does this relate to my skincare routine you ask? while i was standing in line to order, the woman standing behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said she just had to tell me that i had the nicest skin. i was so caught off guard (and shocked) that i told the woman i loved her. LOL. i mean, no one has ever told me i have nice skin before. as luck would have it, i now have a GINORMOUS pimple on my chin. but all in all, my skin texture has definitely improved since i changed my skincare routine. after a trip to the dermatologist, i was sent home with tretinoin cream (generic retin-a) and a bunch of cerave samples. not only does the tretinoin cream work miracles for acne, it has greatly improved my skins texture & appearance and softened my lines/wrinkles. you can only get tretinoin with a prescription and it is pretty pricey if your insurance won’t cover it, but in my opinion…it is worth every penny. so for those of you that have asked, here is my current skincare routine:

am: wash with neutrogena pink grapefruit oil-free salicylic acid acne wash (i prefer the one with microbeads for exfoliation), then i apply cerave am moisturizing lotion w/ spf 30 (SO much less oily than their regular face lotion…thanks kimberly for the recommendation…i am addicted), and i finish with olay total effects 7 in 1 tone correcting eye treatment. finally i apply my makeup (which is a completely separate post).

pm: wash with cerave hydrating cleanser (i accidentally posted the pic of the foaming facial cleanser), then apply a pea sized amount of the tretinoin cream on my entire face (focusing on my forehead, eye area and chin), and then i finish with my freeze 24/7 anti-aging eye serum & freeze 24/7 eyecing eye cream (i received these two products c/o freeze 24/7 and am going to be REALLY sad when they run out because they are a little out of my price range…but i really really like them both).

p.s. the one thing i am on the hunt for is a really good moisturizing eye lotion/cream. i have plenty of serums/treatments, but i need an actual moisturizer just for eyes. and preferably one that costs less than $25 if possible. any suggestions??? thanks in advance!

categories: beauty-full, skin care25 comments

25 Comments ( Reply )

  1. Mira
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 12:24 am

    You skin looks really nice and thanks for sharing your skincare routine. Wish I could suggest you a good eye cream but i have no idea. I´m going to read the comments. Maybe someone knows a good one.
    xo

    glamDevils

  2. Valerie
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 12:51 am

    I always love to read about beauty routines. For me, I’m addicted to Rodial Dragon Blood, the best of the best!

  3. Penny Pincher Fashion
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 3:26 am

    Okay now you have me totally curious about that Trentinoin cream – I’m wondering if it’s better than the Epiduo and Hydroquinone that my derm gave me…or how it is different? SO glad you liked the CeraVe am – I couldn’t live without that stuff! 🙂

    http://www.pennypincherfashion.com

  4. Red Tag Chic Los Angeles
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 5:32 am

    Thanks for sharing your skin care routine Jenn….looks like they work magic for your skin!

    REBECCA
    http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

  5. Dina Karivalis (@DKarivalis)
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 6:11 am

    Great tips, thanks for sharing your routine. I’ve been on the same hunt for eye cream! Let me know if you come across a good one!
    xo Dina
    Sweetest Somethings 

  6. Alissa
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 7:16 am

    I have had horrible skin issues this week so this is really helpful!

  7. Cassie
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 7:36 am

    Wow. I love off the wall comments like that. It always makes your day. But, I’ve heard a lot of people talk about Retin-A lately. LisaLisaD1 on youtube swears by it also and she has the prettiest skin. Maybe its the secret ingredient for everyone.
    I have a Chanel eye moisturizer that I got a sample of when I bought something, called Sumblimage Eye. I know I know, not under 25. But it’s wonderful and I thought I would tell you in case you wanted to splurge a little.
    xox
    Cassie

  8. Erin
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 7:41 am

    I may have to copy a couple things… 🙂

  9. Ayantika
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 7:52 am

    Great tips ! I love to read about beauty routine. I am in search of a good sunblock !

  10. Amy
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 8:10 am

    I’m going to look into that acne treatment you mentioned thanks for sharing! I use kiehl’s absinthe eye cream and love it!

    xx Amy
    Leopard and Lillies

  11. Audrey
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 8:10 am

    I’ve heard such great things about Cerave. I’ll have to give it a try! Thanks for sharing! xoxo

  12. Terri
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 9:15 am

    I have hormonal acne and prefer the Tretinoin Cream over the Epiduo, the Epiduo seemed to be very harsh and dried my skin out terribly. I was constantly dealing with dry flaky skin, and the redness was never ending. It was a real battle! I like the new Plantscription eye cream by Origins. It is smooth and feels like silk! Not to mention my concealer works perfectly with it. 🙂

  13. Alela Sirah
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 2:34 pm

    I never thought about using a different wash for my night time routine! Good idea!
    http://fashionablyspeakn.blogspot.com/2012/11/baby-shower-ootd.html

  14. Dani
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 5:09 pm

    You seriously need to try the Rodan + Fields eye cream. I absolutely promise you will love it!!

    https://danimorrison.myrandf.com/Shop/Product/AAEY015

  15. megan, the frugalista diaries
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 6:18 pm

    I seriously need to get to my derm!
    Xo Megan

  16. Terra
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 6:30 pm

    I used to use retin-a micro, much stronger than regular retin-a, and I really liked it….there isn’t a generic, though, and I couldn’t pay $200/tube. As for eye cream, I like Clinique Moisture surge eye gel or just some Aquaphor.

    • jennifer
      Nov 10, 2012 @ 1:05 pm

      thanks terra! i never thought to use aquaphor! will try it out for sure.

  17. shannon
    Nov 09, 2012 @ 8:15 pm

    What a great list of products. I’m going to try these for sure.

  18. Laurie
    Nov 10, 2012 @ 7:41 am

    My eye cream suggestion is Nutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair…..I’m 52 (!) and it has worked wonders on my crepe-y eye area.

    • jennifer
      Nov 10, 2012 @ 1:04 pm

      thanks laurie! i can’t wait to check this one out! =)

  19. laborsadimarypoppins
    Nov 11, 2012 @ 3:14 am

    beautiful post!!Your blog is so lovely! I’m thinking, if you want, we can follow each other! It would be great!!
    http://laborsadimarypoppins.blogspot.it/
    xoxo Gloria

  20. Valentina
    Nov 11, 2012 @ 9:01 am

  21. navy & orange
    Nov 11, 2012 @ 11:43 am

    love that grapefruit facewash

    xoxo navy & orange

  22. Girl in Beta
    Nov 11, 2012 @ 2:07 pm

    Try the 100% Pure caffeine eye cream, organic coffee bean.

    $19.

  23. Janelle@GlamorousMama
    Nov 12, 2012 @ 11:21 am

    I love seeing other peoples beauty routines, I love the grapefruit wash, the makeup wipes however burn!

    Xoxo
    Janelle @ GlamorousMama