As arguably the most unique and, let’s be honest, most physically and mentally trying, school year comes to a close, we are all longing and waiting for that breath of relief. The breath of relief that signals the end of the school year, and the beginning of summer. 

Of course, the pandemic is still very much real and very much alive, but with the rollout of the vaccine nationwide, perhaps another breath of relief is on the horizon as well. But whatever your plans are for the summer — kicking it poolside or lounging on the beach, finally going back to your favorite restaurant, or seeing your loved ones — some things are absolutely necessary. It is the time to start focusing on YOU again.

More specifically, it’s time to take control of your skin!

As someone who has personally experienced every kind of painful, embarrassing, and in-your-face acne, I can feel for everyone who has ever struggled with their skin. And I know how much it can feel like a losing fight, spending more money than you can afford to try every product available, every DIY trick and hack, and seeing little to no results. Believe me, I have also been there! I have spent far more money than I would like to admit over the years, solely on skincare products — upwards of $1,000! No one should have to deal with both the mental and physical torment that acne brings about. So today, I would love to share what I have learned on my long journey to clear skin, so that your skin can become clear and glowing before the summer festivities begin! And yes boys, this is just as important for you!

Like I said, I have experienced almost every kind of acne. Hormonal, cystic, blackheads, whiteheads, etc. It didn’t start to get bad until I got to high school, but when it did, it was horrible. I was playing volleyball in a scorching hot gym, sweating profusely and wiping it away. Pretty soon my face was covered, it felt like when one pimple went away, three replaced it. I was in so much pain, both on the outside and inside. I felt hideous and so bad about myself, I would even cry before school, out of shame for how I looked. There have actually been many studies proving the psychological effects acne has on a person, all proving to lower self-esteem drastically and raise anger, frustration, and sadness. I couldn’t continue on this way, and so, like with any challenge I am faced with, I began my extensive research. 

It took about two full years before I got a real grip on it.

The kicker with skincare is that when you test a product, you have to test it for months before seeing any real results. So I spent the better half of my money, tested for months on end, and finally found a solution for me. It’s so important to realize that every single person’s skin is different, therefore everyone will have a different routine. Over the years that I have shared this routine with friends and family, I have found that it works for more than half of those that have tried it. So with that being said, here’s my skincare routine! 

The first step in your skincare journey is first, figuring out what type of skin you have.

I have included a chart on the right to help you with this! When it comes to my skin, I have both combination and sensitive skin. What this means is that my skin is both oily and dry, usually depending on what season it is — drier in the winter, more oily in the summer. With my skin being sensitive, it means that I have to pay close attention to all of the products I use, as certain ingredients easily irritate my skin. This is another big step in figuring out what works best for you, really honing in on ingredients that react poorly with your skin. For example, I steer clear from products with fragrance, any kind of floral oils, such as rosehip, lavender, etc, harsh alcohols, etc. If you are someone who really struggles with their skin, it’s super important to always try and go towards cleaner products; less is more. 

The first step, besides taking off any makeup you may have on (more on this later), is to cleanse.

The cleanser I use is Cerave’s Hydrating Cleanser, priced around $16. I use it at least twice a day when I wake up and before I go to bed, and sometimes even in the middle of the day after a workout or if my skin feels particularly yucky. You wet your face, apply in circular motions for a little over a minute, and then rinse off. It is always SO important to pat your skin dry, never rub, as this will crush your pores and fill them right back up with gunk. Before this, I was always looking for cleansers that were specifically for oily skin, as I thought that was the cause of all of my breakouts, especially since I was an athlete who was constantly sweating. Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong! What I didn’t know was that, by trying to get rid of all the oil on my skin, that in turn made my skin produce even more, leading to more breakouts. With this hydrating cleanser, it was like my skin was finally able to relax and balance itself out, as it both hydrates and cleans out pores. This cleanser was by far the first clear step in bettering my skin.

Next comes moisturizer, which is a little controversial.

Experts would say that you should use a serum before moisturizing, and for a while, I did. However, I found through many serums that it was actually irritating my skin more. Once I simplified my routine down to just moisturizer, I noticed a clear shift in my skin’s overall appearance and health. The moisturizer I swear by is Neutrogena’s Hydro-Boost Water Gel for Extra-Dry Skin, priced at $14. When it comes to this moisturizer, it is absolutely imperative you get the Extra-Dry Skin version and not the original. This is due to the fact that the original contains many harmful ingredients, including oils and fragrances, that are known to cause acne and irritate the skin. I found this product one day when I was randomly searching the aisles for something to help my painful skin, and it has been a staple in my routine ever since! I use about a quarter-sized amount of this product day and night, and sometimes even in between. I even keep this in my skincare fridge, so that it’s nice and cold when I put it on my skin. Also, never forget your neck! 

This next step may very well be the most important — SPF!

It is so absolutely essential to wear sunscreen every single day, whether it is July or December, to prevent harmful rays to the skin that can cause wrinkles, cancers, etc. With that being said, it’s tough to find one that won’t react poorly with troubled skin, as it is naturally oily. The one I use is The Hawaiian Tropic Face Sunscreen, priced around $8. It smells like summer and is oil-free, so your skin is able to breathe! I only use this one in the morning, whereas after moisturizing at night, I use Cervae’s PM Facial Moisturizer Lotion. I double moisturize at night due to the fact that I feel like it really locks in the moisture while I sleep, repairing everything my skin went through during the day.  

 

 

The last few steps are somewhat optional, but I have found great success in them.

First, eye cream. My eyes are known to get so ridiculously dry that sometimes it feels like the skin around them is going to crack. However, that skin is also extraordinarily sensitive, and every product I put on them would sting and burn so badly! I finally decided to take a leap and treat myself to a more expensive product, as I wanted something to both moisturize and have anti-aging qualities. I finally settled on Tatcha’s the Silk Peony Eye Cream, priced $60. I use it twice a day, and my eyes have never felt better. 

As someone who is very active, and again, has pores that are easily filled with all the bad stuff that produces acne, exfoliating is so very important for the skin.

For this, I use The Ordinary Salicylic Acid Mask, priced at only $12. I use this only 1-2 times per week, and afterward, my skin and pores feel so clean and smooth it’s amazing!

Let’s be real, I would be lying if I said I never have breakouts anymore — absolutely not the case!

Right now as I write this, I have two painful cysts sitting on my chin, whether as a product of finals for stress, my period, or probably a mix of both. And that’s okay! When these pesky dudes flare-up, I reach for two things, Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion @ $12 and Mighty Patches @$12. Both of these products aim to directly help and heal the pimple faster, as well as act as a protective barrier to it so that more irritation and infection won’t happen.

 

When it comes to skin, there is no one clear solution.

Thousands of products on shelves that market wonderous solutions when, in reality, they all are kinda the same, doesn’t help when you have no idea where to start. My advice — keep it simple, keep it clean, and STICK WITH IT! With just this small and simple routine, your skin will look and feel so much better, in turn making you feel better overall! Eating healthy, drinking enough water, and managing stress are all elements that can also drastically affect your skin. 

Like I said, I would be lying if I said I never had a breakout again. Truthfully, I get pimples all the time. But the key difference is, I know why the pimple is there, what caused it, and what I can do to keep it clean and move on quickly. There are factors you can’t control, such as mask-wearing, stress, and menstrual cycles/hormonal fluctuations. All of these things are normal, and to pretend they aren’t only fuels the problem and stigma. But with these products, even by just cleansing and moisturizing twice a day, your skin will thank you so dearly, just in time for summer. 

I promise it’s not an impossible fight — if I could do it, so can you!

Hi! My name is Kendall and I am a sophomore at the University, studying Creative Writing, Graphic Design, Business Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Japanese! I am a Graphic Designer for Campus Rec, and although it is my first year working here, I already love it so much as it fits perfectly into my fields of study! Something interesting about me; I have been a model for about three years, being lucky enough to have even walked in New York Fashion Week! In my free time, I enjoy copious amounts of time spent outside, or playing with my puppy Mose.