My Current Skincare Routine

I was asked over on the Indonesian Beauty Bloggers facebook page to share about my skincare routine. I am, of course, pretty shocked since I don’t have the best skin. I mean, like, my skin is super flawed and I do wished I had taken better care of my skin when I was younger. Lucky for me, my mom was always there to constantly remind me to go for facials, see dermatologist, wash my face etc.

Even though currently my skin looks pretty OK, I had to go through my teenage years with acne. Anyways, throughout the course of my life, I’ve tried several different brands at different stage of my life, some works and others made it worse.

My skin type is combination. A really weird type of combination. In Asia, my t-zone is dry and cheeks are oily. In Canada, my nose is oily and everything else is dry. Weird, right?!

Currently, I’ve been using the Clinique 3-step system for just a little bit less than a year now and I’m loving it! Below is what I’m using at the moment:

Daily 2x/day (+after makeup removal)

  1. Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild
  2. Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2
  3. Clinique Dramatically Moisturizing Gel

I started off washing my face with the soap, and then clean up my skin using the clarifying lotion. I applied the moisturizer, 2 pumps, all over my face. In the winter (like right now), I usually layer another pump of moisturizer after the first layer dries off.

Guys, if you’re like me (combination skin in a dry cold winter weather), then the layering step is important to moisturize your skin. I was given the Clinique Dramatically Moisturizing LOTION, within the first week my skin broke out because the cream was too rich.

If you have combination/oily skin, then go for the GEL. It’s lighter and it really does wonder. I was told by family and friends that they noticed my skin looks better and more supple within a week of using the 3-step system. I re-started using the 3-step system when I was in Jakarta, and continued using it while I’m in Canada. This is the only skincare system that works really well in 2 different climate – hot/humid and dry/cold.

Once a week

  1. Clinique 7-day Scrub Cream Rinse-off Formula, OR
  2. Clarisonic MIA + Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild

I usually use the Clarisonic MIA + Soap combo once a week to clear out my pores and exfoliates my skin. However, when I forgot to charge my Clarisonic MIA, I usually use my 7-day scrub cream. Once a week is more than enough, especially when I can feel my face is clogged up.

Usually in Jakarta, my mom takes me and my sister out for facial. However, I don’t have that luxury in Canada (so expensive compared to Jakarta). So, the Clarisonic or the scrub is more than sufficient to clear out my clogged pores.

Makeup remover

  1. Bioderma crealine h20, and/OR
  2. Coconut Oil

To remove my eye makeup, I usually used the Bioderma. However, I’ve ran out of the makeup remover just recently, and since I’ve been using coconut oil for hair mask, I decided to use it to remove my makeup as well. I just rub the coconut oil all over my eyes and face, and then removed it with damped face cloth.

After I removed my makeup, then I’ll wash my face using the Clinique Facial Soap TWICE. The first wash is to remove the oil and the remaining makeup residue, while the second wash actually cleans the skin. Then I proceed with the clarifying lotion, and 2 layers of the moisturizing gel.

I also drink A LOT of water to ensure that my skin is not dehydrated. Sometimes, just by drinking a lot of water, you’ll notice a huge difference in your skin. Remember, lots of water is good for you! I keep 2 500-ml water bottles, and 1 1-L water bottle at home. I made sure I drank 2L water everyday.

Let me just mention that it has taken me so many years, a lot of trials/errors to find the one skincare system that actually works for me right now. Please keep in mind that everyone’s skin is different, and what might work for me might not work for someone else.

skincare routine for combination skin

Pictures are courtesy of Sephora