Skincare routines with:
Neutrogena Stubborn Texture™ Niacinamide Face & Neck Serum

I've got some very sensitive skin, so much so that some water burns my face if it's to hard. I've always been very lucky with acne, even in high school only having the odd pimple, still to this day. My biggest concern is the size of my pores, and the blackheads on my nose. I don't get blackheads anywhere else and my pores are huge on my cheeks and nose. I always used physical exfoliants, one because I was uneducated and I don't ever remember seeing all these chemical exfoliants we have now. The chemical exfoliants are much better for sensitive skin, and I swear by my Aveeno Calm + Restore, it's very very gentle, almost so much that it feels like I'm just rubbing moisturizer on my face, but after some time rubbing it in you can feel it start to work, if I'm ever lazy I can skip the rest of my routine and not have my skin dry out and tighten up like most chemical exfoliants. I had a very complex routine from The Ordinary that I recently abandoned as the work wasn't worth the results. I'm liking this routine so far, I haven't had any dry skin patches this winter which is a first. My blackheads are starting to look much better, but it's a waiting game for sure. Niacinamide seems to be my skins favorite ingredients, getting rid of a lot of my sensitivity and redness, especially from environmental factors. Spending an entire day outside is much less taxing for my face. The CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizer is a new option, just seeing it for the first time this past week. I like to change up my moisturizer after I finish every bottle. I do this just so my skin gets some various ingredients, and maybe one day I'll find the holy grail of moisturizers. Some words on these products for my very sensitive skin, at a very budget oriented mindset. Unless you're Jeff Bezos you probably have a lot less disposable income in 2024, especially if you're up here in Canada! Aveeno Calm + Restore PHA Exfoliator - At $13 it's a great option for sensitive skin, cleaning all the days dirt and oils away without striping your natural moisture barrier. I've been using for over 6 months now, maybe longer and I haven't washed my face with anything since. 5 out of 5 Neutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Serum - Around $15 depending where you shop makes this another affordable option that focuses on a specific concern, and it just so happens Blackheads are some of the most stubborn acne to manage. This serum goes on after cleansing, and before other serums as it's another exfoliant. I only apply it to my nose and I've yet to have any sensitivity or dryness and I can visibly see a reduction in blackheads and the size of my pores overall. What I like most is the fact it's a leave on serum rather then a cleanser for blackheads, and that Neutrogena has added multiple strong exfoliating acids rather than relying on a single acid to carry the weight. Another 5 out of 5 Neutrogena Stubborn Texture Niacinamide Serum - For under $20 this serum is the best value I've come across for Niacinamide serums. Neutrogena has combined Niacinamide with their own proprietary 4% Neoglucosamine which also helps with complexation and targets dark spots. This is the serum that I think is having the biggest impact on the actual size of my pores. It goes on like water and absorbs literally instantly. Only thing I wish this had was Hyaluronic Acid for the added hydration, but I guess the price point is the reason there. Again 5 out of 5 CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel - $18 ($22 regular) Being the most expensive part of my routine I have very high expectations. It has some premium ingredients, and while using it does actually feel nice, it does absorb rather instantly and leaves zero feeling of a moisturizer, like most creams leave you feeling for sometimes hours after. I'm hoping the addition of this adds the final push my skin needs to maintain its anti-aged look and shrink my pores. Right now its a 5 out of 5 The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane - $12 is a steal, especially for such "clean" beauty. I've been using this for about a year now and I could never go back. The squalane is quite oily so I usually let this sit for 30 min to an hour before I put on my moisturizer, although I've always used a cream based retinol moisturizer so I have no idea how this gel based one will work. Even with my sensitive skin I had no irritation using retinol, I just jumped right into the 1% as well, so not sure why I was able to do that but I go swimming and it feels like someone poured battery acid on me.

Goals: rebuilding natural skin barrier, increasing skin cell turnover (improving skin texture/appearance of acne scars), targeting inflammation (reducing redness/even skin tone)