For years, I obsessed over having perfect skin, constantly chasing trends and adding new products to my routine. But after trying a viral product that didn’t work for me, I realized I was setting myself up for failure by striving for perfection that doesn’t even exist. (Spoiler alert: social media filters aren’t real life!)

Once I let go of unrealistic expectations and made some key changes, my skin became the healthiest it’s ever been. It’s not “perfect,” but it’s thriving, and here’s how I did it!

1. Simplifying My Skincare Routine

Using 15+ products daily is entirely unnecessary (unless prescribed by a dermatologist). My streamlined routine includes just a few effective products:

Cleansing:
- Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil: My skin absolutely LOVES this product. It’s incredibly gentle which is great for me due to my sensitive skin and it removes makeup extremely well!
- Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam: This product is great for double cleansing which is an important step for me on days where I’m wearing makeup. I also ensure to double cleanse mainly at night.
  Pro Tip: Double cleansing ensures dirt, oil, and makeup are thoroughly removed before moving on to other steps!
Serums: (I use serums maybe every other day. Daily is a bit excessive for my skin)
- ChicNutrix Korean Hydrating Serum: This product is affordable and leaves my skin feeling plump and hydrated. I found this at my local pharmacy here on the island and noticed that it’s not on Amazon, but they have their own site if you’re interested in trying it!
- The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%: This ones is a powerful exfoliant that leaves my skin both smooth and radiant. It’s advised that you only use this product at night but because it is so strong, I find that it’s better for me to only use this one about once a month to avoid irritation.
Moisturizing & Dark Spot Correcting:
- Anua Rice 70 Intensive Moisturizing Milk: (I’m realizing that perhaps Anua should sponsor me or make me a brand ambassador lol) After cleansing and adding my serums, I use this to hydrate my skin and find that it leaves a dewy and almost “glass-like” finish.
- Palmer’s Skin Success Anti-Dark Spot Fade Cream: This cream was a lifesaver for scars and uneven skin tone. (While figuring out my ideal skincare routine, I tried a toner by Anua that didn’t agree with my skin AT ALL and left me with lots of painful breakouts which in turn left behind some scarring. This anti-dark spot fade cream helped to clear those scars within two and a half weeks! I’m in love with it.

Occasional Add-Ons:

Dr. Pure Under Eye Patches: I admittedly don’t get as much sleep as I’d like which causes bags and darkening under my eyes (and under-eye bags are already hereditary in my family). I use these eye patches to just tighten up under there a little.
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser: This was a cleanser I’d tried and liked before settling on Anua. It was also really gentle and worked well. If ever I’m unable to get my oil cleanser from Anua, I’d opt for this.
Pure Body Naturals Bentonite Clay: About once a month I try to do a bit of a skin detox using this bentonite clay. (I also used to use this in my hair back when I was natural and wanted my curls to pop!) I add some apple cider vinegar to this and leave it on until it dries and hardens. Perfect monthly refresh for my skin!

By sticking to a consistent yet minimal routine, I’ve eliminated unnecessary irritation and let my skin breathe. Less is truly more when it comes to skincare!

2. Cutting Back on Sugar

This was a tough one for me because I have a major sweet tooth. But cutting back on refined sugar has been a game-changer. Sugar triggers inflammation and breakouts for me, so I’ve swapped sugary snacks with healthier alternatives and replaced sugar in my drinks with raw honey. I’m not perfect (definitely have some cheat days), but even small changes have made a noticeable difference.

3. Drinking More Water

Hydration is key to healthy skin, it’s practically skincare 101. I’ve made a conscious effort to drink more water daily, and it shows. My skin feels less dry, and I’ve got that extra glow that doesn’t come from a bottle.

4. Cutting Back on Alcohol

As someone who enjoys the occasional social outing (just an ambivert trying to live her best life lol), this was a surprising realization for me. Alcohol dehydrates my skin and makes it look a bit dull. By drinking less, I’ve noticed my complexion looks brighter and healthier. I’m even considering going alcohol-free for a year but don’t hold me to that one. We’ll see how it goes!

5. Avoiding Harsh Products

I’ve learned to steer clear of products with overly complicated ingredient lists or strong fragrances. They tend to irritate my skin rather than help it. Instead, I stick to gentle, effective products that do what they promise.

6. Giving Myself Grace & Ditching Comparisons

We hear this all the time: comparison is the thief of joy. Social media is filled with unrealistic portrayals of “perfect” skin, but most of it is heavily edited. (That retouch feature on CapCut has a lot of you fooled!) I’ve made peace with the fact that my skin doesn’t have to look like a filtered photo. Healthy skin isn’t about perfection, it’s about how it makes you feel! Skincare is obviously super important to me as an aspiring model but I never want to drive myself crazy chasing perfection.

What’s Next for Me?

I’ve come a long way, but there are still a few areas I’m working on:

Wearing Sunscreen Daily: Living in the Bahamas, sunscreen is non-negotiable (and something I need to get better at).
Getting Better Sleep: Quality sleep is vital for skin health but it’s hard to get sleep when you’re busy chasing your dreams!
Upgrading My Bedding: Clean, satin pillowcases are a small yet impactful step toward better skin so I’ll be sure to invest in skin friendly bedding from now on too!

Final Thoughts

Your skincare journey is just that; a journey. It’s okay if your skin isn’t perfect; what matters is that you’re taking care of it in a way that feels right for you. The changes I’ve made have been transformative, and I hope some of these tips resonate with you too.

If you’re curious about the products I mentioned, check out my Amazon Storefront for links. And don’t forget to share your own skincare tips in the comments! I’d love to hear what works for you (or what hasn’t). Let’s keep the conversation going!

K, bye!

The Skincare Changes That Transformed My Skin (Plus Affordable Products!)