Affordable Skincare Routine for the Minimalist — Mandaland

I think it was my twenty-third birthday when my husband's grandmother took my cheeks in her hands, pulled our faces so near that our noses nearly touched, and said, "Take care of your face, Mandi - you gotta look at it every day, and so does everyone else."

Nan practices what she preaches - at 92, the second-generation American credits olive oil and the Avon lady for her admittedly gorgeous skin. While I do believe in the power of EVOO, I struggled to find a product line and routine that I felt addressed my skin challenges while also keeping things simple.

Enter The Ordinary - it was love at first pump. Maybe even before that when I realized the other brand of serum I was paying $30+ for each bottle was a mere $6.00 with this brand. Keep scrolling for my current routine with some details on which products I use when and why I keep them in my routine.

Note: I have combination skin (oily t-zone that is drier toward my hairline + chin) and some hormonal acne due to fertility treatments. (More about my fertility journey here and here.)

AM + PM

Squalene Cleanser
This is a balm-to-oil formula that gently cleanses and preps the skin for serums, lotions, etc. I feels luxurious.

PM

Toning Solution
Grab a cotton ball and swipe this across your skin post-cleansing - it reduces my redness in the T-Zone and exfoliates my outer face areas.

WEEKLY

Peeling Solution
With great exfoliation comes great responsibility. This is a powerful mask that you apply, suffer through a few moments of stinging, and then rinse off to reveal the softest, baby buttiest skin you can imagine.

AM + PM

Hyaluronic Acid
My secret weapon of moisturizing greatness.

AM + PM

Moisturizer
Light, non-greasy, and super hydrating. It’s so good that my husband uses it, too.

Other Ordinary products I use: Caffeine Solution (for dark circles - haven’t been using it long enough to recommend) and their foundation is worth giving a go - it’s a little drying, so not a great choice for winter time in the midwest, but might be perfect during the summer humidity.