Great makeup starts with great skin, and great skin needs a solid skincare routine; so here is is kids, I present to you my morning skincare routine. Yes, it will seem like baking and decorating a five-tiered wedding cake has less steps than my skincare routine; however, I must share that this has worked for me for the past five years. That’s right, I haven’t changed a single product in my basic morning skincare regimen in FIVE years (I add a moisturizer in the winter and swap the toner). Why is this a big deal? Because I’m a fan of sticking to what works. I’ve tried countless of other products along the way to satisfy the curious in me (and because Sephora and Nordstrom are AWESOME at giving away samples), but I always end up coming back to my tried-and-true trusty products. So without further ado, I present to you the Clinique Acne Solutions line.

Clinique’s three-step system is the foundation upon which they built their empire of 100% fragrance-free, dermatologically tested, safe and skin-conscious products. The three-step system consists of a cleanser (soap), a toner which they call a Clarifying Lotion, and a moisturizer. It is available for all types of skin. I specifically use the Acne Solutions line because I have been blessed with glands that overproduce oil (read, butter face) and I have acne-prone skin. It’s like I never grew out of puberty and it SUCKS and, wearing foundation 6 days a week doesn’t help the situation. The oil-free Acne Solutions line helps my foundation stay matte all day long without melting off of my face and keeps my pores gunk-free (um, yay!). Before, it wasn’t that I had acne, I just ALWAYS had one gross, annoying pimple somewhere on my face and just when it was vanishing I would get another one. Just thinking about what this line has done for my skin makes me want to do my happy dance which I will abstain from because I’m on a seven hour flight to Seattle and the neighbor might freak out (it’s only hour ONE and I’m painfully sober). Enough talk, lets get to it:

1. Acne Solutions Cleansing Bar for Face and Body

This is step one in the three-step system and step one in my routine. I use the Clarisonic Brush (that’s a separate blog post in itself because it is amazing) and enjoy a full 60 seconds of blissful face massage while the soap works it’s magic. I prefer the bar over the foaming pump because I can better control the amount of product I use, it lasts longer and I can use it on my back if I ever need it. (Did I mention my boyfriend LOVES this cleanser as well?)

2. Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion

This is the Batman in this trifecta (well, Batman and Robin were technically a duo, but you get what I’m saying). I apply it with a cotton ball making sure I stay far away from the eye area as it tends to dry out the delicate skin. This product digs deep into your pores which have been opened up and prepped by the cleanser in step one, and removes all the oil and buildup leaving you with clean, tight pores. At this point, your face kinda’ feels like a cardboard box but that’s normal as both the soap and clarifying lotion have salicylic acid, the key ingredient that helps you stay blemish-free.

3. Acne Solutions All-Over Clearing Treatment

This used to be called a moisturizer but they recently changed the name to a better fitting description. This is the last step in Clinique’s Acne Solutions three-step system. I apply this all over my face (again, avoiding the delicate eye-area) and wash my hands immediately as this turns towels into a disgraceful, bleached mess. The active ingredient is Benzoyl Peroxide which sinks deep into the pores to fight build-up and it has microscopic powders that help you stay oil-free all day long.

4. Superdefense Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 20

After the three rounds of blemish-fighting super powers, it is time for some well-deserved moisturizing. This cream does just that PLUS it protects the skin from environmental damage and UV rays with its potent mix of antioxidants and 20 SPF. I apply this from my forehead all the way to my décolletage. This product is oil-free, light and fast-absorbing, and it doesn’t smell like you just came back from the beach.

5. Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream

Fights wrinkles like Batman and Robin fight crime (finally! A superhero reference that makes sense). Some would say 27 is a bit too early to start using such a strong eye cream, but if you’re obsessed with fighting signs of aging like I am, I highly recommend it. I started using this specific cream about a year ago when I started noticing fine lines around my eyes (gasp!) and ever since, I have seen a great improvement. Plus it keeps my concealer from cracking a making me look like an alligator purse after a 15-hour day.

6. Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum (not shown in photo)

This product is the bees knees when it comes to making your skin look flawless. I don’t know exactly how it works but this lightweight, oil-free serum cuts down oiliness by 70% and it keeps your pores tight and virtually unnoticeable. I hardly ever find the need for a primer, this is how freaking badass this product is. With time, it improves the overall look and feel of skin and even though it is a serum, it is not greasy and will not clog your pores; au contraire, it is designed to unclog pores. I LOVE this product. I use it on my nose and cheeks which are the oiliest parts of my face.

That wasn’t that bad, was it? (Say no). I love Clinique because their products are designed to work in harmony, they do exactly what they promise, they are affordable and, they are kind to my impossibly sensitive skin.

No, this is not a paid advertisement by Clinique. All opinions are sincere and my very own (I’ve converted more than one of my friends). I just love the brand because it works for me. Plain and simple.

What skincare products do you swear by?