I’ve had the exact same skincare routine for over 2.5 years now, which is something to say considering I previously always jumped from brand to brand, product to product, in search of the next best thing. While I’ll warn you that the products I use are quite the splurge, they last such a long time and they are the only products I’ve maybe ever used that have provided not only immediate glowy results, but also the longterm changes I was looking to achieve in my skin. My skin is far from perfect, but the improvements have been very noticeable! I think about all the money I wasted for years trying random buzz-worthy products that only ended up inflaming my skin, all the lasers I spent big bucks on only for my skin to quickly go back to the way it was beforehand, and the various devices I experimented with in hopes of finding the magic formula to bring big benefits to my melasma-ridden, acne-prone, combination skin. Spoiler alert… nothing truly worked! So instead of spending a little money here and there and still having my skin disappoint me, I decided to save and splurge on a small handful of products that I know are going to work.

Now that the disclaimer is out there on why I think these products are worth their steep price tags, I’m so happy to share more about the products that have truly helped keep my skin clear, balanced, and even in tone. While these products aren’t found on the shelves of most beauty stores, they are all available at Ella Ora, both online and in person at their luxe skin clinic here in Charleston.

 

I also shared all of these products in action in this reel!

…and Ella Ora is giving away all of their products that I used here to one lucky winner! you may enter in the comments of the reel, but read the caption first to make sure you followed each of the few, simple rules!

 

I also should mention that while I use MBR products almost in entirety, this post is in no way affiliated with the brand. I don’t think they even know who I am, despite how I’ve raved about them for years now!

When I wake up, the first thing I do is splash cold water on my face to wake up my skin and remove sleepies, then I pat until my face is almost dry. Then I apply MBR 3-in-1 Cleanser while massaging my face to further wake it up and decrease puffiness. Then I leave the cleanser on as if it’s a mask and let it sit while I make my coffee, get breakfast going, and so forth. This product not only cleanses very gently, but it also calms the skin and it provides a ton of hydration! It basically softens my skin after a long night of sleep and gets it ready to better absorb the rest of the routine. This is one of the top sellers at Ella Ora and something I cannot go without—it’s the perfect way to replenish moisture levels in my skin while also purifying it.

After I rinse that off, I use what is truly my holy grail, desert island product. Before you look at the price, know it lasts me about nine months to a year, while using it twice daily. The Enzyme Cleansing Booster is a powder that you dispense in your hand and mix with a splash of water to create the most amazing foamy cleanser I’ve ever tried. I’ve tried similar products with this same concept, but absolutely none compare to this one. This cleanser exfoliates better than anything else I’ve used, but yet it doesn’t feel grainy once the powder dissolves. It’s also not messy like you think it would be! After using it, I’m left with polished looking skin that almost looks “glassy.”  It’s like a facial in a bottle.

Here are some more benefits!

Removes excess sebum and lipids

Reduces impurities – great for acne prone skin types

Minimizes fine lines, wrinkle and pores

Efficiently dissolves cornification, sebum and lipid deposits

Activates skin regeneration

Supports the cell metabolism and promotes detoxification processes (caffeine, niacin)

Optimizes the skin’s absorption capacity for the following products

Soothes (ectoine) and preserves the moisture balance (aloe vera)

Regulates the skin’s pH balance

 

Note: I didn’t make a graphic for my toner step because I don’t always use it in the morning, but sometimes at night instead. But this is a good spot to mention that I do use a toner, too! My favorites are the Dr. Dennis Gross Peel Pads, Biologique Recherche p50 1970, and the Beautycounter All Bright Triple AHA Toner.

I really attribute this product to fading my melasma and preventing it from popping completely back up, but I also believe this serum is able to work so well because of what the previous products do to prep my skin for it. The first cleanser (step one) softens my skin and gets it ready for the enzyme cleanser (step two) to get in and remove impurities from my pores, which then increases the skin’s absorption capacity to better receive this MBR Skin Lightening Serum (step three). Got all that? haha! Not only does this serum fade + prevent hyperpigmentation using their Hydroquinone-free ingredient called Beta-White™, but it also balances the skin’s moisture levels, gives it a punch of antioxidants, and it also includes probiotics which enhance cellular energy and stimulate collagen.

I know this product is what balanced my skin. It has previously always been very oily in the t-zone and very dry along the perimeter, but not anymore. I’ve never tried a face moisturizer quite like MBR ContinueLine Protection Shield Rich. Not only does it activate stem cells and stimulate collagen production, but it visibly softens and smoothes the skin’s surface. At first feel, it appears to be a little thicker than what you’d ideally wear during the daytime, but once applied, it magically absorbs right in and leaves the skin looking hydrated, yet not greasy in the least. I’ve learned that a big part of preventing inflammation and hyperpigmentation is to protect the skin’s moisture lipid barrier. I think where I went wrong for all of those years is that, as someone with an oily t-zone, I would always reach for the lightest weight moisturizer I could find and apparently that was the wrong thing for me to do because it didn’t help to keep my skin’s lipid barrier in tact!

This SPF includes a high percentage of Zinc Oxide, which is super important for preventing dark spots from sun exposure. Usually with a high zinc content, sunscreen is white and thick, but this Beautycounter Daily Sheer Defense is incredibly lightweight and invisible upon application. I’ve been in love with this sunscreen for years now and in fact, it’s the first sunscreen that was able to get me in the habit of  wearing SPF on my face daily. It makes my skin look a little glowy and I think it works like a great primer too!

The perfect final touch, the Mineral Sheer Tint is like a tinted moisturizer that looks just like your skin, but much better. It’s available in a lot of shades. I wear Cameo Glow!

 

I also shared all of these products in action in this reel!

…and Ella Ora is giving away all of their products that I used here to one lucky winner! you may enter in the comments of the reel, but read the caption first to make sure you followed each of the few, simple rules!