The Start of My Skincare Journey: From Peeling Noses To Hydrated Glow

I won’t lie — genetically, I’ve always had pretty decent skin. Aside from the occasional hormonal breakout around my menstrual cycle, I never dealt with persistent acne or major texture issues. But the one thing that did plague me, especially starting freshman year of high school, was extremely dry skin in the winter; particularly around my nose. Every year like clockwork, it would peel like crazy, and I had no idea how to actually care for it. My solution? Slap on whatever lotion we had around the house and keep it pushing. Of course, that only helped for a few hours (if that).

Back then, I made a few casual attempts to start a skincare routine. I remember using the infamous Clean & Clear Morning Burst cleanser; because seriously, who didn’t? But every time I used it, I felt like it stripped my face completely. It left me tight, dry, and more irritated than before. I’d then grab one of my mom’s moisturizers, which usually left my face feeling way too greasy. It was always an uncomfortable balance; either dry and tight or sticky and greasy.

It wasn’t until my freshman year of college that things really shifted. By then, I had been working and making my own money, and I was just tired of the dull, lifeless look my skin took every winter. I wanted that glow I’d see online and in YouTube routines. That hydrated, bouncy skin that looked as good bare-faced as it did with makeup. I was ready to give it another try. This time, with intention.

Right before the COVID lockdowns in 2019, I started hearing a lot about CeraVe. They were everywhere — raved about on skincare blogs, TikTok, and YouTube — and what drew me in was that they had specific products tailored to different skin types. As someone with dry skin, this was a huge deal for me. I picked up their Hydrating Facial Cleanser and Moisturizing Lotion for Normal to Dry Skin, and I swear it changed everything.

The cleanser was unlike anything I had used before. It didn’t foam up like other face washes, but it also didn’t leave me feeling dry or tight. For once, my skin ACTUALLY felt nourished and clean at the same time. And the moisturizer? Game. Changer. It had this light water-gel texture that absorbed beautifully without that greasy residue I used to hate. My skin felt soft, plump, and refreshed; like I finally gave it what it had been asking for all along.

That was the moment I knew this wasn’t going to be just another failed attempt at skincare. This was going to stick. Not just because the products worked, but because I loved the process. I found joy in creating a routine that was mine. It became a ritual — a quiet moment of self-care in both my mornings and nights where I could be gentle with myself, literally and emotionally. It made me feel calm, grounded, and like I was finally doing something for me.

So if you’re a young girl just starting out your skincare journey and aren’t looking to break the bank, CeraVe is a great place to start. Their products are affordable, dermatologist-approved, and truly have something for everyone, no matter your skin type.

Photo by Camille Brodard on Unsplash