“My skin wants to cause me trouble and break out so I always have to be thinking about that.” -Alicia Keys

The Grammy award wining superstar, took time out to explain her skincare night routine on youtube. She has been makeup up free since 2016 and has a glowing complexion to show for it.

Alicia says drinking water is important.

Before she applies any products, Alicia fills up a large mason jar with water. “Water—it’s a secret, it sounds so simple,” she says. “It is important.” She sips her water, sometimes flavored with fresh fruit, through a metal straw as she creates a relaxing atmosphere with candles and palo santo incense. “I am a candle fanatic,” Alicia adds.

She deep cleans her skin.

Alicia uses face wipes to “get the day off.” It doesn’t have to be an exact product. She says you can also use hot water and a washcloth. That’s for the start. Next, she uses the Osmosis Beauty Deep Clean Detox Cleanser, which she describes as “really strong.” She adds “boom” for emphasis.

Next, she applies toner.

Alicia sprays a therapeutic spray toner, Liv by Knutek Klar Toner, all over her face. “This one is more therapeutic,” she explains. It contains tea tree oil and honey, and antifungal and antimicrobial properties to help combat breakouts. Then she uses her fingers on her face, and always in an upward motion to apply products. “I think the contact is really important,” she says.

She spot treats blemishes with smelly lotion.

You know, Alicia struggles with acne, too. “My skin wants to cause me trouble and break out so I always have to be thinking about that,” she explains. “We all struggle with keeping skin clear, and I am very familiar with that struggle. My favorite trick is this crazy thing called The Advanced Blemish Lotion with Sulfur.”

The downside: “It smells like a fart,” she says. To use it, she dips a cotton swab into the bottle, swirls it around, and dots it over her active breakouts. “They’re dope, they have a lot of good products,” Alicia added.

Then, she piles on the moisturizers.

Alicia starts with Scottish Fine Soaps’ Au Lait Body Butter to mask the sulfur smell of her acne spot treatment. “It smells unbelievable,” she says, applying it on her arms and neck.

For her face, Alicia uses a moisturizer from Epicuren and Rosebud Salve lip balm. Both she says are longtime faves. “Anything with honey in it, fire amazing,” she says as she smells the moisturizer.

She wraps up with aromatherapy, essential oils, and tea.

Self-care is also important to her steps. Alicia’s She sprays a Sacred Rose Water aromatherapy into the air around her, and massages an essential oil blend on her forehead, wrists, and neck. “It’s really about bringing out your intuition, bringing out your inner voice,” she says. “I’m trying to be the most in-tune, in-touch individual. So I like little things that just remind me to think about that.”

Alicia’s final step? A cup of tea. Her favorite of the moment is Earl Grey with almond milk creamer. Alicia says, “I make a mean cup of tea.”

To read article in full click here.