Xochitl Gomez’s Camera-Ready Skincare Routine Is All Under $20

At just 18 years old, Xochitl Gomez has proven herself as a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. From joining the Marvel Universe as America Chavez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness to winning season 32 of Dancing with the Stars, Gomez’s success is palpable.

Her latest project? A partnership with beloved skincare brand CeraVe. Gomez stars in the brand’s “Cleanse Like a Derm—a CeraVe Soap Opera” campaign—a humorous telenovela-style ad—as Xochitl Cleansington. The commercial begins with a glamorous Gomez reaching for an empty CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser. When she realizes the family only has drying hand soap left, she goes on a dramatic journey to replenish their supply and restore their skin barriers. “I was so ready to do something like that and lean into the drama,” she says. “Telenovelas were a huge thing for me as a young kid, like Los Ricos Tambien LLoran.”

The teen, who graduated high school in May, says she was sold on CeraVe products after Dancing With The Stars. “With Dancing with the Stars, you’re doing crazy makeup,” says Gomez. “It’s very packed on, and there’s lots of glitter. So, it was very important for me to take care of my skin. CeraVe sent over products, and they all worked amazingly for me. So when they came to me with the shoot concept, I trusted the brand and was ready to do something like that.” 

Ahead, Gomez shares more about her skincare journey, morning and nighttime routine, and the best skincare advice she’s received.

About Her Skin

“As you get older, you start getting little breakouts. So, I try to exfoliate often and not wear makeup if I don’t need it. Recently, I’ve been getting breakouts all over my forehead. I’ve had bangs for quite a long time, but the breakouts didn’t start in that area until recently. I learned that they were caused by not exfoliating. After washing and exfoliating my face, I need to put moisturizer on so it doesn’t feel dry.”

How She Got Into Skincare

“My grandma loves skincare so much. She talks about how important skincare is. When I was little, I would go to her place, and she had a whole skincare setup. She had a station for hot water for her washcloths because that’s how important it is to her. So, that’s where I got it from. I’m truly so thankful because since I started so young, it made me attentive to my skin now.”

Her Morning vs. Night Routine

“If I use a night cream before bed, I’ll use the CeraVe Micellar Water to refresh my face in the morning. If I’m not wearing makeup that day, I’ll follow up with a serum stick on my face for moisture. If I wear makeup at night, I’ll use a makeup wipe to remove everything. Then, I’ll use the Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser, which I love. Since I need to exfoliate, I’ve tried so many tools, and my favorite is one from the ’80s. It’s called a Buf-Puf. I use a damp one along with the Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser and massage it on my forehead. After that, I’ll use an eye cream and my Lancôme Advanced Génifique Night Cream.”

The Skincare Step She Never Skips

“Exfoliating is a step I never skip. I also make sure to remove all my makeup, even if it’s on my ears and neck. That is something I would forget so often as a kid, leading to zits.”

How Her Routine Has Changed Over Time

“When I was younger, I used to think more was better, and I never exfoliated. Hence, I got lots of breakouts and buildup on my skin. So, learning that [less is more] was big for me. Also, another thing I recently talked about is that brands send me many skincare products to try. Often, the packaging is cute, but after trying it, I realize it’s not a good product and causes breakouts. I always go back to CeraVe. It’s a brand that I trust, and dermatologists, of course, recommend it and use it.”

The Best Skincare Advice She’s Ever Received

“My mom always tells me to exfoliate. But, she’s someone who doesn’t even exfoliate.”

Her Most Used Product

“My most used product is the Hydrating Micellar Water. I use that a lot, mainly when I’m doing makeup to clean up certain mistakes. I love doing the eyeliner all over my eye and the rim, so when you take it off, sometimes you’re left with a heavy metal-looking eye. I’ll use a Q-tip and micellar water to remove all the eyeliner.”

The Product That’s Been In Her Routine The Longest

“I’d say the Buf-Puf, just because it’s really old school, and I’ve been using it for a while now. It pairs well with CeraVe products.”