To me, skincare is self-care. Doing my skincare routine steps every morning and night is something I do for just myself, as a ritual to help keep my skin healthy and my confidence up. My routine changes from time to time as I discover new products or the seasons change, and this is the latest! I recognize not all of these products may not be doable for everyone, but skincare is something I personally prioritize financially and have found all of these to be very helpful.

MORNING SKINCARE ROUTINE STEPS

Step 1: Cold Water / Cleanser

I’ve stopped cleansing my face in the morning because I’ve found I don’t need it. I’ll always splash cold water on my face and find that’s refreshing enough for me. On the rare occasion I find myself needing a cleanser, I’ll opt for something gentle. Kate Sommerville Daily Foaming Wash or the Elemis Superfood cleanser is a great way to prime my skin for the rest of my skincare routine steps.

Step 2: Antioxidant Serum

Everyone needs to be using vitamin C serum! I’ve been talking up the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic for a while, and I definitely consider it one of my holy-grail products. Within two weeks of using it, my skin was plump, glowing, and so soft (more on that in this post). I apply a drop on each cheek and on my forehead, so three total, and press them into my skin. To help it really absorb, you can use a clear quartz roller, only rolling it in upward motions. If you have super oily skin, make sure to use the Silymarin CF, which is specifically formulated for oily skin. I’ve gotten a chance to test this and it works quite well.

Step 2 B: Lactic Acid

I use this product three times a week at the most. If you haven’t tried lactic acid on your skin, it’s phenomenal. I love how it exfoliates your skin and gives you a glow in just three minutes. Whether you’re going for a no-makeup day or want your skin to be extra smooth, the Good Genes is key. The dull, dead skin will be removed and your glowing skin underneath gets to shine!

Step 3: Eye Cream

For daytime, I’ve been reaching for BeautyBio’s Eyelighter. I appreciate the applicator and how it’s so cooling. It helps with any puffiness and you can also take it up on your brow bone with or without product to give your face a good lift. Another eye cream I love is the Auto Correct by Sunday Riley.

Step 5: Moisturizer

To save time, I have been reaching for Origins GinZing SPF30 Daily Moisturizer. It gives my skin the perfect amount of moisture, while also protecting my skin from the sun’s harmful rays. It takes away one more step of having to apply sunscreen daily.

Moisturizer is so important for your skin, and as someone with very dry skin, I’ve found that La Mer Moisturizing Cream gives me the rich hydration that it needs. It’s definitely a splurge, but the results have been worth it to me. Part of the price is because of their signature ingredient that they call Miracle Broth, which is made of sea kelp among other ingredients, and fermented for three months. It keeps my skin so soft while also smoothing out lines and wrinkles, so I’m happy!

Step 6: Sunscreen

If you’re going follow any of these skincare routine steps, make sure it’s this one if you don’t opt for a moisturizer with sunscreen. Even if you don’t go outside, you can still be affected by the rays shining through the window, so make sure to get your face, neck, and even chest. After trying many, many sunscreens, I finally found the perfect one: Supergoop’s Mineral Sunscreen. You can’t see it after it’s applied, which means no white flash, and it’s also a great makeup primer.

NIGHTTIME SKINCARE ROUTINE STEPS

Step 1: Cleansing Balm or Oil

I never use makeup wipes, and beg that you don’t either (more on that in this post). The Elemis Cleansing Balm has been my go-to for a while now, because it works both as a cleansing oil and cleansing milk. Not only does it literally melt the makeup off my face, but it also moisturizes and helps smooth lines and wrinkles. This is a must for when it comes to removing stubborn eye makeup. Take your time and apply to dry skin, really massaging it in. Then, add some warm water to your hands and rub all over your face, emulsifying the balm. Then rinse with warm water.

Step 2: Cleanser

I’m a huge proponent of double cleansing in your skincare routine steps, and it’s especially important if you’re wearing makeup. If you only cleanse once, then you’re just getting the makeup off and not actually cleaning your skin. After my cleansing balm, I use the Elemis Superfood cleanser. This is my second time using it and I so appreciate how it’s effective, but gentle. I don’t like to strip my skin of its oils and this one does a great job.

Step 3: Treatment Serum

The Skinceuticals Blemish + Age Defense is the product that made me a Skinceuticals loyalist. In 2018, I had really bad adult acne, and after spending about $600 over 6-7 months trying to cure it, was only making it worse. Then someone recommended this to me, and after two weeks of nightly use, my skin was completely clear. Now I use it every other night or every two nights in my skincare routine steps for maintenance and its anti-aging properties. I apply one drop to each cheek and rub them in, then split a drop between my t-zone area. To make sure it really absorbs, you can press it into the skin and use a beauty roller in upward motions.

Step 4: Eye Cream

I’ve tried a variety of eye creams and so far have been lucky in the sense I haven’t come across one I hate! A few I love for use in the evening include the Clinique All About Eyes, Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream, Origins Ginzing Eye Cream and Ole Henriksen Banana Eye Cream. Just make sure when you are applying you use your ring finger for the most gentle application on a delicate area.

Step 5: Moisturizer

I generally use the same moisturizer both morning and night unless the one I used during the day has SPF. In that case, I’ll use La Mer, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream or one I recently went back to is the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing lotion.