My Daily Skincare Routine

For someone who gave next to zero fucks about my skincare for most of my life, I’ve developed a pretty decent routine over the last year. It’s nothing groundbreaking but it works for me and it doesn’t take up too much of my time; a 10 minute ritual to mark the beginning and end of my day. 

This is what I do on a daily basis to keep my skin balanced, smooth, and healthy. I’m including a bunch of the products I have used over the last three months to help give you some ideas about what might work for you

Morning Routine

Cleanse

I think most of us have this part figured out. Even if you just rinse your face with water, which may be better for dry skin, cleansing is essential. I have combination skin and I do use a gentle cleanser, but there are some winter days when I just rinse with water to avoid striping my skin of the natural moisture it needs.

Currently I am using a few cleanser, depending on the day and need;

Youth to the People, Superfood cleanser – Gentle enough for daily use but I’m not sure I think it’s any better than other cleansers. I’m not loyal to this product.

Fresh, Sugar Strawberry Exfoliating Face Wash – I use this in the shower when I need a little extra exfoliation. It’s not rough on my skin and it doesn’t dry it out. I’ve been working my way through a travel sized tube and I will repurchase this one.

Acure, Brightening Cleansing Gel – I picked this up in the organics aisle at the grocery store in an effort to reduce my Sephora spend. It’s the worst of the three but not bad enough to stop using. I tend to use this if I shower at night and have worn more makeup than usual that day. I wouldn’t repurchase but if you have oily skin, it might be ok for you.

Tone

Of all the steps in a standard skincare routine, this is the one I struggled to find value in. I used the Burt’s Bees Rose Water Toner and it’s alright. I do like how it makes my face tingle, but I’m not sure it did much for my skin overall. Recently I discovered the Lancome Tonique Confort Toner and I LOVE it! I think it gives my skin the moisture it needs after a good cleanse. It’s a little thicker and absorbs well, and It just feels good on my skin.

Things may change when summer hits. Your skin’s needs change with the environment and what works for you in summer may not be enough in the dryer winter months, or vice versa.

Treat

Everyone’s skin is totally different and there is probably some kind of serum out there to help you with whatever you need. To be honest, I haven’t identified a serum that I think does wonders for me, and this is the step I am most likely to skip. Right now I am using the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum. It’s supposed to strengthen skin and I got it out of a sample pack…so why not. I think that finding serums to address firmness and fine lines and the occasional redness I get is probably what I will seek out when I finish this sample. At 34, the wrinkles are getting too real.

Other serums I’ve tried are a Murad Vitamin C Serum to help with brightness, and the Caudalie Vinoperfect Anti Dark Spot Serum. I like Claudilie and would use it as needed, but the dark spot treatment is not my main issue.

If you have a recommendation for me, please leave me a comment.

Moisturize

I change this up regularly because I’m always trying a new product. Most recently I rotated through three travel sized samples I picked up for a trip, but I have a few favorites I’ve discovered over the years and keep going back to. Again, what your skin needs can change regularly, sometimes daily, so don’t be afraid to have a small collection of moisturizers on hand.

• Lancome, Hydra Zen Anti-Stress Moisturizing Cream-Gel – I didn’t notice anything crazy here. I think it’s a good all around moisturizer but probably better for winter and nights. I have found that I am not a big fan of gel products and much prefer creames and lotions or oils.
• Fresh, Youth Preserve Super Lotus – That name makes me feel like I should be blown away, but after going through the full sample I am unsure about how I feel. about this product. I like that it absorbs well and I think it does it’s job but I may pick up a bigger pot of it to give it a longer test run. I think it’s worth trying in any case.
• Charlotte Tilbury, Magic Cream – I love this product except for one thing. After about 6 hours of wear, this formula starts to bother my eyes. I’m seriously bummed about this because I, the legally blind girl, can see the difference it makes on my skin. I may repurchase this with the intent of only using it when I know I will be washing my face in a few hours, like when I put on makeup for a night out. 
• Origins, Matte Moisturizer with Willowherb – My T-zone gets shinny as fuck in the summer and I feel like an oil slick. This is product is great at helping reduce my shine but also giving me everything I need in a moisturizer. I will be rotating this n during the summer as part of my morning routine. LOVE!

Protect

I do not have a good track record with sunscreen. You should use at least an SPF 15 on a daily basis, but If you’ve introduced any kind of retinol or acid into your skincare routine you need to use a higher level SPF. In general, a physical barrier sunscreen that uses zinc oxide and titanium oxide is best, lasts longer, and is less harmful to the environment. I’ve become much stricter about putting my face sunscreen on, even in the Seattle winters, because I use a retinol and exfoliating acids. I am currently using Josie Maran, Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47 for my face. Still looking for a body sunscreen.

Here is a list of reef safe sunscreens I’ll be trying out.