Skincare
I could talk about skincare for hours.🤩 I enjoy reading about it, asking my friends which products they love, and watching skincare videos. What fun it is to try new products and find ones to which my skin responds well! I love the ritual of pampering my face every day.
In my skincare products post, I wrote that I have a well-established routine and that skincare health is more than just the products I use. It’s also about protection (wearing hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen), staying hydrated, eating well, getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and knowing which products are best for my skin. Everyone’s skin is different, and many variables affect it.
The environment impacts our skin, too. Some examples are pollution, UV rays, smoke, and extreme temperatures. The climate plays a significant role. Depending on where you live, it could be hot and humid, cooler and dry, or a combination of these. You could spend time in a place with the air conditioning on full blast or have a radiator keeping you warm. The humidity level plays an essential role in our skin’s health. The ideal relative humidity for the home is between 40% and 60%. My skin tells me when to use my humidifier because it feels tight and dehydrated. Due to the climate where I live, I keep it on my nightstand daily during winter and less in summer.
My skincare protocol* may seem extensive or overly complicated to you, but I am in my late 50s, and I’ve spent a lot of time in the sun. As we age, it may take a more involved routine to combat aging. My skin type is normal to dry and sometimes sensitive, and I have many fine lines and wrinkles.😉 My goal isn’t to look decades younger but for my skin to look its best for its age.
My skin is accustomed to the products I’ve listed, but it took time to adjust. I didn’t start with acids and retinoids together, so if you want to follow a similar routine, start slowly to see how your skin responds. As I mentioned in my previous skincare post, I rotate products depending on sales, my budget, and my skin’s health. Please comment below if you have any questions about my routine or the products I use.
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~MORNING ROUTINE~
Step 1: Cleanse
I like a simple, gentle cleanser in the morning, and I have been using Obagi Nu-Derm Foaming Gel for years. I use May Lindstrom’s The Clean Dirt if my pores feel clogged. (Please note: this product makes a bit of a mess, so use it in the shower, not the sink.)
Step 2: Tone/Mist
Toners and mists deliver extra nutrients, provide hydration, and balance the complexion. It’s like a primer for the rest of the skincare. I use a face mist (currently Oak Essentials Balancing Mist) or the Obagi Toner.
Step 3: Antioxidants
I use Vitamin C serum daily to brighten my skin and reduce hyperpigmentation. I’m currently using Timeless 20% Vitamin C & Ferulic Acid Serum.
Step 4: Serums
Serums are concentrated doses of active ingredients that make the skin more radiant, help reduce fine lines, and provide nourishment. I first use The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% for a smooth, even texture, followed by Timeless Coenzyme Q10 Serum.
Step 5: Moisturizer
I begin by moisturizing the skin around my eyes with Neocutis Lumiere Illuminating Eye Cream. I’ve tried SO many eye creams, and I always return to this one. The skin under the eye is very delicate and requires extra moisture. I apply a pea-sized amount on my finger and dab it under my eyes and eyelids. Next, I apply face moisturizer. Currently, I’m using Monastery Flora Botanical Cream Serum, but if my skin feels extra sensitive, I use May Lindstrom The Blue Cocoon, and if it feels drier, I use Tatcha The Dewy Skin.
Step 6: Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the most crucial skincare product! It protects your skin’s appearance and health. I never skip this step in my routine. I’m using Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 is a broad-spectrum sunscreen that works great as a makeup primer. When it runs out, I plan to try Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen, which I just picked up.
~EVENING ROUTINE~
Step 1: Double Cleanse
First, I slip on these wrist spa washbands before beginning my evening routine to avoid water running down my arm and getting my sleeves wet.
Double cleansing is a method of cleansing your face twice: First with an oil-based cleanser and again with a water-based cleanser. It can help remove stubborn, pore-clogging impurities that can remain on the skin even after washing your face once. The benefit of double cleansing is that the first cleanser will break down any makeup, remove dirt and excess oils from the day, and clean your skin. The second cleanser will address your skin type or concern and should have ingredients that hydrate, smooth, or exfoliate. I use Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm or May Lindstrom The Pendulum Potion for my first cleanse, followed by Obagi Nu-Derm Foaming Gel or The Honey Mud.
Step 2: Anti-Aging Treatment/Skin Cycling
I discovered skin cycling(see more below) a year or two ago, and it works best for my skin in the cooler months when it is more finicky. Skin cycling is a regimen that involves cycling through different active ingredients over four days. Night one is an exfoliation night, night two is retinoid, and nights three and four are recovery nights. Now that I’ve been skin cycling for a while, night three is also a retinoid night.
On Night One, I use Maelove Night Renewer. On Night Two, I use Tretinoin; on Night Three, I either use Tretinoin again or a milder retinoid, Monastery REI. On Night Four, I don’t use an anti-aging treatment.
In the warmer months, I don’t find the need to follow a skin cycling regimen(I can use retinoids daily,) but at night, I always give my skin one day off from active serums.
Step 3: Moisturizer
First, I moisturize my eye area with Neocutis Lumiere Illuminating Eye Cream. In the evening, I prefer to use a nourishing moisturizer that deeply hydrates my skin overnight. I like to add more nourishing ingredients here, such as peptides or antioxidants. I will blend May Lindstrom The Blue Cocoon with a face oil (Monastery Gold) or Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream. One night a week, I use the Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask as my moisturizer.
Step 4: Silk Pillowcase
I have been sleeping on a silk pillowcase nightly for years. There are many benefits to using one (see the article linked below), but the main reason is that silk absorbs less moisture than cotton, so it’s less likely to soak up all the skincare products I’ve used. I wash mine weekly in a mesh bag on the gentle cycle using mild soap and air-dry.
~Weekly Treatments~
Once a week, I do a mask treatment. Which one I use depends on the season and how my skin feels. I’m using the Live Botanical Glowing Honey Mask and, nightly, the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. About once a month, I will use The Ordinary AHA 30% + 2% Exfoliating Peeling Solution, followed by May Lindstrom The Blue Cocoon and May Lindstrom The Jasmine Garden. My skin looks radiant after using this treatment.
Final Notes 🍃
My goodness, I had a lot to say about skincare! I’m passionate about it and honestly enjoy the ritual of a routine. Just to be clear, you do not need to be doing all these things. Your skin may look fabulous without having the multi-step routine I follow. This is what works for me. Keep your routine as simple as you want, approach your skincare like a “treat yourself” time of day, and choose what fits your lifestyle, budget, and priorities.
*Whether I’m exhausted or away from home, I never skip this vital part of my day. When I travel, my skincare routine is basic: cleanse, one serum, one retinoid, and moisturizer.
"Your skin has a memory. In ten, twenty, or thirty years from now, your skin will show the results of how it was treated today. So treat it kindly and with respect." - Jana Elston.
Further Reading:
How to Build a Skincare Routine
What about you?
Do you love pampering your skin, too, or do you dread washing your face at night? Do you use masks? Retinoids? Tell me all about your routine!
Wow!! Thank you for sharing your daily routine! It really helps to see what products are worth it. I use Clean Dirt every other day and have found it a real game changer. The Blue Cocoon is an incredible moisturizer! I also like using Oak Essentials balancing mist after cleansing, it’s refreshing. I don’t have any problem with humidity where I live 😂 but one thing I need to consider is sunblock - even through clouds, it can make a difference. I really appreciate you explaining your tips, your skin looks fabulous!! Xx
You've inspired me! You look fabulous! xx