One of my goals this year is to stick to a more consistent skincare routine and work on using products up. My skin is always happiest when I’m not constantly switching around the products I’m using, but it’s also sometimes too exciting and too much fun to try new things. I think my skin has settled into as dry as it’s going to be for the winter, so I thought it would be a good idea to talk through what I’m using now. Maybe having it written down like this will force me to stick to it for the rest of the winter, too.
This was taken at the end of the day when most of my foundation had worn off, so you can see the condition of my skin - some redness and old acne marks but a hydrated glow
My main goal with skincare is to keep my skin hydrated and nourished. I’m prone to both dehydration and dryness, so I’m always trying to combat that. I’m lucky in that I don’t have much skin texture (except for my chin - home to constant hormonal acne), so I like to maintain that with gentle exfoliation throughout the week. My hormonal acne is from the birth control pill I take, so while nothing has really helped to get rid of breakouts, I’m always looking for something to heal them faster and lighten the marks they leave.
Morning
Cleanse: In the winter, I don’t really need a full cleanse in the morning. I’ll massage a bit of the Bioderma Hydrabio Milk* onto my skin while it’s dry to dissolve any dirt/sweat/excess skincare from the night before, and I’ll rinse with cool water. That’s it!
Tone: I’ve been trying to pack in as much hydration as possible, so every morning I do a quick combination of the Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner* and the Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence.* I’ll do two layers of the toner and then one of the essence. The Rose Toner is incredibly soothing and helps diminish redness, and the essence is amazingly hydrating and gives a beautiful dewy glow.
Treat: I love using a Vitamin C serum in the morning - they help brighten my skin, even out my skintone, and over time they help fade my dark acne marks. Right now I’m testing the Allies of Skin 35% Vitamin C Collagen Rebuilding Serum.* It’s a waterless formula (to ensure stability) that contains 25% Ethylated L-Ascorbic Acid and 10% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate. So far, it’s been working well for me. I like that it has the consistency of a lightweight oil, and I’ve already been noticing some brightening effects after only a few weeks of use. I also like to use a hydrating serum in the morning to keep my skin happy throughout the day. The Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst-Quenching Serum has been my favorite for years. It’s light but still really hydrating - “thirst-quenching” is the perfect name for it. The Bioderma Hydrabio Serum* is another favorite, but I recently ran out!
Eyes: I’ve finally been converted into a daily eye cream wearer and don’t go a day without applying one. In the mornings I really love Glossier Bubblewrap. It’s simple and does the job: it’s hydrating, not heavy, and wears well under makeup.
Moisturize: Moisturizers are normally where I change my routine up the most. For the most part, I’ve been sticking to a combination of the Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer plus a few drops of their Moisture Renewal Oil Booster. I had been waking up to super dry and tight skin recently, and this combo is rich and nourishing without making me greasy throughout the day.
Protect: There’s no point in spending all my money on skincare if I’m not going to protect my skin with a daily sunscreen. My favorite, and the one I’ve actually been able to stick to using every day, is the Krave Beauty Beet Shield. It has a lightweight lotion texture that sinks into my skin easily, doesn’t pill over all my other layers of skincare, and wears well underneath makeup. It’s perfect!
Night
Double Cleanse: I may not feel the need for a thorough cleanse in the morning, but I can’t sleep at night if I haven’t done a full double cleanse to remove all makeup, SPF, and general grime from the day. I’ve been first going in with the Dermalogica Precleanse,* massaging it into dry skin, and rinsing with a washcloth to make sure everything has been removed. I’m almost done with my bottle and have the Caudalie Makeup-Removing Cleansing Oil on deck. Then for a second cleanse, I want something gentle that will cleanse my skin without stripping it - the Holifrog Tashmoo Water Lily Nourishing Milky Wash* is perfect for this.
Treat: I like to use my AHA/BHA liquids directly after cleansing. I cycle through two products - I’ll use the Deviant Skincare Gentle Resurfacing Liquid* one night, then the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid the next night, and then the third night I’ll take a night off from any actives. And then I start the rotation again with the GRL. This combination of AHA and BHA has been great for my skin - the AHAs keep it smooth while the BHA helps to tone down and heal breakouts. Both products are phenomenal and are things I’d like to keep in my rotation for a long time.
Tone: Next I like to go in with a toner for some extra hydration. At night I really love the Laneige Cream Skin Toner. It’s thin and milky, but it leaves the skin feeling like you’ve applied a moisturizer. It’s perfect for layering on winter nights.
Treat (again): After toning I like to go in with more hydrating or moisturizing serums. In winter I love using the Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief here. It tones down my redness over time and keeps my skin strong and nourished.
Eyes: Again, I’m finally dedicated to eye creams. At night I go for something rich. The Fresh Creme Ancienne Eye Cream* is my favorite. It’s pricey, but I would definitely repurchase. It has almost a balm/salve texture, so it feels beautifully luxe on dry undereyes.
Moisturize: Again, I like using a combination of moisturizer and oil, and usually mix them together. My favorite combo to use at night lately has been the Caudalie Vinosource SOS Cream* mixed with a few drops of the Deviant Skincare Facial Oil.* They both really moisturize my skin and help create a barrier to last through the night. I always end my routine with a sleeping mask in the winter, too, to further ensure my skin stays moisturized all night. My favorite is the Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask. It feels light and jellylike but it really hydrates and keeps all the other products sealed in.
Masks: I don’t mask anywhere near as often as I used to, but I like to use one every now and then when my skin needs a pick-me-up. Moisturizing masks like the Korres Hydra-Biome Mask or the Caudalie Moisturizing Mask are my most-used because I like to apply them before getting in the showera few nights per week. They’re both quite cooling on the skin, and they keep my skin from drying out from the hot water. If my skin is breaking out, I always reach for the Fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Mask.* It helps to draw everything to the surface, but it isn’t as drying as some other clay masks I’ve tried. And if my skin is just feeling “blah” - dull, stressed, etc - I’ll use either the Fresh Lotus Rescue Mask* (probably my favorite mask by Fresh) or their Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask.* Both leave my skin feeling firmer, brighter, and glowier immediately.
What are your favorite skincare products?
Products marked with an asterisk (*) have been gifted by the brand, but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.