Skincare Routine
I acknowledge that I am one of those people with an overly complicated skincare routine. I like having a routine, and I like how my skin is because of it. I have tried many, many products over the last eight years, so I have a lot of thoughts (as seen below) on the contents of my routine.
For some background: my skin is mostly dry, gets oily when not properly hydrated, and is prone to redness.
Face
Step One: Cleanser
Morning/first cleanse: Softening Cream Cleanser, Paula’s Choice
This cleanser is so creamy, gentle and emollient, while still cleansing, and not leaving greasy residue. I use it in the shower. I like that my skin doesn’t start feeling tight immediately because this helps retain some moisture. I repurchased the larger size to refill the smaller bottle I started with.
Night/makeup remover: Perfect Cleansing Oil, Paula’s Choice
The oil melts makeup without leaving skin feeling stripped. It can be used with face dry or wet. After washing off, I follow with a wet washcloth. This is usually the only cleanser I travel with because I like it as a morning cleanser as well; I just find the pump bottle not as convenient for in the shower.
Wipe: Gentle Cleansing Cloths, Paula’s Choice
I’ll be honest, I only use these on days of little makeup or when I’m feeling very very lazy. And I only have them because I got them free with a PC order. These have a residue so I follow with a wet washcloth. I generally can’t say I recommend using wipes/cleansing cloths because they’re wasteful and not as effective, but if it’s between using one and not washing off your makeup, I go with the former.
Step Two: Toner
Calm Soothing Toner for Dry Skin, Paula’s Choice
I use especially to prep my skin back to being damp, and therefore more ready for the products I want to slather onto my face. This is a step that I skip sometimes (usually when I’ve run out), but I prefer to do it. The dry skin version of this toner is a little thicker and leaves more of a lightly moisturized feel on the skin, while the oily skin version is a bit more drying. I use washable face rounds, and I vastly prefer them to single-use.
Step Three: Exfoliant
Calm 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant, Paula’s Choice
Smoothing, feels good to use, and I don’t think it irritates my skin. This is one that feels effective at first use as well as improving over time. My skin definitely feels like it has less texture.
Step Four: Serum
Omega+ Complex Serum, Paula’s Choice
This functions basically as an extra moisturizer early in my routine. I skipped it recently to see if I needed it, and my skin felt noticeably tighter for those days. Quite liquid-y, and a little goes a long way.
Step Five: Eye cream
Enchanted Eye Cream, Lush
This eye cream is so gentle and feels so nice. You don’t need to use a lot, and it just works. I’ve been using it for a few years (this is at least my second bottle, maybe third), and it lasts a LONG time. I can’t say I’ve seen specific results from this, but when I’ve tried other eye creams, my under eye has been visibly worse, so I stick with this.
I like to put a tiny dab on my ring finger tips, gently trace under from my inner corner to the outer corner, and pat a little where my eyes crinkle. Then I trace my brow bone, and put any leftover on the center of my forehead.
Step Six: Moisturizer
Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream, Dr. Jart
This moisturizer is green cream intended for sensitive, dry, and redness-prone skin. It feels good on without being too heavy. It’s a relatively recent addition to the routine, and I really like it.
Step Seven: SPF
Every Sun Day Sun Fluid 50+, Dr. Jart
My skin burns very easily, and I want to prevent premature aging of said skin, so I need SPF on my face every day. This adds that protection without being greasy, heavy, or visible.
Step Eight: BB Cream
Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45, Dr. Jart
This BB cream is very light and feels great on my skin, while adding a little bit of coverage. I started using this shortly before (and for) my wedding. I stuck with it for a while, then dabbled with a bunch of other products, which I kept comparing to this product. I recently went back to it with no regrets!
When my cheeks are particularly red (like winter and summer, when the temperatures are more irritating), I sometimes add a bit of the CC Red Correct from Erborian directly on my cheeks.
Step Nine: Lip Balm
Lux Lip Balm, Henné Organics
This lip balm hydrates the lips, doesn’t just sit on them, not too heavy. It’s become my holy grail lip balm. It’s not perfect; the first tube I bought had some issues with bumpy texture, and slipping in the tube. However, the product still performed well, and has improved with each purchase. I think I’m on my fourth (I keep one in the bathroom, and one on my makeup desk). It’s also a good primer for most of my lipsticks.
Last Step at Night: Face Mask
Paula’s Choice has a lot of masks available that are intended to be worn overnight. I have three that I rotate through, depending on how my skin is feeling. I don’t always use one, but I do like them. I can tell that they’re there when I rinse my face the following morning.
Radiance Renewal Mask: very liquid-y gel, feels light, effective.
Super Hydrate Overnight Mask: gel, intended for more than just face, so I sometimes use on my hands (when washing a hundred times a day).
Rehydrating Moisture Mask: cream, subtle/nice smell, probably my favorite (especially for very dry skin days). The one I have is no longer available directly from PC, but it sounds like this is also a somewhat similar and good option, maybe.
Bonus: Body Faves
Body Wash
Olive Branch, from Lush
This was one of my first Lush purchases, probably back in 2013. It smells amazing and makes my skin feel great. However, I stopped buying it because you had to shake it before use, and I usually forgot, which was very annoying. I was restocking on eye cream last year, decided to check out Olive Branch, and discovered that they changed it so it didn’t need shaking anymore! So now it’s perfect.
Body Lotion
Vanicream, both the cream and the lotion
I found out about Vanicream from my son’s allergist; he has eczema and very sensitive skin, and Vanicream is what they recommended to help sooth and prevent dry skin.
I’ve found that the cream is great for hands, especially in winter, and the lotion is better for the rest of the body, though both work for either use. They are very effective but very gentle. I’d say that the cream is a bit tackier, and the lotion lighter.
Razor
If you choose to shave any of your body hair, I recommend Billie. I haven’t used any of their other products, but the razor felt life-changing. It is effective without being too harsh on my skin (I am definitely prone to razor bumps so this was important to me). I don’t even use a shaving cream or gel because the razor heads have shave soap on them. The magnetic shower holder is great too. I also love that they use minimal shipping packaging, and recently switched to recyclable packaging!
Some other thoughts…
I don’t do this full routine every single day/night. My absolutely-must-use-daily products are cleanser, eye cream, moisturizer, and lip balm.
Is it cheating to count CC/BB creams as part of my skincare routine? Maybe! But I store them in the bathroom and apply them with the rest of my skincare, so they count for me.
Yes, my bangs were kinda weird because I had my hair in the towel for so much longer than usual. Oh well!
Paula’s Choice frequently offers free shipping, discounts, and free products with a certain spend, as well as a significant variety of products for different skin types and concerns. I really like them overall.
Yes, my nails are incredibly long right now. I haven’t trimmed them in a few weeks because none of them have broken (knock on wood but not literally because I don’t want to break a nail).
I was going to include my basic beauty routine and makeup favorites, but I think this post is long enough, so that followup will be posted in a few weeks!