It’s been a while since I’ve shared my current skincare routine, so I thought I’d update this post for today. I try a lot of products for the blog, but I have my personal skincare routine pretty down pat, and I don’t deviate much. I do have a couple of new products I’ve added or swapped, though, since I last posted my skincare routine.
By way of disclaimer, I’m not any sort of skincare expert. Most of what I use was recommended by my dermatologist, or I tried it at the recommendation of a friend or favorite influencer.
I also don’t have a lot of lower priced alternatives to share. This is just what I do, and it seems to be working well for my aging skin, but I think consistency is probably more important than which skincare products you choose.
I’m linking mostly to Amazon because it’s widely available, and they make shipping and returns so easy. If you’re concerned about an item being legit, you can check the seller. I try to always buy from the manufacturer and make sure it’s fulfilled by Amazon.
Here’s a screenshot showing where to find that information:
I don’t like to buy from random 3rd party sellers, but sometimes I do if their reviews are good.
In addition to these skincare routines, I see a cosmetic dermatologist every other month for a Glycolic Acid Peel, and I do get a bit of Botox in my forehead a couple times a year. She recommended or approved most of the products in this post.
I’m prone to dryness, but my skin isn’t super sensitive, although I do have some melasma and rosacea to contend with. In the wintertime, I need lots of moisture, and I have to exfoliate occasionally to keep the flakies away.
My Morning Skincare Routine
I usually just splash water on my face in the morning, and go right into the Vitamin C serum. If I do wash my face, I use whatever face wash I have handy; right now it’s the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser.
#1. Timeless Skin Care Vitamin C and E Ferulic Acid Serum (also at Target) // I first learned about the Timeless serums from Angie at Hot & Flashy, and I’ve been using it for several years. My dermatologist approved it, so I assume it’s doing something good! I do like how it feels and smells on the skin… this is basically how I determine what I like in a skincare product.
#2. Timeless Skin Care Coenzyme Q10 Serum // I apply this after the Vitamin C. When I took these two products in to my dermatologist, she didn’t think the Coenzyme Q10 is necessary since that ingredient is in lots of other products. I like how the Coenzyme Q10 feels moisturizing, though, so I continue to use it.
I used to keep a mini-fridge in my bathroom to keep both of these serums cold, but it broke, and I didn’t replace it. I guess that makes them last longer? I probably should get another one.
#3. CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion // I use this as my daytime moisturizer, also at Angie’s recommendation. I love the price point, and it’s just a nice lightweight moisturizer without any fragrance. I use the PM version because I don’t want the chemical suncreen in the AM version, but if that doesn’t bother you, you can use that and skip the next step.
#4. ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Sunscreen SPF 50+ // This tinted mineral sunscreen was recommended by my dermatologist, and I love the consistency and how easily it blends into the skin. It does tend to stain clothing, though, so be aware of that. I make sure not to let it touch my pajamas or robe when I’m applying.
I let all that set up while I do my hair, and then I go back in and apply my makeup, but that’s another post! I’ll update that one within the next few weeks.
My Evening Skincare Routine
Okay, I know that looks like a lot… bear with me! I’ve been using this skincare routine for a couple of years, and it works really well for me. I have very dry skin, so I have to use rich creams and serums to avoid getting flaky skin in the wintertime.
#1. Almay Longwear & Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Pads // I always start by removing my eye makeup, and I’ve been using these Almay remover pads for years and years. I don’t wear waterproof eye makeup, but I find the waterproof eye makeup remover works best.
#2. Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm // My second step is always a cleansing balm, and my current favorite is the Elemis. It gently melts away dirt and makeup, it smells divine.
#3. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser // If I’m feeling lazy, I’ll skip this step, but I almost always double cleanse. You can google the benefits of double cleansing for more information, but it’s highly recommended, and I do notice a lot of leftover makeup on my cotton paid if I use a toner after the cleansing balms. I’ve tried different cleansers, but some are too harsh, especially during the winter.
#4. PCA Skin Nutrient Toner // I started using this toner after my friend Lindsey at The Motherchic shared it, and I love it. It’s exfoliating and moisturizing, and it smells amazing. It also makes my face feel another level of clean.
#5. Revision Skincare Hydrating Serum // I first bought this from my dermatologist, and now I have it on auto-order at Amazon. I was having trouble with dryness, so she tweaked my Retin-A prescription and told me to add this to my nighttime routine. I would use it in the mornings as well, but I figure the Coenzyme Q10 has a similar function, and it’s a lot cheaper.
#6a. Prescription Retin A // Every other night, I apply the Retin-A prescribed by my dermatologist.
#6b. skinbetter science AlphaRet Overnight Cream // On the nights I don’t use Retin-A, I use Alpha-Ret. I also get this from my dermatologist. She used to have me on a glycolic cream, but I had trouble with dryness, so she has me using this instead.
#7. Replenix Age Restore Nighttime Therapy // This was also from my dermatologist; I was using La Mer because it was the only thing I could find that was rich enough to keep my skin from flaking. She seemed to think La Mer is overpriced, and she suggested this instead. I love it. It’s thick and rich and creamy, and I apply it liberally to my face, neck, and chest every night. I also have it on auto-order at Dermstore.
#8. Revision Skincare Nectifirm // This product is a big splurge, and if I had to cut back on anything, this would be the first to go, but I want to feel like I’m doing something for my neck. After all, it’s one of the first areas to show signs of aging, and one that’s easy to overlook in our skincare routine.
I can’t remember where I heard about this, but my dermatologist recommended the Revision Skincare Hydrating Serum, so I figured the brand is a good one. I try to use this morning and night, but always at night.
#9. RevitaLash // This is my secret to long, luscious lashes. Okay, so it’s not much of a secret, as I’m sharing it with the Internet. I’ve always had long lashes by nature, but as I’ve aged, they’ve gotten thinner and shorter. I’ve tried a few different lash serums, but this is by far my favorite. I only need to use it every other night, now that I’m in “maintenance” but I used it every night while my lashes were growing out.
#10. LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask // This is the final product I apply to my face… or my lips, rather. My lips get very dry and peel, and this helps prevent that. I’ve tried others over time, but this works as well as anything, and I like how it feels.
One final note: When my skin is still struggling with the flakies despite all that, I apply a face oil before my moisturizer. I love the Colleen Rothschild Face Oil N°9 for this, but I ran out and I had the Elemis Superfood Facial Oil in my cabinet, so I’ve been using that lately.
FYI, the general rule of thumb when layering skincare products is to go from lightest to heaviest. Supposedly the night cream seals in the oil, and that’s why you apply it last. I probably don’t need the oil and the serum, but I figure in this case, more is more, so I use both.
The other thing I do when I start to get flaky is exfoliate. I’m currently using the ELEMIS Glow Boost Exfoliator from this set I got from QVC.
Okey-dokey! That’s about it. I mean, I’m sure I could say a lot more, but this is what I do. I’m not an expert, but I’m happy to answer any questions in the comments.
