My Routine: An Overview
Let’s talk routines, shall we? As a skincare blogger my routine changes quite a bit as one of my favorite pastimes is testing new products (whether my skin appreciates that is another story…) I do try to maintain certain steps in my daily routines, to ensure my skin is getting the care it needs – and if something is really working, I definitely don’t change it too much!
AM Skincare Routine
I’ll start by covering my morning routines. As a college student, I am very busy and sleep is incredibly precious, so these routines don’t tend to be too extensive.
I begin with a gentle morning cleanser. I used to only cleanse with water in the mornings, lately I’ve found that my skin’s oil production has increased and water wasn’t sufficient to feel like my skin was clean. I’ve been reaching for either the Korres Greek Yoghurt Cleanser or the Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser – both are very gentle and feel lovely on my skin.
About twice a week I reach for the Fresh Beauty Sugar Strawberry Scrub to gently slough off dead skin and make my skin nice and soft. It’s not abrasive, so I don’t have to be worried about harming my skin.
My next step tends to be a mask. I wake up about an hour before my first class and love applying a hydrating or refreshing mask to wake up my skin. Recently this has been either the Tony Moly Green Tea Hydroburst mask (that I leave in the fridge overnight for an extra refreshing feeling!) or on days I need to look particularly awake the Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask. I also reach for the Sand and Sky Glow Apple Mask sometimes too – basically anything that makes my face look like I got more sleep than I actually did (oops.) If I have eye gels in my stash, I throw them on at this point too.
After I’ve masked and caught up on emails & my Instagram, I go through the rest of my routine. While these next few steps may sound like a lot, it only takes me around 10 minutes (which is fast to me!)
I go in with my toner & essence steps. My absolute favorite toner is the Indie Lee COQ-10 – I use the spray nozzle to mist this over my entire face. Since my skin is seeking a little extra hydration right now, I also use the Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Essence. In between these two steps I apply my eye cream; I’ve recently been testing the Vichy 89 eye cream but used to use the Indie Lee I-Waken Eye Serum. I’ll also reach for the Kate Somerville Depuffing Eye Balm – anything to get my eyes look more awake.
Next up are my serums. I first go in with an active: Vitamin C! I’ve yet to find a vitamin C I totally love (still on the hunt!) but my current one is the Farmacy Very Cherry Bright. Then comes a quick mist with either my Bioderma Thermale Mist or the Youth to the People Adaptogen mist, followed by a hyaluronic acid serum. My absolute holy grail HA is Drunk Elephant’s B-Hydra, but I’ve also been testing a few others I’ve enjoyed, including the Paula’s Choice HA booster.
Second to last step is my moisturizer. I have three light creams I’m currently really enjoying for the morning: Drunk Elephant Protini, Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer, and the Volition Celery Green Cream.
Last, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, I apply my sunscreen. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs with sunscreens but I’ve settled on one recently my skin really seems to love: the Paula’s Choice Resist Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50.
PM Skincare Routine
Evening skincare routines are where I go ham. I often use it to break up my studying and give myself a break.
First I double cleanse almost every day. Even though I rarely use makeup on my face (except for mascara), I still wear sunscreen and need to be sure my face is totally clean.
My first cleanse is usually a balm cleanser. Two of my absolute favorites are the Eve Lom Cleanser and Drunk Elephant’s Slaai, but right now I’m using the Banila Co Balm Cleanser and really enjoying that as well.
My second cleanse is either a gel or a foam cleanser. I usually reach for my Fresh Beauty Soy Cleanser for this step – it’s such a trusty staple.
If I’m going to mask, I do it at this point. I reach for my Sand and Sky Pink Clay mask about 2 or 3 times a week depending on need, to help with blackheads and congestion. With this mask, I apply a layer of the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant under it, to really draw out any gunk.
Another mask staple is the Naturaculina Rose Berry Mask. I use this at least every other day, either as a full face mask or a spot treatment. It does wonders for cystic & hormonal acne and general soothing of inflammation or redness.
Of course these aren’t the only two masks I use, but they are high up in my rotation.
After rinsing off masks, I go in with my first toning step. This is the same as the morning, the Indie Lee COQ-10. I can’t say enough good things about this product – it’s so hydrating and light. After the toner I apply my eye products: the Fresh Black Tea Serum and Concentrate duo. These two are definitely on the pricey side, but I am about halfway through them and have been using them daily since May. So a lot of bang for your buck!
After eyes I do my essence – same as the morning, Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Essence. I’ve recently added the Amorepacific Single Extract Vintage Essence to my stash and am super excited to try incorporating this product in.
After essences, I go in with serums. First are my actives. Every few days I use a salicyclic acid, such as the PC Pore Purifier or the Caudalie Vinopure Serum. I also use the Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum every night. The final serum step is my hydrating serum (same options described above).
Next up I use my Sand and Sky Glow Drops again for extra hydration.
My final step is either a moisturizer or an oil, or a sleeping mask and an oil.
At night, I tend to reach for moisturizers that are a little thicker, such as DE’s Lala Retro or the Youth to the People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream. If I’m going with a sleeping mask, some of the ones that are heavy in my rotation are the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, the Fresh Rose Sleeping Mask or the Youth to the People Superberry Dream Mask.
As for facial oils, I’ve got more in my collection than I should, but some of my favorites are Herbivore’s Lapis, YTTP Superberry and the Indie Lee Squalene. I’ve also been testing some new boosters from Bybi Beauty that I’m enjoying incorporating into my routine.
The final step in my evening routine is to apply my Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask and the Eye Sleeping Mask. The Lip sleeping mask is a must especially in the winter as it prevents my lips from getting dry and cracked. With the eye mask, I’ve noticed less puffiness when I wake up in the morning.
Then, it’s off to bed!
Professional Care (Facials)
In addition to my daily skincare routine, I try my best to get a facial once a month. This is important especially for those who are acne or blemish prone, as professional extractions are vital for preventing huge breakouts. It’s also fun to try out new treatments that I can’t do on myself at home.
Let me know in the comments what your favorite step of your routine is!
