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A few of you have asked about my skincare routine. I am by no means an expert, but I am pretty happy with my current routine.
In the morning, I wipe my face with Thayer’s Rose Witch Hazel. This gets off any sweat, non-absorbed night cream, and that little bit of mascara that ends up under your eyes even though you thought you got off all your makeup the night before.
Then I apply eye cream – I am currently using The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Eye Cream. I used to use it back when I worked for the company but switched to higher-end formulas and types with treatments for dark circles, puffiness, or aging. I got this as a free sample with a beauty purchase and I must say I am digging it again – it absorbs quickly, seems to reduce puffiness, and keep the eye area soft and hydrated.
I then take a scoop of Philosophy’s Vitamin C Turbo Booster and put it in the palm of my hand, and add two pumps of the L’Oreal Youth Code Serum. Mix together, and rub into skin until fully absorbed. I’ve been using the Philosophy powder for a little over a year and I think it has made my skin look better, and I think it also helps protect it from further damage. Once absorbed, I add my SPF moisturizer. Right now I am using Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair and like it – no irritation, not greasy, and SPF 30.
In the evening, I add two pumps of DHC Deep Cleansing Oil to my hand and rub over my face. I give myself a bit of a face massage during this, massaging upwards to get in the pores and boost circulation. Then I use Avene Thermal Spring Water to remove it. I spray the water on my face and use a cotton round to remove it. It usually takes 2-3 sprays to get everything off. I then apply the same Body Shop eye cream.
For years I have used ROC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream off and on, and always wonder why I stray. Reasonable price, doesn’t irritate, and I think makes my skin look better. Lately I have been switching between ROC and Arcona’s The Solution because I got it as a free sample and like it. I rub it in until fully absorbed, and then apply night cream. Usually I use Olay Regenrist (or the CVS version), but I also got a free sample of Caudalie Premier Cru which is ah-may-zing but not in my budget so I pamper myself with it once a week or so.
GOING GREEN: While you can use cotton balls, rounds or even sturdy toilet paper to apply skincare products, I highly recommend reusable cotton rounds – they work just as well, save you money and reduce waste. Just toss in your laundry, they get softer with time. You can find some great ones on Etsy.
Though this is my standard daytime and evening regimen, I do play with other products:
- Clarisonic Mia and CeraVe: This is the combo my husband and I use in the shower. If I am showering at night or before going out, I will use this combo to do a deep cleaning.
- Mary Kay TimeWise Microdermabrasion Kit: I received this free a couple months ago and do it once or twice a month to give my skin a glow.
- The Body Shop Vitamin E Mist: I keep this beside my bed to add some extra hydration, use it to set makeup or make my face a bit moist before applying foundation, and always carry it when flying to hydrate on the plane.
- Vaseline: It is also beside my bed. I add to my lips before I go to sleep, and if I have dry patches on my face I’ve been known to slap it on them as well to heal as I sleep.
- Toothpaste: I am allergic to salicylic acid, which is unfortunate because that stuff will clear up a zit like nobody’s business. Nothing else I have tried is anywhere as good… except old fashioned toothpaste. I’ll put a blob on before bed and wake up to a zit that is 90% gone.
What are your favorite skincare products?
I love the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil! I use the DHC and wipe it off with Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution. The DHC Make Off Sheets are awesome as well.
Thanks for the idea for the reusable cotton rounds! Will definitely be getting some.
I just recently found your site. You are an absolute favorite over at You Look Fab. So I decided to finally check it out. Your blog is 5 star. Coincidentally, I was looking for a more streamlined routine and you had this post around the time that I found your blog. I am switching to a serum that has Vitamin C, E, feurlic acid ( all antioxidants) and Matrixyl ( a non harsh substitute for retinol ) and hyaluronic acid ( for a water loving molecule ). I use all these these separately right now and the routine is exhausting me. LOL ! So I am hoping that all I need is this serum at night and then the serum in the morning with sunblock . If I need extra moisture in the winter, Oil of Olay or Nivea soft skin. Thank you for the witch hazel idea. I LOVE it !
I should have mentioned that I use Cerave moisturizing facial cleaner and the Clarisonic. I am 49 and my skin can get pretty dry in the Winter. XXXXX
Thanks for the tip about the reusable cotton pads. Seems like a no brainer, but I never would have thought of it!
I’ve been talking about purchasing a Clarisonic Mia for some time now and your post just reminded me I need to buy it.
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Love the Thayer’s Rose Petal Witch Hazel. It’s so soothing in the morning to remove previous night’s moisturizer. I’ll look into the L’Oreal Youth Code Serum.
I have been known to rock the toothpaste to help shrink a zit! So bizarre that it works! I also use the Youth Code, that is part of my morning routine. And I use the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle as my night cream. I need to be better about my skin, so articles like this always help!
I am also allergic to salicylic acid. I try to keep it natural with my skin, so I use Silk Naturals cleansing oil at night followed by serum from Garden of Wisdom, sealed in with cocoa butter (warmed on my heating pad.) For day I use Silk Natural’s Green T and Aloe serum, either Garden of Wisdom or 100% Pure eye cream in an attempt to shrink my eye bags, and DeVita Solar Body Block used as a face cream. I top it either with Missha BB cream or Suncat mineral makeup if I”m wearing makeup, then mist with rosewater. I do not wash my face with anything but water in the AM.
I’ve never heard of reusable cotton rounds before. I bought a package of cheap wash cloths to use for removing makeup at night. They get stained, but I have nicer ones to put out for guests. Also, the cheaper ones are a little rougher than nice wash cloths, which helps exfoliate your face. You do have pretty skin, so it’s no wonder people want to know your skin care routine.
My best find is Clinique’s Turnaround concentrate – I find that it makes a visible difference in plumping my skin, smoothing lines and making it softer.
I’ve never tried the Philosophy Turbo Boost – but I have bought powdered Vitamin C from Trader Joe’s. I mix it in with toner or lotions like you do. But the TJs stuff is a fraction of the price! I think I paid around $12 for a 16oz jar. And you can use it for other things as well. I sometimes mix it in fruit smoothies for a vitamin C boost, and to keep the colors bright.
I should add – the TJs powder can be a bit “chunky”. I would guess the Philosophy stuff is more finely milled – but I just give it a bit longer to dissolve.
I’m really intrigued by the reusable cotton rounds. Do you have a sense of how well they hold up over time? Thanks very much!
I’ll be writing a post in detail about them in the near future (probably next week if I get around to finishing it this weekend!). But we did cotton wipes for Emerson (did cloth diapers) and they are made in the same manner. She’s four now and while a couple did fall apart at the seams, it’s like 6 of them to the 40 we had. The rest are still rocking, great for wiping runny noses and sticky fingers, we throw in the wash and dryer. Most of these types of cloth rounds are made by people who make cloth wipes for babies and they use the scrap material. They’re of cotton, flannel (my favorite), and velour, two pieces with serging or blanket stitching to hold them together quite securely.
I am very interested in your review as well. I use 2-3 cotton balls to remove my eye makeup every evening. Can you test the cotton rounds with eye makeup and tell us how they launder?
Right now I’m using Murad’s redness reducing line; I splurged on the cleanser, serum, and daytime moisturizer with SPF. I supplement with dry brushing (not just my face but my whole body, really silkens the skin) and Philosophy’s Vitamin C 2 step peel, which is my desert island product! It’s expensive, but I found it on QVC with easy pay.
I’d never thought about reusable cotton rounds – what a brilliant idea. Thanks for sharing!
I love the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair creams! I use the nighttime version but just use a store-brand SPF during the day to save money. I truly could not believe the change it made in my skin’s texture and tone. I am almost 32 so I have a few wrinkles that don’t go away, and I have noticed a big improvement since I started using this! I quit it for a few months to save money but went back because my skin looked so haggard without it. I have super sensitive skin and Neutrogena is one of the few brands that won’t irritate my skin and make me break out. I have been using their Tinted Moisturizer for almost 10 years now; every so often I decide I want to mix it up, buy a different brand, break out horribly, and go back to my beloved Neutrogena.
Since we’re talking skin care, I started using the oil cleansing method (olive oil, castor oil, and tee tree oil – my own blend) two months ago and again, huge change in my skin. I mean, I used to HATE my skin and I tried every product under the sun. No matter what I tried, including prescriptions, I ended up with nasty acne that would linger for weeks. I had pretty much given up on having decent skin, then I switched to this oil method. My mind was blown! I still break out but the pimples are significantly less severe, plus they go away much faster as well. My skin’s texture and tone are better AND I no longer have any dryness. I used to have an oil slick on my face by noon while certain areas of my face would still be dry and scaly. So gross! This method has solved that problem completely. I truly recommend it to anyone who struggles with their skin, such a vast improvement!