I knew when we got engaged that it was the perfect catalyst for taking better care of my skin. I had definitely been guilty of skipping a few skincare steps at night so having a reason to get serious about skincare was just what I needed! I’ve spent the last few months reading up on skincare, testing out new products, and being diligent about taking care of my skin every night. What’s interesting is that this newfound interest in skincare has transformed me from being too lazy to take off mascara at night (please tell me I’m not the only one…) to not being able to fall asleep if I haven’t at least washed my face and put on serum. I still don’t follow this routine every single night of the week but having a skincare routine worth striving for has made a huge difference both in the appearance of my skin and how I feel climbing into bed at night.
I’ve tried to find affordable drugstore products where possible but I’m also including the pricier miracle products that I think are worth the upgrade. Of course everyone’s skin is different so this is less a universal skincare regimen and more the steps I’ve taken to get a better handle on my personal skin concerns, which include dryness, sensitivity, acne, and aging (fun, right?). I frequently experiment with new products but these are the ones I’ve been using consistently for several months now. I’d love to hear about your personal skincare routine in the comments!
First I remove the day’s makeup with Neutrogena cleansing wipes ($5). I’ve used these for as long as I can remember and it’s one of those products where I feel like if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. They might not clean my skin 100% but I think they’re by far the easiest way to remove eye makeup. I stock up on Amazon and keep a pack on our bathroom counter, one in my cosmetic bag, etc.
Next I wash my face with BareMinerals blemish remedy cleanser ($20). It’s a clear gel cleanser that I apply to damp skin. It definitely leaves my skin feeling cleaner than makeup wipes alone and I like that it contains 1% salicylic acid to help combat breakouts.
I don’t do a face mask every night (closer to a couple times a week) but they’re definitely my newest skincare obsession! I’ve tried dozens of masks in the past few months, from detoxifying clay masks to super hydrating sheet masks and everything in between. I wrote a post on a few of my favorites here (and could definitely add to the list if you guys are interested!) but my two current favorites are the Tata Harper purifying mask ($65) and the Goop instant facial ($125).
The Tata Harper mask is all natural, has an amazing earthy smell that I love, and really purges my skin of all the bad stuff. The Goop instant facial contains tiny exfoliating beads and produces an immediate glow and softer texture in just 2-3 minutes. I think they’re both 100% worth the price but I’ve also seen results from more affordable masks including this First Aid Beauty red clay mask ($30), this Origins charcoal mask ($17), and these Korean sheet masks from Peach & Lily (starting at $2).
Whether or not I’ve done a face mask, my next step is to apply a toner. I’ve used this Caudalie moisturizing toner ($28) since a Sephora makeup artist recommended it to me a year and a half ago (and I’m only on my second bottle so you get a lot of it for the price!) and I love how well it hydrates my skin. I actually use this in the morning as well before applying sunscreen and it never leaves me feeling shiny during the day. I’m also obsessed with the scent which is really light and fresh and just smells the way I think clean skin should!
Next up I apply a botanical serum called Vintner’s Daughter ($185). I still have yet to find a Vintner’s Daughter review that isn’t overwhelmingly positive so I finally broke down and splurged to see what all the fuss is about. I almost wanted to hate it so I wouldn’t fall in love with such a pricey product but alas… This is probably the one product I’d want with me on a deserted island. The founder’s family owns a vineyard (hence the name) and set out to create a serum from whole plants (not just extracts) to address inflammation, discoloration, and cystic acne at a cellular level.
It’s honestly helped my acne more than any other product I’ve tried and leaves my skin soft and glowy every time. I use the push-press technique explained on the packaging, where you literally press the serum into your skin for thirty seconds to make sure your skin absorbs as much as possible. Personally I use 3-4 drops instead of the recommended 6-8 just to stretch out time between bottles and find it’s more than enough to cover my face. I know the $185 price tag causes some sticker shock but I know I’ve spent more than that on a pair of shoes and hello, my skin is way more important!
Lastly I apply moisturizer, paying particular attention to my forehead (where fine lines are more prominent on dry skin) and around my eyes. I like this Philosophy renewed hope in a jar moisturizer ($47) because it doesn’t leave my skin looking shiny the next morning but was recently sent the Erno Laszlo white marble cream ($115) and have been really impressed with that as well. Moisturizer is something I feel I have to experiment a lot with to find products that actually sink into my skin and don’t leave me with excess shine so I’d love to hear from any of you who feel you’ve found your holy grail moisturizer so to speak!
Whew! I’m sorry this turned into a bit of an essay but hopefully you’ve found a new product or two in the process! Skincare is a newer interest of mine and there’s so much information out there that I’ve really had to experiment and see what works best for me. If you’re interested in doing more research, I’ve loved reading recommendations from Simply B, The Chriselle Factor, and The Stripe!
Shop the post: