It’s technically still winter, but the warmer temperatures here have me switching out my heavier moisturizers for lightweight gel creams. I’ve also been trying to simplify my routine a bit – even though I have all the time in the world to delicately slather on multiple layers of skincare morning and night, as I’m still not leaving my house, I’ve come to view my skincare routine as another chore; just another thing I have to do to get through the day. It’s unfortunate, and I’m trying to get back to looking at my skincare routine as a true form of self-care, but for now, it’s quick and easy steps. I’ve also been testing more products than ever before, and my routine as admittedly been all over the place at times, but I’ll try to only mention the products that stood out and made my skincare routine feel less mundane.
Skin Type: Combination
Skin Concerns: Hormonal Acne, Hyperpigmentation, Dehydration
Climate: Desert/Dry
Discount Codes
I provide affiliate links to each product through retailers like Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, etc. However, I do have some active discount codes for some brands I mention if you wish to shop directly through the brand and save some $. If you shop through these links/codes, I may earn a small commission, and I am endlessly appreciative of your support.
Farmacy: Save 20% with code RACHAEL20
Mount Lai: 10% off with code RACHAEL10
OSEA: Save $10 off $90+ with code SKINCARESTANDARD
Versed: Save 10% with code SKINCARESTANDARD10
MORNING ROUTINE
CLEANSE
I used to wipe my face down with a micellar water in the mornings, but I’ve returned to using a traditional cleanser in my morning routine. I don’t really notice a difference with my skin either way, and I love the feeling of a soft cleansing milk after waking up. I have a lot of gel cleansers that I love (and reach for those more in the summer), but I’m all about milky cleansers right now. They always leave my skin feeling soft and nourished, and I find they help relieve the redness in my cheeks just a touch. I’m loving the Versed Gentle Cycle Milky Cleanser – it’s thinner in texture, but feels nourishing nonetheless. And, it’s only $15 (!!!). For a more luxurious cleansing experience, I reach for the OSEA Ocean Cleansing Milk or Aesop Gentle Facial Cleansing Milk – I’m obsessed with both and they’re richer in texture than the Versed, albeit pricier. The OSEA is fragrance-free, while the Aesop smells earthy thanks to the essential oils in the formula – something to keep in mind if you’re sensitive to fragrance.
TONE
I ran out of my hydrating toner, and when this happens, I reach for the first face mist I can find and use that as my toning step. Currently, I’m using up the Chantecaille Pure Rosewater – it’s nice, but not worth the $75 price tag. The Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin Mist is much more affordable, and a long time favorite I’ll always repurchase (it’s great for setting makeup, too). I also love the OSEA Sea Minerals Mist – it’s refreshing and balances + soothes skin.
ESSENCE
I wasn’t using an essence in my routine for a while (mainly because I ran out of my last one and forgot to reincorporate a new one), and I realized my skin was feeling drier than usual – nothing too concerning, but my makeup was looking dry and lifeless by the end of the day. When I received the Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence in a PR package, I immediately cracked it open, and have already noticed a difference in the hydration in my skin. I’ve gone through several bottles of this essence, and it’s a forever favorite – it’s thick and sticky upon application, but melts into the skin and leaves no tacky residue. It’s deeply moisturizing, and two pumps after toning (while my skin is still damp from toner) does the trick.
SERUM
I usually use two serums in the morning – one brightening, one hydrating – but I found one that’s both. The Summer Fridays CC Me Serum has been my go-to since I received it. It has a lightweight gel texture that doesn’t pill when combined with other products, and it brightens, hydrates + firms. It’s the perfect serum for my quick morning routine! I unfortunately just emptied this, but it’s fine, because now I’m testing the Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum. This one also has a lightweight gel texture that absorbs easily without pilling, and it’s got a faint ginger scent that smells refreshing. I haven’t been testing this long enough to provide a full review, but I’m enjoying it so far!
EYE CREAM
I’ve been testing the Shani Darden Intensive Eye Renewal Cream since it launched and really enjoy it. It’s a thicker cream, but it absorbs instantly without any pilling and feels lightweight on the skin. My undereyes are very dry, so I’m always reaching for a richer texture, as opposed to a gel cream – even in warmer weather. No complaints about this so far, and I love the mess-free pump packaging.
MOISTURIZER
I started using the Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Gel Cream shortly after it launched during the winter – I thought winter was a strange time to launch a gel cream, but I was surprised at how moisturizing this is! It’s lightweight and plumping and keeps my combination skin feeling moisturized all day, even before the weather started warming up. I also don’t experience any pilling when I layer my facial oils and sunscreen on top – a dream. On particularly cold and dry days, I reach for something heavier like the Farmacy Honey Halo or Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream, but will be reaching for Cloud Dew well into the warmer months.
FACIAL OIL
I love layering a good facial oil (even better, a facial oil cocktail) on top of my moisturizer to seal in hydration. I absolutely love the Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate Facial Oil, but it can sometimes be a bit too heavy and lead to pilling if I’m layering a thicker moisturizer underneath, so I like to mix it with a lighter facial oil like the Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Oil or Indie Lee Squalane Oil. I also just opened the new Pai Light Fantastic Facial Oil and love it so far – it’s packed with ceramides, which my barrier desperately craves. Facial oils also add a glow boost to my skin, and I like to wait a few minutes for them to absorb before moving on to sunscreen.
TOOLS
Using a gua sha in the morning became a big part of my morning routine this past year, but I eventually got lazy and stopped using it consistently somewhere along the way. I’m trying to get back into it, especially because the main reason why I use it is to relieve jaw tension (I grind my teeth at night). I always apply a facial oil to my skin before going in with my gua sha, to provide some slip to my skin, and massage over my jawline and wherever else I feel tension in my face. Mount Lai makes my favorite gua sha tools – they have so many different kinds, the quality is amazing, and the founder is a sweetheart.
SUNSCREEN
The last step is to always follow up with sunscreen, and an adequate amount of it. I like to use the “three finger method,” where I hold out three fingers and apply my sunscreen on each finger, then apply directly to my skin. My go-to for the last several months has been the Krave Beauty Beet Shield – it’s got a lightweight, fluid consistency that feels hydrating on the skin and leaves a dewy finish. I’m on my third bottle and will continue purchasing this sunscreen.
NIGHT ROUTINE
DOUBLE CLEANSE
Before going in with my traditional cleanser, I use an oil-based cleansing balm to break down makeup and sunscreen. My go-to has always been Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm – I can always count on it to gently remove everything without stripping my skin. I’ve gone through countless tubs of this and I’ll forever repurchase. On lighter or no makeup days, I like to reach for a cleansing oil – I just started using the Pai Skincare Lightwork Cleansing Oil, and it’s probably the best I’ve tried. It feels like I’m just massaging a facial oil into my skin; I almost forget I’m actually cleansing my face, but it works to break down makeup incredibly well. After oil cleansing, I’ll follow up with my water-based cleanser. I’ll pretty much opt for the same cleansing milks I use in the morning, but I’m also about to finish up the Moon Juice Milk Cleanse Gentle Foaming Cleanser. While it has a milky texture, it’s much thicker and very gently foams – it works incredibly well as a second cleanser.
TONE
I’ll use the same toner from my morning routine here. Once a week, though, I use an exfoliating toner – right now I’m using the REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic. It’s packed with AHAs and BHAs to exfoliate away dead skin, and a good chemical exfoliant is an absolute must in my routine for smooth, glowing skin. It packs a punch, which is why I only use it once a week (usually on Sundays), but can be used however often you’d like. Be careful not to overexfoliate!
ESSENCE
Same one from the morning, on damp skin to increase absorption. Or, if I want to treat myself, I’ll reach for The Treatment Lotion from La Mer. Although it’s called a lotion, it’s like a watery essence that delivers hydration to the skin, and it’s packed with La Mer’s signature Miracle Broth. It’s beautiful, but the price tag is steep, which is why I don’t reach for it often… but if I could, I would.
REPAIR SERUM
These are serums that help to repair the skin barrier, and I rely on them when my skin is irritated or use them alongside my chemical exfoliants or retinol to prevent irritation (I typically don’t use these every night – just when my skin feels like it needs them). The Concentrate from La Mer is an absolute favorite – although crazy expensive, it always helps to calm my skin when my barrier feels impaired. For a more affordable option, the Dr. Loretta Intense Replenishing Serum is a great dupe! I’m also using the Pai Instant Kalmer Serum, which is packed with barrier-repairing ceramides, when I don’t want to run through The Concentrate too quickly.
HYDRATING SERUM
I use a hydrating serum every night to deeply hydrate, firm, and plump my skin. I’ll pack hydration into my routine wherever I can to keep my moisture barrier happy and healthy – hydrated skin is healthy skin! I’m currently testing a new hyaluronic acid serum that I can’t yet share, but I’m so excited for when that time finally comes. Aside from that, I really love the Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Serum – it’s a great everyday hydrating serum that left my skin feeling soft and plump, and it’s got multi-molecular hyaluronic acid and vegan collagen. I’ll almost always opt for a hyaluronic acid serum with frills over a straight hyaluronic acid serum, but when I do reach for a simple serum, it’s the Hyaluronic Acid Serum from The INKEY List.
RETINOL SERUM
I’m currently using the Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Retinol Overnight Serum and love it – I apply about two pumps on top of my hydrating serum twice a week and haven’t experienced any irritation with this product. It helps to prevent visible signs of aging, and it’s also hydrating and firming. I have no complaints – it’s a solid option for those who are new to retinol or have sensitive skin.
EYE CREAM
Right now, I’m using the same eye cream as I use in my morning routine. I’ll eventually transition to using a retinol eye cream of some sorts at night, but for now, this is doing the trick!
MOISTURIZER
Even as the weather warms up, I still prefer to use a richer cream at night. My go-to for the past few months has been the Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream – it’s rich without feeling greasy, feels deeply nourishing, and works to support my skin’s moisture barrier. I also just cracked open the Caudalie Reservatrol Lift Firming Night Cream – it’s packed with hyaluronic acid and vegan collagen and It is RICH. It’s richer in texture than the Skinfix, so I’ve been using this on exfoliant and retinol nights.
FACIAL OIL
After my moisturizer, I’ll follow up with a facial oil to seal in moisture. I’ll usually use apply a sleeping mask beforehand, but I’ve been feeling lazy and can’t remember the last time I used a sleeping mask. Need to get back into it! Anyway, I’m loving the Indie Lee Squalane Oil at night – my skin thrives with this. I’ll also mix a few drops of a CBD facial oil with this; right now I’m using The Feelist’s Most Wanted Radiant Facial Oil. I find that a CBD oil or serum generally helps to calm my skin and any active breakouts I have.
LIP MASK
I ran out of my Laneige Lip Mask long ago and started using the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm overnight – I love it, but will want to try something else after I empty it.
EXTRAS
That’s it for my night routine, but if I have any active breakouts, I’ll apply a spot treatment or pimple patch. I generally dislike most spot treatments I try because they severely dry out the spot, making makeup application a nightmare, but the Succinic Acid Acne Treatment from The INKEY List shrinks my breakout without drying out the spot at all. If I need to, I’ll throw on a pimple patch to suck out the gunk from a pimple with the Alba Botanica Acne Patches. These aren’t my favorite (they stick to the skin a little too much, and they’re sometimes painful to remove), but they’re easily accessible at my Target. Lastly, if I have any dry or sensitive patches, I’ll slather on some Aquaphor or the REN Overnight Recovery Balm. I truly haven’t found anything that works better than Aquaphor on dry flakes, dry patches leftover from breakouts, or cracked skin. I’ll use the REN on more sensitive areas – breakouts that are still in the process of healing or general areas of irritation.
DISCLAIMER
While some products mentioned were gifted to me by the brand, all thoughts/opinions are my own. If you make a purchase through my affiliate links here, I may earn a small commission. I am endlessly appreciative of your support!
21