I met some people recently, and we got to talking about skincare. We were discussing various products like cleansing oils, serums and toners or lotions. I was mildly surprised (putting it mildly) when the consensus was that including cleansing, the most products the other ladies put on their faces was 3, maybe 4.
I sat there quietly counting in my head the number of products I use, and my brain shut down after 5. At any one time, I use at least 8 products, especially at night. Sometimes, its 9 if I’m doing a mask. I don’t know when was the last time I did 3 or 4 and left it at that.
So, I’m curious. Just how many products do you use in your skincare routine for day and night?
The picture above is what I’m using currently for my night time skincare routine. I double cleanse as a general rule so that’s 2 cleansers. I use a wipe off gel exfoliator thingy, a lotion or face spray, my pre-serum, a serum and then a moisturizer mixed with an oil. Some items may change in terms of brand, but my skin has benefited from this regime and as I’ve been doing this for quite a while now, I don’t intend to stop.
In the day, the list is markedly shorter. A face wash, a facial spray, serum, moisturiser and sunscreen. If I skip the serum, that’s 4 items already.
I’m not saying that less is more or that more is better. There are many schools of thought on this and I subscribe to none. I do what my skin likes and prefers and so long as my skin is happy, I’m happy too. I must say though that ever since I set up this sort of routine, I have been seeing better results on my skin. Does it take me longer? Not really. It never takes me more than a few seconds to pat or apply everything on in any case.
Someone with more problematic skin may benefit from using fewer products. We’re all different. But it would be interesting to know just how many is your optimum number 🙂
Your Say: How many products do you use as part of your daily skincare routine?
Paris B
Evelyn Chang says
For me, I used
Morning:
Cleanser
Toner
Essence
Sun screen
make up
Night:
Cleanser
toner
moisturizer
mask(few times per week)
Paris B says
Wow that’s diligent of you to use a mask few times a week. I’ve been forgetting to lately and by the time I remember, I”ve got all my skincare on 😛
Liz says
Morning:
Cleanser (Will choose 1 out of 4 that I have.)
Toner
Eye cream (Will choose 1 out of 3 that I have.)
Skin Inc Serum
Laneige Pore Clear Essence
Laneige Pore Tight Essence
Skin Inc Moisturizer
Etude House Gel Sunblock
Shiseido Primer
SK-II Pancake Powder Foundation
Night:
Laneige Cleansing Oil
Cleanser
Toner
Eye cream
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
SK-II Whitening Serum
Laneige Pore Tight Essence
Yes, my dressing table is full but I’m trying to cut down. =_= I should be thrown into a skincare rehab one of these days since I can’t stop buying new stuff to try on. I have oily, acne-prone skin which is under control every now and then. My main concerns are breakouts and acne red marks.
Paris B says
LOL Sounds like my dressing table and I would probably need to join you in skincare rehab too 😉 By the way, I tried a sample of the Laneige Cleansing Oil once and I quite liked it! I didn’t get the full size one yet though.
melchewvin says
Day:
Clarisonic with Clarisonic fresh gel cleanser
Kanebo Blanchir superior conditioner
SK2 facial treatment essence
Diorsnow day essence
Kanebo Blanchir superior milky conditioner
Clarins SPF40 sunblock
Night:
Fancl mild cleansing oil
Clarisonic with Clarisonic fresh gel cleanser
Kanebo Blanchir superior conditioner
SK2 facial treatment essence
Diorsnow day essence
Dior Hydralife sorbet essence
Kanebo Blanchir superior milky conditioner
Laniege sleeping mask (twice a week)
Paris B says
Oh hey! The first person I’ve seen using Kanebo Blanchir! I like their products but haven’t used them in a while 🙂
melchewvin says
Yeah I like Kanebo but I’m thinking of changing to Diorsnow cause Blanchir does not provide the moisture that I want.
Paris B says
Ah I noticed that too! Blanchir isn’t very moisturizing. But then, I don’t find Diorsnow particularly very moisturizing either, although the Lotion is quite good.
lyn says
Erm, I don’t even count anymore. Buuuuut since you asked…
Day:
cleanser, toner (sometimes), serum, moisturiser, eye gel, sunscreen = 6 steps
Night:
eye makeup remover, cream/oil cleanser, foaming cleanser, toner, treatment oil, serum, sometimes another serum, moisturiser, eye cream = 9 steps
Extras (depending on mood):
scrub, clarisonic, mask, lip treatment, pimple gel
You’re only talking about “facial” skincare, right?
Paris B says
LOL!! yes, just the face 😀 I don’t quite treat the rest of me as well except for oiling myself up every night with my body oils 😀
C says
Wow, this is interesting. Love seeing how many products people use, and how many people stick to using the same brand/line for their products. My routine is
DAY
Cleanse, lotion, (serum), eye cream, moisturise, sunscreen
NIGHT
remove makeup, cleanse, (exfoliate), lotion, (serum), eye cream, moisturiser, hydrator (clinique moisture surge or laneige sleeping pack), eczema creams x2 or 3
my night routine is fairly long as I have more time then and I need loads of different moisturizers/hydrators that I use on different parts on my face and neck in various quantities to keep my skin from drying out, despite having combination skin. In the morning I’m always rushing so I don’t have time to really take care of my skin. Things in brackets I don’t do every day but at least once weekly!
Paris B says
I noticed that many people stick to the same brands too! I’m one of those who mix everything up depending on my mood. Its been ages since I actually stuck to one line because I never found everything good enough to stick to 😉 It sounds like you have a good routine down. Like you, I spend more time at night too because of that morning time constraint 😉
Julia says
Morning:
Bioderma Micellar Lotion (don’t want to get my face into contact with water twice a day)
rarely moisturizer
sunscreen (Japanese mild milks)
BB Cream and/or mineral foundation
Night:
Cleansing Oil/Liquid/Gel
Foam Wash
Wipe-off toner or Bioderma again
sometimes a moisturizing lotion/toner
moisturizer, sleeping pack instead occasionally
Paris B says
I’ve been using the Bioderma Micellar Lotion recently but not very often. I prefer using it on days when I have a late night or am too tired to wash my face after an evening out 🙂
Sunny says
Day:
A face wash (I have several that I rotate depending on my mood really haha)
A toner
La Roche Posay Effaclar K for my T-zone
Kiehl’s Dark Spot Corrective serum for my cheeks
A lotion/BB Cream (trying Hydra Life out at the moment. It actually is hydrating enough to double as a lotion for me)
Night:
Bioderma Sensibio
Philosophy Purity Made Simple
A toner
La Roche Posay Effaclar K for my T-zone
Khiel’s Midnight Recovery Serum for my cheeks
Annnd that’s it! I’ve tried to layer a lotion on top, but this works well as it is so I often skip the step!
Paris B says
LOL!! I rotate different face washes in the mornings too depending on my mood 😀 It sounds like you have got a nice effective routine there. How are you finding the Kiehl’s serum? Is that the one in the clear bottle? I have been quite curious about it 😀
Sunny says
Hey Paris, I just started a week ago so I can’t tell just yet! I’ve taken my “before” pictures (the spots look SO scary up close grr), and I’ll take some more as time progresses. Let’s hope it’ll do something! I’m not really bothered by them yet, but I vow to practice better sun protection from now on and prevent more from popping up! I’ll keep you posted about the serum 🙂
Paris B says
Will look out for your review! 😉 Talk to me about scary dark spots! I’ve lived with mine for so long my best friend is concealer LOL!
Shay says
I am facing some troubled skin lately, so I have cut down the products that I use.
Morning – cleanser, unclogging pore toner, unclog pore essence (on troubled area only), day moisturizer, sunblock = 5 items
I follow with makeup after that.
Night – eye makeup remover, 2 cleansers, whitening toner, acne concentrate, pore unclogging essence, serum (tried to add khiel’s Mnrc over it but ended up with bumps…so I just alternate them) = 7 items
I could have done 2 more than the above when I have better skin. 😀
Paris B says
That’s not too bad 🙂 I found that I have better skin with what I”m using now – 8 to 9 products in the evening – than when I was just using about 4 or 5. My wallet moans a lot of course 😛
Firn says
I’m using mostly products prescribed by my derm because I’ve had laser procedures done with her. The only non-prescription item is my cleanser.
Day:
La-Roche Posay demaquillant gel
Vit ACE serum
Moisturiser (light): I mix this with Laneige hydro gel sometimes
Sunblock
Night:
La-Roche Posay demaquillant gel
Vit ACE serum
Moisturiser: a heavier one mixed with a tiny bit of Laneige sleeping pack (used on my neck too)
Night:
Paris B says
Ah laser procedures do need special care! I had a mild zap a while ago but didn’t keep it up because I wasn’t quite sold on the idea and the upkeep 😛
Firn says
Au contraire, laser procedures only need regular skincare especially diligent application of sunblock. But you do need more than one session to see results. I find that my blemishes heal faster after having a session.
I just use prescription skincare because I have extremely sensitive skin and I want to break the cycle of breakouts from trying new skincare that may not work. Plus she does a more affordable dupe of Skinceuticals ACE serum that my mum and I love.
Liyeun says
Hi, would love to share mine too!
Day cleanser: Aesop Fabulous Face Cleanser
Day toner: Aesop Parsley Seed
Day Moisturizer: Aesop Mandarin
Eyecream: Just finish Lancome’s Genefique, currently using Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery
Sunscreen: alternate btwn Dermalogica’s Oil-free spf20 & Clarins transparent spf 40
My skincare regime at night? Just minus the sunscreen!!! Amazingly, Aesop makes good basic moisturizers which doesnt cause my skin to break out. I also realize the more i put on my face, it cant breathe!!! I discovered this when i was pregnant and i was using the whole set from clarins, which causes me to break out though i had used clarins for 10 years!!!! So after i switch to aesop, so far so good…
Paris B says
Thanks for sharing, Liyuen! Its good to know that Aesop works well for you. I have never really used their products in full size but I remember having a few sachets of their samples which lasted me well enough on a trip and I was quite keen to get them… and then forgot LOL! 😀 Now you’ve reminded me again
Michelle Beh says
Interesting topic Paris B!!! My routine is as below :
Daytime: Cleanser, Toner, Moisturizer, Eye gel and Sunscreen(When im not lazy =.=)
Nighttime: Cleanser, Toner, Moisturizer, Serum , Eye gel.
These are my routines for skincare 🙂
Paris B says
Ooh Michelle, skimp on the eye gel but not the sunscreen, I hope! Its the only one true anti-aging product 🙂
Michelle Beh says
Lol!! You are correct indeed Paris B..Other than a little laziness sometimes which I must change this attitude, I hardly found any sunscreen which suit my skin as I dislike those sticky feeling on my face after putting on sunscreen. Any recommendation Paris B?
Paris B says
Hmm… many new sunscreens aren’t sticky anymore. I personally like Hada Labo, Clarins and the new Shiseido one. Not sticky and give a nice finish and good base for makeup so that cuts out one step of makeup! 😉
Michelle Beh says
Thanks for the recommendation!!! Will definitely try out those brands =D
Mira says
Day :
Diorsnow cleanser, Avene thermal water, Diorsnow toner, Clarins shaping facial lift, SK-II facial treatment essence, Diorsnow spot corrector, Diorsnow day essence, Diorsnow emulsion, Diorsnow sunblock, Dior Hydra essence-in-base, Makeup.
Night :
SK-II cleansing oil, Soap & Glory Scrub Your Nose in it, St. Ives Apricot Scrub, Diorsnow wipe-off gel, Clarins shaping facial lift, SK-II facial treatment essence, Diorsnow spot corrector, Diorsnow night essence, Estee Lauder hydrationist serum (for forehead only since my forehead kinda dry), Estee Lauder Hydra complete eye cream, Diorsnow night cream, Estee Lauder moisture cream (again for forehead only).
Mine kinda long. I’m turning 20 this year, and I use this much already. Haha… >.<
Paris B says
Wow your skin must be amazing 🙂 I wasn’t this diligent at 20 and am naturally paying for it now 😛
Amex says
Good one. Never really thought of my routine. Here goes..
Daytime
Cleanser > Toner > Serum > Day moisturiser > Eye cream > Sunblock
Night
Oil cleanser > Facial wash (with the Clarisonic) > Toner > Serum > Spot remover/brightener > Eye cream > Night moisturiser
Hmmm.. so 6 items for day and 8 at night. I do use a mask about once a week (when I can be bothered) and go for monthly facials. I do notice that since I’ve started pampering my skin, its gotten better and I hardly have problems.
Paris B says
Me too! I find going for regular facials help my skin too. All that regular facial massage, deep cleanse and extractions do wonders for my skin’s health 😀
Sarah Karenina says
Very interesting to read skincare’s people ! I’m so curious ! 😀
21 years old girl, here’s my skincare routine !
Morning :
– MyChelle white cranberry cleanser,
– Thayers cuncumber & witch hazel toner (alcohol free)
– Etat-Pur green tea pure active
– Aroma-Zone jojoba oil
– Jonzac hydrating eye cream
– Sunscreen
Night :
– Clinique Cleansing Balm Take The Day Off
– MyChelle White Cranberry Cleanser,
– Thayers Cuncumber & Witch Hazel toner (alcohol free)
– Aroma-Zone wheat germ oil
– Burt’s Bee repair serum (on my future wrinkle and as an “eye cream”)
Each week :
– Clarisonic with cleansing gel
– MyChelle Pumpkin Peel Mask
– Dr Hauschka Revitalising Mask
– Sanoflore Purifying Aromatic Mask
Aroma-Zone, Jonzac and Etat-Pur are French brands 🙂
Paris B says
Thanks for sharing, Sarah. I haven’t come across many of the brands you mention but when you said they are French brands, it made sense 😀 There are so many good French brands that I may not have heard of either so thanks for bringing my attention to them!
Christine says
Oh my god! reading this i felt so lazy. I only use a mask once a week 🙁
Paris B says
Eeeps! And no other skincare daily at all?
Stacey says
here’s mine:
DAY (7 products):
Biotherm Aquasource Cleanser
Biotherm Aquasource Toner
Lancome Genefique
Lancome Visionnaire
Biotherm Aquasource Moisturiser
Estee Lauder Time Zone Eye cream
Biore SPF50 sunscreen
NIGHT (10 products):
Neutrogena eye makeup remover
Bioderma makeup remover
Lunasol cleansing oil
Biotherm Aquasource Cleanser
Biotherm Aquasource Toner
Clinique Even Better Serum
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum
Biotherm Aquasource Moisturiser
Estee Lauder Time Zone Eye cream
Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate
eeeps. am i overloading my face with products?
Paris B says
Haha that would be all our concerns 🙂 I don’t think you are. Other than the multiple removers/cleansers, theres the basic toner/lotion, double serum and moisturiser that I see in most of our regimes 🙂
Rozae says
ok Paris B, let me get down & dirty about my skin care routine!
Day:
1) Wash = switch between: Laneige Multi Cleanser or Omar Sharif Re20 Essential Silky Foaming Cleanser
2) Serum = switch between: Iope Moisture Lasting Serum or Avon Anew Rejuvenate Flash Facial
3) SPF = Switch between: Laneige UV Total Base in 2 natural finish or NARS TM in Alaska or Missha Perfect Cover in no.23
4) Makeup
Night:
1) Remove eye makeup with Laneige Lip & Eye Remover Waterproof
2) Remove face makeup with Kiehl’s Oil-Based Cleanser
3) Wash face = switch between: Laneige Multi Cleanser or Omar Sharif Re20, Essential Silky Foaming Cleanser
4) Toner = Madara Deep comfort toner
5) Oil = Avon Anew Rejuvenate Glycolic Facial Treatment
6) Moisturizer = switch between: Avon Anew Rejuvenate Revitalizing Cream or Shiseido White Lucent or Paula’s Choice 2% beta hydroxy acid
7) Eye Cream : Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm
8) Lips = Vasaline
Once a week:
Wash = DDF Brightening Cleanser
Exfoliate = Murad Age Reform AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Mask = Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
Mask = Mario Badescu Whiting Mask (If I have pimples)
I didn’t realized I use so many products until I wrote this ?
Paris B says
Haha few of us realised it! Thanks for sharing your routine! I see a nice mix of brands and products in there.
Beauty Mish Mash says
I use an oil cleanser, toner and moisturiser every night. Sometimes I also use a serum if my skin is feeling dry, and once a week I like to exfoliate and use a face mask! I think that removing make up is the most time consuming thing, so once that’s done it’s easy to keep going!:)
Paris B says
You’re right! Once you get stuck in a routine, it actually doesn’t take too long to put on the rest of the skincare 🙂
plue says
i have cut things down to 3, or the most 4, including cleansers.
Day: cleanser, serum/ moisturizer, eyecream (sometimes I skip) and sunscreen
Night: cleanser, serum/ moisturizer, eyecream (sometimes I skip)
only when my skin is drier than normal then i’ll use both serum and moisturizer together. i think my skin behaves better than when I pile on products and i notice some products work better if I have lesser stuff on my face 🙂 maybe i’ll write about that soon…
Paris B says
Great to know your routine works for you 🙂 I use substantially less in the day than I do at night. Maybe because I have the luxury of time at night 😀
Lumi says
Right now, I’m trying new, unfamiliar moisturizers/serums. Still on the hunt for HG products.
Night:
Cleanser
Serum (I just started trying serums so before them, I used Salicylic acid/acne spot treatment.)
Moisturizer
Sometimes, I use eye creams (testing) and masks. I love masks. 😀
With the new products in my routine, I don’t know if I should add more products in (like back to my toner and/or my acne treatment.) I’m waiting to see if I get any adverse reactions from the new products and to see any benefits. And I’m kinda worried that a combo of products (old/tried and new) will create adverse effects. So I guess I’m in that experimentation stage and I don’t have a solid, set plan yet.
Idk if I should alternate certain products on different nights.
Morning:
Cleanser
Moisturizer
Sunscreen (if my foundation doesn’t have it and if I remember~)
Paris, I was wondering how long do you test moisturizers?
How long do you test serums?
Paris B says
I test all skincare for at least 3-4 weeks because our skin can react differently within that time and its useful to know just whether the product can work over all the hormonal changes that goes on every month 🙂 I don’t alternate too many brands of similar products at any one time. So I’m using X brand cleanser, I usually finish it up before I switch to another unless I am asked to test a new A brand cleanser, then I’ll slot it in in place of X for 3-4 weeks or unless I get a reaction immediately then I stop. I don’t know if that makes sense 😛