Last year, I shared some of the skincare I was using on a daily basis and 2 years ago, I shared my day and night skincare routine. I thoroughly enjoyed how everyone chipped in to share all of your day and night routines too! I thought it would be interesting to revisit it annually and see how far or not we have come and whether my and your routine have been working for you.
Towards the end of 2012, and in early 2013 my skin went crazy. I had a lot of problems with breakouts and for some reason, everything went out of control. I didn’t even change my skincare which really puzzled me. What I did then was to pare back my skincare to the bare minimum – cleanse, tone and moisturise. Slowly, I got things under control and then, I started getting back into a routine.
It might interest you to know that for the most part, I have been using this range of skincare day and night for at least 6 months now in various combinations and I’ve had the best skin that I’ve ever had in all my years *touchwood*! Granted, it’s not flawless nor perfect, but it’s the best I’ve ever had, I can walk out without makeup if I wanted to (imperfections and all) and that makes me very happy.
So here is my present skincare routine and some quick notes on what I might change or switch out as I go along. I can’t say I’ll be using this same routine in another 6 months, but who knows eh? Do share your routine too! Has it changed from a year ago? Is your skin doing better now than it was 6 or 12 months ago?
Skincare routine – Day
My day routine is as simple today as it was 2 years ago. The only thing that has changed are the products I use. For some reason, I’ve found that everything I’m using now is keeping my skin clear and treating it better than it has ever been. Perhaps its the combination? I can’t tell, but if it works, stick with it!
- Cleanse – Antipodes Juliet Skin Brightening Gel Cleanser – I like this one. It’s very gentle on my skin and very refreshing. I tested it, liked it and then set it aside. But then, I started using it consistently and it seems to help my skin stay clear. Its not drying at all and it lasts ages! I have a selection of face washes to pick from but I pick up this one every morning. I sense a repurchase coming on when the time comes.
- Tone – Estee Lauder Nutritious Radiant Vitality Energy Lotion Fresh Moist – Ever since I rediscovered the benefits of using a toner, I have kept one in rotation but this one has made me sit up for the first time, and notice how well it works on my skin. I wipe a moistened cotton pad over my face and it refreshes my skin and seems to infuse it with a layer of moisture and awakens my skin, leaving it feeling and looking more radiant. Is it just this toner? I don’t know. All I know is that since I added it to my routine, I’ve had better looking skin than before. I’m down to the last few ml and I will be trying out other lotions, but there is a chance I might keep a bottle of this on standby.
- Serum – Diorsnow D-NA Control White Reveal Day Essence – I do think that this, together with the Anti Spot Serum does keep my skin tone clearer and more even, but freckles and pigmentation are still there in their glory. I am presently using this purely to finish it up and then move on to a hydrating serum. No plans to repurchase.
- Serum – Diorsnow Anti-Spot Serum – Ditto what I said above. I only use this one on my cheeks where the pigmentation is worst, but its still there. I feel like my skin texture has improved somewhat but I can’t tell if its this serum or just overall care that is sparking this change. I have no plans to repurchase this either and am only using to finish it up. Its taking a surprisingly long time!
- Moisturise – Origins Make A Difference Plus+ and Ginzing moisturiser – I just introduced the Ginzing moisturiser into my routine about a month ago and I’m liking it so much I decided to include it here. I was previously using the Make A Difference Plus+ for the past 3 months and it definitely made a difference in my skin for the day. Ginzing is lighter but they both work well as day moisturisers and I like how far they go! Barely making a dent in either pot although I can forsee myself finishing up the Make A Difference Plus+. My skin loves it and it has made a difference!
- Sunscreen – Shiseido Perfect UV SPF50 – This is my sunscreen and makeup primer in one. Best thing ever. No plans to replace this in my routine. Ever!
Skincare routine – Night
You could say the basics of my skincare routine doesn’t change. I always have in there a cleanser, toner, serum and moisturiser. At night, I include a makeup remover. In the past 2 years, my makeup remover was cleansing oil but things have changed somewhat.
- Eye makeup remover – Face of Australia Gentle Makeup Remover – I’m about halfway through this one and it’s a very nice, very gentle makeup remover. Face of Australia is from Australia as you might expect, and I think it’s a good and affordable product. It is a bi-phase makeup remover and does a good clean job so I have absolutely no complaints! Well, except for the fact its not available here in Malaysia 😛
- Face makeup remover – Bioderma Sensibio Micelle Solution – This is perhaps the biggest change in my routine in the past 2 years. I now eschew cleansing oils as I find them too drying on my combination-dry skin and I’ve found that micellar cleansing waters work better for me. Might this be the reason for my clearer, less clogged skin? I don’t know. Perhaps it is, perhaps its a whole combination of everything else. This one is a mainstay simply because I like it!
- Cleanse – Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Purifying Gel – 2 years ago, I told you this was my bathroom staple. It’s still holding onto its title. No change there. You may notice I use different cleansers in the day and night. Its by choice for a couple of reasons. I use a more gentle cleanser in the morning when my skin isn’t at all dirty after a night’s sleep. I use something a little more clarifying in the evening to remove all the day’s dirt from my skin. So, if I come across a gentle face cleanser, I slot it into my day routine and I keep something a little stronger for the evening. So far, this is the only one I ever want to use so the point is moot 😛
- Tone – Estee Lauder Nutritious Radiant Vitality Energy Lotion – Back to a quick wipe of this lotion all over to refresh my skin as I did in the morning.
- Serum – Diorsnow Anti-Spot Serum – Again, another item I use in the morning that I repeat at night. The primary reason is to use it up because I don’t see my skin getting any clearer and whiter 😛
- Anti-Aging Serum – Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair – Brown bottle of goodness all over! I’ve gone back to using this one because my skin just seems better with it than without.
- Additional oil – Estee Lauder Nutritious Essence Oil – I actually blend this with No. 8 so it shouldn’t sit on its own. At one time, I was using this first and then a moisturiser blended with the oil but I wanted to cut back on the items I use so I cut out the extra step.
- Moisturise – Dior Capture Totale Night Cream – I end my evening routine with a rich thick layer of this lovely night cream blended with 2-3 drops of the EL Nutritious oil. I used to blend it with Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate but I found that the Nutritious Oil seems to work better with the cream because my skin looked better. I blend the oil because the cream itself is quite thick. Adding a couple of drops of oil thins out the texture and seems to make my skin more supple. On its own, this cream is amazing. If I have to attribute the turning point of my skin it will be this cream. My best investment so far!
If my skin gets clogged or starts to breakout, I sometimes use 2 moisturisers, using a La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo cream as my moisturiser for the problem areas until it gets better.
Once or twice a week, I slap on a sheet mask to cool my skin down and to boost hydration. When my skin feels a little dehydrated, I pat on a little Dr. Lewinns Line Smoothing Complex Super Hydrator and it immediately feels better. I don’t use a physical scrub anymore. My skin now finds it too harsh so if I feel the need to exfoliate, I use the Impress Brightener or Diorsnow Wipe Off Gel Exfoliator but rarely. I somehow feel that using a cotton pad with a toner and to remove my makeup somehow already helps exfoliate my skin somewhat and I don’t feel the need for an additional exfoliator anymore. Strange I know, but it somehow works for me.
Oh and eye cream? Erm… yeah I’m horrible at remembering to use it so when I do, it’s still the EL Advanced Night Repair eye cream. Nothing special but it seems to work well enough for me.
It seems like I use a lot but in actual fact, I’ve realised that I’ve streamlined my skincare a lot from the past. I sometimes switch products in and out as I have in the past 6 months, but they are usually the serums that I play about with. Sometimes its a whitening serum, sometimes its a hydrating serum; but in the main, these have been my products of choice. You may notice that some are staples and I may have identified a couple more that will make their way into that list of staples. You may also notice that there is no hydrating serum in there this time around, which puzzles me as much as it puzzles you! 😛
Care to share your own day and night skincare routine? Has it changed from the past year or two?
Have you found a skincare routine that works for you? I’ve also realised that being faithful and sticking out a skincare regimen for at least 3-4 months at a stretch is paying dividends for me! Looks like my skincare hopping days are over! I wonder what that’ll bode for the blog LOL 😛
Paris B
My god, I had no idea one could layer so many products! Then again, I might use too little. My skin routine is simple, just cleanse in the morning (with whatever soap is available), spray thermal water, moisturise and put on some sunscreen; at night I just add makeup remover to the mix minus sunscreen. My skin is fairly good to begin with, and since it is sensitive I try to keep skin care to a minimum.
But I do never skip on the vitamins! 😉
LOL!! You should have seen me a few months ago! Had a couple more items in there! HAHA! I think so long as you are using the basic skincare and cleansing your skin and keeping it moisturised and wearing sunscreen, you don’t really need much more if your skin isn’t showing that it needs anything more. What you may consider adding will be a serum when the time comes – either for aging or hydrating – but if you don’t feel you need it, then you probably won’t 😉
been waiting for your skincare regime..so glad you did..
my AM routine:
Neutrogena revitalising foaming wash
estee lauder toner (for combination skin)
CLarins velvet brightening emulsion
Shiseido sunscreen..(same as yours)
PM routine:
Nanowhite Cleansing Milk
Clarins Pearl-cream cleanser
Estee Lauder Toner
ANR serum
Clarins Brightening Velvet Emulsion (1 and a half pump/2 pumps)
Weekly: Clarins Scrub/ Gentle Peel Smooth Away
Shiseido Mask followed by Aloe Vera Hydrating Mask
Most of my skincare is inspired from your blog PB…i found that our skin kind of alike
however..i still think that my skin cannot tolerate moisturiser from cream type
have tried the clarins nite cream+anr serum(during nite time)…like the feeling..
However..recently i’ve had a miscarriage…maybe hormonal imbalance…I’ve got clog pores on my forehead(lesser now)..and some clog pores on my left cheek..none on my right cheek..how’s that?…(sad face)
I don’t know whether the cleansing milk didn’t do enough in cleansing my foundation…
previously i’ve used the neutrogena cleansing lotion
if i use cleansing oil, my skin felt like drying and stripping off the moisture(still hv shiseido cleansing oil)
HELP ME..Please Please Please
Thanks for sharing Wan! 🙂 I’m glad you’ve found skincare that suits you and that I’ve had been able to help 🙂 I’m so sorry to hear about your miscarriage! 🙁 I do hope you’ve recovered and that the next time around, things will go more smoothly. I experienced something similar with regards cleansing oil. As my skin has changed to being drier, I found cleansing oils too drying so I have had to stop using them. Perhaps the clogged pores could be attributed to many things. It could be due to stress, or perhaps telephone or pillows (since you mention its only on one side of your face) or it could also be due to food? Its hard to say.
Hi Paris, I am always interested in other women Skincare routine 🙂
My skin normal dry.
AM
Kanebo Raphaie Moist Up Cream Soap
Kanebo Raphaie Moist Up Lotion (Moist)
Kanebo Sensai Emulsion
Kanebo Raphaie UV Cut Emulsion SPF 28 PA++
PM
Kanebo Lunasol eye & lip makeup remover
Kanebo Raphaie moist up cleansing cream
Kanebo Raphaie Moist Up Cream Soap
Kanebo Raphaie Moist Up Lotion (Moist)
Kanebo Sensai Advanced Recovery Concentrate (still using sample)
Kanebo Sensai Advanced Recovery Concentrate Cell Refining Cream
Kanebo Sensai Throat & Bust Lifting Effect
Hi MrsRance, I am too! It’s so interesting to see what other people are using isn’t it? I see you are using all Kanebo products wow! 😀 I don’t think we get any of them here at all! LOL But it must be amazing stuff eh? 😉
I tried many brands and finally I found the one suits my skin very well which is kanebo 🙂 it’s quite amazing stuff for me Paris 😀
I’m 27, skin type: oily/dehydrated. Key issue: shine control.
Day
Nivea Aqua sensation gel/SebaMed clensing bar
Dr Hauschka Toner Special
Lumene eye cream with vitamin C
La Roche Possay Efaclar Mat/Duo on spots only + Eucerin matifying fluid spf 50+
Night
Vichy 3in 1 micelar water/Rilastil micelar water
Nivea Aqua sensation gel/SebaMed clensing bar
Dr Hauschka Toner Special
Lumene eye cream with vitamin C
La Roche Possay efaclar Duo
Plus Lush mask of magnaminty, Vichy exfoliant creme twice a week.
Works well so far 🙂
Thanks for sharing your routine, Tina! I’m keen to try the Vichy Micellar water and can’t wait to finish my Bioderma haha! 😀
I love this post! I have been a slient reader for a long while and this is my first comment post.
I have dry and sensitive skin. Plus I am now living in China where the 4 seasons can play havoc with skincare regimes. My staples are mostly from SKII, which has worked well for me for the past few years, except their serums are pretty pricey, so I substitute some steps with more affordable choices.
Here’s my list!
Morning:
NIKS Ultrafine Cleansing Lotion
SKII FT Essence
Mandom Barrier Repair Concentrate Serum
SKII Stempower Cream
Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream
Hada Labo UV Creamy Gel SPF50 PA++++ (or L’oreal UV Perfect SPF50+++)
– Sunscreen is important to me as I get red easily under the sun.
Night:
Fancl Cleansing Oil (if i wear makeup)
SKII Clear Lotion
SKII FT Essence
EL ANR serum
SKII Whitening Spots Specialist
SKII Wrinkle Specialist (as an eye treatment)
SKII Whitening Source Derm Brightener
Hurray for first comments! 😀 I hope it won’t be your last. It’s so useful knowing what you use while living in a seasonal country because you’re right, your skin can go mad from all that hot and cold and dry air! Its good to know that you’ve found a brand that works. SK2 breaks me out so I don’t use them but I know they are very popular!
Thanks Paris B! It took me quite a while to find a good balance transiting from a tropical country (i am from Singapore) to a drier, seasonal country. And this is my spring/summer balance!
Your blog is very engaging – I love it, especially your honest thoughts and reviews. In fact. I am leaning towards Shiseido Perfect UV SPF50 because of your raves, but am hesitant as products with alcohol tend to be drying for me (including the highly popular Clarins and Kiehl’s sunscreens!).
Thank you Tracy and I’m glad you enjoy visiting my blog 😀 Is there a way for you to get a sample of the Shiseido sunscreen? It is very good, but as you have pointed out, perhaps the alcohol level might trouble you. The texture is closer to that of Clarins than of Kiehl’s which I find a little oily so if those didn’t work for you, the Shiseido might not either. But a sample should be able to help you tell 🙂
Hey Paris B, after some research, I finally got my hands on the Hada Labo UV Whitening Emulsion. And it was mainly due to the review you did earlier on 🙂
I picked it over the Shiseido one mainly due to the lack of alcohol and fragrance. And I am loving it! High SPF, hydrating, but not oily, and it sits well with my makeup. And it absorbs well quite fast. It is way better than the Hada Labo UV Creamy Gel SPF50 PA++++ I was using previously (that was too oily).
And it’s budget-friendly too (I got it online for about RMB70, which works out to be around SGD14), which is important as I go through sunscreen very fast!
Hiya Tracy, it’s great to know the Hada Labo UV Whitening sunscreen works for you! Nice on the wallet and definitely feels nicer than the regular white tube right? 🙂
I’ve normal combination skin(a bit dryer than usual normal combi skin).Like you,I’ve been experimenting with this and that throughout the years.My current skin care routine is
Day:
Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Face Wash
Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Lotion
Trilogy Rosehip Oil(It’s an Australia product.It claims to reduce wrinkles scars and stretch marks,I’m not sure if it really do what it does and I don’t have much of wrinkles scars of stretch marks but it does keep my face very hydrated.45 ml only costs me 29.99 aud)
Clarins Multi Active Day Early Wrinkle Correction Cream
Night
Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Face Wash
Kose Sekkisei Lotion(It’s okay but I don’t like it very much as I don’t think it’s hydrating enough)
Estee Lauder advanced night repair synchronized recovery complex II
Estee Lauder advanced night repair eye synchronized complex
Clarins Multi Active Night Recovery Comfort Cream
Masks
Laneige Sleeping Pack-Loved this product.It keeps my skin hydrated.Whenever I’ve dry flaky skin,Laneige Sleeping Mask or ANR usually solves my problem.
Methode Swiss Thermal Oxygen Overnight Moisture Mask-Less hydrating than Laneige Sleeping Pack but it glows my face naturally.I’ve been using it since 2011.It does itch a little bit sometimes.
Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask-Not moisturizing enough.But does what it says(whitening). (I personally will not repurchase this product.It’s pricey and not hydrating enough.I still wake up to dry flaky skin.So much for overnight vitalizing lol.)
Dr Morita Whitening Essence Mask- Found this in Singapore Sasa.Works very well and also very hydrating.It does itch a little bit(probably due to the whitening ingredients?) when I had it on.But it’s so worth it when I wake up to bright and glowy skin the next morning.I will repurchase it!
Avene Instant Soothing Mask- It’s very soothing and very suitable for people who has dry skin.I usually have dry flaky skin around my nose area then I’ll apply this on my whole face for 1 hour.Works like a charm!
Hi Christine, thank you fo rsharing your routine! I love the Hada Labo face wash too. So affordable and so comfortable on skin right? I have read so many raves for the Trilogy Rosehip oil but it clogged my pores so badly. Turns out my skin hates anything with rosehip oil so its just me then. Boohoo! Could have saved me a mint in skincare eh? 😉 Oh and I see you’re using the ANR Synchronized Recovery Complex II already! Any thoughts on it? I’ll be sharing mine next week 😉
Hi Paris.You’re not missing out on anything.Rosehip oil only does hydrating(which any hydrating serum could do).ANR Synchronized Recovery Complex II is great.I don’t think it’s that different from the previous version but the salesgirl told me the new formula can trick our skin into thinking that we’re sleeping when we’re not.I sort of agree with her.I’m an owl(go to bed at 4 am and whatnot) and there were times where I’ve to wake up at 8 to go to church or meet a friend.I would show up on time with only 4 hours of sleep and sometimes lesser.But my skin condition is still great.Translucent and radiant.I’m only 22 but I do notice that it reduces my wrinkles and lines(some lines that were supposed to be there magically disappeared).The new ANR is great for students and working ppl who are not able to get enough sleep.I believe it should be cheaper in Malaysia now because there’s a price drop even in Australia.Original price was 150 aud it’s now 140 aud+the salesgirl gave me a small sample of ANR synchronized recovery complex II+3 5ml of ANR eye Synchronized Complex+some hydrationist serum&daycream.It is so worth the price with all the freebies that comes with it. 🙂
I think you did hit it on the head re: the new ANR! I did notice positive benefits too and while I can’t remember what I was doing when I was 22 (Oh my, such a long time ago haha!) its good to know it’s keeping your skin line free 😀 The price here will be a wee bit higher I believe. I can’t remember the price now 😛
U better check with them.For all u know,there could a price decrease as the economy is bad.Laura Mercier decreased their prices last year and now Estee Lauder and Clinique too.I’ve been taking care of my skin since 19(a bit late compared to my friends) because I want plumped and beautiful skin like Song Hye Kyo. 😛 I bought Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask today.It was an impulse purchase.I had good experience with Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief.So I’m quite positive about this one.It’s 47 dollars 100 ml in aussie(might be even cheaper in Malaysia).I see you haven’t had any reviews on it.Are you going to write one?
Haha well I know prices in Australia have been coming down for many brands because the mark up there is so crazy high! Over here, it isn’t as bad so we’re definitely seeing a small increase 🙂 It’s good to know you’ve been diligently taking care of your skin. I wasn’t as attentive so I’m probably paying for it now haha! 🙂 I have tried the Moisture Surge Overnight Mask but I wasn’t impressed. Left me feeling wanting and did nothing for my skin. Thanks for reminding me. I might have to review it at a later date 😉
Hye Paris,
I change my skincare all the time ..we have the same combination skin. but some of the newer products I used is quite good . I just know that getting older means you have to put some more efforts in ensuring that you take care of your skins more rather than when I was a way bit younger.. it used to not matter if I have a pimple because it wont leaves black spots in my face .. but now nooo….everything seem to be stuck volunteer ally in my face…
Morning routines
Body shop Vitamin E cleanser
Sephora toner
Nivea day cream
Simple Eye Cream
Night Routines
Body shop Vitamin E cleanser
Simple scrub (twice weekly)
Nivea night cream
Simple Eye Cream
Neutrogena sleeping lotion
and Bioderma Cleansing water for eye makeup remover
here’s mine.. interested in trying the Origins products that you mention actually ….
Thanks for sharing your routine, Bee! You’re right you know. The older we get, the more age shows if you don’t take a little more trouble so it always pays to look after our skin 🙂 I think the Origins creams are really nice and the Ginzing one isn’t too pricey either! I’ll tell a little more about it next week 🙂
Id enumerate my cleansing routine too but right now I’m trying out ZO Brightenex by Zein Obagi and I’m toning down my other skincare products because this one is quite strong with 1.0 retinol and I’m new to the stuff. Never even tried tret or any of its derivatives. So I’m peeling, flaking and redness galore. Will keep in mind about these luxurious products you’ve enumerated though cos my god, you have great skin PB!
this is quite a discovery. i always thought we had to use the same range (brand) for skin care!!! skin been utterly dry of late. i think its ageing, and hormones.
Hi Paris.
How much do these masks “Origins Out of Trouble & Origins Drink Up” retail for in malaysia?
Hi, I’m afraid I have no idea sorry!
Hi, I finally decided to step up my skin care routine and I found your blog! I find your information and reviews extremely valuable and I was wondering if you can do an updated skincare routine?! Pleaseeeee and thanks 🙂
Hi Ashlyn, I’ll try to do an updated post soon! My routine and products change about every so often it’s hard to keep track 😀