My present Skincare Routine : The products don’t matter the routine does

One of my most requested posts is my current skincare routine. I think the last time I posted one, it was back in 2017! I had good intentions then, to share my routine each month, but it didn’t pan out as I planned.

I too enjoy seeing what other people are using in their skincare routine, so I can understand the interest (I do short videos on Instagram Stories showing my almost daily day-night routine in real-time, if anyone’s interested). But there’s also something a little unhealthy I’ve noticed, that I’d like to address.

Let me share first, my skincare routine thus far for 2019. Rather, this is what I’ve been using through 2018 and into 2019. What you may notice is that my routine and steps do not change. It is only the products that do.

And that is something I want you to hold in mind, as we run through my current skincare routine 🙂

Please note that I’ve forgotten to include my cleansers in this roundup LOL! It’s not to say that I do not cleanse my face. I do. I just forgot to show them here, and I am too lazy to reshoot the photos 😛

Skincare Routine – Day

My daytime skincare routine has been quite set for a while, because it works for me. My day routine focuses on brightening (with Vitamin C serums or similar) and hydration.

The reason these are my focus is because I’m more active in the day, and that results in dehydration from exposure to the sun, heat etc. With Vitamin C serums and most brightening products, I use them in the day, because I’ve read that it works better to treat and protect the skin, so since then, that’s how I use them.

Also, I use different treatment products at night, so I’d prefer to keep that more focused that way.

Cleanse

I use a cream cleanser in the day. Presently, I’m finishing up my Pixi Beauty Rose Cream Cleanser, and am alternating it with another cream cleanser from The Herb Farm. I opt for cream or milk cleansers because they suit my drier skin better and don’t strip skin of its oils.

Mist

I use a mist quite liberally and I use it between each layer of skincare that I apply. To understand how this works, please read about my “moisture sandwich” method.

What this does for me, is to boost the hydration in my skin, and helps it stay more hydrated. For me also, this works better than just using one spritz, and in some ways, makes using a mist easier to understand.

Currently, I’m using the Jordan Samuel Hydrate Mist, and I’m also trying out the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist. The latter, thanks to so many raves from friends, I am dying of curiousity LOL! 😀 I’ll have a report once I can make up my mind what I think of it.

Vitamin C Serum

I’m presently finishing up my Obagi C10 Vitamin C serum, which is on its last legs. I’m persevering until I can get my hands on a new bottle of Vitamin C serum from a brand I’ve been wanting to try.

Because Vitamin C serum oxidizes quickly even if unopened and not used, I try not to stock up on them, and buy only when my current bottle is finishing.

Hydrating Serum

I always have a hyaluronic acid based serum in the day, because it’s well documented that it helps your skin retain moisture. Our weather here is very hot and humid, which results in a lot of water loss, and I want to hold it as long as I can!

Currently, my hydrating serum is The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid. I also use the Jordan Samuel Hydrate serum or Hada Labo Premium Hydrating Lotion or basically any serum that targets hydration.

Do note that I mist before and usually, after applying a serum high in hyaluronic acid. My rationale can be found in this post.

Moisturiser

I’m currently using one of my favourite creams – the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Renewing Ginseng Cream EX. I only just realized that I haven’t reviewed it, which is a pity! I like the lightweight cream texture that sinks nicely into my skin, the ginseng smell that I find comforting, and how my skin feels after using it.

I’ll tell you more about it another time 🙂

Sunscreen

Rounding off my daytime skincare routine is sunscreen. Currently, it’s the Allie UV Perfect sunscreen which is on its last legs. I haven’t yet decided which to switch to after this, but I might use up my last Shiseido Perfect UV sunscreen back up before it expires.

NEVER SKIP YOUR SUNSCREEN!

I have had people ask me if I apply sunscreen before using a BB cream or foundation, and the answer is always, ALWAYS yes. Please remember. BB Cream is makeup. It is NOT skincare.

Sunscreen rounds off my day skincare routine. That was a long read, but it doesn’t take more than 5 minutes to get through LOL 🙂

Skincare Routine – Night

My night-time routine is always centered around repair and renewal and I use products accordingly. Do note that you DO NOT have to use different products for day and night-time skincare routines.

If budget is an issue, or if you’d prefer to make sure a product works more effectively for you, use it both day and night. There’s no need to switch around. I do, but then, that’s me 😛

Double-cleanse

I always double cleanse at night, even when I don’t wear makeup because I wear sunscreen. So, the first cleanse (not pictured because I forgot) is always a balm (sometimes an oil depending on its texture). At present, I’m using up the Innisfree Cleansing Balm and the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. These will both be done soon, so I’ll have to figure out what’ll be next.

The second cleanse for me, is always a milk or cream cleanser due to my dry skin. I try to stay away from foaming cleansers as much as I can. Presently, I’m finishing up the Melvita Floral Bouquet Softening Cleansing Milk.

If I wear makeup, I often remove it first with an eye and lip makeup remover, and then with a micellar water.

My night routines are now fairly simplified as compared to before. Maybe it is because I’m using products that are more efficient, or perhaps it’s because my preferences have changed.

Some nights, I use just 1 product. Some nights, I use a little more. I play around more with my night routines as compared to my day routine, but always with the same focus – repair and renewal.

Acid Toner

The regular ones might be wondering what I’ve done with my acid toning step. I still use an acid toner, just not as often as I used to. These days, I use it 1-2 times a week – It’s still the Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 or Pixi Glow Tonic or the REN Ready Steady Glow. Only because they aren’t finished 😛 So this isn’t a regular occurrence.

Sometimes, I end off here, with just the Alpha-H Liquid Gold treatment. Done for the night!

Mist

This is a repeat step from the day time. Similarly, I adopt the moisture sandwich method, so my skin hydration is kept optimal.

Treatment Serum

This is where my routine is shortened or lengthened depending on the type of product I use. At present, I’m using up the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum that I have. I am very generous with it, and I use a whole dropper full, and then top up with moisturizer. Because it’s a bit of an all-rounder, I don’t use anything else with it.

I also use the Sunday Riley Luna Oil now and again. I love how effective it is. Sometimes, I am decadent and top it up with May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon for some serious wow factor. Sometimes, I use it with the Sunday Riley Good Genes (or if I cheat, with the REN Wake Wonderful Overnight Facial serum) for extra oomph.

I’m also playing around with the new Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide capsules, and I have to say that they have been quite impressive thus far. But when I use “treatment” type products, I prefer to now use them on their own.

Sometimes, I use the Alpha-H Beauty Sleep Power Peel at this stage, or sometimes, I slap on an overnight mask.

My night routine is all about repair and renewing, so I use products that are more potent, that may be able to stand on their own. But I vary them around a bit, depending on what I feel my skin needs at that point in time.

For some people, this is silly because you need to be consistent to see results. However, I also believe that you should also listen to your skin because sometimes, it needs a shake up, or you just feel like using something else.

Facial Oil

I am still a big fan of facial oil. But I must admit that my use of facial oil has been cut back in the past 6 months or so. I have been quite good and not buying anything new except for the Pai Bioregenerate Rosehip Oil, which is a staple (I use it as a mask).

Sometimes, depending on the texture of the treatment serum I use, I may layer an oil over but sometimes I don’t. Sometimes, I use the Estee Lauder ANR Mask in Oil as a serum, because it’s so potent. It really depends on how I feel. Sometimes, I blend the oil into my cream. I’m presently using the Bobbi Brown Facial Oil, which is very lightweight and comfortable.

Moisturiser

My night moisturiser for now is also the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Renewing Ginseng Cream EX. Some people find this heavy and prefer it for night use. I don’t find it heavy at all (it’s quite light by my standards) and I don’t mind using it day and night.

However, I also tend to apply heavier textures on my skin in the night. Often recently, I have been using just the May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon after my Mist step, simply because it smells so good, and feels so good. Or, I’d be lazy and just go on with the Pai Rosehip Oil or Sulwhasoo Overnight Revitalizing Mask or the Alpha-H Beauty Sleep Power Peel. These have thicker textures and are standalone products that treat skin, while keeping my skin comfortable without moisturiser.

So that is my day and night-time routine. It has taken you longer to read than it has for me to slap them on LOL! 😀

The products aren’t important – a routine is

Now, here’s something I’d like to address. I could have addressed it in a separate post, which doesn’t make it quite as long to read, but I felt it is better served in this post itself.

I know many people are interested in skincare – it’s the buzzword of 2018 and looks to be set to continue in 2019. But it must also be borne in mind that there are no shortcuts to having better skin.

You cannot look to your favourite online personality and copy everything they use, in the hopes that it will give you similar results. I’ve warned you about this before. There are many factors at play, some of which aren’t even shared with the public.

Instead, the key to an effective skincare routine, is to actually have one.

You need a “routine” i.e. something you do over and over regularly. You don’t need expensive products. You don’t need a whole arsenal of products.

What you need are products that do the job you want, that do not react with your skin, that make your skin look better, and you must keep at it. There is no short-cut to better skin. You MUST have a routine and you MUST stick with it. You cannot use sunscreen only when you’re going out, and then omit it when you’re at home. No. You must end your day routine with sunscreen. All day, everyday.

I have shared with you the 6 pillars of skincare that I think form the foundation of any skincare routine. One or two are optional, but the basic building blocks are there.

Once you have the basic building blocks in place, pick your products accordingly, in line with your budget and your needs. Some of us have a tighter budget. That’s alright – there are affordable skincare today that are actually quite effective.

Some of us like switching things around for day and night, as I do. Some prefer not to, because of their skin condition, or because budget does not permit. Again, that’s alright, as long as you stick to your routine.

If you look at my skincare routine that I’ve shared in this post, and then do a search for my previous skincare routines over the years (saved you a click) you should notice one thing.

The products change from time to time. But the ROUTINE hardly changes.

Ultimately, your skin will be improved by having a proper skincare routine, than it will be by one product. So do bear this in mind the next time you read or watch another online personality’s skincare routine and lust after the “magic bullet” – there is none.

Look at their routine, not at the product they use, and tailor it to suit yourself, your lifestyles, your budget and your preference.

Do you have a fixed skincare routine?

Have you worked out what routine works for you, or are you still struggling to get into the groove? It’s alright to feel overwhelmed by all the information out there – so was I. The trick is to cut through the bullshit, and set a routine for yourself. Try looking at my 6 pillars of skincare – it’s a start 🙂

Paris B