I have not done an updated skincare routine in a few months so I thought it was time to share what I’m using this winter. My skin is SO dry which means I need to use all the nourishing and barrier strengthening products I can. Here is my full morning and evening routine that would be great for anyone with dry, mature skin like myself!
Morning Skincare Routine
Cleanse
Prequel Gleanser
This cleanser is formulated with 50% glycerin which is an incredible ingredient to help hydrate the skin. There is a reason it has become incredibly popular and gone viral many, many times. It helps to soften the skin, remove excess impurities and oil from the skin without ever stripping it. It’s especially great in the morning to hydrate my skin while giving it a deep cleanse.
Tone/Skin Flooding
I usually skin flood in the morning after cleansing which means I layer my hydrating toners/essences one after the other. Currently there are only two that I’m using.
Cocokind Calming Magnesium Facial Mist
While so many mists help with hydration only, the Calming Magnesium Facial Mist is best for calming stressed skin. The formula was designed for those with sensitive skin, reactive skin and acne-prone skin to help support the skin barrier. I use this mist first and then trap the moisture in the skin by layering the toners on top.
TirTir Milk Skin Rice Toner
This is a very ligthweight milky toner with a watery consistency. Formulated with niacinamide, rice bran extract and ceramides, the TirTir Milk Skin Toner delivers intense hydration while also comforting and soothing the skin. The addition of panthenol helps make it suitable for sensitive skin and especially great for those with very dry and reactive skin. Like with all the milky toners that I have, I prefer to pour a small bit into my hands and pat it into the skin. This does leave a slightly tacky finish on the skin which I like since my skin is more dry and mature.
Sarah Creal Beauty Moisture Source
This is the only skincare product I have tried from Sarah Creal Beauty but I now understand why it’s a best seller for the brand. It’s one of the most hydrating and plumping essences I’ve ever tried. An essence is heavier than traditional toners. So it is best used after you have cleansed/toned, but before you apply your serums. Skip a cotton pad and pour the essence into the palm of your hands and press it gently into the skin. It’s a bi-phase formula so be sure to shake it up before you apply.
Eye Cream
Dieux Auracle Eye Serum
I need something intensely hydrating but lightweight in the morning. I want to prep my under eye area for makeup while using a formula that won’t disrupt any concealer or foundation I put on top of it. This is one of the best hydrating eye serums I’ve ever tried. It gives instant moisture to the area, helps to depuff, smooth fine lines and keep my under eye area hydrated all day long.
Serums
Educated Mess Golden Hour (discount code: MAREE15)
I personally use a vitamin c serum every morning in my skincare routine because it is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from various types of free radicals and environmental damage. The Golden Hour Vitamin C serum is especially great for those with sensitive skin or if you experience any irritation from using vitamin C serums. This serum is for those looking to brighten any discoloration on the skin and will overall give you a radiant glow.
Moisturizer
Cocokind Electrolyte Water Cream
Gel creams and water creams are not typically my favorite textures to use because they never feel hydrating or moisturizing enough for my dry skin. But the Electrolyte Water Cream is one of the few exceptions – it is like a drink of water for the skin! The formula feels lightweight and comfortable on the skin but the deep hydration it gives is next level. It contains an electrolyte blend that supports the skin barrier, helps balance hydration while also controlling shine. If you have oily or combination skin, this is perfect for both morning before your daily SPF or evening as your final step. However, it you have dry or mature skin and are hesitant to branch out from the rich creams, I think you will be pleasantly surprised by this water cream.
Sunscreen
Versed Good Defense SPF 50
This was sent to me at the beginning of the summer but I was testing other things so I put it aside for when my current sunscreens ran out. I’m so mad that I didn’t try this immediately because it is GORGEOUS! It’s super affordable, thin yet still intensely nourishing and preps my skin beautifully for makeup.
Evening Skincare Routine
Cleanse
Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm
I’ve been using the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm for nearly 10 years and loved it from my very first use. It’s one of the best cleansers to remove makeup (even waterproof makeup) and leaves my skin feeling nourished, moisturized and soft. None of that “squeaky clean” feeling that often cleansers will leave me with – which often means it has stripped my skin of all the necessary moisture and oils leaving it dry and dehydrated. A really good cleansing balm should give a thorough deep clean without stripping the skin.
Experiment Plasma Wash (discount code: MAREE15)
As someone who LOVES a unique texture especially when it comes to cleansers, the Experiment Plasma Face Wash is favorite of mine. It’s technically a gel cream but has a jelly-like feel to it. It is chock full of super nourishing ingredients to really support those with mature dry skin types. This formula uses glycerin depositing compounds that delivers moisture that remains on the skin even after you rinse. It doesn’t leave a film but it makes the skin feel intensely nourished and supple much like a serum or moisturizer would do.
Tone/Skin Flooding
Eadem Cashmere Peel
I have been testing this out a few times a week though I’m not sure it is right for my skin. It is supposed to be a very gentle exfoliating toner but I had to build up to using it a few times a week because it was a bit too irritating at first. I plan to finish it but don’t think I will repurchase.
Cocokind Calming Magnesium Facial Mist
While so many mists help with hydration only, the Calming Magnesium Facial Mist is best for calming stressed skin. The formula was designed for those with sensitive skin, reactive skin and acne-prone skin to help support the skin barrier. I use this mist first and then trap the moisture in the skin by layering the toners on top.
TirTir Milk Skin Rice Toner
I will typically skin flood after using the Eadem peel using this toner. It’s incredibly hydrating and really soothes my dry skin.
Sarah Creal Beauty Moisture Source
I love this as my final skin flooding/toning step because it’s a thicker essence that really preps the skin nicely for the rest of my routine.
Eye Cream
OneSkin OS-01 Eye Topical Supplement (discount code: MAREE15)
I’m rarely loyal to an eye cream, but this eye topical supplement from OneSkin has become one of my most repurchased skincare items. After the first bottle I finished, I immediately repurchased a new one. In addition to helping moisturize the delicate skin under the eyes, the eye topical supplement will help firm sagging skin. It also reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Often I will get milia from other eye creams that are too rich. Then after going through a full bottle of this eye supplement, all the milia was gone! The eyes are always the first to show signs of aging so don’t skip the eye area!
Serums
VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot 100
I finally began testing this top selling and viral Korean skincare product and LOVE IT! It’s unlike anything I have ever tried before but really impressed by how it performs. It’s a microneedling serum that you apply before your other serums in order to help the products absorb better into the skin. It isn’t uncomfortable but does feel like tiny little needles all over your face as soon as you apply it. It really helps to boost the results of any other serums I apply afterwards.
Dr. Whitney Bowe Retinal Night
I use a retinol product in my routine a few times a week and find it to be more important as I get older. The clinical proven Retinal Night Firming Treatment helps to stimulate cellular turnover which slows as we age. It firms, smooths and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. This particular formula uses retinaldehyde, a form of vitamin A that works faster than traditional retinol. Many retinol products can be irritating to the skin. So it’s best to start slow and work up to a few nights a week as your skin gets used to it. I use this typically 1-2 nights a week.
Dr. Whitney Bowe Exfoliation Night Resurfacing + Brightening
The Exfoliation Night Resurfacing Brightening serum delivers triple exfoliation without added irritation. This treatment is best used in the evening and contains a blend of AHA, BHA and PHA. If you struggle with dark spots and hyperpigmentation, this is a great addition into your evening routine. In addition to helping even out the skin tone, the Exfoliation Night serum will target fine lines, help smooth texture and reduce the appearance of large pores. On the nights I am not using the Retinal from Dr. Bowe, I will use this serum. Like the Retinal Night serum, I use this Exfoliation serum 1-2 nights a week.
Dieux Deliverance Serum
The Dieux Deliverance serum is a 3-in-1 serum that helps to firm, smooth, calm and support the skin barrier. This will address fine lines and loss of elasticity but will also target redness, a damaged skin barrier and uneven skin tone. For anyone with redness, irritation or inflamed skin, this serum immediately helps to soothe and calm. I have been using this every single night because it does wonders at helping calm my skin especially since I am using strong actives (retinal, chemical exfoliants, etc)
Experiment Beauty Super Saturated Serum (discount code: MAREE15)
If your skin is feeling dehydrated or lacking moisture, this hydrating serum will solve all your problems. It is a barrier support serum so it will help strengthen and protect the skin barrier while also delivering intense hydration. The serum is formulated with 30% glycerin as well as a ton of other humectants. So it will also aid in helping your skin hold onto that moisture all day long. Another serum that I have been using every single night to help boost my hydration and keep my skin barrier strong. My skin has been so dry during the winter so this has been helping counteract any sensitivity.
For a quick rundown of my routine, here’s how I use each of the serums:
Monday/Thursday: VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot, Dr. Bowe Retinal Night, Dieux Deliverance, Experiment Beauty Super Saturated
Tuesday/Friday: VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot, Dr. Bowe Exfoliation Night, Dieux Deliverance, Experiment Beauty Super Saturated
Wednesday/Saturday: VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot, Dieux Deliverance, Experiment Beauty Super Saturated
Sunday: Dieux Deliverance, Experiment Beauty Super Saturated
Moisturizer
Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer
The Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer is a skin-restoring moisturizer designed to deeply nourish, provide barrier support and give an “ethereal glow” to the skin. It doesn’t focus on anti-aging concerns or other targeted treatments. It is truly the ultimate final step in taking care of your skin. I will alternate this with the Experiment Beauty Molecular Mesh as my final step each night.
Experiment Beauty Molecular Mesh (discount code: MAREE15)
This is one of my all time favorite barrier strengthening moisturizer. I focus a lot on supporting the skin barrier because a balanced and strong skin barrier is one of the keys to healthy skin. A healthy skin barrier looks plump, balanced, fresh and always feels comfortable (not tight and irritated). If your barrier is damaged, none of your skincare products will deliver their intended results because your skin barrier isn’t functioning optimally. Using a rich or nourishing moisturizer is good. But it’s better to choose one that is designed and formulated to support the skin barrier.
Face Masks/Beauty Devices
Clarins Cryo-Flash Mask
I love using this mask once a week to help tighten and give my skin a gorgeous glow.
Blue Lagoon Algae Mask (discount code: MAREE15)
I’ve been using this Blue Lagoon Algae Mask once a week and it’s been saving my skin this winter! It’s incredibly nourishing and replenishing for my dry skin.
CurrentBody LED Mask (discount code: ALITTLEBITCB)
This is a splurge but it’s the one skincare device that I never skip! I use it 6 nights a week after I have cleansed but before I do the rest of my skincare routine. It has a timer for 10 minutes so you can turn it on, do what you need to do for 10 minutes and then it will automatically shut off when complete. It helps to improve fine lines/wrinkles, even out skin tone, smooth texture and brighten the skin. If there is one beauty device to invest in, it is without a doubt this one!!
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