My skincare routine may very well be my favourite thing I do everyday. As a former beauty editor, this makes sense. It was my profession, after all. But I also know that many people share my sentiment and relish the five minutes in the morning and evening that is just all about you.
But getting to my current routine has been a journey. I’ve made pretty much every skincare mistake (nothing quite like giving yourself perioral dermatitis because you used bakuchiol and lactic acid together every night not knowing what either did) and have gone through ebbs and flows with completely stripping my routine back to basics and slowly adding actives back in. I’ve struggled with acne, closed comedones, uneven texture, dryness, irritation and sensitivity—but I am now finally at a place where I can see my skincare working little by little and it feels pretty great.
So, with that in mind, I figured I’d share my current skincare routine. You’ll notice that I dabble in skin cycling in the evenings but for the most part it’s all pretty straight forward. I will also note that this is just what works for me and that we are all different but if you are looking for some very good skincare reccs, consider this my contribution.
—MORNING—
Step 1: Rinse the face with cold water. I find this helps to wake up my skin (and me) and gets it damp for products on top.
Step 2: CHANEL Sublimage La Lotion. A super sumptuous and milky facial essence that hydrates, plumps and protects, this formula is the perfect prep step to my morning skincare routine.
Step 3: Ultraceuticals Ultra B2 Hydrating Serum. Harnessing the power of three different types of hyaluronic acid, this is the perfect hydrating serum for everyday. I am a big lover of vitamin B and find it leaves my skin so supple and hydrated all day long so this is a non-negotiable for me in the morning. This particular formula is also super lightweight so won’t pill under makeup.
Step 4: Glossier Full Orbit Eye Cream. One of the latest additions to my skincare routine, I have been loving this new Glossier eye cream. Packed with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, jasmine flower and microalgae, this formula depuffs, brightens and hydrates in one fell swoop.
Step 5: Avene Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream. The current moisturiser I have on rotation (I swap between this and the La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 Baume), I love this for its nourishing and soothing properties. I have pretty temperamental skin so this product is perfect for calming any irritation but also hydrating the complexion and keeping it protected all day long.
Step 6: Mesoestetic Mesoprotech Melan 130 Pigment Control SPF50+. My AM skincare routine would be incomplete without daily sunscreen and my current favourite is this tinted one by Mesoestetic. Providing SPF50 protection with sheer coverage and a dewy finish, you can’t go wrong.
—EVENING—
NIGHT 1: HYDRATE
Step 1: Dermalogica PreCleanse. I am a dedicated double cleanser (or at least have been for the last two months) and the difference in my skin has been insane. My favourite first cleanse is this Dermalogica oil cleanser. Lightweight and super gentle, it removes all makeup and sunscreen with ease.
Step 2: Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser. Noticing a theme now that Glossier ships to Australia? I love this Milky Jelly Cleanser as my second cleanse. Containing rose water, pro-vitamin B5, comfrey root extract and xylitol, this cleanser is super effective but won’t strip your skin. I massage both cleansers in for a good minute (focusing on my chin and cheeks as these are my problem areas) to lift sebum and clear out clogged pores.
Step 3: CHANEL Sublimage La Lotion.
Step 4: Ultraceuticals Ultra B2 Hydrating Serum.
Step 5: Glossier Full Orbit Eye Cream.
Step 6: Avene Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream.
NIGHT 2: EXFOLIATE
Step 1: As above.
Step 2: As above.
Step 3: Medik8 Press & Clear. Formulated with salicylic acid, alpha arbutin and kakadu plum, this is the perfect evening exfoliator for those of us who are blemish-prone. The perfect balance between effective and gentle, I use this twice a week to slough away dead skin cells and keep my pores clear. Since using it I have noticed such an improvement in my skin’s congestion which is a huge plus.
Step 4: Ultraceuticals Ultra B2 Hydrating Serum.
Step 5: Glossier Full Orbit Eye Cream.
Step 6: Avene Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream.
NIGHT 3: TREAT
Step 1: As above.
Step 2: As above.
Step 3: CHANEL Sublimage La Lotion.
Step 4: Ultraceuticals Ultra B2 Hydrating Serum.
Step 5: Glossier Full Orbit Eye Cream.
Step 6: Rationale #6 The Night Creme. My first introduction to vitamin A, this Rationale formulation is incredible. An enriched night cream that supports cell turnover with a proprietary complex of vitamin A (both retinol and retinal), this cream improves the skin’s texture, firmness and visibly hydrates. I also have super sensitive skin and find this non-irritating, which is a plus for a retinol formulation (which I was previously scared of).