LS / Summer Skincare Routine

When I ask what type of content is most appealing to my readers, I always get suggestions to highlight more of my own routines. I think it’s a sign of the times that we’re curious about what people do behind closed doors; I’d even say it’s less about the effect the routine has had on my skin, and more about the brands or the process of what I do to my face.

I’m not a beauty hoarder and, as I’ve mentioned a few times before, a brand loyalist. My cabinets and drawers aren’t stuffed with products and I don’t have a separate room dedicated to beauty and skincare products. However, looking at everything I put on my skin at one given time definitely makes me feel EXTRA. Each product serves its own purpose and I can’t imagine not using something. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve also become incredibly strict with my routines and always adhere to them (morning and night).

I’m not including any of my “when I feel like it” products in this post. The below are my total essentials, cannot-be-missed skincare products I monitor to make sure I’m not running low or buy extra when I’m replacing.

Morning Routine:

1. Splash of water

   It’s pretty simple— I splash my face with cold water to wake myself up. I don’t cleanse my face twice a day. I’m pretty diligent with switching my pillow cases. I pat my skin dry with a clean white washcloth.

2. Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

   Once my face is dry, I apply my first serum, niacinamide by the Ordinary. Niacinamide (or vitamin B3) reduces the production of sebum, which reduces congestion. I like putting this on in the morning so sebum production is reduced during the day. I only use a drop and apply it to my whole face, focusing most on my forehead and chin. If you’re using niacinamide, you don’t want to use any products with vitamin C as the effectiveness of the vitamin C can be lost.

   I let the niacinamide dry while I scrape my tongue and brush my teeth.

3. 100% Plant-Based Squalane

   My squalane is basically a pre-moisturizer. My face looks WET after applying even the smallest amount. I was noticing my skin would look flakey throughout the day, so extra moisturize in the form of an oil/serum has really helped. I put this all over my face and gently tap it in.

   While my squalane dries, I do my hair or random other things around my room and kitchen. I try to make sure most of it has been absorbed before putting on more moisturizer or my makeup.

4. Moisturizer (Toleraine, Toleraine with SPF, or Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue)

   Since I moisturize with squalane, I don’t use too many additional moisturizing products. If I’m planning on wearing my Bare Minerals Complex Rescue (tinted moisturizer) with SPF, I just wear that. If I’m going without a foundation of sorts, I usually put on my La Roche Posay Toleraine Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30. I’m going to write a separate post on sunscreen for days I’m going to be out in the sun (given I’m in an office, I feel OK about the amount of SPF I’m wearing).

   I let my moisturize also dry while I’m running around and then apply my makeup. Done (and with less steps than I thought, actually)!

Nighttime Routine:

1. La Roche Posal Toleraine Hydrating Gentle Cleanser and Cosmedix Purity Detox Scrub

   I love washing my face after a long day or after yoga. I keep my LRP gentle cleanser in my shower and apply it with my hands, but sometimes use a Foreo Luna as well. Every other day I mix in my Cosmedix Purity Detox Scrub with the cleanser for physical exfoliation. I don’t really use any other types of scrubs consistently, this one does a good job of removing dead skin. I pat my skin dry with another clean washcloth.

2. Thayer’s Lavender Witch Hazel

   I use witch hazel as an additional “cleanse” to my skin. Even with a cleanser and scrub, makeup still comes off with the toner. A toner’s job is to assist in your skin’s pH balance and tighten pores.

3. Lactic Acid 5% + HA

   After the witch hazel dries, I apply a drop of the Ordinary’s lactic acid all over my face in a patting motion. I do use this daily as a chemical exfoliant.

4. Pycnogenol 5%

   I love antioxidants for my skin and really enjoy this one by the Ordinary. Antioxidants help collagen production and skin elasticity. This one has a warming sensation out of the bottle (not on my skin) and I really enjoy the woody scent.

5. Shocker, more squalane!

6. Gua Sha Time

   When I remember, I use my Mount Lai Rose Quartz Gua Sha to ease facial tension around my eyes and my jawline. I find the gua sha more effective than a roller. Using this after my serums allows the tool to glide easily.

7. Moisturizer (Toleraine or Cicaplast Baume B5)

   Moisturizing at night is where I go all out. If I am feeling particularly dry, I cover my whole face in La Roche Posay’s Cicaplast Baume B5. If you read about my acne journey, you’ll know this is one of the only moisturizers my skin tolerated while in the purging stages of using Epiduo. I think my skin at this point could easily handle different moisturizers, but I know this one works for me. If I don’t need something as thick as the balm, I use the same Toleraine moisturizer from the morning (but the version without SPF).

8. Epiduo Forte or other spot treatments

   I am still dependent on my Epiduo for stubborn congestion on my forehead and chin. Instead of covering the whole surface area, I limit where I apply the medication. I went off Epiduo for a few months but went back on in the summer when I started noticing more breakouts. I always apply these stronger products after my moisturizers have dried (usually 20 minutes from application).

Maybe it’s not too much when it’s all laid out, but I still wouldn’t consider this a minimalist skincare routine. I can’t remember what it was like not having an in-depth skincare ritual. I started such an extensive process when I developed acne as a necessity (as in I wasn’t going to apply Epiduo without a properly clean surface). My skincare has become a way to wind down and take a few minutes for myself before going to sleep. What’s in yours?