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What is your current evening skincare routine?
I was just finishing up using Biossance’s Cleansing Oil and switched to Farmacy Green Clean and Oskia Cleansing Gel for removing makeup/cleansing.
I use Biologique Recherche PIGM400, Differin, and Drunk Elephant LaLa. I have normal-to-dry skin (mostly normal with occasional dry areas). I don’t find that LaLa is as hydrating as I’d prefer (my skin started to feel less hydrated within a week of moving to LaLa in the evening over Shiseido Benefiance, which was what I finished up previously).
— Christine
I take a little bit of whatever inexpensive oil I have laying around and use that to do my first cleanse by rubbing all over my face and eyes, then take a make up wipe and take the make up off that way. Right now I’m using Glossier’s Jelly cleanser to cleanse the rest of the make up off my face, followed by a homemade ACV toner with a Shiseido cotton pad all over my face. Then I mix The Ordinary’s lactic acid with Sunday Riley UFO or Luna oil for a serum, followed by either Nourish Organics face cream or DermaE face cream. I’ll usually do less oils and lighter creams in the summer.
Cristine, try mixing Lala with B-hydra. On one interview, DE’s creator, Tiffany, mentioned that b-hydra really hidrates and lala moisturizes, locking the hydration on the skin. B-hydra is like a glass of water for the skin and I really feel that it’s magical to relieve the tight skin and remove dry patches. I hope it helps!
I had horrible rosacea with huge pores and dry patches all over. DE worked so well for me, I don’t use anything else – just the Clinique balm to remove heavier make up.
I use B-Hydra as part of my morning routine, not my evening one, which is where I prefer it, personally! 🙂
Garnier blue top micellar, Nooni jelly oil if needed (not wearing much these days), same as am cleansers: Cosrx GMPH or Paula Resist. Then differin, then ordinary buffet or arginine and hyaluronic over, then the Mizon snail gel or the sample of too cool for school egg mellow cream. Not treating medically in anticipation of derm, but both am and pm have been drastically reduced. My fingers are currently worse than my face. Nights I don’t work, will often do a sheet mask in the evening. Current fave is LuLuLun white, but just got a couple of boxes: Soo Ae deep sea water collagen essence and donkey milk skin gel. Hautelook has real good deals on K/Asian masks periodically.
Remove makeup with Clinique Take the Day Off, cleanse face with Biore Baking Soda cleanser, tone with PC 2% BHA, then moisturize with PC Ultra Lite Antioxidant Serum and Sera Ve PM Moisturizer. I also add a generous heaping of Aquaphor lip therapy to my lips before bed.
I’m 54 and focused on anti-aging and pigmentation issues.
I mix things up and vary my regimen, but here a few key products in rotation
I always double cleanse: Oskia Renaissance cleansing or May Lindstrom Honey Mud followed by either Indie Lee Rosehip cleanser or FAB Face cleanser
The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA serum
Zelens Vit A drops or Dennis Gross Ferulic and Retinol for face
Dennis Gross Ferulic and Retinol for eyes
Algenist Power Recharging Night Serum: The first algenist product which doesn’t break me out and I think the term serum is a misnomer. I use this as a night moisturizer/treatment cream.
Twice a week I use DCL Dermatologic C scape high potency serum for face and the vit C treatment for eyes. in lieu of vit A.
Indulgences
Zelens Vit D drops in lieu of the Vit A if my skin is angry
or May Lindstrom the Youth Dew with May Lindstrom Blue Cocoon as a spa treatment and rest from anti-aging
Christine: Thanks for heads up on LaLa. I was thinking of trying it. If it isn’t moisturizing enough for you, then it definitely will not be for me.
Wendy – not sure if you can find it locally to try out, but my absolute favorite nighttime moisturizer is ReVive Moisturizing Renewal Cream. It has a combination of acids to hydrate and add in gentle exfoliation that works with other acids you might be using in your routine. I enjoyed using it immensely but did what we all do and decided to try other things. I realized once I moved on how much I missed what it did for my skin and now just want to use up what I wandered off to so I can start back with the ReVive! They also have a heavier version, Moisturizing Renewal Supreme if the first one isn’t enough for your skin. Price-wise I find it reasonable for high-end/luxury skin care at $195 US for 1.7 oz, but I also have a lot of La Mer, CdP and SK-II in my skin care, so comparatively speaking ReVive isn’t outrageously priced – but it’s perception and personal preference.
I made the mistake of changing up one too many things in my routine over the summer, including changing from waxing my peach fuzz to using one of those facial razors, and my skin completely freaked out. I’m just getting back to normal now after a barrage of acne flare ups and have a lot of pigmentation to deal with as a result, so we have similar goals in terms of getting rid of pigmentation and at 43, anti-aging is high on my list as well. If you can find a local retailer or reach out to a Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom or Bluemercury to get samples to test first that would be ideal. Those are the three major retailers that carrier it that I know of offhand, but I don’t know what you have near you.
Not a fan of those facial razors either! I bought a pack from Amazon and felt it was pulling (but not in a clean motion) versus shaving. I threw the pack out.
Is there some sort of learning curve there?? Brand issue? Dunno, but I hated them too!
Not sure myself – I think I’m going to try a steam first next time and then allow some facial oil to sink in before I try it again and see if having something emollient between the blade and the skin makes it better. I’ll keep you posted on if it improves things. Seems wasteful to shave off a nice oil, but if it prevents that break-out cycle from hell I seem to be over, I’ll do it. If not, back to waxing – the Bliss Poetic Waxing Kit has never caused me a reaction and I don’t find it painful. I do have a high tolerance for pain because of my arthritis.
I got a deluxe sample of LaLa in a Sephora favorites box and found it to be nothing special. There should be equally good plain moisturizers around for less money.
I thought the LaLa would be a great product for my dry-very dry skin (thanks in part to RX Retin-A) but I couldn’t see past the worst cystic acne of my adult life to evaluate if it was moisturizing enough! I had started using both the LaLa and DE’s C-Firma within the preceding 2 weeks and the two zits I got were just insane. Still dealing with the post-inflammatory erythema and it’s been two months. Obviously YMMV and it might have been coincidence, but that ended my DE experimentation…I have tried 1-2 other things from their line on a limited basis and didnt’ “hate” them although I wasn’t necessarily impressed either.
May I ask where you get you Biologique Recherche PIGM400? I’m looking for it in the US and I’m trying to find a reputable online retailer. Thank you!
http://shoprescuespa.com/
Thank you very much!
Aimee — FYI in addition to Rescue Spa: I contacted the company directly once when I foresaw travel and wanted to see if there was somewhere I could purchase in person, and they did respond.
I’ll be 52 this year but skincare has been on me radar since my teens. My current pm routine is:
If wearing makeup: First remove with waterproof eye makeup remover and swipe face with Bioderma
Then:
1. Cleanse with Skin & Co. Truffle Therapy Cleansing Oil (if makeup) or Truffle Therapy Whipped Cleansing Cream
2. Truffle Therapy Face Toner
4. Truffle Therapy Serum
5. Truffle Therapy Eye Concentrate
6. Truffle Therapy Ultra Pure Face Oil
7. Truffle Therapy Cream
(Morning is actually the same minus the face oil and substitute the Truffle Therapy Cleansing Foam as the face wash. The Cream also serves as an outstanding primer so I haven’t need that step when I do wear makeup.)
After double cleansing, I use Shea Moisture Black Soap, followed with witch hazel. I’ll drop on The Ordinary’s Buffet and Retinoid 2%. Once each of those steps have dried down, I’ll apply a little bit of Differin gel to any spots that need it (it’s been working, so I hope that this has been the key I need to kick acne in the butt once and for all) and then I’ll apply Korres black pine night cream.
If my skin is very dry and patchy I’ll finish with Farmacy’s Honey Savior salve, it’s very sticky but it doesn’t clog my pores and my skin is soft and smooth the next morning.
Neutrogena make up wipe
Cerave Renewing SA cleanser
Biologique Reherché PIGM 400
eye cream of some nature
Trentinoin
Approx weekly — Fresh black tea mask on most of face with Origins Clear Improvement mask on nose/chin.
My skin is looking great with this and morning regimen, best in years. For reference, I have dry/normal skin in winter; issues are aging, occasional acne,
If I wore makeup that day, I will take off eye makeup with aloe infused baby oil, then apply coconut oil to my face and neck to break up foundation, and cleanse with a Simple Exfoliating Wipe. Then, the rest of my routine is a nightly thing. Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic Acid & Retinol Eye Serum patted into eye area, The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane to face and neck, wait a bit, then apply an equal parts mix of The Ordinary Buffet and Ole Henrikson Truth Serum, let it set in, follow up with Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Cream from a very generous deluxe sample in Sephora’s Skin Wonderland. Problem is, I’m now SO in love with that cream! Finally, I finish up with a blend of The Ordinary Marula Oil and Rose Hip Oil, and then Need Oil to areas of eczema. Jack Black Lip Balm upon hitting the hay!
If I’m wearing mascara and hard to remove concealer, etc., I’ll do an eye-makeup-remover step (micellaire water or an oil cleanse or a dedicated eye makeup remover) and then follow with a foaming cleanser (it’s almost embarrassing how many I have on the go but most of the time, it’s Boscia, Laneige or Shiseido Ibuki). I don’t often use a toner, essence, etc. but I do like using a serum or oil (Vasanti Age Is Just a Number, Algenist Anti Aging something-or-other oil, Body Shop Oils of Life, Pixi Overnight Glow Serum or Clarins Blue Orchid) followed by an eye cream (currently Vasanti) and then something quite thick like Nivea (the old school, made in Germany stuff in the metal tin), Farmacy Firming Night Balm, Formula 405 cream or Josie Maran Intensive Creamy Oil. From time to time, I will skip those steps and using a sleeping mask – either a wonderful but, sadly, discontinued one from Sephora or the Shiseido Ibuki one which I really like a whole lot.
Double cleanse with Korean chokeberry cleansing oil (it’s just mineral oil with a fruity smell as far as I can tell, but it was cheap and it works) taken off with a hot cloth and then followed by Erno Lazslo white marble cleansing bar and cool water.
Apply Origins GinZing eye cream, Korres Wild Rose serum and Korres Black Pine facial oil.
My evening skincare routine is more involved as I shower at night:
Cleansing – currently Collastar Gentle Milk cleansing lotion
Moisturising: Either Physicians Formula Argon Oil or Goodness Chia Seed oil; Estelle and Thrid serum and finally Olay’s Regenerist Night moisturising cream
Gently exfoliate with the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Polish, use The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum (and just added in their Buffet yesterday). Once those sink in I throw on the Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid (though I’m thinking of switching to The Ordinary’s 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil when that’s used up as they’re about the same price). Oh and I bring all those down my neck as that’s an area that ages quickest (hands and neck are the two to go first…).
I also make sure to use a rich hand cream before bed so I keep my mitts in decent condition, though which one I use changes. Currently using something called the Swedish Dream Seaweed Hand Cream that was a gift from my sister. It’s good.
Tom Ford Cleansing Oil, followed by Cle de Peau Softening Cleansing Foam (for winter) and my Clarisonic (two passes), Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Hydroxy Peel Pads (regular and extra strength on alternating nights), Fresh Black Tea Toner (used as essence), Caudalie Radiance Serum (I’m trying to finish it up; I like it but I prefer some others that I’ve found lately and I had a travel versions from Sephora hanging about), Sunday Riley Luna and Good Genes, La Mer The Concentrate and Creme de La Mer. I’ll add an oil last of all if I I’m having dry areas; I’m usually normal but my commute now has 3 miles of walking outside (great for exercise, a bit harsh on the skin) and an office that pumps heat like there’s no tomorrow – right now I’m using Chantecaille’s Rose de Mai face oil. I use Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol eye serum followed by La Mer Eye Concentrate and Neulash lash serum.
I tend to start after we have dinner so I can take my time layering everything onto the skin and letting it absorb and throwing in a mask depending on what my skin needs. If I need to expedite things, I keep the triple cleanse, peel pads, essence, serum, Luna & Good Genes, moisturizer and oil. The eye treatments stay the same regardless.
I love your evening routine . What is your morning routine
Aww, thanks!! It’s actually a lot more simple – I’m not a morning person! I rinse my face in the shower, then SK-II Essence, whatever serum I’ve got going, Dr Dennis Gross Vit C and then moisturizer (currently Sunday Riley Tidal). Once my hair is blown dry then I am ready for makeup!
That is awesome. Thankyou 🙂
Skin type: Very dry. I am 64 with the usual wrinkles, smile lines, crepey skin and hyperpigmentation.
If I was wearing makeup that day then I do a double cleanse. I start with Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil which I remove with a wipe. I have tried many other first step cleansers and always return to this one. It doesn’t leave a residue anywhere on my face, doesn’t burn my eyes, doesn’t clog my pores like pure coconut oil does. My second step cleanse is either Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip if my skin is feeling congested or “bumpy” or Nuxe Reve de Miel Cleanser, same as in the morning, except at night I use a dry skin Konjac sponge to lightly exfoliate. It has a gel like consistency which goes on my skin easily, doesn’t strip my skin and actually feels hydrating. I remove that with warm water on a microfiber wash cloth. I spray my face with Pixi Milky Mist and follow immediately with Sunday Riley Good Genes. My face really likes acids and I sometimes trade out other acids but for some reason I always return to Good Genes. (Side note: I recently read a blog post comparing 10 other acids to Good Genes and the blogger mentioned that many of them were excellent but there was still something about Good Genes that set it apart. I don’t know about that but I do keep going back.) I follow with Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic and Retinol Face gel and his eye gel. I use Sunday Riley Tidal everywhere except the eye area and I follow the Dr. Dennis Gross eye gel with Kiehl’s Avocado Eye cream. My last step is an oil. Currently I am using a Maracuja oil but am on the lookout for one I like better. I use to use coconut oil as my last step at night but after going to the cardiologist with my ex-husband, (he has CAD and has had bypass surgery), and he was told not to use any topical coconut oils or creams. I have pretty much dropped all coconut oil but I do still use FAB Coconut Primer. My last step in my nightly routine is Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm.
Once or twice a week I use DE TLC Sukari Baby Facial. I will use a hydrating mask once or twice a week, usually just one I pick up at the drugstore in my small town so nothing special. Makes me feel like I am doing something. I also use Tatcha Rice Powder a couple of times a week for exfoliation and that could be either in the morning or night. If I didn’t have dry skin I would use the rice powder twice a day, everyday. I love the texture of my skin after using it. It is so smooth. I also use Clinique Moisture Mist several times a day.
Love the Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil!
I’m 50 with dry/normal skin with lots of pigmentation issues because of early menopause and years of waxing.
I use the Bioderma micellar water to remove most of the makeup. Chanel eye makeup remover but I prefer Neutragena. Then I use the Rodan and Fields Reverse deep exfoliating wash, intenseive brightening toner, active hydrating serum and mix the dual active brightening complex with the retinol formula and their eye cream or samples. Occasionally, I will forgo some of that and put coconut oil on after my night shower and just sleep with that. It’s pretty good so far and my spots have faded quite a bit. I might not be drinking enough water though because my skin is still a little dry right now.
I use By Terry rose lip balm every night.
I cleanse twice by massaging my face with oil then gently wiping with a cotton pad and a toner of my own invention (equal parts fermented rice water, coconut water, and green tea). Then I use either AHA or BHA plus whatever potion is top of my list of treatments I’m trying to use up before I settle on a routine. My only goal right now is to create empties. Once I’ve worked through everything, I’ll decide on 2 or 3 things I really liked and repurchase just those.
Makeup removal with CeraVe rubbed into my dry face and then removed with a wet Wondercloth dupe. Water based cleanser (currently Neogen green tea stick) and the Clarisonic. Every other night Retin A, followed by Misha moiisturizing essence patted on followed by The Ordinary hyaluronic acid serum, Timeless Synthe6 and Matrixyl 3000, The Ordinary niacinamide, Belif Moisture Bomb (using up a deluxe sample and then it will be Embryolisse Lait Creme concentree) and last a few drops of Boscia tsubaki oil.
1. Remove makeup with Sephora Collection Supreme cleansing oil
2. Cleanse with Clarisonic (sensitive brush head) and Ole Henriksen On The Go cleanser (now known as Face the Truth I think)
3. Three times a week, I’ll use the Nip Fab Glycolic Fix Extreme pads
4. Kiehl’s Cucumber Herbal toner
5. The Ordinary’s niacinimide and zinc serum
6. Dr. Jart’s Cicapair Tiger Grass Re.pair serum
7. Twice a week, I’ll use The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid Suspension cream
7. Moisturize with Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Combination Watery cream and the Sephora Collection eye and lip cream (only on eyes – makes a weird film on lips, and I think it’s been discontinued)
8. After I’ve brushed and used mouthwash, Bite Beauty Agave lip mask
Wow, that’s a lot! I do know that everything I do makes a difference, as I’ve introduced them all slowly, one-by-one.
I should have put skin type: normal-to-dry, with redness, hormonal acne, old acne scars (somewhat pigmented but mostly pitted), and dead skin that tends to hang around unless well-exfoliated. I have moderately-sized pores near my nose and some burgeoning wrinkles under my eyes.
Christine, I’m not sure if you’ve read the Muse’s blog lately, but she wrote that she was having issues with the effectiveness of Drunk Elephant products and had contacted a rep to find out why. It seems that the line is meant to be used exclusively for maximum effectiveness, which sounds very gimmicky, but once she tried using her DE products in conjunction the results were better…
I kind of hate the idea. Sometimes people don’t want to buy a brand specific line–and not every product offered may be appropriate for someone’s needs. My best friend is a great example; she suffers from aggressive cystic acne and had been using Proactiv exclusively for over a decade with little results. I got her the full size balancing set from Tatcha as a bridal gift after she tried some sample packets I had and her skin cleared up in less than 48 hours. However, it’s not economical for her to have to replenish the entire set or individual items every 3-6 months, which I admittedly hadn’t thought about because Tatcha comparatively provides a lot of product for the money spent (looking at you, La Mer…). We found supplementing with Japanese drugstore brands and Korean brands works very, very well, just without that added mega luxury.
I use coconut oil to remove my makeup then I use cetaphil to clean my face with Clarisonic, after I use witch hazel as a toner, good genes and night recovery oil from Kiehls
Work for me 🙂
I’ve combo skin type
I was prompted by an outbreak of THE WORST cystic acne of my adult life (possibly due to Drunk Elephant products?!) to start Curology. My evening routine consists of cleansing (with Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil if I’m wearing makeup, Cerave Hydrating Cleanser if not), then slapping on my Curology formula. Done. Once or twice a week, I’ll add in some prescription Retin-A – a stronger formulation than the tretinoin in my Curology. I’ve been using this for two months and I’m very happy with the results and the simplicity – I was getting 1-2 small/medium cystic zits a month even with RX Retin-A and that has stopped. Other concern is general aging/hyperpigmentation and the Curology is benefitting that at least as well as my RX Retin-A, with less irritation, so I’m pretty sold. #notsponsored 🙂
I’m 50 with dry/normal skin with lots of pigmentation issues because of early menopause and years of waxing.
I use the Bioderma micellar water to remove most of the makeup. Chanel eye makeup remover but I prefer Neutragena. Then I use the Rodan and Fields Reverse deep exfoliating wash, intenseive brightening toner, active hydrating serum and mix the dual active brightening complex with the retinol formula and their eye cream or samples. Occasionally, I will forgo some of that and put coconut oil on after my night shower and just sleep with that. It’s pretty good so far and my spots have faded quite a bit. I might not be drinking enough water though because my skin is still a little dry right now.
I use By Terry rose lip balm every night.