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What is your current morning skincare routine?

For cleanser, Sephora Yuzu Cleansing Cream at the moment (about to switch). Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 PIGM 400, Sunday Riley Good Genes (every other day), Shiseido Benefiance Day Cream SPF 18. If I’m going to be outdoors a lot, then I use something with higher SPF (probably something by Supergoop or whatever else is open at the moment.)

— Christine

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Deborah S. Avatar

I use one pump of Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip with a dime size amount of Tatcha Rice Powder and lightly massage into my skin. Then I add a little warm water and it lathers up. I use the rice powder to lightly exfoliate. I then rinse and pat dry. I use Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic and Vit C eye gel. I let that dry and then spray with Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist and while my skin is still damp I add 1/4 pump of Sunday Riley Good Genes. I allow to dry and then add Sunday Riley Tidal, a small amount of Marula Oil and Nivea Skin Smoothing Gel just under my chin and a scant amount tapped onto my under eye bags. This is something new that I am trying on recommendation of a friend. I have been trying very carefully as product isn’t really intended for around the eyes. It is meant to improve skin elasticity and decrease fat and cellulite. I have 63 year old eyes with pretty heavy eye bags. She had them at one time and swears by this treatment. The active ingredient is L-Arginine. It says it is a gel but it really feels like an oil to me so I am careful as it might travel when other skin care is added on top. Finally, I add a sunscreen with SPF 50, the Australia Gold Botanical Lotion. It is very slightly tinted. Then I proceed with makeup application.
This is my current routine but I have to say, I am constantly changing things up looking for better and better combinations. I am introducing new Korean skincare as I go and mostly introduce new products at bedtime.

butterscotch dreaming Avatar

I use The Ordinary’s Caffeine serum as soon as I get up, just after brushing my teeth! It feels great and shrinks the bags under my eyes.

Anne Avatar

Cleanser is still the First Aid Beauty one, though I’m going to try out either the CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser or the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (both are for sensitive skin and approved by various medical associations for said skin type) as I’m trying to go for cheaper options given that medical care = money.

I’ve been using the FAB Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum after that most days (on the worse pain days I skip that step) and haven’t found a better, cheaper option so that one should stick around for a while.

I do have some eye creams (the FAB roll-on is my current one) but I’ve been too exhausted to do that step for about a month or two.

My moisturizer (finally found one for summer that doesn’t f-up my skin!) is the Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid which is rocking my world (and is less than half the price and twice the size of most other moisturizers I’ve tried!). I also bought their Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 50+ to try at some point as I would love to have my SPF just be in my moisturizer but so far my skin hasn’t liked the other ones I’ve tried. I have another SPF open at the moment so will try it when that runs out.

For SPF, which I’ve been bad and only putting on when I go out (and it’s sunny) which is rare these days, I’ve been LOVING the Heliocare Advanced SPF 50 XF gel Sunscreen. It’s really lightweight (as it’s a gel) and more of a beige-y color so I don’t worry about getting a white cast when having to put the full quarter-sized amount onto my face for adequate protection. It was dermatologist recommended as I couldn’t find anything that wouldn’t set my skin off for ages (thanks multiple medications!) so went to her to figure it out and even though it’s a South African brand I can get it off Amazon in the US which is great. It is like $30 for 50ml (~1.7 oz) which is more than the drugstore options I’ve been trying to switch to, but for the summer especially I’m really loving it. 10/10 would recommend.

kjh Avatar

Heliocare are sounds physical. Will check it out. Snow White and the Asian Pear has an interesting post on sunscreens. I think she’s only reactive to one chemical one, though. So some may not be strictly mineral.

Anne Avatar

I know it’s definitely at least physical as I see the usual Zinc/Titanium Dioxide on it’s list, but it seems to also be chemical as well when I took a look online. Whatever chemical sunscreen it uses isn’t one of the standard ones I would recognize, but the US barely ever bring in new SPFs as they classify it at the level of a drug so they take years to push through. My guess, as it’s not freaking my skin out like all other chemical sunscreens, is that it’s something newer that’s not in US SPFs yet as it’s from SA. But either way I’m not complaining as it’s been working great for me.

Maggie Avatar

Cerave foaming facial cleanser or cerave hydrating cleanser, depending on how dry the skin is at the moment. Paula’s Choice BHA4, then Paula’s Choice Benzoyl peroxide on acne, then Bareminerals tinted Gel cream mixed with Paula’s Choice Niacinamide Booster.

Maggie Avatar

I make sure the BHA has dried before applying the BP.

PC’s BP is the most gentle I’ve tried. Started with the 2.5% and worked my way up to 5%. I do not buy pharmacy BP because they’re way too drying. The Clinique BP is also good too. Sometimes I need to carry the sample size with me to reapply throughout the day but that’s preferable to drying out my skin with a stronger BP.

PC BHA formulas are also each different on my skin. Initially found the gel version to be most gentle and got my skin accustomed to the BHA 2% gel first. You may need to get samples and apply BHA at a separate time from the BP to get your skin to adapt first. (Like BP at night, BHA in the morning).

Christy Avatar

Mine is:
– Cleanser: Neutrogena PInk Grapefruit Acne Wash
– Hydrating toner: Hada Labo Arbutin Lotion
– Emulsion: Hada Labo Arbutin Milk
– Serum: Timeless C E Ferulic Acid Serum
– Eye cream: Belief Moisturizing Bomb (not technically an eye cream but I only use it around my eyes)
– Moisturizer: CeraVe PM (not AM) Facial Moisturizing Lotion for normal/dry skin (stings my eyes so I don’t put it near them!)
– Sunscreen: Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel SPF 50+ PA++++ (inexpensive and awesome under makeup! downside is it ships from Japan so it takes a few weeks to arrive–worth the wait, though!)

Shannon. N Avatar

I start the day off, by cleansing with a non lathering/foaming cleanser, I use Marcelle’s ultra gentle cleansing gel. Which removes my built up oil, and lastnights skincare. And doesn’t make my skin feel tight!

Then i’ll Spray my face with a face mist to further wake myself up. I’m trying out one from Originz right now!

I’ll rehydrate my skin next, and apply a gel moisturizer. I’m really liking Clinique Dramatically different moisturizing gel because it doesn’t feel thick or sticky.

I’ll apply an eye cream next, i’m using clinique repearwear lazer eye cream currently! (I’m in my 20’s, all I really need is hydration. So I’m all about prevention!!)

Next is a metric ton of SPF! I’m using three layers of Coppertone Clearly Sheer SPF50 Face right now. It’s not thick, its not tacky, and dries to a matte almost powdery finish!! which for my oily skin, I love!!

LASTLY. once my makeup is done, I’ll spray myself with a setting spray with SPF. And I’ll pop that into my purse and touch up with that through out the day to keep my SPF up!

Dana Avatar

For cleanser, I alternate every other day with either some kind of gel cleanser (I’m using the Tarte Rainforest cleanser right now) or an exfoliating scrub (I’m using Kiehl’s Pineapple Papaya Scrub right now). Then I use Lush’s Tea Tree Toner, The Body Shop Tea Tree Anti-imperfection Daily Solution, FAB Triple Remedy eye gel, and FAB Ultra Repair Cream.

On the days that I use the gel cleanser, I also use Pixi’s Glow Tonic when I wake up and then wash it off with the cleanser later.

Lesley Avatar

The hot weather has hit. I am washing with Shiseido Pureness foaming cleansing fluid followed by some micellar water on a cotton pad (currently the Simple brand). Then SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic followed by SK-II essence. If I plan to wear foundation, I use sunscreen, either Glossier Invisible Shield SPF 35 or Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel SPF 50, depending on how long I plan to be outside. This is on my face. I have some CeraVe physical sunscreen that was too white on my face and I am using that on my neck to use it up. If I am not going to be wearing foundation, I use Dr. Brandt Pores No More Multi-Performance Stick, which is SPF 45 and has enough color for a finished look. I don’t know if it counts as make-up or skin care but I use primer over the sunscreen and under foundation or under the Dr. Brandt. Right now it is Algenist Pore Corrector Anti-Aging Primer that I bought last week and I am not sure how it will stand up to the hot weather.

Kuávsui Avatar

I cleanse with some Lumene cleanser that I’m trying to use up and tone with Paula’s Choice Skin-Balancing toner (a godsend!), and then I go in with treatments: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid, Lumene Glow Boost vit c + hyaluronic acid essence (testing), a drop of some hydrating serum if I need it and then, ideally, a moisturizer with SPF. I need one that doesn’t turn me into a shiny mess, desperately!

MacKenzie Avatar

I wash my face with Cetaphil, dry off, apply toner (witch hazel mixed with rose), apply Mario Badescu rose spray, then apply spf (currently Glossier Invisible Shield, which I’m really liking)

Lulle Avatar

Cleanser depends if I shower in the morning (in this case, Derma Doctor Wrinkle Revenge) or showered the night before (then I use micellar water, currently the one by Pacifica but I don’t like it and won’t repurchase). Then I mix Dr Brandt’s Vitamin C serum with Drunk Elephant B-Hydra. Next step is Peter Thomas Roth Hydra Quench Cloud Cream. And finally sunscreen, currently Coola Day Dream mineral primer with SPF 30.

maria Avatar

My routine varies I would like to keep it the same but it really depends on how my skin is at the time when I was doing the same thing every morning my skin will look great for a week but then it can become irritated so I basically switch it up. I like to wash my face with TwinMedix pro essentials 02 it is for all skin types it is an oxygen skin transformer. My skin is definitely not oily those days are long gone it is more normal but I could see this being great for oily skin and skin that breaks out you apply it in circular motion without water and it tingles and drys and then rinse it off. It leaves your skin super clean but not dry. Afterwards I sometimes will use not always Tatcha Essence which I really like it truly softens your skin but it is so expensive. Sometimes instead I will use Dr. Gross Alpha Beta peel before applying a serum & moisturizer or just a moisturizer.

Genevieve Avatar

I use my Swisse Sweet Almond cleanser (which is very soothing and lovely) first up, followed by Olay’s Regenerist daily moisturiser with SPF 30 in – it was part of a skincare gift set that I received awhile ago and I want to use up.
Then I put on the Garnier BB cream in light, followed by my foundation. I am always mixing it up.

Lea Avatar

Mornings are Dermologica Daily Microfoliant, Dr Dennis Gross Alpha-Beta Hydroxy pads, Tatcha Essence (just diminished my SK-II and Chantecaille ones), Dr Dennis Gross Vit C Serum and whatever moisturizer I’m testing.

Flicka Avatar

I just clean my face with warm water in the shower, then gently dry with towel and put on a generous dose of LPR ultralight spf 50 sunscreen. Once that’s set, I use a dab of BB tinted primer, and a swipe of blush. That’s it.

Rashmi Avatar

You have excellent skin care Christine 🙂
Acids …. Wowwww .. love BR and use the “P50 W” version which they recommend for Indian climate … may switch to higher once i finish this off …

My daytime skincare is –
Oskia Renissance cleanser by Default
Deciem Hylamide
FAB A.M. eye cream
SPF i switch between Vichy , LRP or Kate Somerville or anything else that I can see on my desk …

Use acids in night

WildDove Avatar

Rinse face with just water in the shower.
1 pump of Ole Henriksen Truth Serum,
2-3 sprays of Ole Henriksen Fountain of Truth Facial Water (moisturizing when used w/ the Truth Serum),
1 pump Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer if I’ll be wearing foundation and makeup that day,
OR various face creams, gels, or “sleeping masks” if not wearing foundation and makeup that day.

Lesley H Avatar

I start by washing my face with Sunday Riley’s Ceramic Slip Cleanser an then pat my face dry. I got this as a sample in my Sephora Play box. Not sure that I’ll purchase it because it is so pricy, but it hasn’t broken me out or over dried my skin.

I then take a cotton round and lightly rub on Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Toner and 2% BHA Liquid. I follow that with a mix of Paula’s Choice Ulta Light Antioxidant Serum with 5-7 drops of Timeless Vitamin C. After that is dry, I spot treat any blemishes with Clindamycin gel.
I moisturize with Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Gel. I’ve recently added this and love it! It keeps me more matte than usual while providing hydration.

Lastly, I use a 50 SPF–either Hydropeptide Solar Defense or Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen. The Hydropeptide one is my pick if I’m wearing a full face of makeup since it looks so pretty under most foundations.

Silvia Avatar

Simple I’m currently using Eucerin facial wash comparing it to the Cera Vé facial wash I just finished both have been great or Cetaphil. Then followed with Cera Ve moisturizer in round jar then spf and light foundation. Beginning to search for rose oils and a great nitgh time moisteruzer. For now, I have started using the Loreal Revitalift pads, sunblock and duo serum/brightener botttle with two pumps inside in red/white. It’s going well I notice a difference and it has been one full week so far.

lisa Avatar

Morning routine on days I watch my 3 granddaughters-Use Tak-Koza cleansing cloths or wash with Jack Black glycolic wash. then apply my DIY serum (contains way too many ingredients to put here but has tons of peptides and skin tighteners) then apply Algenist Genius, NIA 24 Sunscreen or Super Goop SPF oil or SuperGoop CC cream in light/medium. UD Bronzing BB Cream. super goop lip acai and super goop hand cream. All in 15 minutes. Weekends I do Farmacy firming mask or Ren glycolic/lactic mask, then my serum etc. Once a week its either lactic acid peel, glycolic peel or phytx peel.

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