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I’ll be honest: my skincare routine has been through more phases than I’d like to admit. There was the Blind Trust In The Beauty Editors Era (thanks, Condé Nast), the phase where I bought every buzzy serum or cream that crossed my Instagram feed, and then the humbling moment when a facialist looked at my skin and gently told me I was doing too much. Sound familiar?
These days, I’ve landed somewhere that actually feels sustainable, and more importantly, my skin is happier for it. I’m not a dermatologist or an esthetician; I’m just a woman in her forties who has tried a LOT of products and finally figured out what works for my skin. That’s the key word here: my. Everyone’s skin is different, but I’ve gotten so many DMs asking what I use morning and night that I figured it was time to lay it all out.
So here’s the full breakdown of what I’m using right now for morning and evening, and why I love each step. Let me know if you have questions!
AM ROUTINE
iS Clinical Cleansing Complex
$27
Lightweight gel cleanser with willow bark (natural salicylic acid) + sugar cane glycolic acid for gentle daily exfoliation. Centella asiatica soothes. pH 5.6 so it deep cleans without stripping natural moisture. Combines bionutrients, antioxidants, and mild resurfacing ingredients. Great for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone.
Biologique Recherche P50V
$100
The cult exfoliating lotion, “V” version, enriched with vitamins for skin lacking vitality and tone. Combines AHAs (lactic acid), BHAs (salicylic acid), and niacinamide to purify, balance pH, regulate sebum, and enhance skin’s self-regeneration. Mattifies and moisturizes.Basically a facial in a bottle. I use this generously in the morning.
Obagi Professional-C Serum (20%)
$85
20% L-ascorbic acid — the purest, most potent form of vitamin C. Neutralizes free radicals, brightens dark spots, boosts collagen, reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Includes sodium hyaluronate for hydration and ascorbyl glucoside for dual-release vitamin C. Fast-absorbing, lightweight. Best for normal to oily skin. I use this every morning no matter what! It helps with melasma, too.
OSEA Ocean Eyes Age-Defying Serum
$58
Hydrating gel serum with a seaweed blend (Undaria + red algae), hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and peptides (Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3). Targets puffiness, dark circles, fine lines, and crow’s feet. The cooling rollerball applicator is a plus!
Colorescience Face Shield Flex SPF 50
$58
100% mineral zinc oxide sunscreen that’s tone-adapting — starts white, transforms to match your skin tone with the heat of your fingertips. Protects against UVA/UVB, blue light (HEV), pollution, and infrared radiation (patented EnviroScreen Technology). Demi-matte, lightweight finish. Contains niacinamide, bisabolol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E. This blurs the line between SPF and foundation, and is normally all I need for the day in terms of a base!
Round Facial Sponges
$40.62
Gentle physical exfoliation for applying/removing cleanser evenly without being harsh on the skin. If you want to make sure you’re deeply cleansing, use this with your face cleanser!
Clean Face Club Towelettes
$17.99
Using these towelettes to dry my face has absolutely lessened my breakouts! If this is an issue for you, I cannot recommend them enough!
PM ROUTINE
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
$72
The ultimate double-cleanse first step. Transforms from balm → oil → hydrating milk on contact with water. Padina pavonica (brown macroalgae) is rich in antioxidants and supports collagen. Starflower oil (omega-6) reinforces the skin barrier. Elderberry oil, sweet almond oil, and mimosa wax soften and condition. Clinically proven to remove waterproof makeup while providing 24-hour barrier support. I cannot go without this when it comes to removing makeup without stripping my skin!
iS Clinical Cleansing Complex (Second Cleanse)
$27
Same gentle exfoliating gel cleanser from AM, used as the second cleanse after the balm lifts makeup and heavy impurities. Willow bark + sugar cane acids ensure pores are thoroughly cleared.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
$49
Rice-based exfoliating powder that activates with water into a creamy paste. Papain (papaya enzyme) + salicylic acid + rice enzymes micro-exfoliate dead cells. Brightening complex of phytic acid from rice bran, white tea, and licorice evens skin tone. Colloidal oatmeal and allantoin soothe. I mix about 1/2 teaspoon in with my second cleansing step a few times a week to make sure I’m exfoliating dead skin cells and revealing a glow!
Tata Harper Water-Lock Moisturizer
$74
Seriously over-engineered hydration: five forms of hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, beta-glucan, trehalose, and a triple ferment system. Orange blossom peptides support the skin’s natural barrier for water retention. Pomegranate spheres smooth texture. Macro hyaluronic acid provides a plumped, dewy finish. Silicone-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free. This keeps my skin nice and plump and glowing!
Mimétique Skin Booster
$70
French firming face oil with bakuchiol — a plant-based retinol alternative that smooths fine lines and evens skin tone without irritation. Enriched with plum, grape, and almond oils for nourishment and antioxidant benefits. Bisabolol soothes. Biotech-enhanced formula restores elasticity and glow. All the retinol results, none of the sensitivity. I use one drop of this and press it into my skin over the moisturizer for an overnight facial.
OSEA Hyaluronic Lip Oil Booster
$28
Sheer, non-sticky lip oil with hyaluronic acid + sea fern seaweed for plumping hydration. Castor seed oil provides nourishing shine; meadowfoam seed oil conditions. 100% of clinical participants showed improved lip volume and hydration. Sweet mango-mandarin scent. The ultra-plush doe-foot applicator is an added bonus!
OSEA Ocean Eyes Age-Defying Serum (PM)
$58
Same serum from AM — caffeine + peptides + seaweed blend for dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines. Cooling rollerball for end-of-day de-puffing.
OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil
$84
Cult-favorite body oil. USDA organic Undaria algae soaked in botanical oils for six months, allowing seaweed minerals and polysaccharides to naturally infuse into the blend. Passion fruit, acai, babassu, rice bran, and sesame oils. Fast-absorbing, non-greasy. Clinically shown to improve skin elasticity in just 10 minutes. Visibly firms and improves sagging skin. Uplifting citrus scent. Allure Best of Beauty winner, and a winner in my book, too! This makes my body glow and helps me get my softest skin.
