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A Detailed Deep Dive Into My Current Skincare Routine

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current skin care top pic
All about retinol these days, babes.

I’ve been meaning to do an updated skin care routine breakdown, and today seems like a good day for it. But before I jump in, I feel like I should let you that I’m standing in my bathroom right now looking into my cabinet, which stands just behind and above the toilet, and having PTSD flashbacks of my Velvet Teddy lipstick falling into the toilet. 🙄

I keep hearing that *plunk* over and over again…

That said, here we go!

Everything I’m doing in my routine now revolves around how sensitive my skin is feeling on any given day, because I started using a retinol with vitamin C recently. It’s called Kate Somerville Retinol Vitamin C Power Serum, and I’m trying to ramp up slowly to be able to use it seven days a week. Right now, I’m at three days, and I find that introducing it slowly over weeks and watching everything else that I use in conjunction with it allows me to keep going without my skin turning red or freaking out.

Morning routine

In the morning, I’ll wash one of two ways. If my skin’s feeling extra tight and red and sensitive and angry, then I’ll do a few splashes of warm water on my bare face, then gently blot with a towel. If, on the other hand, my skin’s feeling OK, then I’ll use a squirt or two of Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser directly on bare skin (I’ll work it in with my fingers). Then I’ll remove it with a washcloth dampened with warm water. After that, I’ll do a few splashes of ice cold water to help me wake up.

At that point, I’ll wait…usually between 30 minutes and an hour (depends on how much time I have and what I’m doing in the morning), and then I’ll apply all of my skin treatments.

I wait because I want my skin to be completely dry before I put anything aggressive on there, because if I don’t wait, and my skin is wet when I apply a BHA or benzoyl peroxide, they’ll just aggravate it even more.

So. Completely dry!

current skin care routine
It’s less complicated than it looks, I swear!

At that point, I’ll do an eye cream. (Right now I’m using this one by Nyakio, and I think it’s just “eh.” I’ll replace it eventually with something else when I get around it.) Then I’ll use two pumps of my ride-or-die Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion all over my face to prevent the pimples from taking over.

After that, I’ll apply a thin layer of Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream (which has been my skin savior ever since I introduced the retinol), followed by a healthy dollop of sunscreen, specifically Clinique Super Defense Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 for Very Dry to Dry Combination Skin.

Sometimes, before I do the two pumps of Anti Bac, if I feel like my skin can handle it, I’ll do a little with Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence, just because I like to sneak some exfoliation in during the day if I can. I’ll do that two or three mornings a week, so it’s not an everyday thing for me.

Fast forward to the evening…

First, a double cleanse. On completely dry skin (as in my makeup is still on), I’ll massage an oil cleanser on my face and eyes to break everything down. I like DHC Deep Cleansing Oil or Fresh Seaberry for this.

At that point, I’ll take a clean, warm washcloth and gently wipe everything off. Next, I’ll do a second cleanse with either Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser, if I haven’t been wearing a ton of makeup, or if I haven’t been sweating; or the H2O Plus Elements Keep It Fresh Cleanser. I use that one when I’ve been wearing a little more makeup, or if I’ve been perspiring a lot. It’s just a stronger, more potent gel cleanser.

Again, I wait from 30-60 minutes (this generally depends on how tired I am), then apply eye cream, and I’ve been using this one called Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Supercharged Complex.

It’s OK… I’ve yet to find an eye cream that blows my mind.

If it’s a Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday, that’s when I’ll do one pump (just one) of the Kate Somerville Retinol on my face and neck. Then I’ll follow that up with the Avène Xera Calm, and I’ve also been doing this other thing lately, which has really helped with the sensitivity on my cheeks: On top of the Avène, I apply a layer of Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask only on my cheeks, and that really seems to help with the redness, soreness and sensitivity the next day.

Then, on the other days of the week, I’ll use Kate Somerville Anti-Bac, then the Avène or Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream for Dry Skin.

Eventually, I’m hoping to ramp up the retinol to seven days a week and add a glycolic or BHA toner into the mix, because I know my skin likes them, but it just can’t handle the full arsenal at the moment. I’m going to keep going slowly over the next few months so my face doesn’t freak out.

OK, whew! I know this probably sounded complicated, but really, my general skin care rule is to keep things simple (really, it is!). Like, I can’t do a 12-step routine. They’re just too much for me. I don’t have the time, and my skin doesn’t respond well to too much stuff.

So yeah, that’s my routine right now!

If you feel like it, please share your skin care routine in the comments. I’d love to hear what you’re doing now. Do you have any skin care app recommendations, product recs or kick-butt combos? Do you alternate among a list of different treatments? Do you and your dermatologist text on a daily basis? I want all the deets!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. You have dry skin but you don’t put anything on after double cleanisng?? Wow. My skin is oily and even after a mild noon sudsy cleanser I can’t deal with the tightness and have to put moisturizer on right away. I also read somewhere you should put moisturizer max 3 (or is it 5) minutes after washing. I wonder if that is why clogging happens. Your skin starts producing oil because it feels itself dry, but once it starts producing oil, you top it off with moisturizer, so overload.

    Reply

    • The oil cleanser and the Redness Solutions cleanser are both very hydrating. Also, I do put on moisturizer afterwards. I just wait a while. 🙂

      Reply

  2. Hello Karen,
    Thank you for sharing your Routine ❤️
    I think I have a relatively laid back routine…
    In the morning I use just a wet cloth in the shower, put on some moisturizing serum if I can be bothered (I am living in Germany, I am using a Hyualuron Serum from Lacura which you can get here at a store named Aldi – it is cheap, but very good). Afterwards I put on some Sunscreen – that is a must for me- and let it sink in for about 15-30min, before I do my MakeUp.
    In the evening I take of my Make Up with said cloth and a Cream Cleanser – I did not find the perfect one yet, because it can not fully take off my Mascara although I am not using a waterproof one. I always have a slight black shadow under my eyes when I leave the shower in the morning. If I have a lot of eye Make Up going on I would use a micellar water before this step. Then I use a serum with PHA, Vitamin C, E and Retinol (Neostrata Bionic Face Serum – I swear it is The Bomb!) and then again if I can be bothered my moisturizing Serum. I use the Retinol Serum pretty much every Second day – I would use it every day, but oftentimes I am so tired, that I am proud, when I took my Make Up off and just fall in my bed 😊

    Reply

  3. Love seeing what other people do!! Here goes:

    Morning:
    1. Wash face with whatever sample of face wash I have
    2. Apply the Ordinary vitamin C solution (the one that’s serum like)
    3. Apply the Ole Henriksen banana bright eye cream
    4. Apply the Clinique dramatically different gel+ (in the summer this gets switched to a No7 serum)

    Evening:
    1. Remove eye makeup with Lancôme bifacil eye makeup remover
    2. Use Clinique take the day off cleansing balm for all other makeup
    3. Use whatever face wash I like at the moment (confidence in a cleanser, korres yoghurt cleanser)
    4. Clinique #3 toner
    5. Currently using an everyday BHA from Paula’s Choice, and once a week I physically exfoliate, and will start alternating with a retinol probably From the Ordinary.
    6. Estée Lauder supercharged night serum
    7. L’emminence serum for eyes
    8. Whatever night cream or heavy moisturizer I have on hand and a Lancôme eye cream

    It’s a lot but at the moment it’s working for me, I just need my skin to not be reddish. It’s not dry or irritated…just red.

    Reply

      • I kind of want the new primer too but we are headed right into “Dear god why is it so humid and I literally can’t stop sweating even though it’s only 80degrees but 100% humidity” in the northeast weather. So mattifying primers are my where it’s at.

        I’m all for glow until the glow is dropping down my face. 🙂

        Reply

        • Jade,

          The retinol from The Ordinary is super good, highly recommended! I used the Granactive Retinoid 2% for over a year, it is very gentle and did not make my skin oversensitive.

          For vitamin C, have you tried the Timeless one? I recommend over the ordinary, it is more potent and I gives an instant glow, although my skin is getting used to it after a few years.

          Reply

          • Thanks for the tip! I haven’t tried anything from the Timeless line, but I’ll have to try this once I finish up my current one.

            Thanks!

  4. I know you like the Kate Somerville anti-bac products but do you ever have problems with it ruining your sheets/towels/clothing because of the benzoyl peroxide? I’m looking for an acne spray for body (like my chest and back area) but I’m leaning towards those with salicylic acid in them because that won’t bleach the color out of clothing.

    Reply

    • Hi Rachel,

      It has bleached some uber-budget friendly towels and pillowcases that I got from Target but for the most part I haven’t had any issues with it bleaching my clothes. I’ve been using it for years and it’s been good to me!

      Reply

  5. My skin type: Dry, mature (old as dust—lol), with mild, very well-controlled rosacea. I treat my face, neck, and chest with the same routine. I’m also willing to add or substitute extra products to target specific concerns when they arise. Skin can be finicky!

    AM: I use a small amount of Tatcha Rice Polish, Gentle mixed with enough water to make a foamy slurry which I apply all over and then rinse with cool water and pat dry. (The rice polishes have been reformulated to be ph neutral.) After cleansing, I apply La Mer The Treatment Lotion which is actually a very hydrating essence. I let that absorb while I brush my teeth 😃 I then apply three squirts of Jack Black Protein Booster Skin Serum combined with 3 drops of Fresh Seaberry Skin Nutrition Booster. I apply the mixture to face, neck, and chest and follow it with Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream. It’s a new product and I love its gentle efficacy but it is definitely for those of us with dry skin. I let all that set while I
    pick out my clothes and fiddle with my hair. Last, I apply Jack Black Sun Guard SPF 45. It is very gentle on my skin, plays nice with my makeup, and is—most important of all—effective. My skin is now ready for my foundation (Clé de Peau Radiant Fluid) or for just a dusting of powder (Les Beiges #10) on those low maintenance days.

    PM: I remove my eye makeup with Chanel Gentle Biphase Eye Makeup Remover and then go over my entire face, neck, and chest with Tatcha’s One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil. Although it emulsifies and rinses clean, I always go over everything with a clean washcloth that has been wrung out in warm water. While my skin is still moist, I apply Murad Nutrient Charged Water Gel and follow it with Crème de la Mer. About 30 minutes later, I apply the prescription retinoic acid product that I get from my dermatologist. It is buffered and does not aggravate my skin. I use it every other night. Before lights out, I’ll use a bit of Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Cream around my eyes and on my lips.

    General comment: Watch out for acid overload! More is not necessarily better. Many acids require different ph levels to be effective and some are inherently more sensitizing than others. Much of the inflammation, irritation, and redness that estheticians see is the result of a client’s well-intended penchant to go overboard. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy 🙁

    Reply

  6. Wow, that is… wow. Props to you- that is skincare commitment! My routine is pretty simple: if I’m wearing makeup, I take it off with Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm. It gets off just about everything, even UD 24/7 eyeliner. If I have a little residue, I’ll use Clinique Take the Day Off for Lids, Lashes, and Lips.

    For actual cleansing, I rotate First Aid Beauty’s Face Cleanser with the new Sephora Collection Clean Skin Gel. (Side note: that new Sephora Collection skincare is awesome.) I’ve been moisturizing all winter with Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, but it’s too heavy for the summer, so I’ve switched to the Sephora Collection All Day Hydrator. My favorite eye cream is the OleHenriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream.

    At night, I use the Sunday Riley Luna Retinol Sleeping Night Oil with Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment on top. They’re surprisingly easy on my sensitive skin, but I can see a huge improvement since I started using them.

    Reply

    • I keep hearing good things about that eye cream! I think I’m going to get one during the next VIB sale.

      Also, I’m a huge fan of Good Genes and might switch back to it eventually.

      P.S. What else have you tried from the Sephora collection line?

      Reply

  7. It sounds like your skin gets red/irritated/tight because your skin’s barrier function is reduced.
    If I may make a suggestion…

    Wash your face and then immediately put on some kind of hydrating and occlusive moisturizer. When I say immediately, I mean within 30 seconds or so, while your skin is still damp. It would be best if this were a plain, basic moisturizer without a lot of active ingredients. Anything with niacinamide, oat extract, or ceramides would be great. You can do the rest of your routine later, if you like. All of the active ingredients in your other skincare products will still be able to penetrate this moisturizer. This is called “buffering,” and is ESPECIALLY helpful when using retinol or tretinoin products.
    I used the buffering technique when starting prescription tretinoin and it is a life saver.
    Some good basic moisturizers I can recommend are:

    CeraVe Facial Lotion PM (the one without sunscreen). A very light moisturizer. The niacinamide *might* sting if your barrier function is very compromised.

    CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream (very thick, creamy, but non-greasy with a matte finish. I use this every night.)

    CeraVe body lotion and body cream (these are cheap, readily available, and great on sensitive facial skin. Should not sting at all. Both have a matte finish)

    La Roche Posay Toleriane (any of the Toleriane line are great for truly sensitive skin when everything else seems to burn. These are all, especially the Toleriane Ultra, exceptionally soothing. Think of these as the Big Guns of sensitive skincare)

    I hope you will consider my suggestion about the moisturizer. Skin that is red/tight/stinging is NOT a good sign and I can almost guarantee that your barrier function is compromised. If you just add in a *plain* soothing moisturizer immediately after washing I think you will notice a difference in a week or less.

    I hope all of this doesn’t come off as preachy or bossy. I am truly just trying to help. I have a passion for skincare and skin health and love helping other women (and men!). After all, everyone deserves great skin!

    Reply

  8. Hi Karen,

    I love talking skincare! Someone mentioned it above, but your dry skin may do better if you put something immediately after cleansing. Water strips our skin barrier and is irritating in and of itself. (I only found this out recently.) I always put hyaluronic acid right after I wash, then moisturizer and then put my Tretinoin after my face dries. If I’m using an acid (Tarte Knockout on alternating nights with retinol), I put that on after washing, then hyaluronic acid and moisturizer right away.

    Have you considered getting a prescription retinoid? I feel like that’s cheaper and more effective than most things you can at Sephora. Also, not sure if I mentioned it before but I like Dr. Dray (a dermatologist) and Hot and Flashy for their YouTube channels. Both have a lot of skincare content.

    My most frequent skincare buy is sunscreen. I double layer in the am and reapply. My skin gets pretty sensitive when exposed to UV with vitamin c, acid and retinol use. Do you think sun exposure may be adding to your sensitivity?

    Reply

  9. I love to read and share skincare routine, I think this is “the thing” of the moment, right?
    My routine is very simple and has been similar for years now, but I am about to change in the next few weeks because I feel like my skin is getting used to the active ingredients. I am almost 30 (in 2 weeks, wow) and my skin is normal, behaves pretty well but it has been like this only after I started taking a good care of it. Until my 24-25 it was combo.

    In the morning:
    – I usually wash my face with cold water but n-e-v-e-r use face soap, I let my own natural oils nourish ma face.
    – Most of the time I come with vitamin-c, which has been my holy grail stable product for about 7 years now. However, this is the ingredient that I think my skin is getting used to. I use a few drops of timeless vitamin C.
    – Right now I am using a primer before make up, which is the no poreblem primer from Touch in Sol. It is a little hydrating and very silicony. I do like it but it is not a necessary step in my opinion.
    – Then I go with my everyday CC cream from It cosmetics, that already has SPF 50 in the formula, and finish up my make up.

    In the evening things often change:
    – I wash my face with CeraVe gentle facial cleanser and, if I wore more eye makeup that day, I clean the eyes before either with micellar water (Biore Baking Soda water, but varies) or the Farmacy cleansing balm.
    – 3 times a week I go with my Vit C + It cosmetics confidence in a cream. The moisturizer varies, but this one is unbelievably good.
    – 3 times a week I go with Retinol. I used the Ordinary one in the past and now I am using the Exuviance super Retinol concentrate, which is really good for normal to dry skin.
    – Once a week I usually do my BHA+AHA 10 minute treatment from The Ordinary, which is wonderful. After that I usually go with the It moisturizer since I don’t wanna freak out my skin
    – Face masks 2 times a week are a must to me, one on Sunday and another one in the middle of the week. I am always trying a new one! 🙂

    Reply

  10. My skin is naturally pretty dry and prone to dehydration, very sensitive, and I deal with eczema, rosacea, and a lot of products give me acne (almost anything with oil is a no-go). My products are basically always fragrance-free and alcohol-free and if I don’t moisturize right away while my skin is still damp, I get really dry.

    In the AM:

    -La Roche Posay Toleriane Gentle Hydrating Cleanser – I love the texture of this stuff.
    -Follow with my DIY toner: Aveeno Colloidal Oatmeal bath and warm water
    -Mist my face with a thermal water spray (using Bioderma right now but any of them are fine)
    -Trying out this Skin Inc Licorice Root serum – not sure how I feel yet.
    -Aveeno Eczema Cream applied all over, liberally
    -MD Solar Sciences BB cream with SPF 50 – very sheer with a translucent base, or some other zinc oxide sunscreen

    PM:
    – Bioderma Sensibio H2O on a cotton pad to remove makeup
    -Ocusoft Lid Scrub on eyelids (that’s more eyecare but still important!)
    -Cleanse – I rotate between Aveeno’s Baby Eczema Wash, Bioderma Sensibio Gel Cleanser, and the La Roche Posay from the AM
    -Same DIY toner as AM
    -Same Aveeno Eczema Cream all over

    I don’t really notice a difference with most eye cream and I use the Aveeno on my eyes anyway since they’re prone to eczema. I also do Neulash on my eyelashes at night. Sometimes I put a balm or ointment around my eyes at night too – like Aquaphor, one by Aveeno I have. I don’t exfoliate super often because my skin does better without it. My pores on my nose annoy me but I can’t find a solution that doesn’t irritate the skin there. I need to just buy washcloths to do it I think.

    I’d love to work in some anti-aging shit but my skin does better with minimal routines.

    Reply

    • I also use the La Roche Posay Toleriane cleanser (the one in the round bottle with the flip top). I use it for my morning cleanse but also in the evening, after I use the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm to remove makeup. The La Roche Posay cleanser is aaaaaahmazing stuff. It is so gentle and non-irritating. I have used it for about five years now and I have no intention to ever change. I find that “product hopping” doesn’t do my skin any favors. I tend to stick with the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. Now with makeup though, that’s another story. I am forever looking for the next best thing! 🙂

      Reply

  11. Hey Karen! You’re being smart by easing into the retinol. It can really tear up your skin if you overdo it. I hope you get good results. I’ve really had to work at figuring out skincare as I’ve gotten into my 40s and my skin has gotten drier and more reactive – and wrinkly – even though the acne and clogged pores are still very much alive.
    Eye creams are tricky for me because I can’t put shea butter on my face and it’s in about 90% of eye creams. Clarins Super Restorative is good but really too expensive for what it does and doesn’t do – at least it doesn’t irritate my eyes or cause milia. The new Sephora eye cream is very basic but it’s a good moisturizer and plays well with makeup.
    I really like the It Cosmetics makeup remover balm. It’s the same concept as Clinique but for me it’s more effective, rinses cleaner, and doesn’t irritate my eyes.
    Differin is a less-expensive retinoid that’s effective but not as harsh as Retin-A and it’s a lot cheaper than most OTC retinol products, when you are ready for something stronger. It’s marketed for acne but it also works on pores and fine lines, It’s a nice consistency and can be mixed with other products. I mix it half-and-half with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide and apply all over 2-3 times a week and everyday during my “PMS breakout” phase. That’s a pretty strong concoction so I follow with a lot of moisturizer.
    Have you ever tried Paula’s Choice? It’s a well-formulated line that’s frankly better than most things at Sephora and less expensive – focused on effective ingredients with no irritants or fragrance. Not everything is wonderful but there are a lot of great products, with options for all skin types and results desired. The website is informative and easy to navigate.
    Thanks for this informative post. Keep us posted on how it goes with the retinol!

    Reply

  12. My skin used to be oily but when I turned 30 and had my first baby, it became pretty dry. I had my second baby about 5 months ago so my routine is pretty bare bones these days:
    I wash my face and remove my makeup with Eminence Organics Oil Cleanser (I highly recommend if you’re ever looking to try a new oil cleanser). Then I use the Crude Pull cloths to take everything off (they’re really soft microfiber washcloths and wash well). I moisturizing with my ride or die First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream and finish with Crude Bloom oil (p.m. only). The Laneige lip sleeping mask is fantastic and you already know I love the MyChelle Sun Shield Liquid SPF 50 (a.m. only). And that’s it! Someday I’ll probably add a couple things but these days time is a luxury I don’t have!

    Reply

  13. Wow! That’s a lot going on. I just turned 26 and I’ve only really changed things from what I used to use (citrus or avocado bar soap for face, cleanse oil for makeup, *sometimes* Aegean oil at night) lmao. Now I use Andalau Naturals 1000 roses foam cleanser (love! Smells beautiful!) and a Vichy thermal 89 serum topped with 1000 roses day cream. If I’m leaving the house I put on Mac eye cream. The only changes are at night I use a heavier duty eye cream (Rocky mountain soap company- natural and I can feel it working) and if I’m exfoliating I use a mix of Rocky (above) dry powder and their day cream to make this deliciously scented paste for a really mild exfoliant. The cool thing about their dry scrubs is that you can mix them with anything (yogurt, honey, moisturizer, oil, or just water). And that’s it for me. I’d like to protect with spf but everything I’ve tried breaks me out and is chock full of chemicals and I’d like to keep that to a minimum.

    Reply

  14. There are so many skincare products so it’s awesome to read what people have tried and like!

    Morning:
    – CeraVe foaming cleanser with Clarisonic
    – CeraVe moisturizer, regular not SPF (and I agree with Amy above that if I’m a bit sensitive from the retinol that this product can sting)
    – a bb cream or cushion with SPF; otherwise I’d use sunscreen separately

    Evening:
    – On non-dry days, TCFS Egg Mouse Soap; dry days, either Origins Checks & Balances or Drunk Elephant Beste No 9 Jelly Cleanser. Apply then gently scrub with a konjac sponge (especially in my T zone)
    -Cera Ve moisturizer, then brush and floss while it dries. 🙂
    – Retinol (I use Skin Medica 1%, which was actually a rec from several commenters here on your blog – such a great group!)
    – Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

    Reply

  15. I was on a search for an eye cream short off getting fillers. I had dryness, some millia from trying other eye creams, fine lines and darkness.
    But then I tried Niods’ Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate. Life changing!
    One drop day and night. On day 3, my eye area was more hydrated, decreased darkness. 2 weeks in still happy with my results.

    Reply

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