Morning Skincare Routine Update

As you may or may not know, this weird blog lady is a shameless skincare junkie. Call me superficial (thank you!), but healthy, glowing skin brings me an absurd amount of joy, and I shall happily continue to pursue it until my dying day. For better or worse, I’m always experimenting with new products, which means that my skincare regimen is a perpetual work in progress. I’m also forced to switch things up seasonally given that my skin is especially sensitive to shifts in temperature and humidity.

I did a full rundown of my skincare regimen last spring, but I’ve tweaked it significantly since then, so I figured I’d share my current routine for my fellow skin obsessives. I’m breaking it down into two separate posts for morning and evening, since I’m now using some different products for each. #diva

Let’s do this.

My Current Morning Skincare Routine:

1. Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser.

I started using this cleanser back in July while dealing with some seriously congested post-honeymoon skin and immediately fell in love. Not only does it do a kickass job of deep cleansing my skin without stripping it, but it also gets bonus points for the fact that it’s 100% natural and smells glorious. (Think citrusy and floral but not perfume-y.) Tata Harper’s products are pricey, but I’m willing to shell out for this cleanser because a.) it works better than most expensive cleansers I’ve tried, and b.) a little bit goes long way. I massage it onto my dry face first, then add a little water and continue to gently rub it into my skin before rinsing. (It doesn’t really foam, but it does get slightly sudsy.)

2. Rosewater Mist.

I’ve tested too many toners and “essences” to count, and while I’ve enjoyed many of them, I always find myself coming back to simple, anti-inflammatory rosewater. I’ve been using a pure rosewater mist by Camille Cosmeceuticals NY given to me by facialist, which I keep in the fridge. (I couldn’t find it anywhere online, but there are lots of brands that make great rosewater products!) Rosewater definitely doesn’t need to be refrigerated, but I’m into spritzing something cold on my face in the morning—especially since I’m usually still cooling down from a workout. It wakes me up, soothes redness, and does a bang up job of prepping my skin for serum and moisturizer.

3. Skinceuticals CE Ferulic.

Here’s the deal. I started using CE Ferulic about six months before my wedding at the recommendation of my facialist (wassup Suen at Tribeca Medspa?!), and it completely changed my skin. After a few weeks of using it, my skin was noticeably brighter and more even, and my general “glow” increased exponentially. It’s painfully expensive, but I’ve tried to find a cheaper product that works just as well, and…I can’t. I switched to Biossance Vitamin C Rose Oil for a few months last spring, and while I stand by it being an excellent product, after long-term use, it became clear that it’s simply not as effective as the CE Ferulic. So I’m back on the Skinceuticals wagon and unlikely to get off.

A couple quick notes on CE Ferulic. First, the serum feels a little tacky when you first apply it. Don’t panic—it will sink into the skin within a minute or so. (I usually brush my teeth after applying it to give it some time to absorb before applying moisturizer.) Second, because the form of Vitamin C it contains (L-ascorbic acid) is unstable, you need to be careful to prevent oxidation. Make sure to screw the lid on tightly after each use, and store it in a cool, dry, dark place. You can also store it in the fridge if you like.

4. True Botanicals CLEAR Pure Radiance Oil.

I’ve come to prefer face oil to traditional cream/gel moisturizers for daytime, and I’ve tried a lot of face oils this year. It’s embarrassing. Some have clogged my pores, others felt too greasy on my skin, and some were just “meh,” but not this one. This all-natural oil penetrates my skin quickly and provides the perfect amount of hydration underneath my sunscreen to leave my face feeling supple but not too shiny. I’m also convinced the stuff is magically shrinking my pores. True Botanicals makes a few different versions of the Pure Radiance Oil depending on your skin concerns (acne, aging, redness, etc.), and while I’m a huge fan of the “clear” version, I’ve heard great things about the other formulas as well.

*This oil is currently providing enough moisture, but I’ll likely have to start layering it over a cream moisturizer when temperatures start to really drop in a month or two.

5. Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50.

Once a shameless sun worshipper, I’ve developed a healthy fear of the sun in my old age, and I never, ever leave the house without sunscreen. Lightweight, unscented, and moisturizing without being greasy, Physical Fusion is hands down the best sunscreen I have ever tried, and I plan to continue using it forever and ever (amen). I like the tinted version, which provides the perfect amount of sheer “coverage.”

6. Biossance Squalane and Peptide Eye Gel.

It’s been over a year, and I’m still hooked on this Biossance eye gel. I have incredibly sensitive eyes, and almost every other eye cream/gel I’ve tried has caused itching, peeling, or a perioral dermatitis flare (fun!), so I’m very grateful to Biossance for always being there for me. I wouldn’t say this product has de-puffing/dark circle benefits to write home about, but it’s extremely hydrating while still being lightweight, and used in conjunction with a couple weekly eye masks (big fan of these by Shiseido), it keeps my crow’s feet in check.

7. Mother Dirt AO+ Mist.

Since discovering this miracle mist last winter, it’s been one of the few constants in my routine. I used to spritz it after cleansing—which definitely worked—but the fine folks at Mother Dirt informed me that it should always be the last step in my routine for best results. So now it is. And it’s one of the most effective products I’ve ever used for keeping my skin balanced and breakouts at bay. I store the bottle in the fridge to prolong the life of all the good bacteria inside.

I know this may seem like a crazy amount of products to some, but it is what it is. The whole shebang usually takes me about 4 minutes from start to finish, which I consider minutes very well spent ;).

In addition to these products, I also love me some face masks. On a good week, I’ll get in three masks: one exfoliating, one clarifying, one moisturizing. If you’re interested in my favorites, I rounded them up here.

Disclaimer: I have combination (leaning toward dry), sensitive, generally unpredictable skin. Your skin is extraordinarily unlikely to be exactly like my skin, and things that work for me may not work for you. (Sad, but true.) I always recommend purchasing products via Sephora or Blue Mercury, which have awesome return policies, should you decide to experiment with something and not love it. xox, Captain Obvious