My Skincare Routine

One of the things getting me through this weird time is self-care, which for me includes a really good skincare routine. When I was younger I used to try every single product from Sephora and went a bit crazy with face masking, creams and serums (it drove my mom nuts with all the bottles and samples laying around in my bathroom). Fast forward a good ten years and I can say I’m really happy with my streamlined and highly functional skincare routine. When it comes to skincare, I’m all in for spending a little money to get a good quality product, but I’m not at a point where I can be applying Vintner’s Daughter every day (one day though, a girl can dream). For now, I use a mix of mid- to lower-priced products that I really love. Glossier has a great range of products for good prices and I’ve consistently used their products for quite a few years now. I do also love splurging on key items like a good sunscreen, a clarifying face mask and an everyday moisturizer. When possible I do like to use clean beauty products, but I have yet to convert my full routine.

As for my skin needs — I’m in my late twenties and beginning to notice some signs of aging — think fine lines, pigmentation, and more dryness than I’ve had before. I’ve got a pretty normal skin type, it doesn’t get too oily or dry and I don’t really breakout (thank you baby j). I recently took the Haldi skincare quiz and they helped me highlight a few elements that were missing from my routine such as a good Vitamin C and nighttime renewal cream. I’m in love with the product suggestions they gave me and I highly recommend trying them out! They are currently only shipping within the US right now, so when this pandemic clears up you can ship and pick up your products in Point Roberts using my go-to service Point to Point Parcel.

I have a slightly different morning and nighttime routine that I’ve been following pretty religiously for the last year and feel really good about. Here are alllll the details below, as well as the links to products for you to shop:

Everyday Morning Routine

Step 1: Sip a glass of water with lemon for its detoxifying properties (especially if I’ve had a glass of wine or two the night before!)

Step 2: Shower & apply body lotion — I use Nécessaire’s unscented Body Lotion. I shower every morning and apply this straight out of the shower. Necessaire products are super clean and the body lotion is unscented, which is always good if you’re more on the sensitive side.

Step 2: Cleanse with Glossier Milky Jelly. Massage 1 pump of this onto damp or dry skin for one minute (it doesn’t work as well when you mix it with too much water).

Step 3: Apply eye cream — I use Glossier Bubble Wrap around my eyes and also my lips. It’s super lightweight, good under makeup and provides hydration and plumpness.

Step 4: Apply vitamins C serum for brightening and antioxidants — Ursa Major’s Brighten Up serum smells amazing and it gives you a very subtle glow which is great for all the no-makeup days we currently have in quarantine.

Step 5: Apply moisturizer & SPF — Supergoop Daily Moisturizer SPF 40+ is my absolute favourite because in the winter I’m too lazy to apply sunscreen on top of moisturizer. *Unfortunately for Canadians, Supergoop is only available in the US for now. Like I said above, when we are not in a pandemic and borders are shut down, I get my product shipped to Point2Point Parcel in Point Roberts and pick it up.

Step 6: Moisturize and apply SPF to your hands! Supergoop SPF Handscreen. I love this so much because I have the driest hands and always forget to apply SPF to my hands on the regular, so this hand cream keeps me on track. Since your hands are the one part of our body (other than our face) that’s almost always exposed to sun, this is an extremely important step. If you don’t have a SPF hand cream, use a tiny bit of your face screen.

Step 7: Apply Kosas Sport Lip Balm — I don’t really wear lipstick or gloss, but if you did this would be also be a good step to moisturize before applying other products. I’ll carry this and the hand cream around with me and apply throughout the day as needed.

Alternating Evening Routine

I alternate my evening routine between a hydration- and exfoliating-focused routine. This will depend on your own skin of course, but I’m less in need of daily exfoliation, so I like to just be gentle with my skin as much as possible so as not to throw off my pH balance, which can lead to more dryness or excess oil production and breakouts.

Hydrating:

Step 1: Cleanse with Glossier Milky Jelly. For days when I’ve had more makeup on, I will do a double cleanse to make sure I get everything off.

Step 2: Tone with Kopari Rose Toner — spray 2-3 spritzes onto a cotton pad and wipe residual makeup or product away.

Step 3: Glossier Bubble Wrap Eye & Lip Cream. Press! Don’t rub or pull*

Step 4: Apply Emma Hardie Brilliance Face Oil — spread 4 drops all over and then pat into skin for best absorption. If you have extra dry skin you can apply 2 drops to your moisturizer and apply. This stuff is at a good price point for a clean face oil and it smells so good.

Step 5: Apply Lineage Sleep Lip Mask & Aesop Resurrection Hand Cream — breathe deeply when you apply the hand cream because it has the best aromatherapy.

Exfoliating:

Repeat Step 1 above

Step 2: Tone with Glossier’s Solution – I use 2 pumps of this on a cotton pad and focus on my T-zone to clean out my pores and prevent blackheads.

Repeat Step 3 above

Step 4: Apply January Labs Retexturizing Night Cream all over. This is another clean product with a natural exfoliator that leaves your skin feeling super soft the next morning. It also fights free radical damage, and it hydrates and firms your skin.

Repeat Step 5 above

Face Masking

Every week I like to rotate between a detoxing face mask and hydration mask. I’ll usually do these on Sunday after I’ve showered and cozied up in a good loungewear set. While I wait for the mask to sink in, I like to set a relaxing mood so I diffuse my favourite Vitruvi essential oil blend, Dusk and read a book or magazine.

My go-to for hydration is Glossier’s Moon Mask. I leave this mask in the fridge so when I apply it, it’s super cooling and refreshing. Apply a good amount — I give myself a good 2 minute facial massage and let it sink in for as long as possible before rinsing with water. You could also let it sink in overnight for ultimate results. If I don’t let it sink in overnight, I’ll rinse it off and apply a light coat of Glossier’s Super Rich Moisturizer. The face mask is also great if you’re a little hungover — the coolness will help calm dilated capillaries that make your skin red after a little too much alcohol.

For detoxification and deep cleansing, I like Tata Harper’s Purifying Mask. I’ll apply an even coat to my face and neck and let it sink in before removing with a face cloth. Afterwards I’ll just apply moisturizer as not to mess with the effects of the face mask and let my skin rest. The face cloth also provides a physical exfoliation, so I wouldn’t recommend applying any chemical exfoliators after. This mask is perfect for when you just need a good reset.