My Weekday Skincare Routine
Ever since I was a little girl I struggled with my skin.
I have been graced with having both oily and dry combination skin. It’s oily in the Summer and dry in the Winter.
As a girl, young girl and woman that was raised by an immigrant mother, a skincare routine was not passed on to me.
A lot of immigrant mom’s were raised in households where the family could barely make ends meet. Skincare that can cost nearly up to 100’s of dollars was absolutely not even in the realm of possibility.
So for years I struggled with my skin finding myself with dryness I couldn’t resolve and oiliness I could quite fix. I would buy and try so many different products, natural products, organic etc. and my skin would reject them all.
It wasn’t until I got into my 30’s that I was able to finally establish a skincare routine. I’ve tweaked and perfected it to work for me. And honestly, the best advice I can give you is to find the products and combination that works for YOUR skin. I do believe that customization is key. It helps to try products recommended by women with skin similar to yours which is why I want to share mine. If you have combination skin or need products for your oily or dry skin this is what I have found works for me.
Start here and then listen to your skin and how it’s reacting. Your own skin will teach you what works best for you. Listen to it.
SET THE VIBE:
I like to start by setting the vibe first. This looks like playing Spa Music on Spotify, lighting a candle or incense. Your self-care is self-love and you deserve a moment with yourself at the start and end of your day.
DAILY AM ROUTINE
Monday AM Routine: Since I tend to have oily skin and I apply makeup (most day’s) I have found that less is more in the mornings. So I go really light with the products I use to prep my skin before applying makeup.
Step 1: I wash my face using La Roche Posay’s Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Step 2: I apply a few sprays of Sunday Riley’s Pink Drink Skin Firming Essence Face Mist
You can buy this separately or in the “Go to Bed with Me Kit” which I recommend since you will be using the other products in the kit for the rest of the routine. I will link to both below. I know this kit is on the pricier side however it does contain all of the products you will use for your night routine. It also last several months, I would say around 2-3 months. So think of it as a 2-3 month investment and you save because buying products individually adds up.
Step 3: I apply La Roche Posay’s Double Repair Face Moisturizer with Sunscreen
After this I apply my makeup. Make sure you wait a few minutes in between each product and applying your makeup.
When it comes to my evening weekday routine I like to alternate between exfoliating with lactic acid and retinoid. This has helped me with preventing and eliminating wrinkles, acne and, oily/dryness, and acne scarring/pigmentation. It has been a GAMECHANGER in going from struggling with my skin to seeing it glow. You’ll see how I do that below.
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY PM ROUTINE:
This is where my routine get’s a bit more intensive. I set aside time before bed to be with myself and do this routine as a form of self love. I see it as an opportunity for my skin to be nurtured while I sleep. So get ready for a few steps and products. And remember, I have built this routine over time so start with baby steps, see how your skin reacts and then build from there.
Step 1: I remove my makeup with The Ordinary’s Squalene Cleanser (super affordable and available at Ulta/Sephora or some Target) or something similiar like Versed Day Dissolving Cleansing Balm.
Step 2: I wash my face using the same La Roche Posay Cleanser from the morning
Step 3: I apply MediHeal’s Tee Trea Biome Blemish Cica Toner (this has significantly decreased acne breakouts for me) using a cotton round.
Step 4: I spray on Hatomugi Skin Conditioner (this is a product I’m currently testing but haven’t seen a huge change in my skin yet)
Step 5: I apply a few drops of Sunday Riley’s Luna Sleeping Oil (you can buy this individually or it comes in the Go to Bed With Me Kit linked above)
Step 6: Apply Sunday Riley’s Auto Correct Eye Cream (this one is my favorite) or the 5 Star Eye Cream that comes in the Go to Bed With Me Kit.
Step 7: I do some Gua Sha now that I have some oil on my skin while I also allow my skin to absorb the oil before the next step. Gua Sha has helped me eliminate and prevent wrinkles. You can find videos on how to properly Gua Sha online.
Step 8: I apply Sunday Riley’s Good Genes Lactic Acid (Available on it’s own or in the Go to Bed With Me Kit linked above)
That’s it! That’s the end of my Monday and Wednesday PM routine.
TUESDAY AND THURSDAY PM ROUTINE:
Repeat steps 1-4 from above and then do the following…
Step 5: I create a mix of Luna Sleeping Night Oil (linked above) and Sunday Riley’s High Dose Retinoid Serum. I pump the serum into my hand first and then apply a few drops of the oil in, mix it and then apply it all over my face and neck.
Step 6: Repeat Gua Sha routine.
And that’s it! This is my complete Monday-Thursday evening routine. Let me know if you have any questions in a comment and if you would like to see my weekend routine (for acne prone sensitive skin and to prevent wrinkles).
