Skincare like me

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This week—while watching The Summer I Turned Pretty finale and saying, “The girl be damned, I just want the brothers back together!”—I’m giving you a peek into my medicine cabinet.

My medicine cabinet (this exact one) is where I stash my skincare, not medicine.

I know I said smelling good is my thing, but skincare is My Thing. Please pardon my boasting, but the fact is, people tell me I have nice skin a lot—strangers, acquaintances, loved ones, drive-thru attendants, and, once, our teenage babysitter. (I don’t have good hair, though, so it’s not all rainbows.)

I’ve dedicated my life to skincare—or at least, 10 minutes twice a day. I cherish it as a hobby, and the work has been fruitful.

So, here’s what I use—my full skincare routine—including stuff I’m currently reaching for and what I’d buy if I didn’t (admittedly) get products for free as a professional beauty writer.*

Cleanser

Most days, even no-makeup days, I use an oil-based cleanser, like a cleansing balm, because, for me, the more moisture, the better. On makeup days, I’ll follow with a water-based face wash for double-cleansing. I also keep a simple one in the shower, ideally something with a pump.

Currents and all-time faves:

• Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm (an affordable classic)

• The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm (handy squeeze tube; travel size available)

• AprilSkin Carrotene Hydromelt (nice smell; fun sorbet color and texture)

• Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser (drugstore staple)

• Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser (love but glass bottles suck for travel)

Exfoliants

I exfoliate my face, neck, and décolletage every other day, usually in the morning, so I have a smooth canvas if I’m wearing makeup. I’m partial to chemical exfoliants (like AHAs and fruit enzymes that dissolve dead skin cells) but don’t mind a mild rice scrub for softening.

Currents and all-time faves:

• Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel (the 30+5 pack from Sephora because it’s a better deal)

• Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (hall-of-fame product; lil’ messy—keep it in the shower)

• Tatcha The Rice Wash (very mild; one of my all-time favorite products)

• Kate Somerville ExfoliKate (she’s strong!)

Toners and mists

Toners can do many things. I like a pH-balancing or calming formula that tackles redness and preps the skin for the next products you apply.

Currents and all-time faves:

• Cosrx Cica-7 Solution (a perfect product)

• Numbuzin NAD+ No.9 Toner (whatchu know about NAD+?😈)

• Mario Badescu Aloe Adaptogens Facial Spray (simple; soothing)

• Obagi Nu-Derm Toner (scented and blue🤦🏻‍♀️, but good sh*t—and I kind of love the outdated, older-lady-beauty-counter vibe)

Eye creams

I’m a retinoid believer, but prescription tretinoin can be too strong for my eye area, so I use over-the-counter retinol eye creams. Some say combining peptides with retinoids on the eyes is ideal, so I’ll either use two eye products or one containing peptides and retinol.

Currents and all-time faves:

• Naturium Multi-Peptide Eye Cream

• Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum

• Sunday Riley 5 Stars Retinol Eye Serum (expensive but love, love, love)

• OneSkin OS-01 Eye (acclaimed peptide formula if you can swing the price)

Serums

Like toners, serums can do many things. I tend to choose formulas containing stem cells, growth factors, or patented molecules with science-backed regenerative effects (these can be pricey). Otherwise, I go for same-day benefits, like reducing redness, hydrating, and plumping (much more affordable).

Currents and all-time faves:

• SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Serum

• Osmosis StemFactor Serum

• Avène Cicalfate+ Serum

• Anua 10+ Soothing Serum

Retinoids

I’ve been using prescription tretinoin (generic Retin-A) for a decade and currently get mine through Nurx—bless the age of telehealth.

TikTok also got me onto A313 from French Pharmacy. I alternate my tretinoin with this complexion-enhancing balm a few times a week.

Moisturizer

Heavy, oil-based moisturizers are my jam. I’d rather look greasy (see: dewy) than dry (matte). And I do not like lidded jars and tubs—germy, air exposure, helloooo?—so it’s tubes and airtight pump bottles for me.

Currents and all-time faves:

• Weleda Skin Food (one of my forever products)

• Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Barrier Cream (rich yet spreadable)

• Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer (pristine!)

• Jeu’Demeure DD Cream (can’t go wrong)

Extras, spot treatments, and masks

I’ll often follow moisturizer with a few drops of squalane facial oil. Squalane mimics the oils naturally produced by skin, so it won’t confuse your complexion or freak out your pores (generally speaking, that is).

I prefer face masks that don’t need to be rinsed off—i.e., heavy, nourishing moisturizers that double as night cream. Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask is the holy grail here.

I use Paula’s Choice Azelaic Acid Booster as needed for breakouts or rosacea (only applying in problem areas, not all over). It’s so good—I recommend this product to everyone.

Sunscreen

I’m a sunscreen devotee and use dozens of them. I typically go for chemical formulas—but don’t let the word “chemical” scare you off. It just means it protects with a chemical reaction (heating the skin to repel UV rays) rather than physically blocking with minerals. And remember, most things are chemicals, as in chemical compounds. I digress.

Currents and all-time faves:

• Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench SPF 45 (so, so good)

• Naked Sundays Antioxidant Sunscreen Cream (unbelievable texture)

• d’Alba UV Essence Waterfull+ (stellar Korean formula)

• Abib Airy Sunstick (great for on the go)

• Tatcha Silken Sunscreen (the only mineral formula I can get behind)

Skincare linens

I keep a stack of clean washcloths in my bathroom and grab a fresh one each day for skincare. And I sleep with a silk pillowcase just in case the rumored skin and hair benefits turn out to be true.

Yes, it’s a lot. Good skin is my life’s work. However, you absolutely don’t need to do every step. And I don’t use every item every day—just when, where, and if I need them.

Full disclosure: I’ve also been doing Botox for five years and get professional microneedling occasionally. I believe in these, but good, consistent skincare is the bread-and-butter of my beauty routine.

Some of my best skin days in recent years, captured on camera (no filter or touch-ups), with zero to almost-zero makeup:

My husband broke skincare news to me the other day. Really! He told me about how Supergoop! is in trouble with the FDA because mousse formulations may have questionable efficacy. I was like, “I love that this came across your feed.” And he goes, “Well, I read beauty newsletters now, so.”

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission.

What I’ve written lately:

• The Daily Beast | Why Are Exosomes Suddenly in All Your Skin and Hair Serums?

• HGTV | Best Narwal Robot Vacuums, Tested and Reviewed

What I’m reading lately:

• Does This Make Me Funny? Essays by Zosia Mamet

• The New Yorker | Why Are Kids So Funny?

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