From as early on as my memories go, I remember seeing my Mum trying out new lipsticks, putting on her night cream, and always moisturizing her body.  She instilled in me a love of skincare and makeup so much so that at one point while I was in college, we both worked in the beauty industry. She still does, and it helps keep me on trend – lol! But from college on, while my makeup use has decreased (I blame/love WFH over the last 5yrs+ for that), I am quite obsessed with skincare products and techniques.

My skincare routine for day versus night varies greatly, as you’ll see below. My day includes 3 items max, while my night routine is… well, a lot more. I also have to note that my day routine is this minimal because I work remotely from home. Not only does that mean that I barely have to do anything in terms of skincare, but I only wear makeup if I plan on going out. So I’d say my skin is clean, moisturized and bare 80% of the time. I’ll go through my makeup routine in a separate post at some point.

Most of the products listed below are from 2 brands: Lancôme and The Ordinary. Each has a very different price point and so my overall combo becomes quite reasonable. I have no idea why The Ordinary’s products are so cheap, but I LOVE them and have found each to deliver on the advertised benefits.

FOR THE DAY 

1. Splash face with cold water.  {I do not wash my face in the mornings as I feel that’s basically a waste of all the products I used the night before}
2. Apply Lancôme’s Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra moisturizer with SPF 30  {it’s light enough for day, while providing all of the anti-aging benefits needed}
3. Apply The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG on and around under eyes {only if applying makeup}
4. Apply The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA over entire face {only if applying makeup} 

Let’s quickly talk about the overall night routine a bit. I heard about the Korean skincare thing a while before it became a huge craze. While it sounded daunting at first, I’ve learned to pick from it what works for me and still end up with a very good routine. It’s a good introduction for skincare in your 30’s. Speaking of age, I’m now in my mid-30’s and started to see fine lines appearing around my eyes (crows feet) and mouth (laugh lines) about 2 years ago if I’m being honest.  Whether you have fine lines or not, a good skincare routine is so important and you can begin incorporating one into your day at any age. So, let’s get to it!

Huge disclaimer: there are definitely days when I am too lazy to wash my makeup off, and others when I don’t feel like doing the entire routine.

AT NIGHT

1. Cleanse face using an oil (not makeup remover) by massaging all over face and removing with a hot facial cloth thereafter. {I use Whole Foods 365 coconut oil religiously and it works like a charm; any brand will suffice. I do this oil cleanse first if I was wearing makeup. If no makeup, skip to Step 2}
2. Second cleanse using Lancôme’s Mousse Éclat Self-foaming Cleanser and the Vanity Planet Facial Cleansing Brush {using this brush makes me feel like I’m at a spa}
3. Apply Lancôme’s Tonique Radiance toner onto cotton pad and gently wipe across all areas except undereyes. When applying any product, do so in an upward motion. 
4. Apply Lancôme’s Génifique Youth Activating Serum over face, including lips
5. Apply The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 over face (note: I alternate this with Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane every 2 days. My skin is quite sensitive to Retinol products)
6. Apply Lancôme’s Génifique Eye Light Pearl on under eyes (note: I alternate this with The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG every other day)
7. Apply Lancôme’s Progrès Eye cream on under eyes
8. Apply Lancôme’s Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Night Cream over entire face
9. Apply LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask to lips overnight 

EXTRA STEPS 

Once every 2 weeks: Shave my face using mini razor. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I swear the benefits outweigh the action. Shaving not only removes any “peach fuzz” but also a thin layer of dead skin cells. My skin is baby soft afterwards and makeup looks even better when applied. I also Dermaroll every 2-3 weeks. To do this, I first cleanse my face then apply a serum. I follow up the dermarolling with a sheet mask. You can find tutorials on both of these things on YouTube but here’s a quick overview.

Once a week: Do 2 masks. The first is an exfoliating mask. My current favorite is The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. It looks like blood,  stays on for about 7-8mins and has a bit of a tingling effect. Once you wash it off and wipe your face with a facial cloth, you can clearly see the exfoliated skin just coming off. I’m the freak that likes seeing that kind of thing. The second mask I use weekly is the FLASHMUD™ Brightening Treatment Mask by GLAMGLOW. This mask is amazing. In fact, all of GLAMGLOW’s masks are great! Try them all in this mini set.

Daily: Massage my face using one of the following items – 3D Roller, Gua sha rose quartz tool, Jade roller or Ice Roller. There are many video tutorials on how to do this but the diagram below covers the basics.

As needed: Sheet masks. I LOVE sheet masks and have a variety of them ranging from cheapy Korean ones to the Advanced Genifique Hydrogel mask by Lancôme. I use the latter only before special occasions or as a treat. I also have a set of undereye masks for days when I’m extra puffy and have somewhere to be. 

After typing this out, it seems like A LOT. I promise you that it’s not. Most of the effort comes with acquiring the products needed to create your own skincare regimen. After that, it’s just sticking to a routine and getting the most use out of those products. If you’re on a tighter budget, I’d highly recommend The Ordinary‘s products. It’s a great way to stock up on what you need without breaking the bank. From there you could branch out into the higher priced brands for specific things like a good serum.

Some last tips for you: don’t forget your neck, decolletage and hands! Any excess product during my face routine goes to these parts. And obviously remember to moisturize your whole body immediately after showering. I love this body lotion, but good ole coconut oil works here as well!

Find what works for you, but don’t be afraid to get started. You’ll be glad you did bot just in your later years, but now too.