Skincare Update: My Current Day + Night Routine

Despite my best efforts, I am someone who is easily influenced to buy and try new things. What can I say? I love to shop. I am fiercely loyal to certain brands and products, but when it comes to skincare…I’ve realized my loyalty can easily shift. Oops! Such is life when the buffet that is the world of skincare is gigantic. And I’m always on the quest to glow like whoah. But in a good way, you know?

So while I recently shared my “current” skincare regimen, I am here to report that I’ve made a few changes since that original post. I watched/read about/re-watched so many reviews of certain products that I just had to try them for myself. And well…now I’m hooked!

Of course, the skincare world is vast so there is a strong chance I will share another update in a few months. But I have a feeling many of the products I’m now using will find (have already found?) a permanent spot in my day (and night) routine.

Let’s take a look, shall we?

All products are linked. This guide is in no way, shape, or form, sponsored. ;)

Current Day and Night Skincare Routine

Listed in the order in which each product is applied.

SkinCeuticals Equalizing Toner - After my other toner ran out, I started looking for a replacement at a lower price point, but with all of the benefits. Hooray! This one from SkinCeuticals is covering all of my requirements and so far I am very pleased. There are countless toners out there, but right now this one is doing a great job. Scent is minimal and I use it each morning and night after I wash my face. I have a feeling I’ll be trying more products from this brand very soon.

Ursa Major Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum - As I type, I have actually run out of this product and have ordered another from a different brand. However, that is not because I wouldn’t recommend this serum! I liked it a lot and used it daily until it ran out. Did I notice anything dramatic happening? Not really, but I’ve read that vitamin C is great for your skin so I’ll keep it in my routine. I’ll keep you posted on my next choice…

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum - I hadn’t used this for a little while, but suddenly decided to add it back into my routine. Extra hydration is never a bad thing and while I haven’t been using a true hyaluronic acid, this product will suffice for the time being. Once I run out, I may consider an alternative, or buy this again. Or both - I would use one during the day and the other at night.

Dr. Dennis Gross Stress SOS Eye Cream - My daily eye cream! Not much to say here other than this is my second container of this product; I like it! It’s always hard to tell if eye creams are really doing anything, but it probably is since the area around my eyes doesn’t look any different! Once I run out of this one, I’m considering a couple other brands - I’ll keep you posted. I use this in the morning and at night.

Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum - This is a luxury product that I’ve become hooked on and I’d recommend it because it just feels so nice! I use it morning and night (but just at night right now since my supply is low). This serum is doing a lot and has all sorts of excellent ingredients in it; not to mention it makes my skin look good ( I hope). This brand has a second product that’s designed to use in tandem with this one, but I haven’t caved yet…

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30 - Once I dove into the Elemis rabbit hole, it was hard to come out. I’ve been seeing and watching rave reviews for months so finally I took the plunge and added a few of the “cult favorite” products to my routine (but not before my other ones had run out). This daytime moisturizer feels great on my skin and has a very light, pretty scent. I like that it has SPF in it even though I add my sunscreen on top of it. Extra sun protection can’t hurt!

Elemis Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream - This is a nighttime version of the daytime cream above. It’s thicker and does not contain SPF. I had been using a different nighttime moisturizer, but wanted to try this one while I was ordering my Elemis haul (it was on sale, don’t worry). I really like this product; however, jury is still out if I will refill with the same product when the time comes.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Neck & Decollete Balm - What can I say? I love when high-quality skincare goes on sale and I added this to my cart because of the good reviews. Who doesn’t want to get rid of neck wrinkles? I know I sound ridiculous. I use this twice daily and while I’m not entirely sure if it’s removing those lines, I’m willing to keep trying until the bottle is empty. Stay tuned…

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen and Glow Screen - This brand makes my favorite sunscreen and I wear it every single day. I use the Unseen sunscreen for everyday coverage; it’s colorless and goes on well over makeup. I recently started using the Glow Screen for an extra glow or a slight shimmer to my skin, which is great especially these days when I pretty much skip makeup. I’d also recommend the Supergoop! CC Screen which is a tinted moisturizer with SPF 50. It’s available in a wide-variety of shades and provides light coverage along with the necessary SPF. Supergoop! makes excellent products - I strongly recommend checking them out.

Never forget to wash your face! Here’s how I’m (double) cleansing these days…

Let’s be clear: Learning how to correctly wash my face has taken time. I’m finally admitting that just soap and water is not enough and that products specifically designed to clean my face are far superior. And there are so many options!

Most nights, I use the Elemis cleansing balm followed by the Elemis facial wash. On days when I wear less makeup or want to switch it up, I use the Ursa Major face wash first, then use the Elemis one. I like options! For now, this variety is working well for my skin.

Note: I don’t use use the face mask product below every day. I use it twice a week at most before proceeding with my usual nighttime skincare routine. There are a plethora of face masks out there, but I’ve found this one works very well for my somewhat sensitive, very dry skin. Will I someday try another one? Probably!

Ursa Major Bright & Easy 3-Minute Flash Mask - I use this very easy mask about twice each week. It smells earthy (and like the ocean?) and is super smooth (nothing to irritate the skin). I leave it on for around 5-7 minutes and then wash it off with warm water. My skin feels awesome afterward and while I’m not sure if it’s making anything dramatic happen, I feel good about using it a couple times each week.

Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash - I love the products from Ursa Major, but this one is up there on my favorites list. This face wash smells fresh and clean (and minty) and does the job quite well. I can highly recommend this excellent face wash from a great VT-based company.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm - The hype is real. It took me a few days to get used to using this product, but now I kind of enjoy it! It takes off every trace of makeup and dirt and makes your skin feel great. This is “step one” of my double cleanse if I don’t start with the Ursa Major product above.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash - I received a small bottle as a free sample and never turned back. This face wash has a lovely scent and makes my skin feel so soft! I ended up buying a full size after the sample ran out because I haven’t been this impressed with a face wash in a while. It’s too good! Using this product is step two of my nightly double cleanse.

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So, there you have it! Is this routine a little over the top? Yes! Does it make me feel good and leave my face feeling clean, fresh, and put-together? Most definitely. I find that the time it takes to do this fairly thorough skincare routine is actually relaxing and allows me to “zen out” a bit. :)

It took me many years to finally start investing in my skin and now that I’ve begun, there’s no going back. Of course, the products I have shared are ones that work well for me and my somewhat sensitive and dry skin. Everyone’s skin (and body) is different so products that are good for some may not be good for all. That’s OK! We are all wonderfully unique. And the skincare industry is nothing if not an ocean of options.

Please drop a comment below if you have any questions. I’d love to hear from you. I’ll be sure to share another update when my routine, most likely, changes again.

Enjoy!

Mollie