Your Skincare Routine Simplified

written by NOA DIAMOND. July 29th, 2020

I’m someone who craves having a routine in their life. Routines provide stability, help manage stress levels, and reduce anxiety. For me, a ten-step skin routine does not feel like a chore, but I know that’s not how everyone feels. If you are trying to keep it simple and save time in the morning and at night, here are a few products to make sure you’re including in your skincare routine.

Cleansing

Always wash your face in the morning and at night. It is super important to wash away all of the pollutants and irritants that are invading the skin 24/7. When we sleep our skin regenerates while also collecting dirt and bacteria from our pillow and the air. So don’t try to skip a wash! Three cleansers that I love are the Cereve Renewing SA Cleanser ($9.89), the Glossier Milk Jelly Cleanser ($18), and the Renee Rouleau Purifying Face Wash ($36.50).

It is also important to wash your face before and after a workout. Hitting the gym with makeup clogs your pores so make sure to do a quick rinse with water before any physical activity that might cause you to sweat. And then it’s essential to wash your face with a good cleanser after to remove any debris that’s built up. On these days, it is okay to wash your face three-four times a day. It is so much better to have your skin feeling a little dry from the extra cleansing than to leave the sweat sitting on your face to clog your pores. If you are washing more than twice a day I recommend the Glossier cleanser for those extra washes because it is super gentle and non-drying. 

Retinoid or Retinol (In the evening)

Swap out your sunscreen for a Retinoid in the evening before applying your moisturizer. Retinoids are a class of chemical compounds related to Vitamin A. They are considered antioxidants which means they communicate with your cells to encourage the younger, healthier cells to go to the surface of your skin. Retinoids are prescription-only because they have a much higher concentration of the active ingredient than retinol. Retinol can be found in many different serums and creams as an added ingredient and it boosts the amount of collagen your body makes to promote healthier wrinkle-free skin. It also helps even out skin tone and keeps your pores clear.

Both retinoids and retinol are acne-fighting products so this is something you will want to have in your routine if you have acne-prone skin for sure. Differin ($15.49) is the first OTC retinoid that you can now pick up at your local pharmacy without a prescription from your dermatologist. I have used Differin ever since I first started going to the dermatologist back when you needed a prescription to get the product. When it comes to retinol though, make sure to be aware of what else you’re layering on your skin. As a harsher product, they don’t mix well with just any other serums or acid-based products. 

Moisturize 

Never forget to moisturize! One common myth is that oily skin types should avoid moisturizer to dry out their skin. Not true! In fact, moisturizing with oily skin will help reduce the oiliness by regulating your body’s oil production. Having oily skin can usually mean that your skin is craving moisture so it produces an excess amount of oil which ends up clogging your pores and leading to breakouts. All skin types can and should moisturize as the last step in your routine (unless you’re adding a face oil or a sunscreen in the morning).

I have been using Skin Medica’s Ultra Sheer Moisturizer ($35.99) for years now after my dermatologist recommended it and I will never sway. I love it because it feels light on my skin (I hate the feeling of thick products) but I still feel the moisture going into my skin. I have tried a few different moisturizers, but for my skin, this one works best. Some more affordable moisturizers that I will also endorse are the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($11.62) and the Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA ($7.70). 

SPF (In the morning)

Contrary to what many think, SPF is non-negotiable, even if you aren’t planning on going inside. Fun fact, if you have windows in your house and the sun is giving you natural lighting, you should be wearing sunscreen. On top of thinking about preventing skin cancer, sun spots, wrinkles, and other sun damage, research shows that adding SPF can even help your acne!! Sun exposure is more likely to make your acne more noticeable because it darkens the pigmentation of your skin and can lead to scars. This means if you have any subtle acne marks they will become more and more visible every day you aren’t wearing sunscreen.

Sunscreen even reduces the chances of getting acne flare-ups. If you are using any acne medications or retinol at night, it is imperative to wear sunscreen daily because many of these medications and products make your skin more susceptible to sun damage and more sensitive to sunburns. It’s also important to look for mineral sunscreens that contain Zinc. Mineral versus chemical sunscreens block the sun more efficiently and often have cleaner ingredients. And always opt for SPF 30 or higher. I love using EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum Facial Sunscreen ($22.84) or Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen ($17.00) because while many sunscreens can feel too thick on your face and make you look oily, these leave no white film behind on your skin, and don’t cause breakouts.