BEAUTY
MY SUMMER SKINCARE ROUTINE
The change of seasons is always the perfect time to press refresh on a skincare routine. While there’s no need for a complete overhaul, a few small tweaks here and there make a big difference.
Below, a look at my current morning-noon-and-night skincare line up.
morning
MUSTELA MICELLAR WATER
First things first: cleanse. This step is really the most important. It’s the only way any of the other skincare products get absorbed. In the morning, I keep it super simple and swipe my face with a few pumps of this micellar water. It offers a quick-fix clean and just feels refreshing. (After a morning workout and at night, I follow up this micellar water with a second cleanser.)
SHOP
HYALOGY TONING LOTION
Toner is always the first to go when I’m in a hurry, but when I use it regularly, it really does make a big difference. This toner is like a cold drink of water for my skin. It hydrates and there is noticeably less redness after I use it. It’s part of my morning routine, before serum and sunscreen.
SHOP
JOANNA CZECH VITAMIN C+ SERUM
If I’m headed to a desert island and can only take a handful of products, you can bet this one would make the cut. I am truly obsessed. Everyone raves about the benefits of Vitamin C for the skin (brightening, hydrating, promotes collagen production, and so much more) but for a long time, I didn’t believe a single one of them. Despite trying several different ones, I simply could never find one that changed my life the way everyone said it would. Until I met this one. I have used it religiously for three months and have noticed a major decrease in my hyperpigmentation (read: melasma) and overall texture of my skin.
SHOP
AVÈNE SOOTHING EYE CONTOUR CREAM
Truth be told, I’ve never been a big believer in eye cream. I’ve always just made a point to apply my serum and/or moisturizer to the areas under and around my eyes. This philosophy hasn’t really changed but after noticing that more dryness than usual, I decided to add one in for kicks. My eyes tend to be super sensitive (so much so that I rarely ever wear mascara) so I wanted something super-duper gentle. This one moisturizes and doesn’t irritate my skin at all. This biggest plus is that it makes my concealer go on much smoother.
SHOP
ELTAMD UV CLEAR SPF 46
If you’ve been following for even just a short amount of time then you no doubt know about my love for this sunscreen. I’ve been using it for about 10 years (!) which makes it my longest relationship with a beauty product yet. It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing, and never makes me break out. Since I find that my skin feels so hydrated after all of the above, I skip a moisturizer and instead apply this as my last step.
SHOP
noon
ELTAMD UV STICK SPF50
With so much time spent outside with George during the summer, I’ve started making a habit of a reapplying sunscreen in the afternoon. This stick is ideal for quick, on-the-go reapplication. It glides right on and never leaves a weird white residue on my face. It actually gives my skin a midday pick-me-up in the form of a dewy glow.
SHOP
night
VANICREAM GENTLE CLEANSER FOR BABIES
I’ve started doubling up on my cleansers. I use the aforementioned micellar water first to remove makeup and then follow it up with this one from Vanicream. It removes any of the debris or makeup leftover after the micellar water and just really gets the job done. It leaves my skin feeling super clean without drying it out.
SHOP
BIOLOGIQUE RECHERCHE P50 PIGM 400
This product really is the holy grail that everyone says it is which is one of the reasons it never leaves my beauty routine. The only switch I make during the summer is the frequency with which I use it. Since my skin tends to be slightly more reactive during this time of year, I limit my use to every other night. This product is a lynchpin in my routine. When I don’t use it (which is pretty much never these days), I notice a lack of brightness, in addition to an increase in Milia bumps on my forehead.
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BIOLOGIE RECHERCHE ELASTINE SERUM
Wrinkle prevention has never been high on my priority list when it came to skin care products – until now, that is. I’ve decided it’s high-time to work something in to my routine as a preventative. This serum came highly recommended and, after using it for the last couple of months, I understand the hype. I’ve noticed an ever so slight tightening to my skin and overall boost in hydration. Note: the texture is thin and watery, not oily like you’d expect in a serum therefore I find it’s best to use this before applying a secondary, thicker serum or moisturizer.
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EMBRYOLISSE HYDRA-SÉRUM
I’m always switching out which serums I’m using depending on what my skin needs in that moment. This one from Embryolisse is an old favorite that I love for its featherweight texture (nothing super heavy in the summer!) and quick-fix hydration boost. It’s a straightforward serum that gets the job done. Tip: this serum makes an ideal makeup primer.
SHOP
DR. BARBARA STURM FACE CREAM
After taking a break to try out other moisturizers, this cream has reappeared in my routine. It’s lightweight but substantial, giving my skin just the right amount of moisture it needs right now. Bottom line: it just feels really good on my skin which makes it the perfect finishing touch before I go to bed.
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KORRES NIGHT-BRIGHTENING SLEEPING FACIAL
I alternate between this and the aforementioned Sturm cream as a finisher at night. This new-to-me product is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. I’m all about brightening right now and that’s the name of the game with this cream. I wake up with light and bright skin that feels oh-so-good. The only caveat is that it comes with a rose scent which would normally be a dealbreaker for me, but (!) the results are instant and so worth it that I let it slide.
SHOP
