Skincare Basics

As our skin changes…so must our skincare routine!

I (Chrissie) grew up spending a lot of time in the California sun and the word ‘sunscreen’ was not yet in our vocabulary. I remember one family holiday to the beach at the end of which I was peeling large strips of skin off my shoulders and nose. Needless to say, my skin is not in great shape. As I’ve gotten older I’m finally starting to take better care of it.

I’m not a skincare expert, but after lots of chatting with dermatologists and facialists, and reading/researching, there seems to be a very common theme as to what the skincare bare minimum basics are that we should all be doing. The routines are listed first, followed by product recommendations. If you need a quick initialism to remember what to do, just think CSSM: Cleanser, Serum, Suncreen (in am) , Moisturizer.

BASIC SKINCARE ROUTINES

MORNING:

Cleanser. (Or not! Some recommend skipping cleanser in the morning and just use water).

Serums. Serums are super concentrated, nutrient-dense formulas that address specific concerns. There are a lot of different serums on the market, but the two ‘must use’ serums are:

  • Hyaluronic Acid Serum. These plump up skin. If you’re using multiple serums, use this one as a first step as the molecules in hyaluronic acid are small and can’t penetrate the skin as well when they’re put on over something else.
  • Vitamin C (often with E as well). This is the magic product/ingredient that brightens skin and reduces signs of aging, fine lines, brown spots and more. Even if it only does a fraction of what it’s supposed to do, I’m in!

Sunscreen. (Some say apply this after moisturizer, and some say to apply before, especially if you use a tinted moisturizer). But all the experts agree that IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE, WEAR SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY. As one dermatologist friend once said when I asked if I really needed to wear it on a rainy day: “If it’s light outside, put it on”.

Moisturizer. Adds moisture back into skin and adds a layer of protection.

EVENING :

Cleanser.

Serums. Use a retinol serum/product at a minimum.

  • Retinol/Retinoid: Known as the best ‘anti-aging’ product available, helping to reduce appearance of fine lines and dark spots for firmer, even-toned skin.

Moisturizer. Can use a heavier product at night if desired.

There are of course many more things one can do for the skin (exfoliator, toner, masks, eye cream, face oils etc.) but we’re just sticking to the basics here (plus a couple extras that we like are added at the end).

PRODUCTS

We know there are lots of choices out there, and this is not an exhaustive review of all of them. These are things we use/like and recommend for great everyday skincare.

CLEANSERS:

bottle of cetaphil cleanser open jar of elemis face balm

Cetaphil: Many dermatologists recommend this as a terrific budget option, and I keep it in the shower for morning cleansing, and put one in my kids’ Christmas stocking each year so they aren’t using harsh soap to wash their faces.

Elemis Cleansing Balm: This cleansing balm makes skin SO soft after a wash. Love it. Need only a tiny bit so it lasts a long time.

Osea Ocean Cleanser: ‘Clean’ product that works great.

Primera Cleansing Oil: This has hyaluronic acid as an ingredient and also leaves skin feeling moisturized afterwards, as well as clean. Some people opt to ‘double cleanse’ in the evening routine, with the first wash being with an oil cleanser such as this, followed by a non-oil cleanser.

SERUMS:

bottle of strivectin The Ordinary bottle

Hyaluronic Acid:

I use one from a facialist, but these are top OTC choices:

StriVectin Multi-Action Hydration Multiplier Hyaluronic Acid Serum

The Ordinary: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum. For a great budget-friendly option.

 

bottle of skinceuticals CE acid serum

Vitamin C, with some E:

SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic: We know it’s $$$, but unless you have access to another good, trusted one from your dermatologist of facialist then get this one. It lasts a long time if you’re careful about it.

bottle of avene retinol bottle of kiehls retinol

Retinol/Retinoid:

I have a prescription for Tretinoin (a more powerful version of Retinol) from my dermatologist, but a few over-the-counter options people recommend are:

Avene Rerinal 0.1 Intensive Cream

Kiehl’s Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides and Peptide 

Murad Retinol ReSculpt Overnight Treatment 

SUNSCREENS:

tube of unseen sunscreen  tube and stick of sunscreen

Clear/Colorless Sunscreens:

SuperGoop Unseen Sunscreen: I love their tinted light foundation with sunscreen included in it.

EltaMD: Recommended by many dermatologists. Tinted version also available.

All Day Sun Duo: A facialist recently recommended these two products to me, the cream to put on in the morning routine and the stick to have in the car/purse to put on arms/backs of hands when driving and out and about. Note: She said to only buy through this site as the ones on other sites are a different formulation.

tube of SuperGoop Protect(tint) sunscreen producsbottle of elta MD tinted sunscreen

Tinted Sunscreens

SuperGoop CC Cream with 50 SPF: I use this every day for light coverage plus sunscreen (but I also wear another colorless sunscreen underneath it).

SuperGoop Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint: This is a newer product that I want to try when I run out of my CC cream to see the difference of the two.

 

InnBeauty Extreme Cream bottle jar of Yina Hydracloud cream tube of Embryolissa Cream

MOISTURIZERS:

InnBeauty Extreme Cream: Firming and Lifting Moisturizer. If you get one item on this list, this is it. If you have dry or aging skin, this is the one for you. So good, great price, wins all the awards and is often compared to the $$$ Augustinus Bader cream.

Yina Hydracloud Cream: I love this, but it’s twice as $$ as the InnBeauty so I  use it sparingly. It’s filled with such great natural ingredients and is so, so moistursing with even just a tiny amount.

Embryolisse Cream: If you want an option that’s a bit lighter, and more wallet friendly, this is a great one.

BONUS PRODUCTS:

A few more products that may not fall into the ‘basics’ category, but I use them daily so here they are!

bottle of InnBeauty Elastic Skin

Firming/Plumping Serum:

InnBeauty Elastic Skin Firming and Pumping Serum: This stuff is good for firming up aging skin. You can get a combo pack with the Extreme Cream. I use it as part of the ‘serum’ steps morning and evening.

bottle of Yina face oilbottle of Living Libations Seabuckthorn orl

Facial Oil:

Yina: Just a drop or two of this magical serum/oil patted onto the skin on its own, or added to the Extreme Cream or Hydracloud Cream, makes skin so, so moisturized. I use either the ‘Regenerate’ or ‘Botanical’ options. Really great ingredients.

Living Libations Sea Buckthorn Facial Oil: FabLister Charlene G. introduced me to this a year or so ago when it was just sold in a small Santa Monica store, and since then the Goop stores have started carrying it as well. It’s billed as a cleanser/exfoliator/moisturizer, but I just use it as a moisturizing face oil on it’s own, or with a couple drops added to my Extreme Cream.

Jar of GoopGlow Exfoliator

Exfoliator:

GoopGlow Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator: FabLister Laurie G. introduced me to this. Use it a couple times a week to make skin feel so clean and smooth. You can see the difference it makes immediately after use. Use an exfoliator only 1-2x/week.

UBeauty Resurfacing Flash Peel: Getting rave reviews! First of it’s kind rapid chemical exfoliator for clinical-grade results in  5 minutes.

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Chrissie and Joanne love discovering, curating and creating. They developed FabList as a place to share their favorite finds with you.

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