I had the same baseline, template, minimally required products in my skincare routine since 2018. The following items had to be in my daily skincare routine no matter what:
- Oil cleanser/balm
- Gel cleanser
- Toner/watery essence
- Aczone
- Tretinoin
- Barrier repair serum
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
At the time, it worked. My skin was constantly acclimating to different strengths of Vitamin A (0.1% adapalene, 0.3% adapalene, 0.04% tretinoin, 0.1% tretinoin). I also never 100% fixed my severe dehydration issue, only temporarily put it at ease.
I also got sucked into the beauty trap of feeling I need to try the next best thing. It was a need to figure out the similarities, differences and nuances. Add in that I create content on skincare, it increased this pressure to try new items and appease to brands.
As a result, my skin goals and health were hindered, my hard earned money constantly funneled into the beauty sector. Worse, my happiness creating content for fun dwindled.
Having a procedure for my acne scars, years of consistent skincare, slowing down my skincare in November, learning of others’ experiences, reading Skintelligent, reflecting on why I became fatigued and “plateaued” with skincare in the first place… All of these helped me reshape my view on skincare and form a new baseline.
I want to share my baseline skincare routine so it serves as a reference to what I normally do. When I review something new, it’s injected in this routine with stuff I know that works.
My Skin Type:
Skin type is normal leaning dry. My skincare revolves around acne-control and well aging. Fitzpatrick skin type is III-IV: I freckle, but I never burn. I can count on one hand the number of times I burned in my life. It took a good effort on my part to overly expose myself to the sun.
My Morning Skincare Routine
First Step: Water Rinse/Moisturizing Cleanser
When I wake up in the morning, I listen to what my skin needs. I opt for water rinsing or using a creamy cleanser. Typically, I only water rinse my face in the morning if my skin feels sufficiently moisturized from the night before. My skin needs to feel particularly parched for me to use a milky, creamy cleanser. The reason I pick a creamy cleanser is because they’re great at quickly adding moisture back to the skin, while gently cleansing. I have a need to cleanse simply to wake me up. I also just want to make sure any sweat, fluff and such from sleeping is removed.
Second Step: Barrier Serum
This step is inspired by how Koreans approach well-aging, as learned from Odile Monod’s videos. I look for a barrier serum with ingredients such as ferments, antioxidants and additional moisturizing properties. I have been using this type of serum since 2021, and they have been in my skincare routine ever since. There is an overall improvement in my skin’s quality and function. It is skin-enhancing; It just brings out the best of my skin.
I stopped vitamin C serums during my CO2 fraxel laser sessions. I haven’t felt the need to go back because it’s the one product in my routine that would irritate my skin on occasion. However, I do find it’s the one skincare product that offers skin brightness like no other. I’m highly considering reintroducing it back into my skincare routine.
Third Step: Moisturize
Keeping my skin’s moisture level in tact is one of the most important goals in anyone’s skincare routine. I have been using my go=to moisturizer for years, day and night. In drier weather, I’ll mix in or add an occlusive.
Fourth Step: Sunscreen
I typically stick to a high UVA protecting sunscreen in the last morning routine step. I freckle easily in the warmer months, and I noticed some freckles are not fading. I work out and taking long walks, so a sweat/water resistance sunscreen is necessary.
Morning Skincare Then vs. Now
That is all for my new baseline morning skincare routine! The must-have skincare that needs to be on hand is no more than 4 items. On my most lazy, minimal days, I can cut down my routine to just water cleansing and sunscreen.
To give some perspective, here’s what my baseline routine was then vs. now:
Then:
- Cleanse
- Hydrate
- Vitamin C
- Aczone
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
Now:
- Cleanse – Eucerin Dermatoclean Mild Cleansing Milk * https://go.shopmy.us/p-1201975
- Barrier Serum – Yunjac Whole Plant Effect Concentrate * https://go.shopmy.us/p-1201878
- Moisturizer – Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume * https://go.shopmy.us/p-656533
- Sunscreen – La Roche Posay Anthelios UVmune 400 Hydrating Cream SPF 50+ * https://go.shopmy.us/p-1012854
Note: The products may change, but the template is the same. Above is the current skincare items I have on rotation for my morning baseline skincare routine.
* Indicate affiliate links. If you click/tap on one of these links to make a purchase, I earn a small commission. Thank you for your support! Disclosure
My previous baseline served me well when I needed it, and now it’s time to reevaluate it. My skin is better now in my 30s than in my 20s. It has also become more sensitive, and after my experience with my first Buy Year, I desire less.
I cut reliance on so many things to have nice skin, and I never want to be that dependent on products again. I know where skincare alone can get me now.
That’s it for my new baseline morning skincare routine. Stay tuned for the nighttime version! Let me know in the comments down below how your clear skin journey has been going.
xo, M