NOTE: The introduction below is copied from My New Baseline Morning Skincare Routine. I want to reiterate the same message I had in the previous post.
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 Nighttime Skincare Routine
First Step: Cleanse
For my nighttime skincare routine, a cleanser is a must-have to remove a day’s face. Just like the morning, I opt for a lotion/cream type cleanser – whatever will not make my skin feel dry after. In the warmer months, I may switch it with a more gel, foaming type cleanser. I don’t wear as much makeup as before, so I no longer require an extensive cleansing routine. One cleanser does the job!
I used to cleanse for around 2 minutes maximum. I noticed there were times that I would over-cleanse and irritate my skin. This in turn made my skin more sensitive to any skincare I applied after. I apply a pump or two of cleanser on dry skin, and massage in like an oil cleanser. I find this is best at removing water-resistant sunscreen and light makeup in one go. Sometimes I will use a cloth to assist with cleansing. I’ll reach for one if the cleanser I’m using is too thick for water to wash it off on its own.
Second Step: Tretinoin
Of course my baseline nighttime skincare routine would not be complete without the use of my 0.1% tretinoin prescription! The must-have active that normalizes skin desquamation and stimulate collagen to help control acne, refine skin texture, minimize pores, maintain an even skin tone, reduce pigmentation. Can you tell why it’s a must-have in my nighttime skincare routine? While skin is slightly damp, I apply 2 pumps of tret all over my face, and just slightly above my orbital bone (NOTE: got this okay’d by both a dermatologist and optometrist). As of late, I have been more in maintenance mode with tretinoin, so I have been lowering my nightly usage. Prior I was using it every night of the week, now It is around 1-3x a week. The point is, this is the main active I frequently rotate in my skincare routine.
Third Step: Repair
I almost decided to skip this, but I’ve realized I have been frequently rotating a centella asiatica based product in my skincare routine for years now. It is my go-to supportive ingredient. When I want to keep my skincare routine gentle, I will just cleanse, apply a cica product, and moisturize. If I use an active and want to ensure calm skin, apply a cica product. If I have breakouts, apply a cica product. Yes indeed, applying a skincare item with centella asiatica is a must in my baseline nighttime skincare routine. Depending on the texture, I will usually apply this kind of skincare before or after tretinoin. Right now I am reaching for the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ (reviewed), so in this case I will use it after tretinoin, before moisturizer.
Fourth Step: Moisturize
At night, I will be more generous with the amount of moisturizer I apply. This step could rotate between my go-to moisturizer or an occlusive. It really depends on how I feel. I just need my skin to be sufficiently moisturized throughout the night so I don’t wake up in the morning feeling parched.
Nighttime Skincare Then vs. Now
That is all for my new baseline nighttime 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 cleansing with a milky cleanser and moisturizer.
To give some perspective, here’s what my baseline routine was then vs. now:
Then:
- Oil-based Cleanse
- Water-Based Cleanse
- Hydrator
- Aczone
- Tretinoin
- Hydrate/Barrier Repair Serum
- Moisturizer
Now:
- Cleanse – Eucerin Dermatoclean Mild Cleansing Milk * https://go.shopmy.us/p-1201975
- 0.1% Tretinoin – PRESCRIPTION ONLY
- Cica – La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baum B5+ * https://go.shopmy.us/p-780082
- Moisturizer – Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume * https://go.shopmy.us/p-656533
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 nighttime skincare routine. Be sure to check out my new baseline morning skincare routine. Let me know in the comments down below how your clear skin journey has been going.
xo, M