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My skincare routines have to be simple, because otherwise I won’t be consistent. I refuse to follow skincare like it’s a religion. I’ve learned what keeps my skin calm and comfortable year‑round, and for me that means using the least possible number of gentle, quality products. I do the same basic routine morning and night, with a few “if needed” steps depending on how my skin feels.
Twice Daily Core Routine
- gentle
cleanse (CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser)
- exosomes (The INKEY List Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex)
- vitamin C serum for lifting, smoothing & brightening (the brand I use is made in Italy, but this is a fairly common skincare product, worldwide)
- neck
cream (Strivectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream Plus)
- calming
moisturizer (Calmilene by Dermovitamina)
Since I have been using these products on a regular basis, I have noticed that my skin is better hydrated, healthier looking, smoother, and pores seem to be less evident. I have not yet started to develop a lot of wrinkles, so I cannot say whether or not these products help if you have wrinkles...
If I’m going out:
- SPF
on top (L'Oreal Revitalift Clinical 50+)
If I’m wearing makeup:
- Botox‑like
serum (this helps prepare my skin for makeup so products don’t get deep
into my pores — it also has a gentle “lifting” effect) **
- L'Oreal Magic BB
cream applied with a large, soft brush
- any
other makeup products I feel like using
Bedtime Routine
- butter‑type makeup remover (if I’m wearing makeup)
- gentle
cleanse
- exosomes
- vitamin C serum for lifting, smoothing & brightening (the brand I use is made in Italy, but this is a fairly common skincare product, worldwide)
- neck cream (Strivectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream Plus)
- calming
moisturizer
As Needed
- heavier
moisturizer (CeraVe Hydrating Cream) when my skin feels tight or dry
- “collagen”
oil (Q+A Collagen Oil) — which doesn’t actually contain collagen but stimulates collagen
production. And yes, this really should be part of my daily
routine, but hey… I get lazy, or I forget (and that is why I take a collagen
supplement every morning).
- eye‑specific
moisturizer when the eye area needs extra support (Kleem Organics Firming Eye Cream)
My skin gets dry outdoors, indoors, in cold air, hot air, A/C — so
these “if needed” steps happen year‑round and my routine doesn’t change much with
the seasons.
Exfoliation (Only When Needed)
I exfoliate based on feel, not on a strict schedule:
- enzyme
exfoliation 2–3× a week when my skin needs it (Aveeno Calm + Restore Gentle PHA Exfoliating Cleanser for Sensitive Skin)
- a generic, drugstore facial scrub (sand‑like grains) when an enzyme exfoliator isn't enough. I’m careful not to overdo it — just enough to get rid of those patches of dead skin that show up immediately when you apply makeup!
Spa Moment (Weekly…ish)
This is my version of a reset night, but it’s not always at
night and it’s not on a strict schedule. It’s roughly once a week — sometimes
more, sometimes less. I’m not strict about it because skincare isn’t my
religion. My Spa Moment is simply:
- Caviar Serum (my brand is made in Italy, but there are other brands out there, internationally)
- colored‑light facial massager
It’s a calming ritual I use when my skin feels stressed,
dull, or when I want a relaxing moment.
Supplements I Take Daily
These support hydration and elasticity from the inside:
- Hyaluronic
acid 200 mg
- sea
collagen 1000 mg
- ceramides
5 mg
- niacinamide
16 mgr
I avoid using creams with Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and
retinol because they tend to irritate my skin, but supplements work well for me.
Skin Irritation From Perfume Testing
Because I’m right‑handed, my left wrist is the first place I
habitually spray perfume — and it’s also the first place I get irritation if I test too
many fragrances in a short period of time.
To help keep my skin calm:
- I
keep a roll‑on of Q+A Collagen Oil on my desk
- If I
remember to apply it before testing, it helps prevent irritation
- Bonus:
it makes perfumes last longer
When I do get a rash:
- antihistamine gel helps with itching
- tincture of Thuya (a homeopathic product) helps calm the rash
Yes, I consulted a dermatologist, and they said it’s just an
allergic reaction, and to stop spraying perfume there. LOL! So now I rotate
testing spots and try to remember the collagene oil first.
What DOESN’T Work for Me
“Lifting” products that claim to have a dramatic effect
within X minutes. I have never had one actually work for me. I don’t have major
problems like bags under my eyes, although my eyelids do appear slightly
hooded (doesn't bother me). My biggest problem at the moment is my neck, which is a little saggy due
to weight loss, but I will do a separate post about that because there is a new
product I want to try (doctor recommended).
** The botox-like serum I use is made in Italy, and I don't think they ship outside of Europe. The name is Siero Viso Botox Like by Bio Routine. It contains synthetic snake venom, which is what makes your skin feel smooth and compact without compromising hydration. I love it as a base for makeup because it keeps foundation and other things from getting into my pores. Much easier for removal, afterward. This particular formula contains active ingredients that are present in the following products available in the USA, but you would need to layer both of them to get all of the active ingredients. If you just want the synthetic snake venom that is in the first one listed below:
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