My Current Nighttime Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

I am very diligent about my skincare.  I never ever go to bed without washing my face…and going through all my skincare steps.  I wish I had the same strong discipline about going to the gym 😉 It is important to nurture and nourish the skin as that to me, is even more important than any makeup you wear on top.

My skin type is very dry with hyper pigmentation left over from hormonal breakouts (joy 😒).  So I am always on the lookout for products that are ultra hydrating and/or will fade acne scars.  The following products make up my current night time skincare routine:Step 1: Kirkland Daily Facial Towelettes – Retail Price $11.99 – Buy herePamper yourself with an effective and complete skincare solution that offers a deep clean and does not irritate your skin. Our ultra-mild formula with cucumber, chamomile flower extract, and aloe removes all traces of makeup, oil and dirt-leaving your skin glowing and refreshed (costco.com).  These wipes are so affordable, gently removes face makeup, and doesn’t leave a filmy residue on my skin.  While it does not completely remove waterproof mascara, it never stings or irritates my eyes.  These Costco wipes are still my favorite makeup remover wipes to date.

Step 2: Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water for Waterproof Makeup – Retail Price $6.99 – Buy hereThis All-in-1 cleanser is surprisingly powerful yet gentle to skin. It effectively removes even waterproof makeup, cleanses and refreshes skin. A multi-purpose cleanser that contains Micellar technology. Like a magnet, micelles capture and lift away dirt, oil and makeup without harsh rubbing, leaving skin perfectly clean and refreshed without over-drying (target.com).  This was the first micellar water I ever tried and I’ve never looked back.  I like to use this on a cotton round to remove stubborn eye makeup, left over after my cleansing wipes.  In a pinch, I’ve applied this all over my face and it takes off EVERYTHING, from foundation to waterproof mascara.  This magical elixir is amazing.

Step 3: Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser – Retail Price $55 – Buy hereOur award-winning facial cleanser is loved by all for its multitasking, 3-in-1 approach to cleansing: gently cleanses and melts away face and eye makeup in one simple step, while toning and lightly hydrating. Our cleanser leaves skin feeling perfectly clean, comfortable and balanced (philosophy.com).  I buy the jumbo sized bottle whenever they have their 50% off website sale and price-wise, it works out to be very reasonable.  I use this every night with my Clarisonic to cleanse my face after I’ve removed my makeup with the wipe and/or micellar water.  This is an ultra gentle cleanser that takes off any residual makeup, but doesn’t strip the skin of moisture.

Step 4: St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub – Retail Price $3.39 – Buy hereA delicious face scrub that smells of fuzzy apricots, helps to exfoliate skin and deeply cleans pores for fresher than fresh skin. Our Acne Control Apricot scrub contains salicylic acid to help prevent new blackheads & blemishes from forming. Made with 100% natural exfoliants (like crushed walnut shell) for a gentle, deep cleanse and of course there’s apricot extract too which is known to leave feeling soft and smooth (target.com).  This is a rather controversial product as dermatologists argue the crushed walnut shells create tears in the skin, but honestly, I’ve used this since I was a teenager and it’s never irritated my skin.  It truly leaves my skin baby soft and whatever product I put on afterwards can really penetrate.  Despite having the far pricier Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Scrubs in my collection, I still go back to this affordable scrub about twice a week for a deep exfoliation.

Step 5: Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner – Retail Price $32 – Buy hereThis is a mild resurfacing toner that brightens and balances skin post-cleanse. Glycolic Acid, Grapefruit, and Aloe combine in a rejuvenating formula that works to refine pores and diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone—revealing a more radiant and youthful-looking complexion (mariobadescu.com) .  I like buying the jumbo size directly from their website during their annual sale and it lasts me forever.  I apply a generous amount on a cotton round all over my face and neck to remove any leftover makeup after cleansing.  The toner is gentle and leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean, but not overly dry.

Step 6: Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence – Retail Price $39 – Buy hereThe First Treatment Essence improves fine lines and skin tone. The miracle water hydrates, restores, rejuvenates, and gives you a glowing complexion (missha.com).  Essences are one of those products I am not sure makes a difference, until I remove it from my skincare routine.  This essence is very watery, lightweight, and absorbs quickly.  It doesn’t dramatically whiten my acne scars (the search continues!), but I see a huge difference in evening the overall texture.  When I wake up in the morning, I can see the skin is more smooth, plump, and radiant after overnight usage.  This is my third bottle and I will continue repurchasing.

Step 7: Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment – Retail Price $38 – Buy hereA rich (but not greasy) daily eye cream that smooths, hydrates, brightens, fights visible signs of aging.  Maracuja C-Brighter™ Eye Treatment makes you look refreshed while providing skin superfoods that give long-term benefits. C-brighter™ complex of antioxidant plant extracts fights free radicals responsible for sagging, crow’s feet, and puffiness (sephora.com).  This is an all around great lightweight and hydrating eye cream.  I don’t see it making a difference in my dark circles, but it does keep my under-eyes moisturized and wrinkle free so I’m good!  As an added bonus, I really like the chic gold and purple packaging.

Step 8: Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Borabit Ampoule – Retail Price $36 – Buy hereUse the essential Activator Ampoule daily in your nighttime routine to get smooth and firm, beautiful skin.  It provides your skin with extra nutrients and moisture lacking from your basic skincare.  The Ampoule energizes, repairs, and restores elasticity.  It also provides wrinkle repairing and whitening benefits (missha.com).  This serum has a slightly sticky consistency, similar to the CosRX Snail Essence, if you’re familiar with that milky texture.  It feels lightweight, absorbs quickly, and lightly tingles for about a second after application.  I’m not sure if those are the ingredients working, but it doesn’t irritate my skin.  I’m just about finished with my first bottle, and I’m sad to report I haven’t seen much of a difference in whitening to garner a second purchase.

Step 9: Missha Time Revolution White Cure Blanc Tone-Up Lotion – Retail Price $28 – Buy hereWhitening lotion treats dull and uneven skin tone for a brighter complexion… Helps control oil to water balance for healthy and vitalized skin… Absorbs without stickiness for moist and supple skin (missha.com).  I love everything about this packaging from the pretty blue ombre to heavy glass bottle.  It feels very luxurious.  I haven’t seen a dramatic difference in brightening, but it does make for a nice, lightweight everyday moisturizer.

Step 10: Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate – Retail Price $47 – Buy hereMidnight Recovery Concentrate restores and replenishes for smoother, healthier-looking skin—all while you sleep. This powerful formula works at night when skin is most receptive to repairing itself from daily aggressors. A blend of oils—including naturally-derived lavender, evening primrose, and squalene—to deliver essential hydration and promote a softer, smoother, brighter complexion (sephora.com).  This Kiehls facial oil feels a lot more lightweight than your typical ones, such as the Josie Maran Argan Oil or Tarte Maracuja Oil.  I like applying about 4-5 drops as my last step to seal in all the previous essences and moisturizers I applied.  The oil absorbs very quickly and smells heavenly, like an herbal spa 😍

Good grief, I actually didn’t know I had 10 steps in my skincare routine 😅 That seems like a lot but I swear, once you get into the routine, it becomes second nature.  I personally don’t think I take that long to prepare for bedtime, buuut my husband might disagree.  O well! 😉

Have you tried any of these skincare products?  What are your favorite skincare recommendations?

XO,

Mary Dee

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