Gone are the full-coverage, high glam days of the early 2000s! The trend nowadays is all about minimal makeup to show off healthy skin. Finding a skincare routine that works for you isn’t always easy to accomplish, but I’m excited to share some of my recent fave products with you!
{My Current Routine for Healthy Skin}
Disclaimer: Some of the products below were provided to me at no cost for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own. Gifted products have been identified with an asterisk (*). Affiliate codes for Stoic Beauty have been included; if you make a purchase with these codes I may receive a small commission.
Finding the right skincare routine is a challenge, and something that is constantly evolving. After all, our skin’s needs fluctuate with diet, stress, hormonal shifts, age, season – any small change can have a big impact! I’ve tried lots of products over the years (with varying results!), but when I went for a facial recently and was told by the esthetician that my skin was “very healthy,” I knew I was on the right track. I’ve finally figured out a manageable skincare routine that keeps my sensitive, acne-prone, rosacea-tinged skin glowy and balanced.
Here’s a breakdown of my current routine:
- Morning routine: cleanse, vitamin C, eye cream, SPF
- Evening routine: double cleanse, soothing spray, eye cream, skin cycling, moisturizer
My Morning Routine for Healthy Skin
I like to start my day by cleansing my face with cool water and a gentle cleanser (usually either CeraVe or Cetaphil, depending on what’s around the house). This helps remove any lingering nighttime products without stripping my skin.
After my skin is clean, I apply a serum with Vitamin C to brighten the skin and boost the efficacy of sunscreen. An affordable pick is Pacifica’s Glow Baby Serum Booster* ($23.99), part of the Thoughtful Choices collection at Shoppers. With both glycolic acid as well as Vitamin C, this serum absorbs beautifully and gentle exfoliates to clear pores. I also love this serum’s light natural scent – it reminds me of creamsicles, which is a fun boost in the morning. 🙂
While my serum is sinking in, I apply some eye cream to act as a primer for my concealer. Since I’ve stopped using anti-wrinkle injections, my fine lines have returned, so keeping this sensitive area hydrated and happy is a must! I’ve recently begun using Canadian brand Sahajan’s Golden Glow Eye Balm* ($70) and am loving it so far. This balm is an investment, but you only need a tiny amount, and it feels incredible. Formulated with ghee (a powerhouse ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine), rose oil, and Eyebright, this balm aims to reduce the appearance of fine lines, eye bags, and dark circles.
If you’re a TBR reader, you know we love sunscreen! SPF is an essential part of any healthy skin routine, and should always be your last step before makeup. My current fave is anything by Ultra Violette, an Aussie brand that recently launched in Canada. They have a lineup of sunscreen options for different skin needs, each of which provides significant protection. For daily use, I love their Supreme Hydrating Facial Screen ($48.50). In addition to SPF 50, this product contains squalane and pentavitin, so it hydrates while it protects (love a multi-tasker).
My Evening Routine for Healthy Skin
In the summer months, skin has to contend with sunscreen, sweat, pollution, and host of other irritants, so double-cleansing at night is paramount to maintaining healthy skin. Using an oil-based cleanser as a first step helps to dissolve makeup and stubborn residue without tugging on your skin. Lately, I’ve been loving BYOMA’s Melting Balm Cleanser ($19.99): it goes on smooth and easily removes even waterproof formulas without causing any irritation. TBR Contributor LoLa is a big BYOMA fan, and I purchased the balm after hearing her rave about their other products!
For my second wash, I use the same gentle cleanser as the morning to make sure my skin is fully clean. The balm takes care of the stubborn residue, but the gentle cleanser is key to ensuring that any skincare products you apply thereafter are properly absorbed!
Since I have acne-prone, sensitive skin, I use a soothing spray before applying any products containing actives. My current go-to spray is Tower 28’s SOS Daily Rescue Spray ($38). This amazing product is primarily composed of hypochlorous acid, which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. I’ve used this spray to soothe bug bites, tame breakouts, and combat sunburn. It’s truly a summer must-have!
When my skin is clean and ready for more potent ingredients, I apply a product from my skin cycling routine. Alternating between these two products allows for me to use high-performance ingredients to target skin concerns without causing irritation.
To treat fine lines and acne scars, I use The Inkey List SuperSolutions 1% Retinol Serum ($34) every second day. I’ve noticed considerable improvement in my skin texture after using this product consistently. It’s effective but doesn’t burn or make my skin peel like other retinoids have.
On days when I’m not using the retinol, I use Stoic Beauty’s Apokathario Serum* ($42). This water-safe gel exfoliant contains AHAs and BHAs from Canadian sources like sugar maple and willowherb, plus allantoin to soothe. It’s incredibly gentle but still does an amazing job. I’ve experienced a significant reduction in hormonal breakouts since using this serum! (Use MADDIE10 for 10% off!)
To finish off my nighttime routine and keep my healthy skin happy, I apply Sahajan’s Golden Glow Eye Balm and a moisturizer. For a sensitive girl like me, Stoic’s Harmonia Balancing Night Cream* ($46) is heaven-sent. This superstar moisturizer is a cult fave and won a prestigious Alle Award for most significant skincare formulation! It includes golden chamomile, niacinamide, and argan oil to soothe even the grumpiest skin. (Use MADDIE10 for 10% off!) Try it and thank me later.
Final Thoughts
These products have been hugely helpful to me in developing a skincare routine that is enjoyable and effective. With a mix of drugstore brands (Pacifica, BYOMA), Canadian indie brands (Stoic, Sahajan), and Sephora finds (Inkey List, Tower 28), this is a routine that isn’t too tough on the skin or the wallet.