If you are in your late 20s to early 30s and don’t have an established skincare routine, but maybe want to, I wanted to share what my routine is (as a newly 29 year-old). I’ve listened to the advice of a lot of Estheticians, dermatologists, and just skin-care “gurus”, as well as trial and error of a lot of products and routines over the years. My routine and skin is by no means perfect, but I think I have a good routine that keeps my skin healthy and is helping with anti-aging.
I recently shared my skincare routine on my Instagram stories. I regularly share my skincare empties and my opinions of new products I try, but it had been a while since I had shared a full routine of what types of products I use, frequency, and order of product.
AM Skincare Routine
No cleanser in the morning
I opt for using no face wash/cleanser in the morning other than water! Although I use gentle cleansers, I think using just water in the morning helps give my skin barrier a break. I just wash my face with lukewarm water to remove some of the moisturizer, grime, and oil from the night before, dry off, and then move on to my serum!
Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is an antioxidant and helps with collagen synthesis to help with anti-aging. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, vitamin C is considered pregnancy and breastfeeding safe, so it is something I opted for during those stages of my life.
I am currently trying out the Timeless Vitamin C (20%) and E Ferulic Acid Serum (under $20), but my favorite that I have tried is the Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum (under $25).
Eye Balm/Cream
I currently don’t have an eye cream that I absolutely swear by and only exclusively use in my skincare routine, but while I’m hunting for one, I look for ones with vitamin C and/or hydraulic acid. Hydraulic acid helps plump the skin and along with vitamin C, both of these ingredients should help with the wrinkles and crows feet around my eyes.
I’m currently trying out the RoC Multi Correxion Revive and Glow Vitamin C Under Eye Balm (under $30), but I am not loving the price for the amount of product you get. For a less expensive option, I do also like the Naturium Multi-Peptide Eye Cream (under $16).
Ice Rolling
Ice rolling helps with inflammation, puffiness, and redness on the skin. Sometimes I can wake up feeling a little puffy (specifically if I ate junk food or drank alcohol the day prior) and I swear this helps insantly. Plus it helps me wake up a bit!
I use this ice roller from Amazon that I bought in 2022. It is under $10 and I just always keep it in the freezer!
Sunscreen
This is one of the most important steps of your skincare routine! If you are not wearing sunscreen daily, and don’t know where to start with skincare, I HIGHLY recommend that you start your skincare routine here! One of my best friends had to have surgery for skin cancer when we were in our early 20s and ever since then I have been scared straight into wearing sunscreen daily and staying out of the sun.
Even if you are inside all day, you can still get UV exposure through windows and from lights that overtime will accelerate the aging process.
I don’t have a sunscreen that I absolutely love (although I plan to try some Korean sunscreens soon!); however, I am currently using the Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Sunscreen (under $15) and like it!
Lip Treatment
As we age, we naturally lose some collagen in our skin, including our lips! So if you notice that your lips are getting thinner with age, you are not alone. I am trying out different lip products to help plump my lips without getting filler, and am currently using the Inkey List Peptide Lip Treatment (under $14) in the morning and at night. I did just recently write a post about the Inkey List Peptide Lip Treatment, if you are interested more about my before and after with the product and the science behind the lip balm.
PM Skincare Routine
I do generally try to start my nighttime skincare routine a bit before bed to give some of my products time to soak in before doing the next step. It’s not 100% necessary, but I think helps!
Cleansing
First things first is cleansing! If I am wearing makeup, I generally double cleanse. If I’m not wearing makeup, I sometimes will just use one cleanser.
If I am double cleansing, I start with the Versed Day Dissolve Cleanser (under $18). Then I cleanse with a CeraVe cleanser. I keep two different ones in my bathroom, one on my counter and the other in my shower, so which I use honestly depends on whether or not I am showering before bed lol
I switch between the CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser (under $13) and the CeraVe Cream-to Foam Hydrating Cleanser (under $14). If I’m not double cleansing, I will just use either of these cleansers and skip the Versed one!
Once a week or so I use these reusable facial buff sponges (under $3 for a 12 count) to gently exfoliate my skin.
Retinol
I currently use prescription Tretinion (0.025%), but before I got a prescription, I used over the counter retinol serums. I really liked this CeraVe retinol serum (under $20). However, if you want to up your retinol game, you can talk to your dermatologist or primary care doctor about Tretinoin. You can also sometimes get a prescription through online medical providers like Nurx (that is how I got mine).
Moisturizer
I try to let my Tretinoin sit on my face for a bit before I lather on the moisturizer to allow it to soak in; however, if you have ultra sensitive skin, applying moisturizer immediately after will help dilute your tretinoin.
I use this Weleda skin food moisturizer (under $18) on my face and neck and have for a few years now. I started using it after reading an article that Victoria Beckham uses it religiously, and I was sold. It’s SUPER thick and especially great in the winter. I have dry skin, so I use it year round.
Under Eye Cream with Retinol
I use this Versed retinoid eye balm (under $18) at night and swear by it. It is a super thick consistency that melts against your body heat and I have noticed a big difference in fine lines underneath my eyes since using it.
Lash Serum
While not really part of a skincare routine, I do also consistently use this lash and brow serum from The Ordinary (under $15). Here’s a post with more details and my before and after with using it:
Lip Treatment
Like I mentioned in the AM routine, I use the Inkey List Peptide Lip Treatment (under $14). At night especially, I like to seal it in with either Vaseline with Cocoa Butter (the OG and under $2) or this Laneige Lip Mask (under $25).
Pacifica Forehead Mask
Lastly, as I approach 30, I have started to notice frown lines. Not the biggest deal in the world, but to help soften them, I have found that this reusable silicone forehead mask from Pacifica (under $15) has really helped! It helps lock in products that I put on at night and helps to paralyze your forehead muscle at night so that you wake up with softer lines on your face.
I do find that I need to let my moisturizer soak in a little before I put the mask on, or else it doesn’t stick to my face well.
In the morning, I just rinse it with some warm water and leave it somewhere to dry. Basically infinitely reusable!
Kind of Skin Care Things?
Humidifier and Air Purifier at Sleep
I’m all about things that can work magic while you sleep. One thing that I added over this past winter regularly is sleeping with a humidifier. My skin was getting extra dry this winter and I was waking up with a crusty nose (sorry if TMI). Sleeping with a humidifier changed the game! I feel like my skin is so much glowier since using it, so I plan on even using it in the summer.
I also added an air purifier running in our room a couple years ago. We reguraly change our air filters, but when I thought about how much of my 24 hour day I spend in my room sleeping (about 1/3 of the day), and how breathing in air that potentially is a little dusty, has allergens, pet dander, etc. in it, I bought an air purifier. I actually did notice a huge difference in my allergies, which I do honestly think made a difference in my skin.
Supplements
I do think that you’re never going to have great skin if you don’t take care of your body in general. In addition to getting enough sleep, eating well, and regular exercise, I also take a handful of supplements daily to help with my overall wellness. I take collagen powder daily which I think especially can positively impact your skin. You can read my post about the supplements I take here:
Non-Daily Skincare
AHA/BHA mask
Once a week, I use this AHA/BHA mask from the Ordinary (under $8) that I think has helped with the texture of my skin, as well as gradually lighten some old dark spots/acne scars. I’ve been using it once a week for a few years now, and I don’t recommend if you have super sensitive skin. I also don’t recommend using it the same night as using retinol or any other harsh active serums/toners (such as glycolic acid).
“Dermaplaning”
Now I know this isn’t REALLY dermaplaning, dermaplaning is normally done by a licensed esthetician using a scalpel to remove hair and dead skin cells from your skin. I use these facial shaving razors (you can reuse a few times and get 12 razors for under $8) probably once ever 3 weeks or once a month.
It helps remove dead skin cells and helps your topical products absorb better into your skin. (PS dont use the AHA/BHA mask immediately after shaving your face unless you want it to burn like crazy).
Glycolic Acid
I use this glycolic acid toner (under $15) about once a week at night to be an additional chemical exfoliant in my week. Just make sure not to pair it with tretinoin, the AHA/BHA mask, or the dermaplaning!
Spot Treatments for Zits: Zit Patches and Drying Lotion
I did accutane almost 10 years ago, so I honestly don’t get zits a whole lot anymore; however, if I do, I use either a zit patch (pack for under $9) or this drying lotion (under $12). I find that the patches are your best bet if a zit has already popped.
Bonus item: Red Light Therapy
I really only added a red light panel to my skincare routine this past week, so jury is still out on if it works for me; however, there is a lot of legitimate scientific evidence of it being helpful for skin health. It is on the pricier side; however I may have found a legit under $75 option! I’ll post an update on my red light in a couple months, so stay tuned!
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