My Daily Skincare Routine

I’ll be honest, I used to take really poor care of my skin. Up until two years ago, I had never used Retinol, had washed my face using only Neutrogena wipes, and sometimes even slept in my makeup (yeah, gross).

My skin would be in constant breakout mode, and I credit a lot of those breakouts to poor skincare and wearing makeup that clogged my pores.

Since quarantine started, I stopped wearing heavy makeup and switched to a tinted moisturizer. I also started being more rigorous with my daily skincare regimen and made sure to never skip a step! My skin has never felt or looked healthier, and I truly think it has to do with the switches I’ve made to my skincare routine.

I forewarn you- there are a lot of products I use daily! Some of these products are on the more expensive side, but thankfully when it comes to skincare- a little goes a long way which allows you to get new bottles every 6 months or so!

Here are a few of my favorite daytime and nighttime products for my oily skin, as well as a breakdown in price, my review, and how to use them.

Morning Skincare Routine

I start off my morning by washing my face with Revision Papaya Enzyme Cleanser ($33).I love this cleanser for a few reasons- it hasn’t made me break out and it’s very gentle. The Papaya Fruit Extract lifts away impurities, gently polishes away dead skin cells, and nourishes skin with vitamins and minerals. The Papaya Fruit Extract contains Papain, an enzyme that gently exfoliates for naturally vibrant skin.

I really scrub the Papaya Enzyme Cleanser in by using the TAO Clean Orbit ($149). The TAO Orbital brush is very similar to the Clarisonic Mia brush that I used for years prior- but Clarisonic is actually going out of business so they won’t have the brush heads available anymore!

I then take the TULA Pro-Glycolic 10% Resurfacing Toner ($34) and add it all over my face. I love that this toner is alcoholic-free so it doesn’t sting when you put it on and it contains probiotics and beetroot extract. I follow the toner with the TULA Acne Clearing Gel ($36) since it has Salicylic Acid in it to help combat breakouts.

I started using Retinol daily about 7 months ago since I had heard it does amazing wonders for your skin. It’s made such a difference in the texture of my skin! I did a lot of research on Retinols before deciding on the Drunk Elephant Retinol due to its five star reviews on Sephora and Ulta. I take a dime sized amount of the Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream ($74) and dab it all around my face before rubbing it in gently. I only use this 5 days a week and only use it during the daytime- too much of it can cause your skin to dry out.

Revision Skincare has truly “wow’d” me with their product line. I actually got a sample of the next product I use at a MedSpa I go to, and loved it so much I bought the whole bottle! The Hydrating Serum ($84) features two products of Hyaluronic Acid and natural fruit extracts and enzymes.

The next product I use I discovered recently, and I love how soft and hydrated it makes my skin feel! I found it at Sephora, and before I purchased it I read reviews from 3 different websites- all giving it 4-5 stars. The Laneige Hydro Bank Water Essence ($39) feels incredible! I use it before I set it with my moisturizer both in the morning and the evening. This product is created with highly-concentrated green mineral water and infused with vitamin-rich kale, watercress, and beet to provide intense hydration. It is light and fast-absorbing to help boost the benefits of this formula.

I set the Laneige Hydro Bank with the TULA 24/7 moisturizer ($52). I’ve struggled with finding a good moisturizer that doesn’t feel too heavy, too scented, or breaks me out. This product is light-weight and contains an extensive list of superfoods and probiotics. The downside to this moisturizer is that it’s in a tub, so you end up taking more than you need. If TULA made this in a pump bottle, I would be even more excited about it.

I honestly didn’t add SPF to my daily routine until about 6 months ago- which is so bad! SPF is crucial to prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. I love the Revision Multi-Protection Broad Spectrum SPF50 ($68)! I came across this product before my December wedding, and fell in love with how light it feels on my face. It doesn’t feel oily or cakey- which I feel is so hard to come by when it comes to SPFs.

This SPF is untinted, lightweight and oil-free formulated with a blend of three peptides – THD Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Green Tea, Pomegranate Extract – and Hyaluronic Acid to brighten skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles so skin is healthy and hydrated.

My favorite eye-cream is the Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream from Sephora ($64). This product is amazing because it is a rich and restorative eye cream featuring eight peptides, five forms of vitamin C, and cucumber extract for visibly firmer, brighter-looking skin. I love how light and airy it feels under the eyes- I use it both in the morning and the evening. One small pump for each eye is all you need!

If you’ve made it this far, there is only one product left to round this out! I finish up with the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($22). I wouldn’t see this product is a “must have,” since it is extremely thick and hard to get out of the container. However, when I do use it, my lips feel incredibly soft and hydrated since it has Vitamin C and antioxidants.

Nighttime Skincare Routine

I’ll spare you by re-hashing the same products used in the morning, and instead I’ll only share the added products! After I cleanse with the TAO Orbit, Revision skincare, and TULA products (seen above in morning routine), I use the Revision Black Mask ($45) 2x a week.

I love this mask because it contains earth clays to unclog pores and absorb excess oil, and when removed, leaves the skin so smooth and hydrated.

I then use the Drunk Elephant Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum ($90) since it has HA/BHA that resurfaces congested skin by lifting away dead skin cells to improve skin tone, texture, fine lines, wrinkles, and pores.

Lastly, I finish up with my eye cream and the Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Masque ($52). This hydrating overnight mask is a cooling mask that plumps with an electrolyte cocktail while supporting the skin’s natural acid mantle.

If I have any acne, I’ll dab on the TULA Acne Spot Treatment ($20). Truthfully, I don’t love this product, but I’ve been trying to give it a fair shot before tossing it. I personally prefer the Murad Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment ($23) or the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17).

Hope these honest reviews help someone else!

Stephanie Padgett

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