My Skincare Routine
A step-by-step breakdown of the products I use every morning and night. Plus, corresponding videos.
If you are one of my close friends or have simply followed me for a long time, you know I love all things skincare!
I am the person who loves to see their dermatologist and bombard them with all the questions. I buy and test out WAY to many products…but I just can’t help it. I probably follow too many dermatologists and skincare-related Instagram accounts. I just really love this stuff. I am always trying to soak up all the knowledge and information.
And so, I thought it would be fun to share my current skincare routine with you all.
**But before we dive in — please remember that I am by no means a skincare expert. I am not professionally trained in any way; I am not a doctor or a dermatologist. I am simply a gal who loves to try out products and share her favorite things. Please take all my advice with a grain of salt and, of course, consult your board-certified dermatologist for their expert guidance.**
With that caveat out of the way, let’s dive into my morning and evening skincare routine.
MORNING ROUTINE:
Wash my face:
In the morning, I will first wash my face with my favorite gel cleanser, Gleanser Non-Drying Cleanser from Prequel.
I have used this product since it launched, and for me, it is just the perfect easy gel cleanser that leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh but not dry. You will see I also use it at night!
*sponsored mention
Vitamin C:
I feel like every skincare influencer, skincare article, etc. will suggest Vitamin C. I will leave it to the experts in terms of WHY you need this product, but it is something I try to use every day in the AM.
I have tried a range of Vitamin C products over the years, and for the last year or two, I have consistently been using Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum from CeraVe. The under $25 price point is hard to beat, and I really like the serum-like texture (plus it doesn't have a bad smell, the way many other Vitamin Cs might.)
I then use a DNA Youth Recovery Serum that I get from my dermatologist - from what I understand, this helps reduce environmental damage that can occur on our skin (but as we know, I am no skincare expert, so it's best to speak to your board-certified dermatologist.)
PS. My dermatologist is Dr. Ellen Gendler on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She is very active on Instagram - so if you are into all things skincare, I would highly recommend following her!
Sunscreen:
Thanks to Dr. Gendler and other dermatologists I follow on Instagram (more on that below) I am now a big proponent of using non-US sunscreen as they have different filters that have not been approved yet by the FDA here in the US.
My all-time favorite is SPF Supreme Screen from Ultra Violette. I used to buy this from Harrods and have it shipped to the US, but that's no longer working…. So, maybe keep an eye out for it when you travel abroad? I just bought a ton at SpaceNK while I was in London back in August.
*note - Ultra Violette does now sell in the US via Sephora, but the products they sell in the US are new/different formulas from their original formulas that they sell in Australia + Europe.
Another European sunscreen I like is Anthelios UVmune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF 50+ from La Roche-Posay. Again, I typically buy this in bulk if I am ever traveling in Europe, but I have on occasion also had luck ordering it online via the Stylevana website.
**note: I have not ordered it since 2024, so I am unsure if the new tariffs have made it more expensive/complicated…
If I were to use a US-formulated sunscreen, I would probably use UV Protective Cream SPF 50+ from Clé de Peau. This is what my mom uses, and she loves it!
Want to see my morning skincare routine in action? Watch the instagram reel below for a step by step breakdown of my routine.
You can find links to everything I included in that video (from the skincare to my favorite hair towel) HERE.
NIGHTIME ROUTINE:
Remove Makeup:
I always start my nighttime skincare routine by removing my makeup with Micellar Water from Bioderma squeezed onto two Cotton Pads from White Rabbit.
I have used these same two products for YEARS… (maybe 8+ years if not longer!) If its not broken, why fix it, right?!
While you could surely use any type of cotton pad for this makeup removal step I swear by this ‘White Rabbit’ version I get from Amazon, they are just the perfect size and also not to fluffy.
Wash my face:
After my micellar water step I like to again clean my skin with a simple gel cleanser, just so I can be really sure I have removed all the makeup and grime from the day off my skin.
This is when I reach for the Gleanser Cleanser from Prequel and my Makeup Washcloths from Weezie.
As you saw above, I also use these products in the morning!
I like to keep a big stack of fresh washcloths in my bathroom and typically use a new one each day. I have tried using the popular Disposable Face Towelettes from Clean Skin Club but I just always felt a bit guilty of environmental wise (not sure if that is factually correct but just how I felt..) So I do not use these at home anymore but I do sometimes pack them for travel.
Brightening Cream
Next, I use a brightening cream that I get from my dermatologist.
If you are interested in something similar, I have also used and liked the Coleman Compound.
Follow @mrs.derm for more information on this product and how to use it!
But again, also talk with your dermatologist :)
Retinoid Step
I think one of the best things I have done for my skin in the past five years is consistent use of a retinol. From what I have read, daily use of retinol and SPF are really the two products/steps that can make the biggest impact on your skin long term.
Again (I am becoming a broken record) it's best to consult with your board-certified dermatologist to determine if retinol is good for you and at what strength.
I use Altreno 0.05% (a prescription from my dermatologist).
Moisturizer
Right now, I am using Air Angel Gel Cream from Dieux because I find it works well for my normal/sensitive skin, especially in the summer months when I don’t want to wear a heavier cream.
When my skin feels a bit drier in the winter months, I sometimes switch to the Instant Angel Moisturizer, also from Dieux, which I find to be a bit more nourishing / thicker.
For the past week or so I have been testing out this new Rich Barrier Cream (that is only $20!) and I have to say, it feels lovely on my skin. So if you are looking for a nourishing cream for a good price point, this could be one to try!
*sponsored mention
Eye Cream
I am a bit hot and cold on eye cream…from what I have read most eye creams are not going to make a huge difference for your skin and typically whatever face moisturizer you use could work just as well under your eye…
BUT you know me, sometimes I like to feel fancy and do all the skincare things so I occasionally reach for eye cream.
My two go-tos are the Eye Contour Cream from Clé De Peau and the Return Eye Concentrate from UBeauty.
Promo: NAN20 for 20% off your first UBeauty purchase
Both of these products are pricey….so if anyone has an eye cream that they love that is a bit more affordable please let me know.
Lip Balm
If I remember, I will then put on lip balm.
I have tons to choose from, but lately I have been using the Infinite Layers Lip from Superegg and the Like a Gloss Lip Treatment from YSE Beauty.
Promo: NAN-15 for 15% off YSE Beauty purchases
Then I brush my teeth, floss, brush my hair and all that..but that is not really skincare so we can save those details for another day….
Want to see these skincare steps on video? Watch the instagram reel below.
You can find links to everything I included in that video (from the skincare products to my striped long sleeve t-shirt) linked HERE.
And there you have it, the simple steps and products I use every morning and night on my skin. I hope this was helpful and maybe put a few new products on your radar or perhaps inspires you to call your dermatologist.
Maybe next I should share my favorite makeup products that I use most often?
P.S. If you are like me and love all things skincare + beauty, here are a few other accounts I love to follow! (I am sure I am missing some but these gals come top of mind.)
Dr. Ellen Gendler - ellengendlermd on Instagram
As I mentioned about, Dr. Gendler is my dermatologist that I see in NY (per Mrs.Derm’s recommendation!)
Dr. Sam Ellis - drsamanthaellis on Instagram
Dr. Ellis is also the founder of Prequel Skincare, where that Gleanser face wash is from and so many other products I love!!)
Dr. Elyse Love - elyselovemd on Instagram
Melissa Coleman - mrs.derm on Instagram
Charlotte Parler - charlotteparler on Instagram
Charlotte is also one of the co-founders of Dieux Skincare.
Natalie / My Skinterest - myskinterest on Instagram and here on substack
Devan Jesmer - devsday on Instagram and here on substack
Jolie De Feis - joldef on Instagram and here on substack
Love this breakdown, Nan. It’s so helpful to see both the dermatologist-backed staples and the products you’ve discovered through trial and error. I especially appreciate the mix of US vs. European sunscreens (Ultra Violette is a favorite of mine, too!) and the honesty about eye cream being more of a “nice to have.” Your perspective makes the whole process feel approachable instead of overwhelming. Excited to see if you share makeup next!
Love how detailed this is!