I have to make adjustments to my skincare routine in the summer. For the most part, my skin is normal with shine in the summer. I rarely ever get terribly dry but I don’t have shine in the winter. Once the heat and humidity started rising I knew I had to tweak my routine.
I have to be careful because I use tretinoin and it is a delicate balance to control shine without causing flaking. I typically start with making one change at a time and gauging the effect.
My skin concerns are anti-aging, fines lines and wrinkles, daytime shine, and hyperpigmentation. This is my current day and night routine to address my areas of concern.
A.M. Routine
I made adjustments to my morning routine as the weather got warmer and my face got shinier by lunch every day. In the winter I use CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser in the morning in the shower. For the summer I decided to use Clinique Liquid Facial Cleanser Mild. I had tried to use this when I started tretinoin but my face got all flaky. Well, that happened again! It looks like I am going to have to stick with my Cerave Cleanser in the morning. I will just have to combat the shine with blotting papers.
I use my trusty Konjac sponge with my morning cleanser. It provides very gentle exfoliation to help remove any flakiness from over night. I use an exfoliator in the morning 2 – 3 times a week. I am not wedded to any one product. At the moment I am using Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion that I received in Boxycharm February 2017. It is ok but I wouldn’t repurchase due to the crazy price.
Another change I made in my morning routine was to switch to a stronger toner. I use the Dickinson’s Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner in the winter but I wanted something different for summer. I decided to use the Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 that is too strong in the winter. This toner has BHA in it and I wanted that in my routine. I have been able to use it all summer without it being too drying.
After toner, I use The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA on just my most obvious areas of hyperpigmentation, my neck, and my chest. Then I apply The Ordinary “Buffett” Serum on my face, neck, and chest. The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is the next step in my morning routine. I give this a minute to absorb because I want to get maximum benefit from the Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a proven anti-aging ingredient and I make sure to include it in my routine. I use it in the morning because it also provides protection from sun damage.
Once I give it a minute to dry I spritz lightly with Sacred Rose Water Spray Body Mist & Aromatherapy then I apply my Holy Grail morning moisturizer Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. This works so well and I have repurchased it over and over. I do sometimes switch to a slightly heavier moisturizer in the dead of winter if I get a little dry. Otherwise, this is my morning moisturizer.
I finish my a.m. routine up with sunscreen. At the moment I am using Tommy Bahama Natural Vanilla SPF 30 Mineral Face Tinted Sunscreen by Coola for my face and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 45. That completes my a.m. routine.
P.M. Routine
I do a double cleanse at night. I remove my makeup first and then wash my face. I am currently using BanilaCo Clean it Zero Classic as the first step. I also use a Wonder Cloth to remove the cleanser from my face. This ensures that all traces of makeup are gone. My go-to Holy Grail night time cleanser is Purity Made Simple by Philosophy. Every other night I use my Clarisonic Mia 2.
Once my face is totally clean I use Dickinson’s Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner Review. Hydration is my goal at night. After the toner, I apply Tretinoin (Retin A) 6 nights a week. I wait 1-2 hours after application to apply the rest of my routine to allow it more than enough time to absorb. This is the most important active that I use and I want to get maximum absorption. On the night I don’t use tretinoin I use Anew Clinical Retexturizing Peel. It contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids. Twice a week I am using The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid 5%. It is supposed to improve skin tone and texture. Following my night time actives, I apply The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA on my face and The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% on my chest. The Azelaic Acid is a brightener. I give them a minute to dry and apply The Ordinary “Buffet” Serum. This serum has proven anti-aging ingredients.
I use an eye cream most nights. Right now it is a Derma-e Co Q10 eye cream. Before I put on my moisturizer I mist my face with Sacred Rose Water Spray Body Mist & Aromatherapy. A damp face is better able to absorb moisturizer. I have 2 moisturizers that I alternate. One night I use Olay Regenerist Luminous Overnight Mask and the next night I use Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream. I add several drops of Eden’s Semilla 100% Pure Organic Rosehip Oil to my moisturizer.
The Olay promises to improve skin tone and increase brightness. The Cerave has niacinamides, ceramides, and peptides. I have only been using the Cerave for a few weeks but I am liking it. It will work well in the winter too. The Olay is probably lighter than what I need in the winter.
Three nights a week I use a mask. In the summer I use masks to address shine, pores, and congested skin. I use a sheet mask at least once a week to hydrate. Saturday night is usually sheet mask night because I have the time to leave it on longer.
Do you make changes to your skincare routine for each season? Do you use any of the products that I use? Do you have any product suggestions for me?
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to read my post. I appreciate it so much. If you enjoyed this post please “like” it and follow me so you won’t miss anything.
.
Makeup and Skin Care for Mature Skin 