My Current 3-Step Skincare Routine

Hi friends!

I haven’t written about my skincare routine in the loooongest time. Like before the pandemic kinda-long-time, so I thought today I’d give you all a tour of my current ultra-quick 3-step skincare routine. Around this time last year, my routine looked a bit like this – it was definitely a bit more lengthy in terms of time and certainly more intense in the amount of products used. I’ve really simplified and streamlined things since then, but I’m certainly NOT skimping on the hydration and nourishment my skin needs especially in the depths of winter. And when I say “ultra-quick” I’m talking, like a minute or two at most, which makes me very happy and smug indeed!

A few administrative notes I must mention before we start. First off, my skin type is dry, dehydrated and sometimes sensitive. I occasionally have eczema flare-ups as well, but nothing too intense.

Secondly, this is my NIGHTTIME routine. I don’t tend to have a very rigid daytime routine, and I often will use the same moisturizer or serum that I use at night during the day.

Lastly, my cleansing routine hasn’t changed at all in the past year so I didn’t delve into it in this post. If you take a look at my former routine in the ‘Cleanse’ section, everything from the process to the products is still 100% the same. I’m still loving my Garnier Micellar Water and CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.

So without further delay, let’s take a look at my current 3-step skincare routine!

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STEP ONE – LUMENE NORDIC C ARCTIC BERRY OIL-COCKTAIL

 

This brightening bi-phase formula is an energizing cocktail containing our most treasured Arctic berries: the Arctic cloudberry, Nordic cranberry and lingonberry. Rich in C, A precursor, B3, B5, and E vitamins, as well as in antioxidants and essential omega fatty acids, to help replenish & smooth the appearance of even the driest skin while restoring its youthful glow.

– See ingredient list here

I’ve been wanting to try something from the Finnish brand Lumene for a while now, so when I received their Nordic C Arctic Berry Oil-Cocktail in an event gift bag I was very excited to give it a go. As the name would suggest this is a face oil but I actually use it in place of a serum. Some may think I’m crazy for that, but just read the ‘How to Use’ instructions: “Shake before use. Apply to face and neck after cleansing. For best results, follow with your favorite VALO moisturizer.” So…I use it before moisturizer and therefore I combine my serum and oil step into one! I said this was a quick routine after all.

This is a bi-phase oil that you shake before applying: on the bottom is a deep jewel tone, on the top is a light yellow, and they turn into a milky pink shade. I use two generous pumps and massage that all over my face, and lemme tell you, everything from the texture to the smell is very luxurious! Warning: if you can’t or won’t handle fragrance in your skincare this product is not for you. But if you have no problem with fragrance, this is a lovely, lovely oil. It feels super nourishing on the skin and the glow is amazing, as you would expect with an oil.

This is definitely a better texture to use at night since it’s heavier than the Peach & Lily Pure Beam Luxe Oil. I now use that oil during the day, before makeup, since it’s light but still nourishing.

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STEP TWO – PEACH & LILY GLASS SKIN WATER-GEL MOISTURIZER

 

Instantly hydrates, balances and strengthens your skin with the power of vegan pre- and probiotics and hyaluronic acid.

<“product-description”>The perfect end to your skincare routine, our NEW Glass Skin Water-Gel Moisturizer provides instant and long-lasting hydration for a Glass Skin glow. This breakthrough formula delivers a proprietary vegan prebiotic and probiotic complex that strengthens your skin’s unique microbiome – the environment in which your skin functions – to strengthen skin and curb breakouts. The moisturizer is also expertly blended with natural antioxidants and vitamins found in peach and kiwi extracts, combined with calming chamomile, and licorice that helps skin appear more even-toned and brighter. Meanwhile, 3 different weights of hyaluronic acid hydrates deeply while beta glucans help bind moisture to skin for long-lasting hydration. The finishing touch is powered by our signature VoluSmooth™ that leaves skin looking and feeling smooth. The result? Visibly brighter, calmer, more hydrated skin with a healthy, glass skin glow. As always, our formula is 100% clean, non-toxic, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny certified). Scent: None. Texture: light-as-air, refreshing gel. Oil-free, silicone-free, for all skin types.

– See ingredient list here

I believe this is Peach & Lily’s newest launch which debuted right around holiday time. You’ve heard me talk about them before on the blog, but Peach & Lily is fast becoming a new go-to skincare brand for me. Their formulations are really effective, highly moisturizing and great for sensitive skin. To date, nothing has broken me out or caused any reactions on my skin. So when I saw they were bringing out a new moisturizer, I promptly added it to my Christmas list and here we are!

The Glass Skin Water-Gel Moisturizer could satisfy so many different skin types. It has a real gel texture – not to be confused with gel-cream hybrids like Clinique Moisture Surge, Peter Thomas Roth Hyaluronic Cloud Cream or Belief The True Cream Aqua Bomb, for instance – that’s super lightweight on the skin but very hydrating. There’s no heaviness here at all, so those with oily or combo skin may really love this. It works on my dry skin too, especially when I layer it with other hydrating products.

I use two pumps all over my face every night, and it works so well with the heavier Lumene oil. I’ve also applied this during the day before makeup and layered it with the Peach & Lily Pure Beam Luxe Oil. It feels so lovely and softening without overly glooping the face with tackiness. It would probably make for an awesome summer time moisturizer when you want something a bit lighter.

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STEP THREE – CERAVE EYE REPAIR CREAM

 

CeraVe Eye Repair Cream features a Marine & Botanical Complex to help reduce the appearance of dark circles, eye puffiness and brighten the entire eye area. Suitable for all skin types, this non-greasy, fast-absorbing, fragrance-free eye cream also contains three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, plus patented MVE Delivery Technology that releases a steady stream of moisture for skin nourishment around the clock.

• Reduce the appearance of dark circles and eye puffiness
• Non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula
• Suitable for all skin types
• Ceramides: Essential for healthy skin, ceramides help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier
• Hyaluronic acid: This ingredient attracts hydration to the skin’s surface and helps the skin retain moisture
• Niacinamide: Helps the skin barrier and calms the skin
• Non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free
• Ophthalmologist-tested and allergy-tested
• Developed with dermatologists
• Accepted by the National Eczema Association

– See ingredient list here

As usual, it wouldn’t be much of a skincare post from me if I didn’t mention or talk about CeraVe in some way. C’mon, you knew this was coming! Overall CeraVe is a great brand choice if you want something especially formulated for sensitive, eczema-prone skin at a fairly affordable price. I’m not going to spend much time here because I’ve talked about the Eye Repair Cream so many times before, but like I mentioned in my Top Ten Beauty Products of 2020 post this is the only eye cream I see myself using for the long-term. It’s simple, intensely moisturizing and gets the job done quick.

The tube has a long, thin nib that deposits targeted amounts of the cream so it’s very hard to over-apply. I apply three small dots under each eye, and that provides enough to moisturize the whole under-eye area plus on top of my eyelid. The cream itself is quite thick but it blends into the skin very easily and leaves zero greasiness. It’s just perfect, in my opinion.

A QUICK NOTE ON ACID EXFOLIATION

In case you were interested in a follow-up to my post on glycolic acid from last year: I still chemically exfoliate my face and neck but I decided to space out the process even further than what I had intended in that past. So instead of every 6-7 days or even every 10 days, now it’s more every 14 days. I find that’s what my skin can tolerate the best when it comes to glycolic. When I’m done with those Sephora pads, I may start experimenting with lactic acid or PHA’s for exfoliation. Stay tuned!

 

What does your current skincare routine look like? I’d love to know!

xo, and be well, Erica

 

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