The 8 Essential Skincare Products You Need

1. Cleanser

This is the no-brainer. If you aren’t cleansing your face we got some problems, friend! I typically cleanse my face in the morning in the shower. But you will also use your cleanser at night before your night time routine.

Cleansers work to remove dirt, oil and makeup. They help to unclog pores and remove dead skin. I rotate between two cleansers based on my skin type and concerns seasonally. I like this cleanser for summer, and this cleanser for winter.

You should also be doing a DOUBLE cleanse. Either cleanse your skin for two whole minutes OR one minute with your gentle cleanser (at night I do an oil cleanser to remove makeup), and one with a more exfoliating type (the next product below!).

2. Exfoliator

An exfoliator is designed to improve the texture of your skin by removing the surface layer. This sounds harsher than it actually is. But removing a layer of dead skin will not only reveal younger more beautiful skin, but it also allows your products in your next step (serums and moisturizers) to be better absorbed. It will also allow your makeup to be applied more evenly and smoothly. Exfoliating shouldn’t be done every single day, but maybe 1-2 times per week. Always work your way up to more frequency.

You can also find more gentle exfoliating face washes that may be used daily. Just check the labels! When you do find a good daily one, this can be your second cleanse.

3. Toner

A toner should be used right after cleansing and before any serums or moisturizers get applied. I like using a toner that has BHA’s, Lactic Acid and salicylic acid. Since I’m quite oily, this helps to balance my skin out. It also helps to remove another layer of skin that the exfoliator didn’t. Choose one that’s right for your skin type.

I spray a few sprays on a cotton pad and swipe it over my face. You’ll see dead skin and any left over makeup you missed on the pad after you run it over your face and neck (I never forget my neck!). What you’re seeing on the pad is dead skin that your cleanser and exfoliator may have missed. And yes, it is ALWAYS shocking.

4. Serum

Before your moisturizer, you’ll want to use a serum. The best way to understand the serum and moisturizer combination is that the serum are your vitamins, and the moisturizer is your drink of water to wash them down. A serum is packed with nutrients, vitamins and high potency ingredients that will help to transform your skin. If you’re not using a serum yet, I would say this is the thing you need to add to your routine immediately. The price tag can often be a little high, but you use such a small amount that it will last you a very long time.

PS check out my BIG post on serums to find the right one for your skin type and skincare concerns here. If you’re overwhelmed, it’s usually a safe bet to start with a Vitamin C serum!

5. Moisturizer + SPF

Finally, moisturizer! I know it seems like it took forever to get to what you thought was ALL you needed. But trust me. Once you have your toner and serum in place, your moisturizer will not only work better, but you’ll probably need one less pump of it. Truth! I have a few moisturizers that I rotate through depending on what my skin is feeling like or what the day has in store for me. You may have one for the am with SPF in it, and one for the pm that’s more hydrating to sleep in.

My tried and true, and the one item I’d want with me on a deserted island is my Peptide Rich Defense moisturizer with SPF 50. I have been using this for YEARS and I can not recommend it enough. There are plenty of options in all price points. Whatever you choose, just be sure that this step ALSO includes an SPF for the day. This is a crucial step and I think one that easily goes hand in hand with your moisturizer so you never forget it.

6. Anti-Aging Night Cream

Now onto our nighttime routine. At night, you should also be cleansing your face and using a toner. Exfoliate occasionally when you can. But you can skip your moisturizer and let your night creams do the work here. If you want anti-aging, you need retinol. Period. Retinol helps to stimulate new cell growth. It’s a form of Vitamin A and truly is the fountain of youth if you ask me.

For night, I use Cosmedix Define.  This product has a 2% AGP complex which basically means it’s a retinol that’s microencapsulated for a more even application and a controlled release. At night you can also use a face oil, or hydrating heavy cream for extra moisture if you’re on the dryer side.

Learn more about retinol here!

7. Eye Cream

We can’t forget under our eyes, can we? This is something I struggle with the most as I suffer from very dark circles. I also want to plump up the skin and renew it so that I do not get wrinkles. You can use an eye cream both morning and night. I use a different one for am/pm. In the morning I like a more hydrating lighter one like this from Follain. And for pm, I go for more anti-aging ingredients that may be a little heavier and I like the Eye Genius or Opti Crystal from Cosmedix for that.

8. Weekly Mask

Everyone should be doing a face mask once a week to address their specific skincare concerns. Hydrating, anti-aging, rejuvenating, whatever it might be. Choose one, or have a few on hand, to use on a weekly basis. You want to do these only weekly as they’re usually more potent. Too frequent use can cause irritation and stir up new skin issues.

I rotate between two masks for my skin. The Pure Enzyme mask which you can actually FEEL working and see a difference in your skin immediately. It tingles while you’re doing it and your skin looks like it’s been regenerated (it’ll be a little red, don’t freak out it’s normal and goes away in about 30 minutes!). With hydration-boosting Gluconic Acid your skin is left more plump, exfoliated and overall more beautiful. And the other, a charcoal detox mask. I’m super oily so I really benefit from this type of mask to clean out my large pores.