Skincare I Keep Coming Back To

The simple morning and night routine that keeps my skin bright, balanced, and nourished

BEAUTY

11/13/2025

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed walking through the skincare aisle or scrolling online? There are so many cleansers, serums, and creams promising a radiant, youthful glow. I’ve tried more than I can count over the years, but these are the ones I truly keep coming back to. They feel good, work beautifully, and keep my skin balanced, hydrated, and happy.

Bathroom counter with skincare products, vase, and flowers, representing a peaceful skincare routine
Bathroom counter with skincare products, vase, and flowers, representing a peaceful skincare routine

A consistent skincare routine really is key to maintaining a healthy glow. Here’s what I use morning and night to keep my complexion clear and calm.

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Cleansers

Cerave cleanser and PMD brush on a bathroom counter with white towel, representing gentle daily clea
Cerave cleanser and PMD brush on a bathroom counter with white towel, representing gentle daily clea

Start your routine by choosing one of the first two cleansers, then pair it with a facial brush for a deeper clean. My everyday go-to is the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, and I occasionally treat myself to the ELEMIS wash when I want something a little more luxurious. Both work beautifully with the PMD Facial Cleansing Brush for a fresh, thorough clean that leaves my skin feeling smooth and balanced.

  • CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser Daily Face Wash
    This is my go-to cleanser for daily use. It’s gentle yet effective, removing oil and makeup without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier. This dermatologist-developed formula is non comedogenic and made without fragrance, parabens, sulfates, or alcohol, which makes it ideal for sensitive or easily irritated skin and helps prevent clogged pores.

  • ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash
    A luxurious option that smooths and refines the skin for a brighter look. It meets a “Made Without” standard that limits parabens and phthalates and is listed as free of gluten, nickel ,and talc.

  • PMD Beauty Electric Facial Cleansing Brush
    Used together with the CeraVe or ELEMIS cleanser, this smart facial brush helps deeply clean pores while providing a gentle, massaging boost that supports circulation and glow. It gives a refreshed, spa-like cleanse that helps every product absorb better.

Morning Serums and Moisturizers

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow oil and Olay moisturizer with white washcloth on counter, morning skincare
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow oil and Olay moisturizer with white washcloth on counter, morning skincare

Choose between one of the first two products for your morning brightening step, then follow with the third to moisturize and protect your skin with SPF.

  • Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C & Turmeric Face Oil
    This is the facial oil I use every morning. It adds instant radiance and antioxidant support while keeping my skin smooth and hydrated. The formula is vegan and made without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, gluten, alcohol, or fragrance, making it one of the cleanest, most anti inflammatory products in my routine.

  • TruSkin Vitamin C Serum for Face
    I’ve used this gentle brightening serum before and really liked it. It’s formulated with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin E to help boost glow and support collagen production without irritation. The formula is made without parabens, phthalates, alcohol, or fragrance, making it a great option for sensitive skin.

  • Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream Face Moisturizer with SPF 30
    Provides rich moisture with broad spectrum sun protection and keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day. Having SPF in my moisturizer has been especially important for me before applying makeup, since it saves time while keeping my skin protected. The formula is paraben and sulfate free. The Olay Regenerist fragrance free version with no SPF is especially nice for those with sensitive skin.

Night Moisturizers

Olay night cream and RoC moisturizer with white washcloth on counter, calm skincare scene
Olay night cream and RoC moisturizer with white washcloth on counter, calm skincare scene

I rotate nightly between these two rich, restorative creams depending on what my skin needs. You can choose one based on your skin type or alternate them as I do for variety and balance.

  • L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Anti-Aging Midnight Cream
    I use this when my skin feels extra dry. It provides deep hydration and softness by morning, and I love its light, comforting scent that makes my nighttime routine feel soothing and luxurious. The formula is paraben free, sulfate-free, and dermatologist tested, and suitable for sensitive skin.

  • Olay Face Moisturizer, Anti-Aging Night Cream for Women
    I rotate this nightly with the L’Oréal cream for consistent anti-aging and hydration benefits. The formula is made without sulfates, parabens, or fragrance, which makes it a gentle choice for a calm nighttime routine.

Targeted Treatments

RoC Eye Cream and RoC Crepe Repair with white washcloth on counter, nightly firming skincare routine
RoC Eye Cream and RoC Crepe Repair with white washcloth on counter, nightly firming skincare routine

These are the targeted products that support firmness and smoothness. I use the RoC Retinol Correxion Under Eye Cream every night, and I apply the RoC Crepe Repair on my neck and face for added hydration and elasticity. I’ve also used the StriVectin Neck Cream in the past, and it remains one of my reliable go-tos when I’m not using the RoC Crepe Repair.

  • RoC Retinol Correxion Under Eye Cream
    Helps reduce fine lines and puffiness around the eyes. The formula is
    hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, and made without parabens, fragrance, or sulfates, making it gentle enough for nightly use and easy to layer under moisturizer if also used in the morning.

  • RoC Crepe Repair Anti-Aging Daily Face Moisturizer & Neck Firming Cream
    Supports firmness and elasticity while smoothing the appearance of crepey skin on the face and neck. The formula is
    made without alcohol, parabens, sulfates, essential oils, or added fragrance, so it feels nourishing without irritation or heaviness.

  • StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream
    Helps strengthen and firm the delicate neck area, leaving skin smoother and more lifted over time. The formula is paraben and sulfate free, which makes it a gentle yet effective option. I’ve used this one in the past and still consider it a dependable choice when I’m not using the RoC Crepe Repair.

My Complete Skincare Routine

Yellow clock on a blanket, representing a consistent morning and evening skincare routine
Yellow clock on a blanket, representing a consistent morning and evening skincare routine

Here’s exactly what my current skincare routine looks like right now. With consistency and a few trusted favorites, my skin stays hydrated, smooth, and radiant day after day.

🌿Morning Routine

  • Cleanse with CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser using the PMD Facial Cleansing Brush.

  • Pat skin dry and apply Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Face Oil for brightening and antioxidant protection.

  • Follow with Olay Regenerist Moisturizer with SPF 30 for hydration and sun defense.

🌿Evening Routine

  • Cleanse again with the same CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser and PMD Facial Cleansing Brush.

  • Rotate between L’Oréal Midnight Cream and Olay Night Cream, depending on how your skin feels.

  • Apply RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream every night.

  • Follow with RoC Crepe Repair Cream on the face and neck.

Face masks and exfoliants deserve their own spotlight, so I’ll be sharing a separate post soon with my favorite weekly treatments like the ones from Grown Alchemist and other gentle, glow-enhancing options.

A Conversation That Made Me Think

wo coffee cups on a café table, representing a warm lunchtime chat about skincare and well-being
wo coffee cups on a café table, representing a warm lunchtime chat about skincare and well-being

I recently met up with a close friend for coffee who has nine year old twin girls. She mentioned that her girls started experimenting with creams and moisturizers, and she was worried about what might actually be in those products, especially potential hormone disruptors.

Her concern was completely valid and it really made me think about my own skincare routine. I’ve always tried to choose products that are gentle and effective, focusing mostly on how well they perform and how my skin feels. Our conversation reminded me that there is also value in paying closer attention to ingredients and safety, especially for younger girls just starting to explore skincare. I plan to look deeper into some of these concerns and share what I learn in a future post, including gentle, natural options that may be better choices for families who want to be more mindful about what they use.

A Note on Ingredient Awareness

Flowers floating in air, representing clean ingredients and mindful skincare choices
Flowers floating in air, representing clean ingredients and mindful skincare choices

I do my best to find products that balance both effectiveness and gentleness. Several of these are fragrance free, paraben free, or vegan, and I continue to look for clean formulas that align with my hormone friendly, anti inflammatory focus. Some traditional products may include fragrance or preservatives that can be potential hormone disruptors for sensitive individuals. My approach is to stay curious, learn more, and make small improvements where I can. Choosing what feels right for my skin and overall wellness has made all the difference. Good skincare doesn’t have to be complicated, just thoughtful and consistent.

🌿What’s one skincare product you always come back to?

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