When we think of glowing, flawless skin, it’s easy to imagine airbrushed perfection, but that’s not the reality. Skin is incredibly individual, and its appearance is a direct reflection of what’s happening beneath the surface and in our environment. Factors like age, climate, stress levels, genetics, and diet all play a role in your skin’s overall health and appearance. And in the beauty world, there’s no one size fits all approach. Each person’s skincare journey is different, shaped by unique needs, preferences, and routines. What works wonders for one may not deliver the same results for another.
However, there’s one universal truth when it comes to skin: starting a preventative routine early is the best way to keep your skin looking its best for years to come. It’s not about striving for perfection or turning back the clock—After all, we aren’t meant to look 20 when we’re 50. Every chapter of life brings changes, and embracing those changes is key. There’s beauty at every stage, and by accepting where we are today—lines and all—we can make smarter choices that help us to look radiant at any age. Loving who we are now, practicing self-care, and nourishing ourselves from within naturally leads to healthier, more radiant skin.
So, how do we know which products are right for us? And do we really need a dozen steps to see results? It all depends on your skin type and goals. If you’re maintaining healthy skin, a simple routine may be all you need. But if you’re addressing specific concerns, investing in targeted, potent products can make a real difference.
My skincare philosophy mirrors my approach to makeup—every bottle and jar should serve a purpose, or it’s not worth having. Don’t waste money on a clutter of products that will go unused or forgotten at the back of your drawer. Instead, focus on quality over quantity, and streamline your routine to only the most compatible products. Understanding your needs is the first step in choosing tailored products and setting realistic expectations.
INGREDIENTS MATTER
Did you know that our skin is the body’s largest organ? What we apply to it can be absorbed into our bloodstream, so it’s essential to be mindful of the ingredients in our products. Opting for predominantly pure, clean, and calming ingredients helps keep your skin healthy, balanced, and less reactive. When selecting skincare, pay attention to the first five ingredients—they make up the bulk of the formula, so it’s vital they’re of high quality rather than fillers. Look for bases like rose water, aloe vera juice, glacial water, glycerin, or pure essential oils. Further down the list, you’ll often find potent ingredients like Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides, Glycolic, Lactic, and Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Ferulic Acid, Retinol, Resveratrol, and Antioxidants. Steering clear of low-quality, harmful ingredients like petroleum, parabens, mineral oil, and lanolin can be incredibly beneficial for your skin’s long-term health. Choosing cleaner, high-performance formulas will bring you closer to achieving truly nourished, protected, and rejuvenated skin.
SKIN TYPES
Skin texture generally falls into one or more categories: normal, combination, oily, dry, or sensitive. However, the reality is that your skin’s needs can change daily due to factors like weather, environment, stress, or hormones. That’s why it’s essential to be in tune with your skin and adjust your routine as needed. Personally, I like to begin each day with a close inspection, using a magnifying mirror to check for signs of dehydration, congestion, or anything that might need attention. This quick assessment helps me decide which products to use and even informs small adjustments to my diet.
For example, during colder months when your skin might be feeling extra dry, an exfoliating acid treatment once or twice a week, combined with hydrating serums and rich creams, can work wonders for maintaining balance. In the heat of summer, when oiliness becomes a concern, switching to lightweight, oil-free formulas can help prevent clogged pores and keep your makeup looking smooth. These simple tweaks ensure your skin is getting exactly what it needs on any given day.
The key is having a few trusted, high-performance products on hand that allow you to quickly adapt to what your skin is asking for. It takes only seconds to check in with your skin, but doing so means you can create a personalized routine and feel confident that you’re staying on top of your skin goals, no matter the season or circumstance.
THE BASICS
At the core of good skincare are typically three key steps: a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. These generally cover our skin’s fundamental needs and provide a great starting point. However, these categories are quite broad, each offering a variety of products with different levels of performance, strengths, and active ingredients. Ultimately, our individual skin concerns should guide us to the most suitable choices. Once the basics are in place, we can introduce one or two targeted treatment add-ons, once or twice a week, to elevate our skin to its optimal state, no matter the conditions it faces.
To guide you on your skincare journey, my testers and I tried a wide range of creams, lotions, oils, and serums, and handpicked the most effective ones. Whatever your skincare needs, these selections are sure to help you love the skin you’re in!
WASH, RINSE, REFRESH
Properly cleansing the skin to gently remove dirt, oil, impurities, and bacteria allows for better absorption of the products that follow and helps prevent unwanted reactions. However, it’s important not to overdo it. Over-washing or scrubbing can disrupt the skin’s protective barrier, altering its natural pH and stripping away the oils that keep it healthy.
For some, using a warm damp washcloth in the morning to gently wipe away excess oil from the night before, and a mild cleanser in the evening to remove makeup, is enough. This routine works best for me, as cleansing twice a day tends to dry out my skin. Find what works best for you, and always be gentle, allowing your skin to relax and prepare for the next step.
When it comes to skin texture, dry skin might require both moisture and emollients, but it’s important to understand the difference between the two. Moisture refers to the water content that’s drawn to the skin, while emollients are oils that, when applied after moisturizers or serums, lock in that moisture and soften the skin. For dehydrated or dry skin types, look for moisture magnet humectants like glycerin and Hyaluronic acid and limit products containing silicones, as they can dehydrate skin with frequent use. Instead, you want ingredient’s like glycerin, rose water, aloe juice, shea butter, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to be at the top of the list to help hydrate and plump the skin.
CLEANSERS FOR EVERY SKIN TYPE
For me, the ideal cleanser gently removes impurities and makeup, rinses away easily, and preserves the skin’s natural pH balance. Look for options that are free of alcohol and leave out harsh or cheap ingredients to avoid unnecessary dryness. Our picks below embody these gentle, nourishing qualities and more to suit all skin types.
Drunk Elephant E—Rase Milki Micellar Water
One of the things I love most about Drunk Elephant is their pH-balanced, skin-friendly formulations. This ceramide-rich micellar water is incredibly gentle and quick, yet it effectively removes makeup and impurities with ease, no rinsing required. The ingredients nourish your skin as they cleanse, without disrupting its delicate pH.
Cede Botanic Lift Balm Cleanser
From the moment you open the jar, your senses are greeted by calming notes of pure essential oils like sandalwood, sage, and lavender, along with the vibrant golden hue of omega-rich organic sea buckthorn oil. Every detail in this balm was carefully considered, with ingredients like Cupuaco butter and nourishing oils from macadamia, hemp, and Brazil nuts, chosen for their healing and restorative properties. For additional skin benefits, leave on for a few more minutes for the softest skin ever!
Odièle Fig and Lavender Gentle Oil Cleanser
This is my absolute favorite cleansing oil, thanks to the meticulous care behind its organic botanical formula. Every detail looks and feels so clean…Each beautiful glass bottle is infused with an artful collection of gentle, pure essential oils, delicate flowers, and golden seeds that nourish your skin. It rinses away effortlessly, leaving your complexion softer, more radiant, and glowing with health.
Éminence Organics Barbados Cherry Enzyme Cleansing Powder
I’m so impressed with this brand, which is why you will see a few of their products featured in this article. The application couldn’t be easier and the results are rewarding…mixing a little bit of fine powder with water and massage…The Barbados Cherry gently exfoliates, leaving you with a visibly brighter and smoother complexion, and smells delightful.
TONE & SOOTHE
Toners used to primarily be the step after cleansing, helping to remove any remaining excess oil or impurities and preventing blackheads and clogged pores. While this philosophy still holds true, brands have since elevated toners to offer much more than meets the eye. I’ve found a few that raise the bar on what you might expect—and then some.
Chantecaille 24K Gold Essence Intense
A replenishing rose water-based elixir infused with potent botanicals, 24K gold, and bio-peptides, designed to deliver deep hydration and a radiant glow. The calming scent accentuates the application experience, as your skin soaks in this ultra-hydrating liquid. Just a few drops are all you need, thanks to the elegantly designed spout. Apply alone or layer under your favorite serum or moisturizer for amplified results.
What a fantastic product! This is far more than just a toner—each refreshing spritz of this ultra-hydrating milky mist delivers a toner, serum, and moisturizer in one, effortlessly restoring your skin to its optimal state. It’s versatile, perfect for when you’re short on time, and truly a skin savior!
SERUMS
Applying a serum (or even two) before your moisturizer can supercharge your skin’s healing benefits. Think of serums as concentrated little magic potions, packed with powerful, targeted ingredients that zero in on specific concerns for visible results. While not all serums are created equal in terms of performance, I’ve discovered a few that stand out and are absolutely worth a try!
The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA High-Strength Peptide Formula
There’s been a lot of buzz around this serum, and after using it religiously for a few months, I understand the hype. My skin feels noticeably plumper and more hydrated. Just 3 drops are enough to cover your face, neck, and décolleté, and you can layer it under any moisturizer for boosted hydration benefits. The power-packed combination of hyaluronic acid, peptides, and Matrixyl which targets fine lines effectively. With its surprisingly low price tag, you get great skin benefits at a fraction of the cost.
Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum
The ultimate all-in-one serum! Packed with the finest botanical ingredients to address all your skin concerns—and then some. It feels like a lightweight lotion but delivers the power of a nourishing treatment, melting into your skin effortlessly. I love to apply it after my skin is drenched with my favorite essence water. The result? A beautifully diffused complexion and skin that feels incredibly soft to the touch.
Violette_Fr Superlatif Reactive Skin Rescue Rapid Soothing Serum
This treatment serum is absolutely amazing for healing reactive skin—likely the best my sensitive-skin tester has ever tried. She used just one drop for her entire face, and by morning, the inflamed areas showed significant, noticeable improvement. It works quickly and effectively, thanks to calming ingredients like beta-glucan and red algae, helping to return your skin’s barrier to its natural feel-good state.
M61 Hydraboost Serum 2.0 Hydrating Vitamin B5 Peptide Serum
A serum that does it all—plumps, firms, smooths, hydrates, and evens out skin tone. It’s packed with everything your skin needs to look and feel its best. I layer it over other serums daily, and it’s so lightweight you won’t even feel it on your skin.
MOISTURIZER
Keeping our skin’s outer layer hydrated, smooth, and calm is key—and that’s where a good face cream comes in. But some creams do even more by diving deeper to target the layers beneath the surface. Recently, I got my hands on a few standouts that not only deliver on ingredients but also make the experience feel so gratifying. Curious to see what made the cut? Check out my top picks below!
One of the best pre-makeup morning moisturizers I’ve ever tried. This formula uses living microbe technology to firm, hydrate, and smooth the skin while boosting radiance. It absorbs instantly, leaving your skin velvety soft and perfectly prepped for flawless makeup application.
Éminence Organics Marine Flower Peptide Night Cream
Calling this just another face moisturizer doesn’t do it justice—it’s wonderful! To start, it’s organic, plant-based, and packed with powerful botanical peptides and natural retinoids that target fine lines, crepey skin, and wrinkles while you sleep. It’s also incredibly hydrating. As you massage in this cloud-like soufflé, it creates a dewy, soothing sensation, instantly making your skin feel bathed in moisture. Your skin will feel incredibly soft, and the lovely subtle scent will calm your senses.
Chantecaille 24K Gold Cream Intense
An incredibly luxurious cream that envelops your skin with superb botanical technology, addressing any skin concern you might have. A little of this decadent, 24K gold-infused moisturizer goes a long way, leaving your skin looking absolutely radiant. Definitely worth its weight in gold!
FACE OIL
Applying a high-quality face oil after your serum or moisturizer is a fantastic way to seal in hydration while replenishing essential emollients to protect your skin barrier. Thanks to their smaller molecular structure, oils can penetrate the skin more effectively, allowing for better absorption. Just a few drops of these luxurious oils, gently pressed into the skin, can transform your complexion and leave you feeling pampered and refreshed.
Every product from this line is truly wonderful, but the Rose Serum is definitely one of my favorites. It’s like inhaling a bouquet of the freshest roses—an absolutely blissful experience. Your skin will never glow more than after applying just a few drops of this luxurious oil. Just beautiful.
A soothing blend of skin-nourishing, plant-based oils that leave your complexion balanced and radiant. You’re left with soft, supple skin that creates the perfect base for makeup, enhancing your overall look beautifully.
Éminence Rosehip C + E Firming Oil
Every single ingredient in this fabulous anti-aging serum works wonders for your skin’s overall health. Its pure botanical blend tackles all your skincare needs while delivering the added bonus of soothing aromatherapy. It’s no surprise that this oil has quickly become one of my all-time favorites.
EYES
Our eye area deserves just as much love when it comes to hydration and firmness. As we age, our needs evolve—from a simple eye moisturizer to a product that tackles discoloration, dryness, or skin laxity. It’s important to keep things light to avoid clogged pores and maintain the delicate balance around the eyes. After trying countless brands, I’ve discovered these gems that perfectly address a variety of needs, making them a welcome addition to any skincare routine.
Kleem Organics Firming Eye Cream
Say goodbye to tired, discolored eyes! This ultra-cooling gel-cream drenches your eye area in hydration while caffeine works to depuff, and fine lines appear softened thanks to a powerhouse blend of amino acids, hyaluronic acid, Reishi mushroom, peptides, and more. And the extended applicator tip allows the products to glide on effortlessly. It’s my daily go-to that never disappoints!
Alpyn Line-Filling Eye Cream with Bakuchiol and Caffeine
This lovely eye balm features the superstar ingredient Bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol known for stimulating collagen and reducing inflammation. As an added bonus, it brightens under-eye circles and soothes the skin with Arnica and caffeine. After just one application, your eyes will feel protected and wonderfully cared for.
Sensitive skin, rejoice! This eye gel is a soothing dream, blending calming ingredients like Green Tea and Cucumber with powerhouse wrinkle smoothers like Hyaluronic Acid and Matrixyl 3000. With the added boost of plant stem cells, your eye area will look refreshed, rejuvenated, and totally revitalized.
TREATMENT MASKS
Using a face mask once or twice a week is a fantastic way to de-stress and replenish your skin. Whether you’re constantly on the go, dealing with harsh climates, traveling frequently, or simply in need of a quick pick-me-up, the masks below will help restore your skin—and your sense of well-being—in just minutes.
Farmacy Honey Potion Plus Ceramide Hydration Mask
Ooooh, I’m obsessed with this mask! The moment you massage it in, the formula warms up and feels divine! Packed with skin-loving hydrators like honey, niacinamide, propolis, and ceramides, it gives your skin the ultimate reboot, bringing it back to balance in just a few blissful minutes.
Rael Beauty Collagen Plump and Smooth Bamboo Facial Sheet
Your skin will soak up the soothing benefits of this bamboo-soft healing mask, enriched with calming licorice root and wheat amino acids. With a powerful moisture surge from Hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed collagen right at the top of the ingredient list, you know you’re getting the good stuff from the start. Once your mask is ready to come off, massage the remainder of the serum onto your neck, chest, tops of hands and forearms for the same skin-quenching benefits. Essential amino acids and peptides work together, leaving your skin looking noticeably more plump and feeling deeply replenished and rejuvenated.
Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening Pore Scrub + Exfoliating Mask
Exfoliate, hydrate, firm, refine, brighten, and re-texturize all in one go with this amazing multi-tasking face mask. Infused with anti-inflammatory turmeric and soothing aloe, it’s the perfect pick-me-up. Use it once a week, or whenever your skin needs a gentle, brightening boost for an effortlessly even and radiant complexion.
ADD ONS
Now that you’ve fine-tuned your basic skincare routine, it’s time to add a few extra steps to boost your skin’s renewal process. Whether it’s a faux Botox serum or an exfoliating acid treatment, the products below are perfect for giving your skin a little extra help once or twice a week—or whenever it needs some extra TLC. Keep these on hand to maintain your skin’s glow and vitality all year long.
The Ordinary Agireline Solution 10%
If you’re looking for a non-invasive, gentle way to soften fine lines on your forehead and around your smile, this serum is a true game changer—no needles needed! With regular use, you’ll notice smoother, more relaxed skin. While it’s not Botox, the results are real! It works as a neurotransmitter inhibitor, meaning it helps block signals that cause facial muscle contractions. I was skeptical at first, but after a month, my smile lines and a stubborn one on my forehead are noticeably diminished and softer. I’m a believer! And with such an affordable price point, it’s the perfect addition to your skincare routine—your skin will thank you!
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads
This gentle antioxidant-packed AHA/BHA treatment delivers GORGEOUS glowing skin in just minutes! The results are so stellar, you’ll look like you’ve just stepped out of a luxurious dermatologist appointment. Why not bring the skin-transforming magic of renowned Dr. Dennis Gross right into your home instead?
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
A resurfacing powerhouse! This formula blends powerful concentrations of Alpha Hydroxy, Lactic, Glycolic, and other acids to retexturize your skin while keeping its pH in check. What’s even better? It’s free of harsh chemicals, fragrances, or alcohol. You’ll feel a little tingle when it’s working its magic, and just a few minutes later—voilà! Rinse off to reveal fresh, glowing skin.
BODY
Over the years, the skin on our body can take quite a beating—losing elasticity, tone, and hydration as time goes on. That’s why knowing which products to use is key to counteracting sun damage, stretch marks, dryness, and discolorations. The right products can make all the difference in keeping things from worsening and preserving your skin’s health. My top picks below will help you minimize damage, maintain your glow, and keep your skin looking its best with minimal effort.
Balaayah Black Gram Body Booster
This product line takes inspiration from ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, where the three Doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—find harmony through warming or cooling ingredients. This indulgent body oil blends deeply restorative ingredients like Black Gram and Himalayan Rock Salt with the anti-aging prowess of Nutsedge, a potent grass that helps to smooth wrinkles and targets crepiness. The earthy scent lingers delicately, adding a sultry, calming touch. Apply on dry or damp skin to feel velvety smooth, hydrated, and completely revitalized, no matter your skin type.
Aroma Depot Raw African White Shea Butter
Don’t let the no-frills packaging fool you—this raw shea butter is a serious game changer when it comes to softening and moisturizing your skin. Each jar is filled with 100% pure, unrefined African shea, one of the richest and most nourishing ingredients out there. A little goes a long way, and as you massage it in, your skin will instantly feel buttery, hydrated, and incredibly supple. Its thicker texture requires a bit more effort to apply than your typical body lotion, but trust me, the results are worth every second.
Not only does this butter provide deep moisture, but it’s also fantastic for softening stretch marks, lightening scars, and evening out discolorations over time. The subtle, natural scent is light and pleasant, and it leaves your skin smelling as nice as it feels. Once you experience the results, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
Nécessaire The Body Peel – Resurfacing Serum with 12% AHA/BHA/PHA, 1% Resveratrol + Peeling Peptide
Resurfacing the skin on your body has never been simpler! This formula combines powerhouse acids like lactic, AHA, and glycolic to promote cellular turnover, while Resveratrol works its soothing magic. The result? Smoother, softer skin in no time—just a pump away from your most radiant skin yet!
Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil
Sometimes products with long ingredient lists are packed with unnecessary additives, but not this one! Every single element in this beautiful body oil delivers a potent dose of vitamins, nutrients, and healing oils that your skin will adore. It’s a rich, concentrated blend designed to truly nourish your skin. Slather it onto damp skin, and you’ll be rewarded with the softest, most moisturized glow!
Makeup Artist & Beauty Expert @robinschoenmakeup
Learn more about Robin’s talented work at RobinSchoenMakeup.com
