The 6-Step Routine I Swear By For Healthy, Radiant Skin

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Skincare is something I value a lot, and it’s not because of the fancy products or anti-aging aesthetics. Our skin is the outermost layer of our body and our largest organ, if and if we’re not taking care of it, who will? Taking care of my skin health is as important to me as caring for my body with exercise and nutrition. When I talk about whole-body health, I include skin. 

So, this week I’m sharing my tried-and-true skincare routine – the one I swear by for healthy, radiant skin. If you want to take better care of your skin but aren’t sure where to start, this framework is for you. 

My routine relies on six products, and this is what I’ve found works for me. Please note that you do not have to use the exact products that I do – but rather, find products that are within your budget and that suit your skin type and your personal preferences. As long as you’re choosing products with high-quality, tested ingredients that agree with your skin, you’re on the right path.

First up: A hydrating, gentle cleanser (#1)

In the nineties and early aughts we were all obsessed with astringents – products that burned our skin and gave us that taut, clean feeling. Turns out those products were seriously damaging to our skin barriers – they stripped away all our moisture! So, nowadays dermatologists love gentle cleansers, especially ones that work for all skin types.

Here’s what you want to look for: 

  • A cleanser labeled as hydrating or gentle

  • One without fragrances and perfume

  • A cleanser without active ingredients (e.g. salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, etc), unless your dermatologist specifically recommends them

Depending on your skin type – and whether or not you work out a lot or wear makeup often – you may opt for a cleansing balm or oil cleanser, which can remove oils, impurities, and makeup without stripping your skin of moisture. 

Next up, a hyaluronic acid or vitamin C serum (#2)

Think of your serum as your “treatment” step in your skincare routine. In other words, you want to choose one that addresses your primary skin concern, if you have one. I lean heavily on hyaluronic acid serums, which hydrate the skin and smooth fine lines, as well as vitamin C serums, which targets hyperpigmentation. Generally, I use vitamin C in the morning and hyaluronic acid at night, because I use retinol at night, which clashes with vitamin C. 

Serums don’t have to be super fancy or expensive – I love brands like Good Molecules and The Ordinary for high-quality, affordable serums, and if you have a little more to spare, iS Clinical makes super effective serums. 

Third, at nighttime, I use a prescription retinol (#3). 

Retinol is an irreplaceable part of my skincare routine, specifically at night (it makes our skin more sensitive to the sun, which is why I don’t use it during the day). I’ve written a whole blog post on retinol, but the long and short of it is that retinol causes faster skin cell turnover. It stimulates new cell production, leading to a brighter, healthier complexion, and decreased appearance of acne scars, wrinkles, sun damage, and more. 

The retinol I get is from my dermatologist, but there are fantastic over the counter retinol options too – including from Neutrogena, Good Molecules, and CeraVe.  

Also at night, I use an eye cream (#4). 

The skin around our eyes is really thin, and it’s also very prone to dryness. When it’s dry, the skin under the eye will take on a more crinkled texture, making us look more tired (and making it hard to wear concealer, if that’s your jam). 

So to combat that, I use an eye cream. Most often I use this at night, but some eye creams are designed for daily use, too. I love the Revision Skincare Eye Cream and the First Aid Beauty Hydrating Eye Cream – they’re both super hydrating, but feel light on the skin. 

Moisturizer is the holy grail, regardless of your age and skin type! (#5)

Want to prevent fine lines and achieve plump, supple skin? Striking the right moisture balance is the key. When our skin is dehydrated, nothing else will really help us – so choosing a great moisturizer that you can use day and night is crucial. For moisturizers, I love iS Clinical, but again, anything without fragrance that contains hydrating ingredients will benefit you. 

A few to consider in your search are: 

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. Oh, and sunscreen! (#6)

Did somebody say sunscreen? This is the non-negotiable, must-have step for every day, no exceptions. It doesn’t matter if the sun is out or not – sunscreen is necessary! If you want a full list of great sunscreens, you can find my list of favorites here, otherwise opt for one that’s broad spectrum with at least 30 SPF. I recommend buying a few, once you find one that you like, and keeping them in each of your most-used bags so you always have one on hand. The best way to achieve healthy, radiant skin is to prevent further damage…so yes, you need sunscreen!

To review, here’s my go-to framework for skincare: 

AM 

  • Gentle, hydrating cleanser

  • Vitamin C serum

  • Moisturizer

  • Sunscreen

PM

  • Gentle, hydrating cleanser

  • Hyaluronic acid serum

  • Retinol cream

  • Moisturizer 

I do swear by the products I have in this post and the ones I’ve put in the newsletter, but that’s because they’ve worked for me! You have to find what works for you and your skin. If you have a dermatologist, definitely ask them for their thoughts on your skin type and what kind of products you should be using. Otherwise, start slow and build up your routine, while keeping tabs on what your skin likes and doesn’t like.

In the meantime, tell me in the post comments – do you know your skin type? If not, would you be interested in a quiz that tells you which type you have? Let me know!

I hope you found this blog post helpful – I’m sending you good energy for your skincare journey. :) 

Xo, 

Renata