A PERFECT PM SKINCARE ROUTINE - Product recommendations to help you attain and maintain healthy skin.
Yes, you need two distinct skincare routines – one in the morning and one in the evening. Sure, some products can overlap. You can certainly use the same face cream both AM and PM; perhaps even the same cleanser.
But in order to optimize your skin health, the focus of each routine should be different.
The main focus of your AM routine is protection – with antioxidants and sunscreen. In the morning, you want to boost UV protection with the environmental defense offered by antioxidant Vitamin C and Niacinamide serums.
Your evening routine is not about protection against environmental damage. The sun is down and you’re getting ready for bed. Nighttime is the time to correct damage and replenish what your skin needs to function. It’s where Retinol and peptides come into play.
This week, I’m presenting a perfect PM skincare routine with products I use regularly – and even love. If you missed my article and product recommendations for optimizing your AM routine, you can find that here.
Get ready for bed with me…
A Perfect PM Skincare Routine
1. A really good cleanser.
Why it’s important to your skin health: A light cleanser is fine in the AM. But in the PM, you need something with more oomph to clear away the day, including sunscreen, makeup and buildup of dirt and oil. A cleansing balm is the best option.
What I like about it: The INKEY List’s Oat Cleansing Balm is not a cumbersome cleansing balm in a tub. It’s just gooey enough to come out of a tube. It melts elegantly into your palms as you massage it onto dry skin. Then it lightly emulsifies with warm water. Plus, it’s only $13! Explore my detailed product review here.
Who it’s for: All skin types.
SHOP THE BLOG: Add The INKEY List’s Oat Cleansing Balm to your routine for $13 here.
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2. A really good toner.
Why it’s important to your skin health: Daily pore maintenance is crucial to healthy functioning skin. While ideal for oily and acne-prone skins, Salicylic Acid (BHA) benefits all skin. It deeply penetrates pores, going where no cleanser can to prevent the clogging that causes acne, irritation and an imbalanced skin barrier.
What I like about it: The Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is hydrating and gently exfoliating. It clears pores of the embedded sebum that traps dirt and bacteria and sloughs away the dead surface skin cells that clog your pores. It’s gentle enough to use 2x daily. Explore my detailed product review here.
Who it’s for: All skin types.
SHOP THE BLOG: Add the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant to your routine for $35 here.
3. A really good dark spot serum.
Why it’s important to your skin health: Your PM routine is the time to correct dark spots, dark patches, marks and scars. Outside of a serious in-office treatment, you’ll need an aggressive face serum with very potent actives.
What I like about it: The Lion Pose Unspotted 4X Acid Jelly Night Serum is it. Among the most innovative correcting serums, it addresses everything from dullness, darks spots and patches to acne marks and scars. It’s potent AF and should only be used 2x weekly to start. Explore my detailed product review here.
Who it’s for: All skin types.
SHOP THE BLOG: Add Lion Pose’s Unspotted 4X Acid Jelly Night Serum to your routine for $79 here.
4. A really good peptide serum.
Why it’s important to your skin health: Peptides are one of the most misunderstood ingredients in skincare. Composed of various amino acids, some peptides can work miracles on your skin health. Depending on the type and concentration, the right peptides can firm, smooth out lines and increase moisture.
What I like about it: The Schaf Restore treatment is like a peptide serum on steroids. It’s got high concentrations of actives: a 10% peptide blend, hydrating humectants, replenishing plant oils and 3% Bakuchiol to repair and reboot your skin while you sleep. Explore my review of Schaf here.
Who it’s for: All skin types.
SHOP THE BLOG: Add Schaf Restore to your routine for $89 here.
5. A really good beginner Retinol.
Why it’s important to your skin health: If you’re serious about maintaining your skin’s youthful qualities, you need a Retinol serum in your PM routine. Retinol stimulates collagen and elastin production and promotes cell turnover. It can be tricky to use; the key is to start low and go slow.
What I like about it: Glow Recipe’s Blackberry Retinol Serum features the mildest retinoid, Retinyl Ester. While marketed for blemishes, it’s the ideal Retinol serum for beginners. I love its gentle blend of retinoids, antioxidants and Glycerin to hydrate skin and prevent dryness. Explore my detailed product review here.
Who it’s for: All skin types.
SHOP THE BLOG: Add Glow Recipe’s Blackberry Retinol Serum to your routine for $48 here.
What Age Should You Start Using Retinol?
And what's the best Retinol for beginners?
6. A really good advanced Retinol.
Why it’s important to your skin health: Once your skin has adjusted to using Retinol 3x times per week without irritation, you should step it up to a stronger formula. Retinaldehyde is a mid-strength retinoid between Retinol and prescription-strength Retinoic Acid, yet is less irritating.
What I like about it: The Paula’s Choice Clinical Pro Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment is one of the most well-formulated retinoids I’ve tried. It layers well and has a very pleasant feel. It’s a serious anti-aging treatment on par with prescription-strength Tretinoin. Explore my detailed product review here.
Who it’s for: All skin types.
SHOP THE BLOG: Add the Paula’s Choice Clinical Pro Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment to your routine for $68 here.
7. A really good moisturizer for all skins.
Why it’s important to your skin health: A key component of skin is its lipid content. Skin lipids like ceramides, carbohydrates and fatty acids are essential to a healthy, balanced barrier. Lipid loss occurs as you age and levels decline in dry air. A simple lipid-rich moisturizer is all your skin is asking for. No sexy complexes, $350 creams, or marketing spin. Just replenish those lipids!
What I like about it: Untoxicated’s Moisture Boost Hydrating Cream is one of the best lipid-rich moisturizers on the market. I love its tight ingredient list, light, fluffy texture and ability to replenish lipids to plump skin and prevent moisture loss. Explore my detailed product review here.
Who it’s for: All skin types, especially dry skin.
SHOP THE BLOG: Add Untoxicated’s Moisture Boost Hydrating Cream to your routine for $24.95 here.
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8. A really good moisturizer for oily skin.
Why it’s important to your skin health: Yes, oily skin needs moisture. Hydration, too. All human skin needs water and oil replenishment to function. Depriving it of either leads to a barrier that’s out of whack. The key is balance! A balanced barrier is generally free of acne, irritation, redness and excess surface oil.
What I like about it: The Skinfix Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream is formulated with the ideal blend of lipids, hydrators, antioxidants and peptides to restore balance to an oily skin barrier. The texture is super light and melts instantly into skin. Explore my detailed product review here.
Who it’s for: All skin types; oily and acne-prone skins.
SHOP THE BLOG: Add the Skinfix Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream to your routine for $54 here.
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