POPSUGAR UK

I’m Obsessed With Skin Care, and This Is My Daytime Routine

16/12/2019 - 12:19 PM

I have a confession to make: while I love skin care, I also really like my sleep. No matter what time I set my alarm to go off, I always feel like I'm snoozing till the last possible second [1], meaning I need to have my daytime routine down pat and be quick about it.

My skin is fairly sensitive, and, while it's not particularly acne-prone, it's definitely not pimple-free forever. I'm of mixed ethnicity with a medium skin tone, and I struggle with hyperpigmentation [2] and dryness fairly often. I'm always on the hunt for moisturising products [3], and, even though I consider myself pretty low-maintenance (refer back to my sleep obsession [4]), I do enjoy exfoliating, and I love face oils [5].

So, without further ado, here are the 17 Sephora products I use on the regular. Before you think, "How is that low-key?!" my daily daytime routine consists of cleansing, toning, treating, and moisturising my skin (including SPF [6]). I've included the products I use when I switch things up in my regular rotation since I love trying new products. I am definitely not putting 17 things on my face in the approximately 15 minutes I have before I need to run out the door each morning.

I've also noted how these products helped my dryness in particular, but several of them are equally great for combination skin [7].

Read on for my daytime skincare routine featuring products from Sephora ahead.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser

I've been using this Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser [8] ($24-$55) off and on for the last 15 years or so. It's gentle on sensitive skin and even works to clean my makeup brushes. There's not a lot of lather, even when I couple it with my Luna Mini 2 [9] ($139), so if you're looking for something frothy, this is not it — but sometimes those bubbles strip skin of moisture anyway.

Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel

Another favourite that I work into the face-washing mix is this sulphate-free Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel [10] ($28). I find my pores are less noticeable after I use it, and my skin feels very clean — but not overly dry — after I rinse away the foam.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Enzyme Cleanser

I save this Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skin Tones Enzyme Cleanser [11] ($75) for when I feel like I need an extra good a.m. cleansing, like after I've worn a mask or other nighttime treatment [12]. I love the brand's Darker Skin Tones line — which was co-created by Angela Bassett to especially fight the hyperpigmentation and inflammation that bothers many women of colour, myself included. (Oh, and there's also a Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser [13] available without that distinction at the same price, too.)

Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Micellar Cleanser

OK, real talk, sometimes I wake up and feel like I just washed my face, especially after a late night. So, yes, I'll cheat on those mornings and wash up with micellar water [14] like this Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Micellar Cleanser [15] ($35). My skin still feels fresh and clean after just using this product but, on other days, I take the reverse approach and use this as a double-cleanse (after regular face wash) before continuing my morning routine.

Caudalie Moisturising Toner

After I cleanse my face, I like to add on this Caudalie Moisturising Toner [16] ($28) to hydrate my skin and prep it for the moisturiser and any serums that come later. Many toners have alcohol and are too harsh on my dry skin, but this one always leaves it feeling great (and it's alcohol-free).

Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel

If I see a blemish brewing, I pop a tiny amount of this Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel [17] ($18-$27) on the problem spot — and the salicylic acid helps it go away in no time. (This gel can also be spread over an entire face for overall protection.)

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Pore Exfoliating Treatment

Again, because I like sleep, my mornings don't offer enough time to leisurely apply a face mask before work. But a couple times a week, I make time for this Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Pore Exfoliating Treatment [18] ($24-$175). I just massage it in for 30 seconds then leave it on for a minute or two (usually while feeding my dog), so it doesn't add that much time to my tight time frame. (Yes, the first time I saw its grass green colour, I was taken aback, but my skin looks and feels so great afterward, I don't even care about the colour.)

Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pads With Ferulic Acid and Vitamin E

These Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pads With Ferulic Acid and Vitamin E [19] ($78) make my skin feel so smooth after just three minutes, and they've even lightened some of my dark spots, too. (Be sure to always have sunscreen on as vitamin C makes skin more sensitive to sun.) And, while they're gentle enough for daily use, I use these two or three times a week and still see results (and I cut them in half to make them last even longer).

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Yes, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 [20] ($7) may cost less than almost any cocktail in NYC, but my skin sure drinks it up. I love it year round to make my skin feel extra hydrated and plump [21] . . . but

Sunday Riley Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Face Oil

Because of my aforementioned dryness, I find that a good face oil [22] helps foundation not look flaky or patchy on top of my skin. The Sunday Riley Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Face Oil [23] ($36-$72) is one of the best I've used because its seed oils really make my skin luminous without an overly shiny look. I usually layer this on separately, but sometimes I mix it in with my sunscreen, especially if I'm not planning on wearing any other makeup.

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops

I admit when I first saw this product I thought, "Nah, that's not for me." After all, my skin is already pretty dark so what could some "bronzing" drops possibly do for my skin? But I love other Drunk Elephant products, and my curiosity got the best of me, so here we are with me and my now-beloved tube of Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops [24] ($36). It's a serum with the antioxidant benefits of vitamin D that brings a slight glow to my complexion when I add a drop to my face oil.

Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Face Cream

My wallet may not have been happy, but my face sure was once I happened to try a sample of this Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Face Cream [25] ($95). It's a moisturiser that's infused with oils, but I promise it's not greasy or heavy — and I think it'd work even for combination skin. I love its floral scent and follow the usage instructions to warm between my fingers and then breathe in deeply for aromatherapeutic benefits before smoothing it on my face.

Belif Moisturising Eye Bomb

While I'm a huge fan of under-eye products at night, usually I don't opt for one during the day. If I do, I reach for this Belif Moisturising Eye Bomb [26] ($48) because it's a very lightweight gel that is less visible and creasy under concealer, but still leaves my under-eye area feeling supple.

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40

I've bounced back and forth between this Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 [27] ($32) and the 100% Mineral Smooth and Poreless Matte Screen SPF 40 [28] ($38), but this one came out on top for me. Many sunscreens can leave a white cast on my brown skin, but that isn't the case with this product, which I let sit on for like five minutes (while I'm brushing my teeth) before putting any foundation on top. (Note: the matte version goes on a bit too dry for my skin, but I could see it working better on someone with oily or more combination skin.)

Dior Forever Skin Glow 24h* Wear Radiant Perfection Skin-Caring Foundation

For long-lasting makeup that also has hydrating and sun-protecting benefits, this Dior Forever Skin Glow 24h* Wear Radiant Perfection Skin-Caring Foundation [29] ($52) is my holy grail. It's got the same rose hip extract that the other products in the Dior Forever line [30] have, and SPF 35, too. I personally love this product's radiant finish, but they have a similar one in a velvety matte finish for the same price [31] as well.

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35

Since I'm all about saving steps, I love products that do triple- or quadruple-duty like this Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 [32] ($42), a moisturiser, primer, foundation, and sunscreen all in one. I find it to be fairly long-lasting on a regular day (when I'm not working out), as I apply it on top of the oil, set it with a little bit of Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray [33] ($15-$42), and I'm ready to go.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15

And, finally, I like to keep my also-dry lips (surprise, surprise) hydrated and protected from the sun year-round. I prefer the untinted Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15 [34] ($24) most days, but if I have some extra time or will be topping it with lipstick, I'll take the extra few minutes to use the Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator [35] ($24) first.


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https://www.popsugar.co.uk/beauty/best-daytime-skincare-products-for-dry-skin-from-sephora-47019144