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

I've been using this Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser ($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 ($139), so if you're looking for something frothy, this is not it — but sometimes those bubbles strip skin of moisture anyway.

Another favourite that I work into the face-washing mix is this sulphate-free Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel ($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.

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 ($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.)

These Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pads With Ferulic Acid and Vitamin E ($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).

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 ($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.

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 ($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.

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 ($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.

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 ($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 ($15-$42), and I'm ready to go.

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 ($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 ($24) first.