My AM & PM Skincare Routine

Hi friend! I hope your week is going really well. My birthday was Tuesday and I’m feeling very thankful for my health (despite the recent challenges), family, friends, home, career and that includes YOU! Y’all make this job not feel like a job and I appreciate you taking time out of your day to be with me.

Dress • Bangles • Earrings • Gold Tray • Soap Dispensers • Candle • Match Strike • ZZ Plant

As I turn 49, I realize I’ve been using Colleen Rothschild skincare for almost 10 years. Before that, I really didn’t take my skincare very seriously. In my late teens and early 20s, I went to tanning beds. You too?? I used to shield my face, but that’s only because I was already self conscious about my facial sun spots and didn’t want to get any more or have them get darker.

I’ve also struggled with breakouts, combination and sensitive skin, hyperpigmentation, uneven texture, dullness and wrinkles. I’ve always had to be careful with the products I use on my face – including makeup and sunscreen because I’m prone to breakouts.

I can honestly say that my skin looks better now than when I first started using Colleen’s skincare line about 10 years ago!

I’ve tried a few other brands of skincare over the years, but for the most part, I use Colleen Rothschild skincare every morning and evening. I know there are many quality skincare brands that work well, but I have the most experience with Colleen Rothschild.

I’m not shy about admitting that I also do get botox occasionally on my forehead (at least once a year for the past couple of years) and especially at the 11’s. My facial muscles are really strong and those lines can get very deep on me.

Today, I’m sharing my morning and evening skincare routine. This is an in-depth look at the products I use, what they do, and the order I apply them.

Some days I do less and there’s some variance depending on the time of year, and how my skin is looking/feeling.

My Morning Skincare Routine

First step in the morning is to cleanse my face with the Radiant Cleansing Balm. It’s a balm cleanser you apply with your clean fingers to your dry face.  Then, you wet the muslin cloth with warm water and gently wipe off the balm. This cleanser is so gentle and refreshing, it doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight, but it does feel luxuriously fresh and clean.

Last year, I discovered the Clean Skin Club Towelettes and really like using them. These are awesome because you use them to dry your face as opposed to using your bath towel that likely isn’t washed daily. When you dry your face with the Clean Skin Club towel, your face isn’t exposed to that bacteria.

I LOVE these! I use them to pat my face dry, then also use them while applying my makeup. Anything I need to wipe off goes onto the towel, and then I can fold it up and wipe down my wet sink with it.

The towels are ultra soft, 100% USDA bio-based (no chemicals), dermatologist tested and approved, vegan and climate pledge friendly.

I keep several in a bin by the shower, so I can easily grab one when I need it.

The next thing I do is apply the Vitamin C Brightening Serum to combat hyperpigmentation and signs of aging, and it has damage-repairing and UV-protecting powers.  I apply it all over my face in a thin layer, then wait about 60 seconds for it to absorb.

CR changed her Vitamin C Serum formula and for awhile it wasn’t available. During that time, I tried the Herbivore Vitamin C + Tumeric Brightening Serum and had great results with it.

I have a small fan with three speeds that I keep in my bathroom and that helps speed up the absorption/drying time.

Next up, I apply the Age Renewal Super Serum. I apply a few drops all over my face, not forgetting my neck. If there’s ever any excess product, I’ll wipe it onto my chest too. This serum fights six signs of aging : texture, dehydration, elasticity, fine lines, radiance and tone. It’s infused with more than 20 potent ingredients including peptides, collagen boosters, amino acids, vitamins and plant extracts.

My eyes and surrounding area gets a little dot of the Complete Eye Cream. It helps with wrinkles, fine lines, under-eye circles, puffiness and loss of elasticity. I have excess skin around my under eye area that used to really bother me. I notice when I use this eye cream diligently, the skin looks more taut and less puffy.

The Hyaluronic Serum is one of CR’s newer releases and I got it when it was first released. You can apply it morning and night after cleansing and before moisturizer. It provides superior moisture-binding hydration to help prevent trans epidermal water loss “TEWL” (the amount of water that passively evaporates through skin due). TWEL can be triggered by certain skin conditions and also dry weather, spending time indoor with dry air conditioners and heaters, or overwashing with harsh soaps.

This Hyaluronic Serum has a thin, silky consistency, and doesn’t leave your skin feeling sticky or oily. It quickly absorbs and has no noticeable scent.

If I’m going to apply eye patches, I’ll concentrate the Hyaluronic Serum more on my forehead, cheeks and chin since these eye patches also have hyaluronic serum.

I use the eye patches a couple times a week or if I’m feeling like I need a soothing pick me up. I like to relax while I wait for them to do their thing. Last week, I lay down on my bed with them on and actually fell asleep!

The Extreme Recovery Creme is one of my all-time faves. It’s really hydrating and moisturizing with a thicker consistency. Although I have combination skin, this rich creme does wonders for it and doesn’t make it feel greasy or oily.

I was so happy when Colleen finally launched a sunscreen a couple of years ago.

The Triple Defense Sunscreen is a broad spectrum SPF 40 that protects against UVA/UVB rays, pollution and blue light.  It also has antioxidants to help fight future signs of aging and skin damage. It’s 100% Mineral Sunscreen (reef safe), Non-Comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and also controls oil.

I apply sunscreen as the last step in my skincare routine.

I like the little pump that’s easy to use and the scent is really nice.  It goes on smooth and doesn’t leave a white cast on my skin.

MINIMAL SKINCARE TIP : The Triple Defense Sunscreen contains hydration benefits and Vitamin C, so if you really want to reduce products, you could try the Sunscreen as an alternative to moisturizer and the Vitamin C Serum and see how your skin handles that.

I will note, when I wake up early to run, I only cleanse and apply sunscreen. Then, when I get home, I’ll shower and do the full routine.

Elta MD (body) • Elta MD Face • Supergoop • Tula • Cerave

For so many years, I never wore sunscreen because it always broke out my skin or made it look greasy.

It’s been a long process to find sunscreens that don’t aggravate or break out my skin. I’ve had good success with Elta MD, Supergoop, Tula, and Cerave. The Elta MD pictured above I prefer on my body for running because it leaves a white cast that takes a while to soak in.

This is the Elta MD I like for face. My friend and makeup artists uses it too.

The Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen is great under makeup because goes on clear and acts like a primer.

Cerave has a great everyday moisturizer that contains sunscreen at a drugstore price. It also has niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Sometimes I use this on my face before running if I feel like I could use some moisture.

I prefer the Tula Protect & Glow when I want a bit of sheen to my skin, so that’s usually when I’m not wearing makeup. So, on weekends or if I’m at a ball game or at the pool.

Alastin Hydratint ProMinteral Sunscreen

I feel like this is a hidden gem of a beauty product! It’s a tinted sunscreen that provides SFP 36 protection, but also acts like a lightweight foundation to give your skin a flawless finish. I often use this in place of foundation and get the same effect!

Evening Skincare Routine

I really look forward to my evening skincare routine. It’s a way to wind down the day and prepare for the evening in a more relaxing way. I used to rush through this part of my day, but now I try to slow down and take my time, even lighting a candle to make the bathroom a bit more spa-like. Even so, this doesn’t take long.

I had been using the cleansing balm, but I just got the new CR Gentle & Clear line that’s designed for blemish prone, sensitive, and reactive skin.

I’m really liking the Purifying Cleanser. I keep it out on my bathtub because I prefer to wash my face there so that the water doesn’t splash all over the sink. I’m sure I look funny leaning over the tub to wash my face, but that’s what I do.

The Purifying Cleanser combines the anti-inflammatory power of micro silver and charcoal to help reduce and prevent skin imperfections. It lifts impurities and unclogs pores, leaving my face feeling soft and clean.

Bonus, the squeeze bottle is minimal and a soft clay color that looks nice sitting out on the tub. I’m thinking this new CR Gentle & Clear line would also be good for teens or I may encourage Elliott to try.

I also like using these compressed facial sponges for cleansing my face. I’ll use them in place of the muslin cloth. They are wafer thin, but expand when you get them wet. They are perfect for travel and don’t contain any cleanser, so you can use whatever cleanser you prefer with them.

A couple years ago, I added Retin-A to my skincare routine. I use the generic (Tretinoin) and get a prescription from my dermatologist. Retin-A is supposed to be very good for your skin, and the results are said to accumulate over time.

I typically use Retin-A every other night. On the nights I’m using Retin-A, I may still apply a bit of the Extreme Recovery Creme to my forehead where it tends to be dry. I don’t put the Retin-A too close to my eyes, so I’ll use the Retinol Supreme Eye Serum around my eye area.

The Retinol Eye Supreme comes in a tube that dispenses the eye serum onto a cooling applicator tip. You glide the applicator from inner to outer eye area, then massage the serum into your skin with your ring finger.

If I’m not using Retin-A, I still use the Extreme Recovery Creme – it’s ultra moisturizing and my combination skin looks extra plump and feels so soft when I use it and Retinol Supreme Eye Serum, but I’ll alternate with the retinol oil or Face Oil No. 9.

I like to mix a couple drops of either right into my palm with a dab of the Extreme Recovery Creme.

Before I got Retin-A, I was using the Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum which worked extremely well in conjunction with the Vitamin C Serum for reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation.  This combo significantly diminished my dark spots. But now that I’m using Retin-A, I haven’t been ordering the Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum

I used to have a lot of hyperpigmentation, especially around my cheeks and I was so self conscious about it.  I felt like I needed to wear powder to cover it, but now I can go bare faced and feel confident in my skin.

Sunday

Sunday evenings are for unwinding and also getting ready for the week ahead.

For my skin, Sunday is the day I like to do a deeper cleanse with a facial mask. The Clarifying Detox Mask is a great one that really pulls all that trapped dirt and debris out of your pores. After a hard week of sweaty workouts, I really look forward to this one.

If I want a more gentle mask that I feel leaves my skin looking vibrant, I opt for the Caudalie Instant Detox Clay + Vitamin C mask.

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If you have been neglecting your skin and want to start being more intentional with it, I recommend starting slowly. That way, you can make sure the product agrees with your skin and it also lets you see how the product is working for you.

When I first started using Colleen’s skincare line, I began with the Cleansing Balm. Slowly, over time, I began incorporating new products into my regimen.

If you’re new to her line and want to try it out, the Discovery Collection is a good place to start. It includes several cult faves in smaller sizes so there’s not a big commitment.

The Discovery Collection is a $150 value for only $95 and includes a quality travel bag.

Have a fantastic day friends!