Looking back, a decade has passed since I finally cracked the code to my skincare routine steps. The journey wasn’t easy – my teens were filled with endless product trials, disappointment, and those frustrating mornings staring at countless breakouts in the mirror. Around 23, things finally started clicking, and I began understanding what my skin actually needed.
Even now, I deal with occasional breakouts, usually triggered by too many sweets or when life gets busy and my skincare routine slips. But through the years, I’ve learned to read my skin better and adjust my routine accordingly. One major discovery was how my skin needs different care across seasons, which led me to develop a flexible morning skincare routine while keeping my evening skincare routine consistent.
Currently, my main focus is twofold – preventing fine lines and managing those surprise breakouts that still like to make an appearance. Having combination skin means constantly balancing hydration and oil control. It took me years to realize that proper hydration actually helps control oil production – something I wish I’d known sooner.
Below, I’ll share the routine that’s been working for me, including product recommendations and application techniques I’ve learned along the way. While everyone’s skin is different, hopefully, my experience can help you develop a routine that works for you. I also wrote a post on upcoming skincare trends of 2025 – Top 5 Skincare Trends of 2024 That Will Dominate 2025 + Predictions, so make sure you check that one out too!
Table of Contents
Skincare Routine Steps
After years of trial and error, I’ve developed my morning and evening skincare routine that addresses my ageing concerns and occasional breakouts by balancing my skin. The key to making your skincare routine work is the careful selection and the right order how to layer skincare products, ensuring each skincare routine step complements the next.
I’ve structured my routine into morning and evening segments, each serving a specific purpose. My morning routine focuses on protection and prevention, while my evening routine emphasizes repair and renewal. What makes this routine particularly effective is its adaptability – I can adjust the intensity of certain products based on my skin’s daily needs while maintaining the core steps that keep my skin balanced and healthy.
Skincare Routine Steps – Morning Skincare Routine
My morning routine focuses on protection and prevention. The order how to layer skincare is pretty much up to you, but remember that each step builds upon the last, creating a perfect canvas that keeps your skin protected and glowing throughout the day. I’ve learned that layering products from thinnest to thickest consistency allows for better absorption and maximizes their benefits. The key is waiting about 30 seconds between each product to let it properly sink in.
Morning Skincare Routine Steps:
- Cleanser: Pixi Beauty Clarity Cleanser
- Contains salicylic acid and probiotics
- Gentle yet effective at removing overnight buildup
- Maintains skin barrier while keeping breakouts at bay
- Toner/Essence: Fresh Beauty Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence
- Packed with fermented ingredients and amino acids
- Provides lightweight hydration
- Preps skin for your serums
- Treatment Products:
- Allies of Skin Tranexamic and Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum
- Targets dark spots and uneven skin tone
- Contains powerful brightening ingredients
- Helps fade post-breakout marks
- Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide and Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum
- Strengthens skin barrier
- Provides antioxidant protection
- Supports collagen production
- Allies of Skin Tranexamic and Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum
- Moisturiser (alternating between):
- Paula’s Choice Pro Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer
- Sculpted by Aimee Cloud Cream
Both provide excellent hydration without feeling heavy
- Sunscreen: L’Oreal Paris Bright Reveal SPF 50+ With Niacinamide
- High protection without leaving white cast
- Contains niacinamide for added brightening
- It also works amazing under makeup
Skincare Routine Steps – Evening Skincare Routine
As the day winds down, my evening routine becomes my zen moment. This is when I focus on repair and renewal, taking extra time to massage products into my skin and really listen to what it needs. I believe nighttime is when our skin does its best healing work, so I make sure to give it all the tools it needs to repair and regenerate.
Evening Skincare Routine Steps:
• First Cleanse: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
- Melts away makeup and sunscreen
- Nourishing oils leave skin soft
- Doubles as a massage medium
• Second Cleanse: Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cleanser
- Removes any remaining residue
- Maintains skin’s moisture balance
- Preps skin for treatments
• Exfoliating Toner (alternating between):
- Pixi Beauty Glycolic Acid Toner
- Sunday Riley Pink Drink Essence
- For sensitive days: Abib Jericho Rose Collagen Pad
• Treatment: Medik8 Retinal 10
- Powerful yet gentle retinoid
- Targets fine lines and texture
- Supports cell turnover
• Night Cream: Elemis Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix
- Rich but non-clogging
- Wake up to plump skin
- Seals in all previous treatments
Skincare Routine Steps – Treatment Nights
I’ve found that dedicating specific nights to targeted treatments has dramatically improved my skin’s overall health. Monday and Thursday nights are for intensive exfoliation, while Wednesday and Sunday are reserved for hydration and repair. This scheduled approach prevents over-exfoliation while ensuring my skin gets everything it needs throughout the week. I always listen to my skin though – if it feels sensitive, I’ll skip the active ingredients and focus on hydration and repair instead. This flexibility has been key to maintaining healthy skin, but still addressing your skin concerns without compromising your skin barrier.
• Weekly Masks (2-3 times per week):
- Allies of Skin Rhassoul and BHA Antioxidants Purifying Mask
- Kiehls Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
- Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Gel Mask
Skincare Tools
Traditional Gua Sha
This ancient Chinese practice has become my morning ritual, especially when I wake up with a puffy face. I use a rose quartz gua sha tool with gentle upward and outward strokes, always over a facial oil or moisturizer to prevent tugging. The technique involves:
- 5-10 upward strokes along the neck to stimulate lymphatic drainage
- Gentle sweeping under the jawline to define the contours
- Outward strokes across the cheeks to reduce puffiness
- Light pressure across the forehead to relieve tension
The key is consistency – I spend about 5 minutes each morning, and the results in terms of decreased puffiness and improved circulation are noticeable.
ZIIP Beauty Device
The ZIIP microcurrent device has been a game-changer for maintaining facial contours. It uses Microcurrent and Nanocurrent to:
- Stimulate facial muscles, creating a natural lifting effect
- Enhance product absorption
- Improve facial contours over time
I use it 2-3 times per week, following their specialized treatments:
- “Energize” program for overall facial toning (10 minutes)
- “Sensitive” program when my skin needs gentle treatment (8 minutes)
- “Total Clearing” program when dealing with breakouts (12 minutes)
The results became visible after about a month of consistent use, particularly in my cheek and jawline definition.
Medicube Booster Pro
This is my newest addition and possibly the most versatile tool in my skincare routine. The Medicube Age-R Booster Pro combines several technologies:
- Galvanic Ion Technology: Enhances product absorption by up to 97%
- LED Therapy:
• Red light for collagen stimulation
• Blue light for acne-fighting
• Green light for brightening - Vibration Therapy: Helps with product penetration and circulation
I use it in different ways within different skincare routine steps:
- Morning: 3-minute boost mode with vitamin C serum
- Evening: 10-minute intensive mode with LED therapy
- Specific treatments: 15-minute sessions focusing on problem areas
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Skincare Routine
I spent years experimenting with my skincare routine, but I only recently understood that great skin isn’t just about buying the right products, it’s about using them correctly. There was this skincare blogger, and I think it was Caroline Hirons, who said to apply products while my face was still damp from cleansing. I tried it, and since then, I’ve learned that these little details in how we apply our products matter just as much as the products themselves. It’s these small but intentional changes in my routine that have given me the results I spent years searching for.
Product Layering
The order of application has become almost meditative for me. I start with cleansing, making sure to take my time – at least 60 seconds of gentle massage to really break down dirt and oil. While my skin is still damp, I immediately go in with toner, patting it in with my hands rather than using a cotton pad (I still use cotton pad when I use my glycolic toner). This method not only saves product but also feels more gentle on my skin.
For serums, I’ve learned to work from thinnest to thickest consistency. Each layer gets about 30 seconds to absorb – I usually use this time to style my hair or something else handy. Eye cream goes on next, using my ring finger to gently pat the product around my orbital bone. Moisturizer seals everything in, and in the morning, I finish with sunscreen, giving it a full five minutes to set before applying makeup.
Valuable Lessons from My Skincare Journey
The most transformative realization was understanding that consistency trumps complexity. When I first got serious about proper skincare routine steps, I was using every active ingredient I could get my hands on, often ending up with irritated, overexfoliated skin and compromised barrier, but now I know that using fewer products more consistently yields better results than throwing everything but the kitchen sink at my face.
I also discovered that hydration is crucial, even for combination skin like mine. I used to avoid moisturiser, thinking it would make my oily T-zone worse. In reality, proper hydration helps regulate oil production – something I wish I’d understood years ago. Now, I layer hydrating products and find my skin is actually less oily throughout the day.
Evolution of My Skincare Routine
As my skin continues to change, I’m constantly researching new ingredients and technologies. I’m particularly intrigued by newer peptide formulations that promise to support collagen production without irritation. Professional LED treatments are also on my radar – while my at-home devices are great, I’m curious about the potential benefits of more powerful professional-grade treatments.
I’m also becoming more interested in clean beauty options, particularly for my basic daily products. While I’ll always keep my tried-and-true active ingredients, I’m exploring natural alternatives for my cleansers and moisturizers. The beauty industry’s innovation never stops, and I love learning about new ingredients and technologies that might enhance my routine.
The Visible Impact of a Proper Skincare Routine
The results of this dedicated approach have been transformative, and the most noticeable change has been in my breakout patterns, as what used to be a weekly pimple here and there now happens maybe once a month or every few months even, usually during high-stress periods or when I’ve indulged in too much sugar. My skin texture has become so much smoother, and the fine lines that started appearing in my late twenties are gone completely, obviously not just thanks to skincare, but injectibles like Botox and polynucleotides and also healthy lifestyle choices like me stopping alcohol altogether.
Skincare Reflections
Remember, skincare is deeply personal, and what works beautifully for one person might not work for another. Please use my routine as inspiration rather than a strict blueprint, and don’t be afraid to adjust and experiment until you find the best skincare products that work for you. After all, the best skincare routine is the one that makes you feel confident in your own skin.
Have questions about specific products or techniques? I’d love to hear about your skincare journey in the comments below!
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