Each season, my skincare routine seems to shift a bit. In the winter, I use heavier and more moisturizing products. In the spring I choose products that sit a bit lighter on the skin for day time, and heavier for night time. And, in the summer I go for skincare that focuses a bit more on suncare and oil control.
Now I recently shared a few of my favourite LD Beauty Suncare and Bronzing products. If you already read that post then you know I am BIG on protecting my skin from the sun. While I like the whole bronzy glowy look, I would much rather achieve it through makeup rather than spending hours out in the sun damaging my skin.
I don’t know if I have mentioned this really before, but another reason suncare is so important to me is because multiple people in my family have battled skin cancer and so it’s always been at the forefront of my mind.
My grandpa had it on his ears (and I believe he also had it on the top of his head), and recently my dad had some cancerous spots on his nose.
Frankly, seeing what my dad has it has scared me even more into being careful with my skin. So, if I have to be a bit more careful now to avoid (hopefully) dealing with that later – I’ll do it.
I have also mentioned a few times here on the UU that this year I’ve begun using acids in my skincare routine. About 3 times a week, I’ll use one of my favourite acid products (Typically, I’ll go for either the Farmacy Beauty Honeymoon Glow, The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid, or The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5%).
If you know anything about acids, then you know that they make your skin even more sensitive to the sun so you really need to ensure you use suncare if you’re going to treat your skin with acids.
Anyways, today I wanted to share with you my updated skincare routine – because it really has changed over the last few months. While the skincare I am using has been a bit lighter – I don’t feel like I am exactly using fewer products than I had been.
Instead, I feel like I am using just as many (if not more?) but these just target different things that I find important to focus on during the summer. So first, let’s talk about that.
Oil Control
I think because I have always had dry-prone skin, whenever my skin feels oily I really don’t like it. I don’t mean oily because I have put on skincare and it feels oily while it absorbs in – I can handle that. I mean when you’re out all day applying and reapplying sunscreen and your skin takes on a slightly more tacky and slick feeling. Yep, not a fan. But, as I’ve said, I am not willing to forgo suncare so what this means is that I need to prioritize some skincare that will help control the oiliness of my skin, and get it back to feeling balanced after a day out in the sun.
Let’s Feel Clean
Like I said above: all that suncare can really make your skin feel icky. Having products that will help my skin feel clean, clear, and fresh again is important to me. In the AM and PM I want to use a cleanser that will balance and clean my skin without stripping it.
Anti Aging and Smoothing
In a couple of months, I am going to be turning 29 (heyo, champagne birthday!) which means I am in my late 20s and anti-aging skincare is a priority for me. I have really no issue with getting older at all. I don’t even really have an issue with wrinkles. But, I want to look refreshed and healthy as I age. And, I want to look happy. The only wrinkles I really fear are the two forming between my eyebrows – the angry ol’ elevens. Those may have to get botoxed away! Anyways, over the last few years, anti-aging skincare has become a pretty major part of my daily skincare routines.
Hydrate
Moisturizing the skin and anti-aging skincare really go hand in hand. But, long before I cared about anti-aging, I cared about hydration and moisturization. My skin has always been dry-prone. Usually, it’s pretty balanced, but every so often it decides to swing severely in the direction of dry, dry, dry. Painfully dry. For this reason, I never skip the moisturization step of my skincare routine.
Protect
Another key component of anti-aging skincare: protection. Sunblock has always been noted as an important step in your daily routine, and yet – so many people skip it. I’m not just talking about using sunblock for a day at the beach – I am talking about every single day. Do you use sunblock before heading to work? If you’re saying no then you’re not really protecting your skin. For the last few years, sun care has morphed from just being something I committed to for days spent in the sun to every single day use. Before heading to work, I apply my Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense or Clarins Facial Sunscreen under my makeup to ensure that the harmful rays from the florescent lights (yes, they have harmful rays, too!) don’t damage my skin.Nourish
Lastly, I like to treat my skin to a nourishing mask 1-2 weekly. Typically, I’ll use one of my favourite Overnight Masks one night (most often I’ve been using the Erno Lazslo Overnight Mask because it’s so cooling and hydrating) and the Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Masque once a week.Summertime Skincare Routine | AM and PM Routine
Morning Skincare
Step 1: CLEANSER – Clinique Foam Cleanser I always start my skincare routine with a cleanser. I’ve been using the Clinique Foam Cleanser for quite a while and it’s really become one of my favourites.
It’s a super gentle cleanser which makes it a great choice for those of us who have dry or sensitive skin. It won’t dry out or strip your skin. It simply cleans it and gets rid of any unwanted dirt or oils.
Step 2: Toner: Vichy Normaderm
Next, I like to use a toner. Vichy Normaderm Toner has been one of my favourites for years. While I switch up my toners now and again, I always find myself going back to this one.
I like this toner because it really keeps my skin clear without making my skin feel dry, tight, or irritated.
Step 3: Moisturize/Hydrator: Hyaluronic Acid
I’ve only begun using The Ordinary Hyaluronic 2% + B5 Acid this year but wow – do I love it!
This hyaluronic acid instantly makes my skin feel super moisturized and hydrated. This could be in my mind, but I swear when I apply it my skin looks extra plump and smooth.
Step 4: Moisturize/Hydrator: Riversol Daily Moisturizer
If my skin is feeling particularly dry or like it needs an extra boost of moisturization, then I’ll go in with my Riversol Daily Moisturizer.
What I like about the Riversol Daily Moisturizer is that it truly does moisturize the skin, but it doesn’t leave it feeling heavy.
I really hate using heavy products in the AM – I feel like they make my skin just feel gross as the hours go on, so I love that this moisturizer really does just absorb into my skin and makes it feel smoother.
Step 5: Eye Cream: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% – EGCG
I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but in case you’re new here, I’ll say it again: I’m obsessed with eye creams, serums, masks – everything.
Eyecare is really important to me. If there’s one place I’ve noticed aging – it’s my eyes (and my elevens – ugh) and while I don’t mind aging, I don’t want to have super wrinkly uncared for eyes.
At night I use a heavier eye cream, but in the AM I like to use the Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG. My friend recommended this to me after she tried it out because she noted it as being lightweight, quick-absorbing yet effective.
I don’t know about you but I hate when I apply an eye cream and it bunches up under my makeup, so I really loved the idea that this would absorb in quickly.
Well, she was absolutely right. This is a super effective, quick-absorbing and quick-acting eye cream. You can literally feel it tightening up the skin on your under eyes which is crazy.
I wouldn’t consider this a hydration eye serum, instead, I would say it’s a tightening eye product which I feel is really unique – I’ve never tried an eyecare product quite like it.
Step 6: Suncare: Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50
The final step in my AM skincare routine is sunscreen!
Before applying makeup, I always like to use my SkinCeuticals: Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50.
What I like about this sunscreen so much is how lightweight it feels.
I really dislike how most sunscreens feel on the skin – heavy, tacky, oily. In fact, the #1 complaint I hear from friends and family about sunscreen is how icky it makes their skin feel. It’s a hugely discouraging factor when it comes to wearing sunscreen every day.
Thankfully, the SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 just absorbs into the skin and leaves your skin feeling hydrated and soft. It doesn’t feel tacky, heavy, or oily – it just feels like a light moisturizer. 
Step 7: Facial Spray | Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist
I don’t technically use this in the AM – so this isn’t 100% categorized right… But, I basically use this throughout the day.
If my skin is feeling a bit dry or my makeup looks a bit powdery, I simply spritz on my Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist to refresh my skin.
This mist is super fine and light so it won’t leave your skin super wet or tacky.
AM Skincare Routine Products:
Nighttime Skincare
I personally don’t like to use my cleanser as a makeup remover. Instead, I think of my cleanser as the final step of cleaning my skin before I go in with products that will remain on my skin. I like to leave the “heavy lifting” to my makeup removers.
Step 1: Cleanser: Clinique Foam Cleanser used with Clarisonic Mia 2.
At night, I again go in with my Clinique Foam Cleanser but this time I use it with my Clairsonic Mia 2. I find that the Clarisonic really steps the whole cleansing part of my routine up. It ensures that my skin is getting extra clean.
Step 2: Toner: Yehwadam Hwansaenggo Toner
After cleansing, I always go in with a toner. This time, I go in with the Yehwadam Hwansaenggo Toner as it’s super gentle and hydrating.
I have been using the Yehwadam Hwansaenggo Toner for quite some time now and I have to say I just absolutely love how soothing it feels on the skin. In fact, the whole Yehwadam Hwansaenggo line is just super gentle and moisturizing.
Step 3: Acid: The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5%, The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid, or Farmacy Honeymoon Glow
About 3 times a week, I’ll also go in with an acid. Typically, I will go with either The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5%, The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid, or Farmacy Honeymoon Glow depending on how my skin is feeling.
If I am looking for something more gentle, I’ll go with The Ordinary Lactic Acid. If my skin is looking a bit dull, I’ll go in with The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid. Or, if I am wanting something more intensive, I’ll go in with the Farmacy Honeymoon Glow Acid. ** FYI: Sephora doesn’t seem to have The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5%, they have the 10%.
Step 4: Moisturizer: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid
Time to moisturize and hydrate the skin!
Again, I go in with The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid.
Step 5: Farmacy Honey Grail Face Oil
The Farmacy Honey Grail Face Oil has become one of my very favourite products. It’s super hydrating and moisturizing and makes your skin just feel so incredibly smooth and soft.
I’ve only begun using this in the last 2 months but this has really become a product that I look forward to using.
Usually, oils have a really slick and oily feel and consistency to them, but this one is a little bit thicker and almost gooey. The texture initially surprised me and I was really concerned it would feel heavy on the skin, but it really smooths out and absorbs into the skin so beautifully. **Full review to come!
Step 6: Murad Renewing Eye Cream
Like I said before, eyecare is a big deal to me. I use an eye cream/serum both in the AM and PM every single day.
I received the Murad Eye Cream in a FabFitFun box and the second I tried it, I knew I was hooked.
I have really enjoyed a lot of eye creams in the past, but this one takes the cake. I actually feel like I notice a physical difference with my eyes when I use this cream. In the morning my skin looks smoother, brighter, and hydrated. It’s pricy, but it’s also wonderful.
Overnight Skincare:
Like I mentioned before, about once a week I use an overnight mask. Lately, my obsession has been with the Erno Laszlo HydraTherapy Memory Sleep Mask.
Its gel-like texture is so refreshing and moisturizing on the skin. In the AM, when I wash this mask off I am always so blown away by just how smooth my skin looks and feels.
Weekly Mask: Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Masque
Lastly, I’ve been using the Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Masque about once a week to soothe and hydrate my skin.
This mask is a cooling gel texture that feels so calming on the skin. This botanical mask actually is recommended to be used after working out, spending time in the sun, after swimming in chlorine or salt water, or if you have windburn.
It’s actually also noted as being beneficial for post-procedure use. So, if you have a laser treatment or IPL done, this is a great mask to use to soothe your skin following that treatment.
I found this mask particularly soothing on my skin after our recent cabin-getaway. The sun was intense while we were away and I (foolishly) forgot my moisturizer.
When we got home my skin felt super dry and it wasn’t looking it’s best.
I decided to pop this mask on and after about 15 minutes, I was left with super soft and soothed skin. 
