Share This Article
My regular “current skincare routine” series has returned! I’ve often felt bored with my seasonal skincare updates, thinking they might become repetitive over the years. However, people seem to enjoy this familiar format, so who am I to disagree?
After skipping spring and summer updates, I’m back with my autumn skincare routine for 2021. This time, it’s all about giving extra care to my skin, which recently experienced a sudden meltdown and needed gentle attention. In a previous post – 3 Best Beauty Buys: SOS Skin Creams – I talked more about this, so feel free to check it out. To summarize, after a weird stomach bug, I woke up with my skin feeling odd and bumpy, then it became dry and itchy. It felt like I’d used too much retinol, but I hadn’t changed anything in my routine.
As I mentioned in that SOS Skin Cream post, when things go awry with your skin, it’s best to simplify everything. Use a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer that reinforces the skin barrier and provides deep hydration. Let’s see my full routine, which is quite different from my usual one:
My Regular Skincare Routine
– Morning: Quick cleanse + antioxidant serum + moisturizer and/or SPF
– Afternoon: Deep cleanse + a) retinoid (once every 2/3 nights) or b) hydrating serum + moisturizer (other nights)
My SOS Skincare Routine
– Morning: Quick cleanse + rescue cream
– Afternoon: Gentle cream cleanse + hydrating serum + rescue cream
My skin recovered in about a week and a half, and now I’ve mostly returned to my regular routine, slowly bringing back retinoids every few days. Here are the products that helped me recover, excellent for when you’ve gone overboard with peels, intense masks, or retinol:
Cleansers
I’ve used the Kate Somerville DeliK8 Cleanser, which is soothing for troubled skin. Another favorite is Emma Hardie’s Moringa Gel, a luxurious cleanser perfect for both dry and oily skin types. For a sumptuous cleanse, Beauty Pie Hot Oil Cleanser works wonders without the high price.
SOS Repair Creams
For more information, refer to my previous post, but here are some favorites:
– Medik8 Ultimate Recovery Cream
– Dr. Jart Cicapair Cream
– Murad Recovery Intense
– Eucerin Aquaphor
Serum
The No7 Hydrating Skin Paste is a lovely lightweight serum that feels closer to a light moisturizer, great for layering under other creams or sunscreen for added hydration.
Face Masks
The Skinceuticals B5 Mask is a fascinatingly effective moisturizing mask unlike any other. It’s like applying melted jellyfish (though not actually jellyfish) to your face – it’s incredible and noticeably beneficial.
SPFs
The SkinGenerics SPF30 is notably lightweight, feeling like a water gel on application with no residue or tightness. It’s perfect for those who prefer SPF30 for everyday use and dislike the feel of typical sunscreens.
Retinoids
I’ve returned to using Skin + Me’s personalized daily dose Tretinoin and Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream. Skin + Me offers customized skincare, which has been a great experience, and Murad’s night cream is effective yet hydrating.
I’ll share my winter skincare routine in a few months. Until then, feel free to explore past skincare routines in my collection!