Current Skincare Routine for Calm & Glowing Skin
As I am writing this, I am 2 weeks post micro-needling + PDRN booster and 1 week post hormonal/ maybe contact dermatitis face and neck breakout.
Sometimes all you need a good breakout to humble you and get you back on track, for me… that was exactly what happened.
Not only did it help me pull it together, it gave me a sense of urgency. On Marsh 1st I have a photoshoot that has been 4 years in the making. We started this project in 2022. I have to get it together before then.
Now, I am on the upswing of my skin dilemma. It’s finally looking clear, smooth and hydrated. Which I have to continuously thank my skincare routine… It has varied slightly over years with different climates and changing products, but I am here now ready to share my current 2026 hydrating and glowy skincare routine that I swear by as a working model.
Additional Comments
Before I get into it, I need to make a few comments.
- I follow this as a general guide, however, I switch it up on certain days, having hydration days with no actives to help preserve my skin barrier.
- If you’re internal system isn’t being treated properly its going to show on your skin. No matter how expensive the cream is, it’s not going to cover up whats happening inside, it all starts within.
- I do all my skincare in front of my red light therapy LED panel. Since using it almost daily, I’ve only seen positive impacts on my skin.
- I fully understand not everyone has time for a full multi-step skincare routine. However, it’s the practice of the presence. Self-care and self-love with intention behind it, that makes it so special. Even if it’s just a brief moment where you massage and pat skincare in, you’re actively carving out time to take care of yourself, treating Beauty as Discipline. A practice that helps us show up as our best, most hydrated selves.
With that being said, lets get into it…instead of starting with the morning routine, we’re starting with the most extensive one – the nighttime routine.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional, nor is this professional advice. This is just me, a model, and person that has struggled with acne for years sharing her routine and findings.
Nighttime Skincare Routine
Usually at night, I’m starting with a face that has lived a day. Makeup, sunscreen, pollution, you name it. All from that amazing Los Angeles air. First things first, we take it all off.
1. Double Cleanse
Up until recently I was not double cleansing and holy sh*t does it make a difference. I’m using both SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil & Ampoule Foam Cleanser and my skins loves it. After cleansing, I feel clean and hydrated instead of tight and stripped.
To be fair, I haven’t explored many form cleansers… So until I do, this takes the cake.
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is another serum that I have been on and off with. I have tried many Vitamin C serums and even at one time attempted to make my own. However, I keep finding myself coming back to Timeless Skincare Vitamin C, Ferulic Acid & Vitamin E. Whenever I start using this product, I see a noticeable difference in the brightness of my skin that just keeps me coming back.
3. Ampoule
The SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule is the first product in my GoTo skin hydration duo, this provides the perfect light hydration that I light pat into my face. For that real hydration, I follow it by my favorite essence.
4. Essence
COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin 96 Power Essence pairs perfectly with the ampoule. Slightly thicker formula that seems to melts into my skin giving it that bouncy hydration. This Duo is my secret weapon for keeping my skin plump and hydrated. I will continue to repurchase and use these two products together like I have for the past few years.
5. Tretintion & Amino Acids
Tretintion has been a staple in my skincare routine since middle school… yes middle school when puberty hits and the hormonal acne was runs rampant. At the time I didn’t fully appreciate or understand this little tube of magic, however now… it is to this day my holy grail product, magic in a tube. I pair mine with COSRX Peptide Booster Essence to thin out the consistently slightly and it just melts into my skin. (You don’t have to use a peptide, I just personally like too.)
***At this stage in my routine we’re heading to make some form of nighttime tea; Clove water, chamomile or a nighttime latte. Giving the Tretinion about 10 minutes to absorb into the skin before we continue.
6. Undereye
After the 10 minutes is done here’s where I will add any under eye products, retinals or thicker eye creams or Volufiline.
7. Moisturizer
Now its time to lock everything in with you’re favorite thicker moisturizer. I’ve been using CENTELLIAN 24 Madeca Cream Time Reverse specifically for nighttime and it’s not too thick, hydrating, and works great for my skin.
8. Lip Treatment
Lastly, like the cherry on top of the cake, we finish this off with a lip treatment. I’ve been loving either Laneige Lip Sleeping Masks or CPN Honey Lip Butter. Both products, I find my lips are still very hydrated in the morning.
Click Here for the PM Routine PDF
Morning Skincare Routine
For the mornings, I usually won’t wash my face with cleanser if I double cleansed the night before. Instead, just splash with water and head straight into the morning skincare routine.
2. Toner or Active
Because I didn’t do a full cleanse, I’ll either go in with a toner like SKIN1004 Centella Toning Toner or head straight into one of the actives I have in rotation (Vitamin C, Azelaic Acid or Salicylic Acid Toner)
3. Ampoule
The SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule – same as in PM routine. Part 1 of my hydration duo.
4. Essence
COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin 96 Power Essence – Part 2 of my hydration duo and also same as PM routine.
5. Moisturizer
Same as before its time to lock all that in. During the day I like to use Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream. Perfect lightweight cream for daytime wear.
6. Sunscreen
The final and most important step. Especially if you use a Tretinion or any form of retinol/retinal which increases photosensitivity. Generally, I like my sunscreens a milky hydrating like my 6+year holy grail product SkinAqua Moisture Milk that I can’t seem to find anywhere now. Tragic, I know… but life moves on and we find another. So I’ve switched to INNBEAUTY PROJECT Mineral Sun Glow Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 43 PA+++ with Peptides in Medium Tint. It’s lightweight and perfect for under makeup or just as is for a light glowy and natural finish.
Click Here for the Morning Routine PDF
Additional Notes:
As I’ve grown skincare has become a passion of mine. So much time as been dedicated researching and testing my current skincare routine. Finding products that are affordable, hydrating and won’t make me breakout has truly been a challenge. This is why I’m so excited to share it. What works for me will not work for everyone, but hopefully this gives direction to someone that’s fighting to find their routine.
*Skincare can be expensive and finding the right products for you takes time. All of these products are under $25 besides my prescribed tretinion.
**Remember to always test patch before applying all over and keep an eye out for products and ingredients that you suspect don’t mesh with your skin.
My goal with this post is to share my go to model skincare routines to help anyone struggling to find direction or looking for new trusty products. One of the questions I get asked the most is my skincare routine, so I’m so excited to finally have built my own platform where I can share it.
If you like this post, have specific questions or want me to cover certain topics, please drop me a line in the comments.
Amazing work