My Skincare Routine - Caffeine Queen

Since I entered my 30’s I’ve really been trying to up my skincare game. It’s something I really didn’t pay much attention to when I was younger and it’s amazing the results you can get when you try. I won’t lie, it does take some trial and error which definitely isn’t always the greatest. But the upside is at least we’ll all be staying home and wearing masks which can cover up any missteps. Below is a full breakdown of my entire skincare routine. While everyone’s skin is different, hopefully some or all of it will work for you!

AM Routine

Step 1: Starting right out of the gate with a controversial step: I don’t wash my face in the morning! It was always something that didn’t really make sense to me since between my evening and morning wash all I’m doing to my skin is sleeping. Turns out after I did some research that there are actually a lot of reasons to not wash your face in the morning. It actually removes a lot of the natural barriers your skin worked hard to make overnight. So I usually just start my day with splashing some water on my face and that’s it for the first step! If I am feeling puffy, I’ll run an ice roller over my skin too! If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of not washing your face in the morning (and what skin types should wash their face) this is a great article.
Step 2: After drying my face the first thing I apply is my Skinceuticals C E Ferulic. (Your skincare routine should always go from thinnest to thickest as a rule.) You just gently press a few drops into your skin. It’s a vitamin C serum that “delivers advanced environmental protection and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness, and brightens skin’s complexion.” Now this is a pricy serum but so far has been worth every penny. My skin has never looked better! If you’re looking for a better price point, Maelove’s Glow Maker is the best alternative and one I still use. You can read more about my love for Maelove here.
Step 3: Speaking of Maelove, my next step is pressing a few drops of their hydrating serum, Hydrator B5 Gel. It provides a great dose of hydration but is thin enough that it layers well under makeup. While I’m always about what’s best for my skin, my morning routine also has to be something that works under makeup too.
Step 4 (optional): Some mornings if I haven’t had enough sleep or am getting ready to take some photos with the blog, I apply eye masks. I LOVE eye masks. They’re just a fun way to pamper yourself! I’ve used a ton that I love but if I had to pick my favorite 3, right now they would be Peter Thomas Roth (these, these, or these), Skyn, or BeautyBio. If you’re looking for a super budget friendly option, these Bliss ones are great!
Step 5: The last step of my daily morning skincare routine is moisturizer and face oil! Again thinking about putting on makeup, I need something that is very hydrating for my skin but isn’t going to make my foundation pill. I am loving BeautyBio’s The Ultimate Hydrating Vitamin C Facial Moisturizer. It absorbs pretty quickly and makes it so I don’t really need a primer after. I usually mix one to two drops of my beloved Sunday Riley Juno face oil in it and gently pat into my skin. Face oil has changed my skin and it’s definitely one product I think everyone should use! A quick google search of your skin type should help you find the right face oil for you! If you don’t have a few minutes for your face oil to truly absorb into your skin in the morning, I would skip adding it to your moisturizer.
Step 6 (optional): If I’ve worn eye masks, once I take them off I’ll be sure to pat in any remaining serum and apply moisturizer.

Shop My AM Routine

PM Routine

Step 1: I have tried so many cleansing balms and hated them all until I found the Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm. It’s so gentle and doesn’t dry out your skin but effective. I use it whether I have makeup on or not. Apply to dry skin, gently cleanse with water, and rinse. If you are wearing makeup, it will take off every single drop of it. A little goes a long way so it lasts a while, but again it can be pricy. I usually stock up when I find it on sale, which happens every few months or so. If you’re looking for a more traditional face wash, this is my absolute favorite and super affordable.
Optional: If I am applying a face mask, this is where I usually put it in my routine. I haven’t been doing as many lately, but my favorite is this one by Peter Thomas Roth.
Step 2: I unfortunately have acne prone skin so I need something in my routine that helps combat that. Once again, Maelove to the rescue! The Nia 10 Calming Serum combats acne but is gentle enough to not irritate my gentle skin. Just gently pat a few drops into your skin! You can use this morning and night if you would like (my skin is a little too sensitive for that), I would apply it after your vitamin C and before your hydrating serum.
Step 3: If you’re looking to “improve the visible appearance of firmness, smoothness, and facial plumpness” then this next step is for you! Step 3 in my pm routine is gently patting a few drops of Skinceuticals HA Intensifier into my skin. Another pricy item but the results cannot be beat. I definitely recommend picking this one up when it’s on sale! You can use it both morning and night, but I only use it at night because it’s pretty thick so not great for applying under makeup. So in the morning I use Maelove’s Hydrator B5 Gel instead, which is a great affordable alternative.
Step 4: Eye cream time! I’ll be honest, this is the part of my skincare routine I haven’t fully nailed yet. I really like the eye cream I currently use but it doesn’t do anything for my dark circles, so I’m still on the hunt!
Step 5: My favorite step! You guessed it, time for face oil again! Since you’re just going to bed after, you can be more liberal in the amount of face oil you use, but I would work up to it! Start with one drop and work up to more as your skin allows. Personally in the evening I like mixing 2 drops with my Drunk Elephant Protini moisturizer and gently patting into my skin. It’s the perfect hydrating combo and my skin looks amazing in the morning.
Step 6 (optional): If you’re acne prone like me, some times you need to spot treat! I’ll dip a q-tip into Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion (do not shake the bottle) and apply! It usually does the trick!