Skincare products that get it done

A love story

Tell me you’re on the back half of your 30s without telling me…!! But aren’t we all a little skincare obsessed? Social media has definitely elevated the skincare craze to another level over the last decade, but it truly brings me so much joy & confidence when my skin is skinning - indescribable! Who doesn’t want a forehead that resembles an ice skating rink, great texture, and an even skin tone? I’m not trying to be vain, but to feel good in my skin is a gift, and therefore something I carve out time and money for.

If you’ve read paragraph one and you’re asking yourself “who TF cares, Rachael??”feel free to exit, this post is so long and a bit absurd in the grand scheme of things. But if you are curious to learn about what I love as it relates to skincare - daily products, sheet & leave on masks, tools, in-office treatments - read on!

The basics: My skin is normal to dry, sensitive but not overly sensitive, and not acne-prone. I really work hard at finding clean alternatives where I can for my daily living, but I also don’t kill myself over replacing a product I love. I’d say half of my products right now are from a holistic clean-beauty line (Tammy Fender - obsessed), the other half are not. Lastly, I have products that are a steal price wise, and products that are embarrassingly expensive. I watch for sales (Tammy Fender just had 20% off site wide! Dermstore does frequently, too!) or ask for gift cards at the holidays to help balance the bleed.

The daily workhorses: I’ve gone back and forth over the years with having a short/sweet routine to an extensive multi-step routine. I know derms and estheticians have many good & studied opinions on the topic, but I ultimately stick with what works for me and pivot when I need or want to. Am I likely using too many products right now? Sure. Is my skin suffering? I do not think so. The opposite, in fact! So to me, the only “downfall” is the money I’m spending and carving out 5-7 minutes 2x a day. Let’s jump into my favorites in the order I use them:

• Face wash: I only face wash at night, this works for me. I’ve been using Tammy Fender’s cleansing milk for a couple years now & enjoy it. If I’m wearing make-up I will double cleanse with the Elemis cleansing balm first. Both of these products last me for quite some time. I was using micellar water as a pre-wash to help get make-up off, but after much investigative work, I realized it was giving my skin a reaction from time-to-time. It was wild. Has this happened to anyone? One more thing, I use these washcloths for face washing & also keep a set in our guest bathroom for visitors.

• Toner: HOLY GRAIL incoming!! I am a loyal Biologique Recherche lotion P50 girly who temporarily lost her way, but got back on track. I started using this lotion (toner) in 2015 and it is a product I think everyone needs in their skincare arsenal. I took some time off of it like a dodo bird, but I recently re-started it and I am so very happy I did. If you want exfoliation & a glow, this is it. I’ve used Elemis toning pads and do like them, I’ve also heard good things about Jordan Harper’s brand Barefaced and her toning pads, but ultimately I don’t think BR lotion P50 can be outdone. I personally use lotion P50V but they have different options for varying skin types/age demographics. I’ve always purchased from Aida Bicaj or Rescue Spa in NYC (online or call), but if you’re local to DC the Four Seasons carries BR as well. **This is morning and/or evening, whatever I feel like my skin needs. But always daily!

• Vitamin C: I started using SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic when my esthetician Paula recommended it to me in 2014. It is spendy, but it is impactful, long-lasting, and loved by all. The smell is somewhat atrocious at first, but you get accustomed to it. While I love this product, a friend of mine let me know that the patent for SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic expired in March of this year, allowing others to formulate a copy cat product. While I am loyal to SkinCeuticals, at the recommendation of my girlfriend I started using Prequel’s Vitamin C serum and I’m enjoying it! The price is incredible, and I’m still getting the same smell/consistency of product that I did with SkinCeuticals. Time will tell the efficacy of this alternate option, but I’m enjoying giving it a go for now! **This is a morning only application for me.

• Hydrating Serums: I use two hydrating serums each morning, back to back. I definitely don’t need both, but I like them both for different reasons. I am using Prequel’s Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum which has a jelly-like consistency and feels hydrating. I like it! But I LOVE Tammy Fender’s Plant Milk serum. This is a repeat product for me that I’ve been using for a couple of years. It is very hydrating, comes from clean ingredients, and leaves my skin glowing. I will not be without this product. **This is a morning only application for me.

• Face Lotion: I go back and forth between Tammy Fender’s Intensive Repair Balm and SkinCeutical’s Triple Lipid. Both thick and luscious! I just got a sample of Tammy Fender’s Luminous Morning Cream which I’m enjoying as well. **This is a morning and/or night application, depending on the day and time of the year. In the morning I’ll do everything listed above and alternate between a moisturizer or the oil mentioned below. If I’m extra dry in the winter, I lather it all baby. And for night, I am usually doing retinol and/or an overnight mask/oil, which are mentioned below.

• Face Oil: Another heavenly product that I can’t be without, Tammy Fender’s Quintessential Serum (oil). The moisture and hydration are next level. It soaks into my skin and is fabulous. Make-up applies well over it as well, but I generally wait 5ish minutes. I used Vitner’s Daughter years ago and liked it, but remember the smell being much more fragrant. **This is often a morning and night application for me, depending on the season.

• Eye cream: Despite being regimented with skincare for the last decade, I have not been loyal to an eye cream or even had one consistently in my routine until recently. And my eyes show for it :/ !! I’m currently using iNNBeauty’s Bright & Tight Dark Circle Firming Eye Cream with Vitamin C & Peptides. I like it, the price is not scary like other favorites, but we will see if it’s a forever in my lineup. **This is a morning and night application.

• Sunscreen: I was pretty loyal to Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen for years thanks to a recommendation from my girlfriend Brittney. I liked the consistency & make-up goes on well over it. That said, in my quest to try more products from the fairly priced dermatologist built brand Prequel, I purchased their mineral sunscreen and I’m loving it. I’d say even more than Supergoop. I do have many friends who love Elta MD’s sunscreen as another option - I haven’t tried this but am very aware of it’s cult following! **This is a morning only application, of course :).

• Nighttime: My nighttime routine is pretty chill compared to my morning products. I wash with the above mentioned products, tone with Lotion P50V, and then use Skinbetter’s Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream. I love this retinol and find it effective and not too scathing to my skin, something many retinols can be. I asked my derm about Skinbetter vs. prescription retinol and he said that because I’m not combatting acne, a prescription grade retinol was not necessary & could be more harmful than helpful. I thought that was interesting. Aside from my retinol, I will sleep in the Sulwhasoo’s Face Mask that I wrote about in last week’s Friday Five, and also use the oil above at night.

The masks: I’ve sensitized my children into thinking it is normal to walk around with goop on my face — here are some of my favorite goops right now: May Lindstrom’s The Clean Dirt (exfoliating & brightening powder to foam exfoliant - will last a lifetime), Tammy Fender’s Epi-Peel (great exfoliant), The Ordinary Peeling Solution (incredible price, good exfoliant) followed directly by a sheet mask for cooling/hydration, Primally Pure Mask Trio (TBD on effectiveness, but clean ingredients and have been enjoyable so far), and any Biologique Recherche mask (Masque Vivant, Masque VIP O2, Masque Vernix as recommendations). For sheet masks, 111Skin sheet masks are ELITE. They’re also expensive as hell. SK-II sheet masks are also nice and a bit better priced. But for me, a sheet mask is a boost of hydration and a relaxation mechanism, so I’m generally keeping it cheap. I typically opt for the COSRX Snail Mucin Sheet Mask or the Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask, which is an overnight sheet mask. Lastly, if I’m flying 5 hours or more be ready to see me with these or these on, if not an entire sheet mask.

The tools: I haven’t dove too hard into tools. I’m familiar with the NuFACE, ZIIP HALO, and other micro current devices of the sort, but haven’t purchased any yet. From a skin laxity standpoint, I’m definitely curious. If you’re using, loving, and seeing results, LMK! What I do have and try to use with consistency is the Light Salon BOOST LED Mask (wait for a 20% off sale), Joanna Czech’s Facial Massager (a gift from my best friend Amanda who knows Joanna personally. There are cheaper options on the market, though I do like this), a simple gua sha stone for face and neck drainage work, and the Skinny Confidential’s Ice Roller for depuffing and further face drainage (fabulous after gua sha!).

The in-office work: I am light on the in-office treatments, but enjoy the things I’ve done/do. I see Paula Aradi & Cassie Downing at Eyes on Skin for facials & brow coloring/waxing (LOVE THESE LADIES!), and Dr. Terrence Keaney at SkinDC (also fabulous!) for neurotoxin injections (i.e. botox/xeomin/dysport) in my forehead + laser treatments. I typically do injections 3x a year and I’m trying to do laser every 2 years, but I’m still new to this world. I did the HALO resurfacing laser + BBL (broadband light therapy) a little over two years ago and I’m doing Moxi and BBL next week (!!). Halo is fairly intense, Moxi to my understanding is a lighter version, which I will welcome given the latter part of my week is quite busy. Both HALO and Moxi stimulate collagen production & improve skin texture. BBL targets hyperpigmentation/sun spots, which sadly are unavoidable. I have curiosity on other lasers or in-office treatments, but this is where I’m at for now :).

Do you love me for the recs? Hate me for the added money out the door? Find me insufferable for this silly obsession? Did anyone even make it this far? LOL Hopefully this was insightful for some and for those that did make it this far, please share with me your tried and true products that make an impact + any in-office treatments you swear by!! Skincare is about the long game, do the work now for glowing decades ahead.

P.S. On the topic of skin, if you haven’t scheduled your annual skin check at your dermatologist, take this as your reminder to schedule!

With love,

Rach