Night Time Skin Routine

Top (left to right): Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil, Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion, Josie Maran Infinity Cream, Primavera Revitalizing Antioxidant Mask

Jar: Mario Badescu Strawberry Scrub

Blue jar to the left: Glo Therapeutics Renew Serum

Blue jar to the right: Glo Therapeutics Pure Hydration

Tool: Clarisonic Mia

Makeup isn't just about the colorful products you paint onto your face.  It begins deep - skin deep.  Your makeup won't look flawless and glowing if your skin isn't healthy and hydrated.

I've had my own fair share of skin issues but from those issues, I've learned which products work and don't work for me.  I also know what I need to do to keep it healthy.  My main vice is not drinking enough water.  Coming in a close second is not getting enough sleep.  The latter sometimes is out of my control, but as long as I've been maintaining good skin care practice, I can use makeup to brighten up my tired eyes.

I have combination skin that is on the dehydrated side.  (Remember, dehydrated skin is a condition, not a classification e.g. oily, normal, or dry.)  Here are the products I use to take care of my skin.

1. Up & Up Exfoliating Cucumber Cleansing Towelettes

I randomly picked these towelettes up in Target one day because I was gearing up for a mini trip.  At the time, I had never used towelettes so I can't even remember my reasoning as to why I decided to get them.  All I can remember is that they were the cheapest one at the time and the price sold me.  So as proof that I seldom used towelettes and typical of a Target experience, I threw a package of these Up & Up Exfoliating Cucumber Cleansing Towelettes into my basket, paid for them, and then into a drawer they went at home....forgotten.

....until 2 weeks ago.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover how gentle yet hydrating these towelettes are.  They have an exfoliating side and a smoother side to just cleanse.  I use the exfoliating side to wipe my makeup off.  I then use the smoother side to remove my eye makeup.  I wear contact lenses and have extremely sensitive eyes (I couldn't wear contact lenses for a few years due to an allergic reaction)  These towelettes do not aggravate my eyes even when I still have my contact lenses on.  The makeup removing power is also pretty darn good.

HUGE pluses: These towelettes contain aloe and is hydrating, which shouldn't be a surprise since the name promises the hydrating quality of cucumbers.  I now use these towelettes before I use my cleanser so make sure I remove all traces of makeup and dirt.

Ok sorry....ADD on that mini review.

2. Scrub - Mario Badescu's Strawberry Scrub

About 3 times a week, I use this scrub to exfoliate away the dead skin cells.  This product is a spa in a jar.  It's creamy and leaves your skin soft. What's awesome is the affordable price.  At $15 for 4 ounces, this is a definite repurchase.

3. Cleanser: Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil + Clarisonic Mia

Click HERE for my review of the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil
Click HERE for my review of the Clarisonic Mia

4. Toner: Mario Badescu's Cucumber Cleansing Lotion

I use a cotton round and pour a few drops of this onto the cotton round.  A little goes a long way!  I recently purchased a few Mario Badescu products from Ulta and so far am enjoying all of them.  There are actual cucumber bits in the squeeze bottle!  The cucumber extract assures hydration to your skin.

5. Serum: Glo Therapeutics Renew Serum

If for some reason I don't use my strawberry scrub to exfoliate, I will apply this serum after toner but before moisturizer.  This serum functions to exfoliate and turn over cells to promote smooth and healthy skin.  It also contains oil controlling agents that is great for my combination skin.  The only thing I don't like about serums is that you have to wait for it to absorb into your skin after application.  This product instructs to wait 30 minutes.  I'm hard pressed to find that kind of time when work gets busy.

Will I buy this again when it runs out?  No.  I took my facialist's word and purchased this at her recommendation, having faith that it'll work.  Again...I'm hanging onto that faith...despite the fact that I don't see any visible effects from the serum.

5. Serum: Glo Therapeutics Pure Hydration

When my skin needs a surge of moisture and hydration, I reach for this.  In fact, I'll even apply it during the daytime to make sure my skin meets its moisture needs.  My only complaint is the price: $46 for 1 ounce.  Ouch!

6. Moisturizer, Eye Cream, and Lip Moisturizer: Josie Maran Infinity Cream
Click HERE to see why I use Josie Maran's Infinity Cream as my moisturizer for my face, body, eye cream, and lips.

7. 2 - 3 times a week, I use the Primavera Antioxidant Mask

Because my skin is dehydrated, I actually sleep with this mask on and wash it off in the morning.  It leaves my skin hydrated, soft, and rejuvenated.  No joke - it's like I have a new layer of skin in the morning.  The mask applies like a lotion and is invisible.  You can't see or feel it.

It contains organic rose essential oil (reduces broken capillaries, promotes cell renewal), organic pomegranate seed oil (contains antioxidants), aloe vera extra (restores hydration), organic green tea extract (soothes skin and contains antioxidants), and green clay (draws toxins and repairs tissues).

I LOVE this mask.  I initially was taken aback by this product because I'm use to masks being colorful, visible, and thick.  Safe to say I was highly skeptical.  However, it delivers so well that it's almost like a trip to the facialist.

For a more in depth review of Primavera products, click HERE for my take.

I hope some of this has helped you on some level.  Skin care is a pretty personal thing so get to know your skin.  Sometimes, it's just a trial and error process until you find something that agrees with your skin.  These are the products that have worked for me through trial and error.

What products do you all use for your night time skin care routine?